Porter Junction rail project finally gets green light

[justin_gram]

507 will be taken down and replaced in a few hours.

In case anyone was wondering, old CP 507 seems to still be in use at this time. I'm guessing it will be gone and replaced very soon.

[justalurker66]

507 will be taken down and replaced in a few hours.

In case anyone was wondering, old CP 507 seems to still be in use at this time. I'm guessing it will be gone soon.

Take a look at the code line ... the MCP number has been reused at CP 507. There are now more bits per message.

[Saturnalia]

507 will be taken down and replaced in a few hours.

In case anyone was wondering, old CP 507 seems to still be in use at this time. I'm guessing it will be gone soon.

Take a look at the code line ... the MCP number has been reused at CP 507. There are now more bits per message.

I don't think this indication is legal!

507.png (4.03 KiB) Viewed 4446 times

[LakeATCS]

They are using the same address for new CP 507 as they did for the old CP 507.

This is causing the weird displays.

[justalurker66]

I don't think this indication is legal!

First train to the spring switch wins?

[justin_gram]

507 will be taken down and replaced in a few hours.

In case anyone was wondering, old CP 507 seems to still be in use at this time. I'm guessing it will be gone soon.

Take a look at the code line ... the MCP number has been reused at CP 507. There are now more bits per message.

Alright... cool. They did the same thing with CP 479 back in February.

I don't think this indication is legal!

First train to the spring switch wins?

Haha, lets see how that works out

[LakeATCS]

This is how the ex PRR section from 518 to 506 looks like now.

Note that they really have extended the signaling down the Colehour running track. Trains will be able to enter that track from 506 at a pretty good clip now.
It will be just like the leads with the End Automatic Block signals at Elkhart now.

[Saturnalia]

I don't think this indication is legal!

First train to the spring switch wins?

Haha, lets see how that works out

Something like this?

[justalurker66]

Alright... cool. They did the same thing with CP 479 back in February.

CP 479 was new (replaced intermediates) but other CPs have reused the old number.

[justin_gram]

Alright... cool. They did the same thing with CP 479 back in February.

CP 479 was new (replaced intermediates) but other CPs have reused the old number.

Sorry, I guess I did not think that through


LakeATCS, I sent you a PM.

[LakeATCS]

Next steps.

September 20th. Blitz MT#2 Between CP 482 and CP 491 to install 6 turnouts on MT #2 at CP 485 CP 487 and new CP 490
September 21th. Blitz MT#1 Between CP 482 and CP 491 to install 7 turnouts on MT #1 at CP 485 CP 487 and new CP 490

[justalurker66]

Next steps.

September 20th. Blitz MT#2 Between CP 482 and CP 491 to install 6 turnouts on MT #2 at CP 485 CP 487 and new CP 490
September 21th. Blitz MT#1 Between CP 482 and CP 491 to install 7 turnouts on MT #1 at CP 485 CP 487 and new CP 490

This would be in addition to the two turnouts on track 2 and four turnouts on track 1 that currently exist (if I read the plan correctly).

[justin_gram]

The new ATCS update seems to be working fine. Things are moving much more smoothly and quickly with all the new crossovers and 3rd track in place. Now we just have to get some pictures of the area...

[justalurker66]

This is the layout I expect (491 to 482) after the September blitz:

September Blitz Turouts

Based on what was done at 417 the new crossovers will probably not be complete September 21st. At 417 the turnouts were put in during blitz days but were not connected as crossovers until later. CP 491 will eventually be removed with CP 492 becoming the west end of Miller and CP 492 added. That will leave CP 498 and CP 500 and one turnout each added to CP 497 and CP 501 to complete the NS portion of Indiana Gateway. (Additional crossovers and new CP 453 are separate from the Indiana Gateway plan.)

[Saturnalia]

Rolling Prairie is getting a new control point?

[justalurker66]

Rolling Prairie is getting a new control point?

Yep. There are also new crossovers planned at 515, 513 and 509 that are not part of the Indiana Gateway projects.

[justalurker66]

Now we just have to get some pictures of the area...

I found one odd source for a picture ... Google Earth Pro (the downloadable program).
Their maps for Chicago east to the Porter county line are updated with April 2015 photography.
Look close and the RH crossover was already in place at CP 506 (west of the signal bridge). The new connection from the runner to what became Track 3 were laid out within the interlocking and the new Track 3 was laid out up to CP 505.

I do not know why I didn't notice the crossover earlier this year. It is one of those "zoom lens" locations where it is hard to get close without trespassing. The crossover (now 1NW on ATSC) was not in my March 7th pictures but appears was in place on March 28th.

[justin_gram]

Now we just have to get some pictures of the area...

I found one odd source for a picture ... Google Earth Pro (the downloadable program).
Their maps for Chicago east to the Porter county line are updated with April 2015 photography.
Look close and the RH crossover was already in place at CP 506 (west of the signal bridge). The new connection from the runner to what became Track 3 were laid out within the interlocking and the new Track 3 was laid out up to CP 505.

I do not know why I didn't notice the crossover earlier this year. It is one of those "zoom lens" locations where it is hard to get close without trespassing. The crossover (now 1NW on ATSC) was not in my March 7th pictures but appears was in place on March 28th.

It was neat being able to see that work in progress on Google Earth/Maps.

I'm guessing the new signal bridge for eastbound CP 506 is located right on the edge of the Hammond-Whiting city building's circular parking lot. https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6885776 ... a=!3m1!1e3

Also, on both of my computers, the last data I have received from CP 507 was at 16:14:04 EDT today, and 14:52:38 today with CP 506. Not sure if something is going on in the field or what, they both were working perfect and consistent before those times today. Don't think it's a problem with me, as it is the same on both of my computers which have been running ATCS all day.

EDIT - Looks like another new ATCS NS Chicago Line Update is up (went up on 8/30), which adds the 4WA block to the Colehour runner at CP 507, and changes how they had the approach blocks to CP 507-CP 509 set up. Still not receiving data from CP 506 and CP 507.

EDIT - Now another update is up at about 23:00 EDT, looks like some block names got messed up from the last update, now fixed. I still no data from CP 506/CP 507.

EDIT around midnight - The problem has been addressed to the group, and they are investigating...

[justalurker66]

A few shots from Whiting ...

CP 507 WB

CP 506 EB

CP 505 Removed

[Saturnalia]

I gotta say, that four-track bridge looks pretty cool!