Elkhart, Ind.

[LakeATCS]

Lake Division has the new CP3 on the air in test mode using MCP number 75508850410202

Here we see some of the differences in the way the different NS divisions operate. Lake will ALWAYS activate MCPs ahead of time on "test addresses" to test RX and tweak stuff. The Lake guys love to micro-tune the RF power levels on all their MCPs.

Derborne? Well, it's the Monday mad rush!!!!!!! (Which isn't far off)

[calvinfs]

It does look like 410 is being moved to the east. Pretty much exactly where the real MP 410 milemarker is.

Looking in the archives at the Conrail 1999 track charts and Norfolk Southern 2008 track charts (thanks Internet) the 410 signals are currently just east of the milepost. (The 1999 chart has the signals as they are today. The 2008 chart has the erroneous eastbound signal on Track 1.)

Monroe St is 410.49 ... which is where I would put 410 if it were up to me. (It isn't.)

The new 410 is indeed west of the old location a few tenths of a mile. It's about 1000 feet east/south of the Monroe Street crossing. Can't miss it. A new cantilever is up over the tracks with 2 vader heads each for 4101W and 4102W, and 1 head each for 4101E and 4102E.

[Jhall]

The new Brunk Corp switch will be just east of 5th street in Goshen. The new siding will be approx. 2000 ft long. The Brunk people need to have 3 switches per week.

Jeff

[justalurker66]

Lake Division has the new CP3 on the air in test mode using MCP number 75508850410202

Moving from 16 bits to 56 bits? And most of them have been used. Is the MCP number permanent to the new CP?

75508850420202 is also showing 56 bits. Is that one to watch?

CORRECTION:
75508800010202 and 75508800020202 are 56 bits. 75508850410202 is 16 bits, the same as the current CP. I was reading the wrong line.

[justalurker66]

The new 410 is indeed west of the old location a few tenths of a mile. It's about 1000 feet east/south of the Monroe Street crossing. Can't miss it. A new cantilever is up over the tracks with 2 vader heads each for 4101W and 4102W, and 1 head each for 4101E and 4102E.

Can't miss it? I did ... but in fairness 1000 ft puts it behind buildings (when looking from US33 or the entrance to Fiddler Park) and it was raining Sunday when I looked.
(The current signals are about 2800 feet easy of Monroe.)

I will have to look when it becomes daylight again.

[rob46580]

I figured there should be 3 test addresses to pop up, maybe 4 if the stuff I once caught from the crossing at Lusher also comes back on

[Dajudge]

Does anyone know if they will straighten the track 3 bump out around the old track 2 block at Sunnyside crossing?

And what the speed limit will be for track 3 between Goshen and Dunlap if switches are straight thru?

[justalurker66]

Monroe St is 410.49 ... which is where I would put 410 if it were up to me. (It isn't.)

The new 410 is indeed west of the old location a few tenths of a mile. It's about 1000 feet east/south of the Monroe Street crossing. Can't miss it. A new cantilever is up over the tracks with 2 vader heads each for 4101W and 4102W, and 1 head each for 4101E and 4102E.

Well, the factory has been torn down, which makes the signal easier to see before getting to the crossing eastbound on Monroe St. I don't take that road often so I missed it.

It is visible when it isn't raining and one is looking in the right place.

[LakeATCS]

Sheet says 40MPH for Track 3.

[justalurker66]

I figured there should be 3 test addresses to pop up, maybe 4 if the stuff I once caught from the crossing at Lusher also comes back on

It would be nice ... but it seems Dearborn doesn't test?

I've seen the antenna at Lusher ... and it made Google Street View in July 2013.

[justalurker66]

In addition to 410 on the cantilever (EB single head, WB two heads - 3 lamps over 2) the new signals are up at 407 ... completely new masts with the same pattern as 410 (EB single head, WB two heads - 3 lamps over 2).

[LakeATCS]

In addition to 410 on the cantilever (EB single head, WB two heads - 3 lamps over 2) the new signals are up at 407 ... completely new masts with the same pattern as 410 (EB single head, WB two heads - 3 lamps over 2).

Okay wow, that was quick. 407 is part of a different project. If 407 has new signals, there might be new signals at a TON of places out there.

(Ligoneer, etc)

[justalurker66]

BTW: Not in service yet, of course.

Last weekend's drive took me down the line to Warsaw then I went to Whiting and Chesterton (seeing people with cameras at both locations). I suppose this weekend will be Ligonier. I should have taken Monday off.

The crossovers are connected on Track 1 with work continuing daily.

[rob46580]

I wonder how far east the third track will eventually extend, must be past 410.....Distant plans I guess, but must be some sort of plan to be setting it up right now for it.

[justalurker66]

I wonder how far east the third track will eventually extend, must be past 410.....Distant plans I guess, but must be some sort of plan to be setting it up right now for it.

Extend the "Brunk Corp" siding along the north side of the tracks toward 410? The first natural obstruction would be Rock Creek at 410.33.
The new 410 cantilever is on the south side of the tracks. The Marion Branch runs next to the Chicago Line to 411.16 as the third track.

With "distant plans" a lot could happen. The Marion Branch is designed as a double track as part of distant plans (the second track west of the current track in the curve).

[Dajudge]

New MP 410 from Monroe St and CP3 "Generations".

[justalurker66]

Nothing new at signals east of 407 to CP 397 (nice evening for a drive to Ligonier).

The track crew has a panel track built at 415 to fill the gap between the end of the new siding and the end of the old (once cut from CP 415).

[rob46580]

Cp 415 being yanked is going to be the big item to be done as they prep signals for cutover, looks like a fun Monday for all involved!

[justalurker66]

Cp 415 being yanked is going to be the big item to be done as they prep signals for cutover, looks like a fun Monday for all involved!

It would not make much sense to program the signals to include CP 415 then remove it later. Removing the trackwork should not be hard.

I did not see new CP signs at CP 417 yesterday. The other CPs and intermediates have their signs (covered at 410, 414/415 and CP 3, turned at 419 and on the old mast or covered at 407).

Construction barricades delivered today for the two crossings in Elkhart and Indiana Ave Goshen.
Two VERY LARGE cranes have been unloaded at Indiana Ave (CP 412). Big enough to lift an entire cantilever.


Still thinking about the 36 hour shutdown of the two Elkhart crossings ... and the though came to mind that NS may be redoing the crossings. The new siding has been raised to the same level as the two mains and NS has been working on ballast at CP 417 for a couple of days.

[justalurker66]

I overheard the work crews finishing up after 7pm tonight ... trying to get as much done as possible before starting at it again tomorrow (7am-5pm at CP 417). There is still some work to do near CP 412. A few other comments I will not write about, but there was a conversation about the siding being called track 3 on Tuesday.