Western Railroad Discussion > Sunset Railway - New signals, Switches for the Oil Trai

Just as a tip-off, while on errands I noticed new signals on the Sunset Railway, west of Gosford Road, in Bakersfield, CA. Working on the wye, looks to be power switches, along with the signals. This is where the line splits, one leg to Buttonwillow, the other toward the old Taft, CA track, to Levee, CA. All this work is Oil Train related, along with all the tie work, rail work, etc., that has been going on the past few months. When I first passed by, there was a signal maintainer in one of the boxes, checking things. I didn't have the time, right then, go hike over to him to ask some questions. When I later passed by, he was gone from the area. Looked to me like "switch / signal island-type installations to me, from a fair distance, radio masts, etc. Had I been driving my truck, I could have driven in closer to save the hike, but I was in my Corvette... not the best for off-road!

I'll check again for more activity, and maybe get a few questions answered, and maybe a few photos, too! I'll let you know.

Take Care, Stay Safe, Have Fun!

Larry

Hey sploopconductor could it be possible that this line may someday connect to the coast line say along the hwy 166 corridor from Taft through Nipomo where there will be another oil operation built? A line from Bakersfield to say Guadalupe via Nipomo would be very interesting.

Larry, were these actual block signals, or switch point indicators on a mast?

Kind of sounds like power switches controlled by the crew via DTMF radio codes...

msdgbar Wrote:
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> Hey sploopconductor could it be possible that this
> line may someday connect to the coast line say
> along the hwy 166 corridor from Taft through
> Nipomo where there will be another oil operation
> built? A line from Bakersfield to say Guadalupe
> via Nipomo would be very interesting.

It would be interesting, but highly doubtful...

David.Curlee Wrote:
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> Larry, were these actual block signals, or switch
> point indicators on a mast?
>
> Kind of sounds like power switches controlled by
> the crew via DTMF radio codes...

We really don't have those out here in California, sounds like a manual interlocking, but I believe this line is still owned by SJVR (G&W), so a cheaper method (radio controlled switch) isn't out of the realm of possibilities...

We really won't know until we get photos...

Also rumors are around that the line may go back to Class I ownership...

msdgbar Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hey sploopconductor could it be possible that this
> line may someday connect to the coast line say
> along the hwy 166 corridor from Taft through
> Nipomo where there will be another oil operation
> built? A line from Bakersfield to say Guadalupe
> via Nipomo would be very interesting.


I sincerely doubt it.. because of the cost of new installation of rail , ties etc. Plus the grade up the hill , The State of California , EIR's.

Wouldn't all of this be something if the local oil industries along the line are experiencing a growth in traffic enough to run larger, or more frequent oil trains! It would be like a rebirth for the Sunset Railway.

Standby for the new baby....
http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,3586101

The signals are switch point indicators and the wye switches are radio controlled. This is currently yard limits but will become TWC in the near future. A new yard is also under construction on the Buttonwillow Branch about a mile west of Gosford for staging the trains.

David.Curlee Wrote:
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> Larry, were these actual block signals, or switch
> point indicators on a mast?
>
> Kind of sounds like power switches controlled by
> the crew via DTMF radio codes...

Posted from Android

A yard to keep the staging, storage and switching away from the major population. That
should help keep the local protests to a manageable level.

Out

ats90mph Wrote:
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> We really don't have those out here in California,
> sounds like a manual interlocking, but I believe
> this line is still owned by SJVR (G&W), so a
> cheaper method (radio controlled switch) isn't out
> of the realm of possibilities...

I know of several locations that have them in California.