Western Railroad Discussion > East End Tower (Cicero, IL)

This probably belongs on the Eastern board but I'll ask here anyway, Does the East End tower at Cicero control the switches into and out of Cicero or does the Union Ave. dispatcher? TIA
Mark



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/08/17 19:25 by commissioner.

Last I knew the train dispatcher controlled all the CTC switches / signals.
East End "tower" has control over some non-interlocked, power
switches at the east end of the yard.  East End also works in conjunction
with the DS in moving trains to/from the BRC which must cross the yard leads.

The tower is not an interlocking tower but a yard tower left over from when Cicero
was a hump yard.  The employee is from the conductor/switchman roster.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/09/17 03:58 by Englewood.

East End is a major source of delays to freight in the Chicago Terminal.  When Cicero was
converted from a hump yard to an intermodal yard little thought was given to where those now
run-through freight trains were going.  Some of the local BN people wanted "holding tracks" 
constructed on the south side of the yard to hold trains to/from the BRC.  Of course that never 
happened so now those run through trains are held blocking the BNSF and BRC mains while 
Cicero yard crews double up / set over intermodal trains.

The Metra rush ends, then the intermodal trains get in the way.  By the time things clear up
there are often two trains waiting in each direction to use the SINGLE TRACK BRC connection.

A year or so ago Trains magazine had an article on a "League of Distinguished Gentlemen" (their term)
railroad experts that were going to straighten out the terminal.  Has anyone seen any actual progress?
Or has the downturn in business covered up the problems?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/09/17 12:20 by Englewood.

Englewood Wrote:

> A year or so ago Trains magazine had an article on
> a "League of Distinguished Gentlemen" (their
> term)
> railroad experts that were going to straighten out
> the terminal.  

Hmmm..........I'm thinking about applying for a job as one of those "railroad experts". How do I go about it?
 

CSX_ENG Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Englewood Wrote:
>
> > A year or so ago Trains magazine had an article
> on
> > a "League of Distinguished Gentlemen" (their
> > term)
> > railroad experts that were going to straighten
> out
> > the terminal.  
>
> Hmmm..........I'm thinking about applying for a
> job as one of those "railroad experts". How do I
> go about it?
>  

I absolutely gaurantee that if you are a real expert, it's hard to find a job and hard to keep the ones you find.

TAW

Union Ave Disp controls the triple track  from the Cicero plants to the east "Union Ave".  This is all the switches east of Laramie Ave bridge over middle of the yard.
The East End Disp handles from la Vergne plant west to Aurora.  For trains  entering Cicero yard, via what we call the "Ogden side"  East End disp lines the ewd train in and the EET "East End Tower',  also has to, can we say "punch" in the route, before the signal  will change to a favorable route to allow entrance.  Do not know if the EET has to punch out on wwd trains,  the Tower will always call wwd trains  and say That is your signal @ the Truck crossing okay to Highball!  ( old railroad term here!!)  Due to budget constraints, they do combine the Union Ave and East End disp,  usually 3rd trick on weekends..

Hope this helps

Englewood Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> East End is a major source of delays to freight in
> the Chicago Terminal.  When Cicero was
> converted from a hump yard to an intermodal yard
> little thought was given to where those now
> run-through freight trains were going.

I'm so shocked! I just can't believe it.

TAW

Thanks for the replies gentlemen! This helps alot!