Western Railroad Discussion > Small Shield, Brute Power

Speak softly (small shield) & carry a big stick (brute power)! Works for me...

1. UP 6614 in command of eastbound coal at Carlson's Curve in Linwood, KS on December 21, 2011.

Thanks for looking!
Lance Garrels
santafe199

---

Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far. -Theodore Roosevelt

Love that quote...thank you history class. It works in this case, great shot!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/11/12 07:58 by nwkrailfan.

Hey Lance, could you explain the configuration of tracks there. First, I don't understand why there would be three tracks there. Second, what does that signal on the left protect? It seems to be in back of the switch rather than in front of it. I'm confused--even more than usual. Also, why does that signal have two aspects? I don't see a turnout or anything behind it.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/11/12 09:02 by WichitaJct.

Sweet image there Lance!

WichitaJct Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hey Lance, could you explain the configuration of
> tracks there. First, I don't understand why there
> would be three tracks there. Second, what does
> that signal on the left protect? It seems to be in
> back of the switch rather than in front of it. I'm
> confused--even more than usual. Also, why does
> that signal have two aspects? I don't see a
> turnout or anything behind it.


Well, being as this is the territory that I run over, I'll answer this question. This is the Kansas Subdivision which is 2 main track CTC between West Yard MP 6.5 (Kansas City) and Soldier Creek MP 76 (just west of Topeka). This territory used to be double track ABS with a current of traffic on each track. There also used to be center sidings at Bonner Springs, Linwood, Lawrence, Perry, and Grantville. When the started installing CTC, the realigned the track at Linwood to make the center siding main track 2 and former main track 2 to be a siding. The signal on the left is indeed just past the bridge but before the switch you see going into the siding. It governs movement from main track 2 to either the siding or straight on main track 2. The signal on the left governs movement either straight on main track one or for crossover movement to main track 2. There is a matching setup at the west end of Linwood except in reverse. For example, if a train was on main one between control points, a train could run around that train utilizing the crossovers and main 2. Meanwhile, movement on main 2 can continue using the siding without fouling movement thought the crossovers. The siding and all switches at Linwood are good for 40mph.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/11/12 09:49 by imrl.

WichitaJct Wrote:

> Hey Lance, could you explain the configuration of
> tracks there.........

The signal on the left governs the power switch from main 2 into the siding (3rd main?) and I suspect the double signal on the right (main 1) gives some advance indication to the plant at the west end of where the siding ties back into main 2. I have not seen the west end up close, so I don't know the track configuration. There is a short stub track (westward) off the siding, probably for setting out bad order cars.

Carlson's curve. Haha...

- Jeff Carlson

NICE pic!!!!! Thanks for sharing.

I haven't been there for a few years so didn't know that the middle siding was no longer a siding. Thanks Greg for the info.upkpfan

Hey, thanks imrl. I kinda figured that there had been a center siding a Linwood. I only ventured over to Linwood maybe a couple of times in my years as an undergrad at KU. Maybe it't an optical de(or ill)-lusion, but that signal on the left sure does look like it's past the switch it protexts.

imrl Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> WichitaJct Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Hey Lance, could you explain the configuration
> of
> > tracks there. First, I don't understand why
> there
> > would be three tracks there. Second, what does
> > that signal on the left protect? It seems to be
> in
> > back of the switch rather than in front of it.
> I'm
> > confused--even more than usual. Also, why does
> > that signal have two aspects? I don't see a
> > turnout or anything behind it.
>
>
> Well, being as this is the territory that I run
> over, I'll answer this question. This is the
> Kansas Subdivision which is 2 main track CTC
> between West Yard MP 6.5 (Kansas City) and Soldier
> Creek MP 76 (just west of Topeka). This territory
> used to be double track ABS with a current of
> traffic on each track. There also used to be
> center sidings at Bonner Springs, Linwood,
> Lawrence, Perry, and Grantville. When the started
> installing CTC, the realigned the track at Linwood
> to make the center siding main track 2 and former
> main track 2 to be a siding. The signal on the
> left is indeed just past the bridge but before the
> switch you see going into the siding. It governs
> movement from main track 2 to either the siding or
> straight on main track 2. The signal on the left
> governs movement either straight on main track one
> or for crossover movement to main track 2. There
> is a matching setup at the west end of Linwood
> except in reverse. For example, if a train was on
> main one between control points, a train could run
> around that train utilizing the crossovers and
> main 2. Meanwhile, movement on main 2 can continue
> using the siding without fouling movement thought
> the crossovers. The siding and all switches at
> Linwood are good for 40mph.