Eastern Railroad Discussion > Birmingham, AL Question

Good Afternoon:

Was there ever a tower at 13th St interlocking in Birmingham and, if so, when was it closed? Which railroad, NS or CSXT manned it? Did it also control the diamond at 24th St?

Thank you in advance.

CSXT_8437 Wrote:
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> Was there ever a tower at 13th St interlocking in
> Birmingham and, if so, when was it closed? Which
> railroad, NS or CSXT manned it?

It was actually 14th St. Tower. I believe it was closed in the 1990s.

Not 100% sure who operated it. Southern (AGS, actually) had other brick towers on this line, and I've seen Southern trains get orders from the operator (second photo). But I believe L&N got here before the AGS, and has priority through the area. (A CSX freight held up employee specials with 630 for 1/2 hour a couple of years ago.)

First photo is December 1983, 750 is on its way to Wilton. Second photo is November 1984, 4501 on its way to Meridian.

> Did it also control the diamond at 24th St?

No, there was a separate (27th St.) tower for that area, referred to on the Southern as "the Puzzle Switches." It controlled the L&N crossing through the Southern wye, the Terminal Station switches, and the diamond at 32nd St.

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NS was first in Birmingham

See http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11,1845793 for 13th St versus 14th St.

I believe L&N/SBD/CSX staffed the tower.

I have heard NS controls the interlocking now. If so, why would CSXT give up control? Seems rather short-sighted on their part.