Eastern Railroad Discussion > Into Oblivion

I have a soft spot for old signals.

Call it what you will, but, they invoke feelings I am sure others had with the demise of steam or first generation diesels. Granted, signals are inanimate, they are solitary lighthouses guarding a shore. However, every railroad was a bit different and one could often tell the rail line simply by seeing the signals along the route.

As mentioned several times in threads on Trainorders, whether it's the B&O and the C&O or the PRR, N&W, NKP or NYC...Wabash or B&LE, all at one time had signals that differed from the other and gave character to their lines.

So as 14 year old CG Tower Jr (and now the youngest operator of CG Tower who's 6) and I slug through summer, we're making it a point to photograph more and more those lighthouses. But, time is limited...

Photo 1: A nod to the B&O color position light signals at Leipsic Junction, Leipsic, Ohio. Q365 trundles south in the days last light.

Photo 2: West of Leipsic Junction is the diamond of the NS and G&W property Indiana & Ohio. But to me, it's Henry Ford's route, the DT&I. The new signals and Leipsic Junction tower can be seen in the background. If one looks closely, you can also see the staging area for NS signal crews.

Photo 3: Into oblivion...Eastbound roadrailer speeds past the signal at Leipsic "DT&I". Time and gravity are starting to take its toll with the slight lean of the signal.

Thanks for looking,

CG Tower



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/21/14 08:02 by CGTower.

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Great shots and I love the third one especially!


Jay

Shot 2 is awesome...

Well stated, and fine images.

I share your sentiments completely, and I think many others on this board do as well. The new signals, and their associated cantilevers and signal bridges may be efficient in their standardization, and compatible with PTC. And the older signals are often clearly showing their age and reaching the end of their economic lives.

But the new guys on the block so lack personality. No longer do they distinctively reflect the character of the individual railroad. Many of us developed the ability to know which railroad we were looking at both by location, and by the signals along the track.

Such sentiments count for zero in business logic. Standardization and technical compatibility are almost always lower cost, more efficient, and more reliable. They better support commonality in process. Progress must happen, and efficient improvement must occur. But as in so many other areas, something distinctive and meaningful is lost.

A lot of us are going to be out there, as we have been, in the waning months of the older signals, capturing their images in their final days. Count me among them. Thanks for the reminder to, "get 'em while you can."

MC
Columbia, Missouri