BO Tower Countdown

[Ben Higdon]

Never heard an explanation for how BO got its name but it would be quite a coincidence that its located just west of Botsford Yard, which itself was preceded by the Botsford Paper Company (later Kalamazoo Paper and Georgia Pacific).

[Ben Higdon]

Last week looking and taking pictures of the long MCRR board above the levers in BO there was a Grand Trunk diamond between tower 1 and BO back in the old days. 6 diamonds at Tower 1, the GT 3 diamonds to switch north side customers , BO 3 diamonds to switch NYC north side customers. Then east of BO was the CK&S 3 diamonds.

There were actually only two diamonds per crossing of the CK&S, NYC and GTW. At Tower 1 there was another pair of diamonds on the south side of the main where the NYC wye crossed the PRR, and another where this connection crossed the GTW. This track ran through what is now the Bell's beer garden until the track realignment around the late 60s or 1970 when the new South Wye was put in in front of BO. There was another diamond immediately west of Tower 1 where the PRR Fox Wye crossed what I believe was the MC House track to connect with the Long Middle.

[Saturnalia]

Never heard an explanation for how BO got its name but it would be quite a coincidence that its located just west of Botsford Yard, which itself was preceded by the Botsford Paper Company (later Kalamazoo Paper and Georgia Pacific).

Most likely "Botsford" converted to a two-character Telegraph Code, much like most other places. Porter was "PO" tower, for instance. Not uncommon at all.

[Super Chief]

Thanks Ben for your explanation on the track layout. The board didn't show the long middle. It did show trackage going SE and NW from the mains (wyes) but they were awfully faded on the diagram.

[Ypsi]

Is midday still decent for GDLK at Kalamazoo? Might have some time Monday to get a couple hours in and one last "live view" of the tower.

[Super Chief]

302 went south 8:30am and 501 was in Three Rivers at noon south with only 2204 long hood forward pulling. Don't know 1st hand about Kazoo jobs. GTW is bringing me a track diagram from the 60s as to what this looked like back then tonight.

[ThreeRiversChris]

GTW is bringing me a track diagram from the 60s as to what this looked like back then tonight.

Here's a little insight....

BO Tower is in the background

[Ben Higdon]

Love that picture! If I could pick a time and place to rail fan it'd be right about there.

[Railfanjunction]

Barriers are up on the parking lot on the south side of the tower. Had to park a ways back and walk in.

Zach

[NSSD70ACe]

Here's a little insight....

That's quite the sight right there. I wish it was still around.

[Ben Higdon]

You can see the snow covered roofs of Tower 1 and BO in this picture. That tower has seen a lot in its day...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DR-JIM-STAMPS-U ... SwNRdX~ODa

[LakeATCS]

Hate to say it, but it's not the last NYC tower.

In Albany new york, Amtrak still operates LAB tower. It's not a tower structure mind you. It's a cabin that literally sits on top of the moveable bridge. It has control of the CTC in the area.

Though Amtrak is diligently working to close this one as well.

Then there is Metra 16th street. Not sure which of the railroads owned this one however as its on the former CRIP/NYC joint trackage (now Metra)

[ConrailDetr​oit]

Even though the tower will close in a few days, does this mean it will also be demolished in a few days?

[M.D.Bentley]

And no one has asked " What about the operators ?" Well, I did and found out the they will be exercising their seniority and moving across state to the NS bridge and the operators that are displaced there might find a new home at the Dearborn HQ.

[Fred]

Yes, on both the NS and CSXT clerks & operators are on the same seniority roster allowing clerks to displace operators & vice-versa. On Conrail, they are on different seniority rosters so clerks can only "bump" clerks & operators can only displace operators. Advantages & disadvantages to both.
Speaking of NYC towers lets not forget the Conrail River Rouge Bridge job. When I hired on in 1966 that was the 1st tower they sent me to learn. Hard to believe the other 12 towers are all gone.

[LakeATCS]

Yes, on both the NS and CSXT clerks & operators are on the same seniority roster allowing clerks to displace operators & vice-versa. On Conrail, they are on different seniority rosters so clerks can only "bump" clerks & operators can only displace operators. Advantages & disadvantages to both.
Speaking of NYC towers lets not forget the Conrail River Rouge Bridge job. When I hired on in 1966 that was the 1st tower they sent me to learn. Hard to believe the other 12 towers are all gone.

There are several bridges, but I don't think any have control of signals anymore.

Cleveland, Maumee, and Hick come to mind

[TrainWatcher]

There are several bridges, but I don't think any have control of signals anymore.

Cleveland, Maumee, and Hick come to mind

DB lost it's a few weeks ago with the conversion. Maumee I don't think does as Toledo Terminal has operational control and I think Hick (AKA CP503) isn't a controlled tower anymore as that's handled by Chicago East IIRC.

[SD80MAC]

Hick is well into Chicago West's territory, and as far as I know the tower is manned and controls both the NS and CN bridges.

[Super Chief]

One of the BO operators did bump to River Rouge. Said he needed the code to open the gate at the oil terminal to access it though.

[Firemedic Mike]

Is the swing bridge in Michigan City IN a manned bridge?