Thanks David, I looked up "WRIX" on Google and got pages of things that were not Western Rail!!

Nice to know it may be for a rebuild.

I know they are not an "endangered spices" I see loads at Chicago wearing Metra colours, but still nice if old locos can be "re-purposed".

Found this as the last known "whereabouts".

AMTK 315: TANX 315, acquired by NCDOT for passenger service between Raleigh and Charlotte (the Piedmont); in storage after failing FRA inspection

Wonder how long ago that was!!

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So here is a question.

I have notice this happening recently on either the Southwest Chief or the California Zephyr, as they leave Chicago, I believe here in the UK we call it "clagging".



My observations are that it is always the 2nd loco that does it, I have seen it on 4 different locos and it is never the lead loco.

I realise that just at this point the power is being applied after the curve but why only the rear loco??

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So here is a question.

I have notice this happening recently on either the Southwest Chief or the California Zephyr, as they leave Chicago, I believe here in the UK we call it "clagging".



My observations are that it is always the 2nd loco that does it, I have seen it on 4 different locos and it is never the lead loco.

I realise that just at this point the power is being applied after the curve but why only the rear loco??

My best guess, other than coincidence, is that the HEP is running on the lead unit, so it's already partially revved up, whereas the 2nd is just coming up from idle.

(It could also be that the lead unit is offline, letting the 2nd do all the work to save fuel on the relatively flat route through Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas. That train would probably only have one if it didn't have to climb over Raton Pass from Colorado into New Mexico.)

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David
Sitting on my butt while others boldly go,
Waiting for a message from a small furry creature from Alpha Centauri.

Train Strikes, Kills 15-Year-Old High School Student On Caltrain Tracks

A Caltrain struck and killed a 15-year-old Palo Alto High School student in Palo Alto Monday morning, prompting delays of up to an hour for train commuters, Caltrain officials said.

Northbound train No. 309 fatally struck the person at about 6:25 a.m. on the tracks south (sted north) of Churchill Avenue. A preliminary investigation has determined the case is a suicide, according to Caltrain officials.
The fatality initially shut down Caltrain service in both directions. The southbound tracks reopened around 7:15 a.m. and trains single-tracked through the area.

Caltrain service resumed in both directions as of about 9 a.m.
The fatality is the eighth on Caltrain’s right-of-way so far in 2015. There were 10 in all of 2014, eight of which were determined to be suicides, agency officials said.

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Chicago's Metra had a bad day yesterday, but it's better this morning.

Maps of the location. The map is somewhat out of date. The east-west line no longer goes across the north-south line, and (I'm pretty sure) the northeast connection between the lines is gone. I don't even know why the southeast connection is still there, since the line is abandoned east of here and being converted to an elevated linear park.

The location is called Tower A5 (the old Milwaukee Road's A route to Milwaukee and St. Paul, 5 miles from Union Station). Amtrak and Metra Milwaukee-North trains go straight through on the north-south tracks, while Milwaukee-West and North Central Service trains go around the southwest connection onto the B route toward Omaha and Kansas City. The train that derailed was a North Central, on the easternmost track trying to go around the curve to head west. It had 4 cars; after a while, they put all the people into the rear 2 cars and had a switcher come out of the yard to pull those cars back to the Western Ave. station.

Apparently, what they did with the Milwaukee North and Amtrak trains to get by here was have them go west, then change ends and go around the northwest connection, which is normally freight only. This means that all the North trains are coming into Chicago this morning with the engines leading (normal practice on all Metra lines (except Electric) is to have the engine on the outer end so passengers don't have to walk past it in the Chicago terminal). I suppose part of today's servicing they get at Western Ave. Yard (just south of here) will be to turn them around again.

Amtrak's Empire Builder was already running several hours late (with a BNSF engine on the point). I don't know if they also did the around-the-wye maneuver and the conductor had to stand in the rear doorway with the tailhose, or if they ran it on the freight line that goes around O'Hare and into Bensenville Yard (it would then approach A5 from the west).

[edit]
About the only worse place on the whole Metra system for this to have happened would have been just south of here at Tower A2, where the Milwaukee crosses the UP West line. That's still a manned tower with 1930s technology, although they are working on how to give the dispatcher remote control.

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David
Sitting on my butt while others boldly go,
Waiting for a message from a small furry creature from Alpha Centauri.

Interesting.

I have just seen the Illinois Zephyr 380, arrived on what I have always seen as the depart track.

More interestingly The Lake Shore has just entered the wye locos first!!

It and the Capitol always reverse in.

I wonder what is going on and is it related to yesterday?

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Interesting.

I have just seen the Illinois Zephyr 380, arrived on what I have always seen as the depart track.

More interestingly The Lake Shore has just entered the wye locos first!!

It and the Capitol always reverse in.

I wonder what is going on and is it related to yesterday?

Shouldn't be. It's on the other side of Union Station, several miles away, under the control of different dispatchers.

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David
Sitting on my butt while others boldly go,
Waiting for a message from a small furry creature from Alpha Centauri.

On a different track (oh a pun)

This sped through Chesterton today.



At first glance it looked like a "toy train"

On closer inspection.



It turns out to be NS 34 and NS 33 a track geometry train

Apparently NS 34 was a Norfolk and Western SD35 No. 1530, delivered in 8/65,wrecked in 1976 and converted to a road slug, then after many years, in and out of storage, finally this.

Seems it has a fan following as some seem to think NS should adopt the colour for all their rolling stock.

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As a total ignorant observer here (would be anorak), is a dispatcher the same as a UK signalman?

(I was typing this when the outrage started. Fortunately, I thought that might happen and copied it to a text file before I hit post.)

Not sure how you define a signalman.

To me, a signalman would be a tower operator or an assistant to a tower operator. That is, a person in a tower or office somewhere controlling the switches and signals in a local area (or not so local) under the direction of a dispatcher.

A dispatcher is responsible for the traffic flowing on a long segment of a railroad. In the early days, every point that had switches and signals to govern them had a tower and all the tower operators reported to and acted on the orders of the dispatcher. Now, most dispatchers deal with trains directly, either with remotely controlled switches and signals (CTC) and use the radio to give and get additional information and instructions; or use the radio to dictate track warrants or other written authority on non-CTC lines.

Signalman could also refer to a signal maintainer.

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David
Sitting on my butt while others boldly go,
Waiting for a message from a small furry creature from Alpha Centauri.

Seems some of the north east USA has fog this morning.

Made for different and (to me anyway) interesting pictures.

This is Fostoria OH (known and loved by train buffs apparently)



And here Berea OH and approaching train



As to "dispatcher" the nearest we have is Train Controller

To improve the efficiency of train working, Train Controllers (also known as Controllers, District Controllers, Line Controllers and Area Controllers) were progressively introduced on many British-style railways in the early years of the 20th century, the first being on the Midland Railway in 1907. Although the specifics of their duties varied between railways, Train Controllers were responsible for tracking train movements (especially freight), ensuring freight trains were loaded economically and provided with suitable locomotive power, liaising with train crew rostering personnel, ordering additional trains to run for the carriage of extra freight tonnage or passengers as required, allocating paths for unscheduled services and making alterations to scheduled working in order to maximize efficiency and deal with any irregularity in traffic which may affect smooth operation. On busy railways such as the Midland, it was at times very difficult for Signalmen to keep track of train movements and make optimal traffic regulation decisions whilst operating signalling equipment. Consequently, fast trains could be delayed by slower trains on the line ahead. Moreover, there was no-one with specific responsibilities relating to the efficient, economical use of rolling stock in traffic, which made it difficult to manage the contingencies of under utilisation, wastage and allocation of inappropriate locomotive power. In the face of rising costs, operating economies were particularly important to the private British railway companies in the early twentieth century. The Train Controller was intended to manage these and other difficulties. In many railways, modern technology has seen the positions of Signalman and Train Controller united (or reunited, in the sense that traffic regulation and train path allocation were originally duties of the Signalman anyway).

So really these days, except on a few lines that are not centrally controlled, the "signalman" is now also a controller. Most "signal boxes" have gone or like the one at East Croydon are now Network Rail offices.

As an aside "signal boxes" in the US are usually called "interlocking towers" My second picture here shows the one at Berea Ohio. Also the term "interlock" is a UK one patented in 1856 by John Saxby and refers to the "interlocking of points (switches) and signals.

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Seems some of the north east USA has fog this morning.

Made for different and (to me anyway) interesting pictures.

This is Fostoria OH (known and loved by train buffs apparently)



And here Berea OH and approaching train



As to "dispatcher" the nearest we have is Train Controller

To improve the efficiency of train working, Train Controllers (also known as Controllers, District Controllers, Line Controllers and Area Controllers) were progressively introduced on many British-style railways in the early years of the 20th century, the first being on the Midland Railway in 1907. Although the specifics of their duties varied between railways, Train Controllers were responsible for tracking train movements (especially freight), ensuring freight trains were loaded economically and provided with suitable locomotive power, liaising with train crew rostering personnel, ordering additional trains to run for the carriage of extra freight tonnage or passengers as required, allocating paths for unscheduled services and making alterations to scheduled working in order to maximize efficiency and deal with any irregularity in traffic which may affect smooth operation. On busy railways such as the Midland, it was at times very difficult for Signalmen to keep track of train movements and make optimal traffic regulation decisions whilst operating signalling equipment. Consequently, fast trains could be delayed by slower trains on the line ahead. Moreover, there was no-one with specific responsibilities relating to the efficient, economical use of rolling stock in traffic, which made it difficult to manage the contingencies of under utilisation, wastage and allocation of inappropriate locomotive power. In the face of rising costs, operating economies were particularly important to the private British railway companies in the early twentieth century. The Train Controller was intended to manage these and other difficulties. In many railways, modern technology has seen the positions of Signalman and Train Controller united (or reunited, in the sense that traffic regulation and train path allocation were originally duties of the Signalman anyway).

So really these days, except on a few lines that are not centrally controlled, the "signalman" is now also a controller. Most "signal boxes" have gone or like the one at East Croydon are now Network Rail offices.

As an aside "signal boxes" in the US are usually called "interlocking towers" My second picture here shows the one at Berea Ohio. Also the term "interlock" is a UK one patented in 1856 by John Saxby and refers to the "interlocking of points (switches) and signals.

Based on that description, I'd say your Train Controllers do a lot more than our dispatchers do. As far as I'm aware, a dispatcher does not assign cars or locos to trains, and does not assign crews either (on a very small railroad, the functions of dispatcher and crew caller might be combined, along with various others). The dispatcher should know what trains to expect on his territory and when (which is approximate for freight trains), but has no responsibility until a train actually shows up, ready to go. Then his only job is to move it safely and efficiently across the territory while it interacts with other trains also on the line at the same time. He makes sure trains going in opposite directions meet at passing sidings (of sufficient length for at least one of them) and that slow trains get out of the way of faster ones. From the earliest days until the mid-20th century, the dispatcher told tower operators (your signalmen) what to do and they told him when each train passed, originally by telegraph and then by telephone. Dispatchers also issue train orders. This also progressed from telegraph to telephone, copied by the operator and physically handed to the train crew. With CTC, the orders themselves became much simpler, mainly just saying "train X with engine Y conductor Smith engineer Jones run from A to B" and listing any slow orders or other bulletins in effect, copies of which would be attached to the order. These have now progressed further to being faxed (many locations have just small shack with a phone and a fax machine inside). In non-CTC territory, the order has been supplanted by the track warrant, which basically has all the possible orders preprinted on it and the dispatcher will tell the crew by phone or radio which lines to X and what to write in the blank spaces. As a safety measure, the last line says "This order has ___ boxes marked, ___ ___ ___ ___ ___." The crew has to repeat back each line verbatim, including the last one. Then the dispatcher will say "OK at <time> <his initials>" and the crew has to repeat that back correctly, also giving the ID of who copied it. As I understand it, the dispatcher's computer has software that helps him issue warrants and prevents him from issuing them so that they conflict with each other.

In Canada (and on US lines of Canadian owned railroads) the dispatcher is called the rail traffic controller or RTC. For the Canadian National line that runs near me, the dispatcher IDs himself as "CN RTC Desk 11 Homewood." (The location of the dispatching office for lines in the Chicago area.)

Most towers (interlocking means that the control apparatus is mechanically or electrically prevented from lining up conflicting routes; not all towers were interlocked) have been eliminated by either CTC or reduced traffic removing the need for them (crews hand throw switches).

Yes, I got more verbose than needed.

---

David
Sitting on my butt while others boldly go,
Waiting for a message from a small furry creature from Alpha Centauri.

This will probably only be of interest to train fans (though others are free to look :-) )

Today the California Zephyr left Chicago with 4 locos, not too unusual



However not only did it have twice as many locos as usual, but it also appeared to be two trains separated by a baggage car.

It was definitely separated as the coach to the left of the baggage car has a high level connection and therefore no one can access the baggage car from the front 7 coaches. the train is in two halves.

The front 7 coaches are standard coach class. The rear train appears to be the actual California Zephyr as it has coach, dining, observation car and sleepers.




Could this be a "rescue" train, the front half and 2 locos detached on route to pick up stranded passengers?

Here is the video of the departure.

California Zephyr 12 March 2015

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This will probably only be of interest to train fans (though others are free to look :-) )

Today the California Zephyr left Chicago with 4 locos, not too unusual



However not only did it have twice as many locos as usual, but it also appeared to be two trains separated by a baggage car.

It was definitely separated as the coach to the left of the baggage car has a high level connection and therefore no one can access the baggage car from the front 7 coaches. the train is in two halves.

The front 7 coaches are standard coach class. The rear train appears to be the actual California Zephyr as it has coach, dining, observation car and sleepers.




Could this be a "rescue" train, the front half and 2 locos detached on route to pick up stranded passengers?

Here is the video of the departure.

California Zephyr 12 March 2015

I wish I'd seen this in person. Almost did, but I stayed at my desk a few minutes to post something at Einstein.

The 3rd and 4th engines and first seven cars will be a special, anniversary run of the Winter Park Ski Train this weekend.

Those cars are coach, coach-baggage, c, cb, c, cb, c. I suppose the baggage sections are to carry the skis, although one of them might have food service in it. Then comes the regular CZ: baggage (real one, not an old coach with its windows plated over and a door cut in the side), transition sleeper dorm (some revenue sleeper space, and rooms for the on board staff, with stairs down to a normal lever door at the front end), cb, c, lounge, diner, 2 sleepers.

[edit]
You already said most of that, didn't you? Sorry...

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David
Sitting on my butt while others boldly go,
Waiting for a message from a small furry creature from Alpha Centauri.

Bernie, you apparently missed some good stuff on that camera. Both the Wabash and Nickel Plate heritage units brought oil empties onto BNSF in the last day or so.

Friday's Amtrak 6 is supposed to have another ACS-64, and Saturday's should have Amtrak anniversary unit 822.

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David
Sitting on my butt while others boldly go,
Waiting for a message from a small furry creature from Alpha Centauri.

I though you might know what it was all about!!

Friday's Amtrak 6 is supposed to have another ACS-64,

Well seems Thursdays did as well :-)

and Saturday's should have Amtrak anniversary unit 822.

Well I more or less expected that seeing at it went out as the 5 on the 9th :-)



PS so when will the Ski Train return, on Monday's 6?

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New high speed train

About time.
Now if they'd just get on with HS2...
Sorry, that belongs in Politics!

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Life on earth is the global equivalent of not storing things in the fridge.

Friday's Amtrak 6 is supposed to have another ACS-64,

Well seems Thursdays did as well :-)

Hmm. I could have misinterpreted the report I saw.

PS so when will the Ski Train return, on Monday's 6?

My guess would be Tuesday. It's supposed to get back to Denver at 6:15 and the CZ is scheduled to arrive at 6:38 and depart at 7:10. I doubt they'll try to cut it that close on making the connection.

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David
Sitting on my butt while others boldly go,
Waiting for a message from a small furry creature from Alpha Centauri.

The UK needs to compete with the rest of the world with HST, but too many people with money and influence have fingers in the pies! It will happen. believe me, but it will take longer than it should do, which is silly and a head in the sand attitude.

I couldn't agree more Chris.

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

Friday's Amtrak 6 is supposed to have another ACS-64,

Well seems Thursdays did as well :-)

Hmm. I could have misinterpreted the report I saw.

No you were right another one tonight!!

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Saturday's should have Amtrak anniversary unit 822.

Yep over two hours late but now leading

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