Passenger Trains > Semaphore Action Amtrak train 3

Amtrak's Southwest Chief, train 3 with 7-cars, had units Amtrak 180 & 184 (Phase IV Heritage) split BNSF semaphores at milepost 706.2 south of Springer, New Mexico, February 19, 2015. There was a gas powered generator at the base of the westbound semaphore.

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track looks pretty good there.. What is the speed limit?

Steve

Did the blade on the right ever go up, or was the block not clear?

Track speed is 79mph. The system the Santa Fe used here allows the opposing direction to clear after the train passes the next signal from what I could tell.

Also note to poster, I was one of the guys in the Jetta.

Great video man!

Thanks

1976 Wrote:
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> Track speed is 79mph. The system the Santa Fe used
> here allows the opposing direction to clear after
> the train passes the next signal from what I could
> tell.
>
> Also note to poster, I was one of the guys in the
> Jetta.

Always wonderful to watch the semaphores in action.

I used to watch them occasionally in connersville, in in the 1980's on the old B & O. It was not a particularly busy line, but there were usually a handful of trains every day to generate movements. The nice thing about semaphores is you can tell the signal indication from either side!

What gives with the generator?

czuleget Wrote:
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> What gives with the generator?

Not sure but there was one at most of the signals between there and Levy.

czuleget Wrote:
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> What gives with the generator?

Some cretins stole the 440VAC power lines, not once, but twice, back in early February. The generators are used to keep the batteries charged.

I did see the 440 on the ground at 712.

BCHellman Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> czuleget Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > What gives with the generator?
>
> Some cretins stole the 440VAC power lines, not
> once, but twice, back in early February. The
> generators are used to keep the batteries charged.

So instead of replacing some wire, they leave out a generator...makes sense to me! Lol.

Too bad you weren't out today. We are on #3 and there is the most gorgeous snow out there
We really enjoyed it.

Posted from Android

Nice!!!!

BCHellman Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> czuleget Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > What gives with the generator?
>
> Some cretins stole the 440VAC power lines, not
> once, but twice, back in early February. The
> generators are used to keep the batteries charged.

I hope they're chained, so these bent people don't steal the generators!

Congratulations on VOTD. Nice seeing the operation of the semaphore. Are the lights operational too?

John

Wonderful video. I didn't get to see the semaphores in action. I understand the few survivors are about to fall. Thanks.

BCHellman Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> czuleget Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > What gives with the generator?
>
> Some cretins stole the 440VAC power lines, not
> once, but twice, back in early February. The
> generators are used to keep the batteries charged.

I hope they're chained, so these bent people don't steal the generators!

If these generators are like what they launched here on the La Junta Sub in western Kansas during a heavy ice and snow storm several years ago, they are not only chained but they have security traceability features also. This was learned at that time when some young farmer thought he needed one more than the BNSF and he was tracked by combined efforts of the sheriff and BNSF special agents. So the moral of the story is that unauthorized people best leave them alone.

The only thing missing on these ancient siGnALS (OLD GALS) is the pinnacles that usually graced the top of the mast rather than these modern flat caps. As for the lights, I'm sure they are activated by the 24 v. batteries.

I have one of these signals that was replaced in 1998 on the La Junta Sub and there is nothing light about any of the components including the geared motor assembly and its housing. No cast aluminum, but lots of steel tubing and cast iron/steel. A good hydraulic crane would be a handy accessory.