Eastern Railroad Discussion > new Altoona (pa) Interlocking Changes

Back in 2014/15  Alto and Slope interlockings were dynamited and a neew  ALTOONA interlocking replaced them.  This had the disadvantage that it could not allow 2 uphill moves and 1 down hill move (and visa versa) at the same time.  It also included a ahort helper pocketat the west end of the interlocking off the #1 main. 

Then by Dec 2015  this pocket track was severed although the switches and signals at each end remained. The reason for this was unknown. 
Then we had the dual episode of eastbound  autoracck trains derailing  (and spilling autos all over Altoona interlocking)  a couple of months or so apart.  This resulted in operational proceedures that EB trains with enven 1 autorack, were prohibited from approaching Altoona on track 1.  (This has been subject of a trainorders topic that I cannot find).

Now on Monday April 18, I was on 42 eb to philly  and noticed a whole host of MW equipment operating on the old pocket track.  It had been restored with a lot of pieces of small bolted rail  and was in dire need of alignment/tamping.  But the pocket did not use the old east end switch.  It picked up an old runner and extended East almost to the hollidaysburg cutoff.  Strange that this stretch has now 2 EB signals and 1 west bound signal.

From video I took on mly return trip on 43  and the MW equipment was gone and it still needed tamping etc.  The track arrangement does not seem to offer any advantage unless Autorack trains will use this route through altoona (and only toward the #1 yard to Rose and stay off the main line. 

Does anybody know what is up?

Also the gallitzen loop track has got new ballast and is tamped (something not done is the last "millinea"

The loop track is still used to spin the OCS train...or specific OCS cars....and it is also used to spin work trains....enough apparently to justify its upkeep...Dave W

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The loop track is also used to spin non functioning  (mostly cab signals)--  diesels that seem to predominate the units on RJC grain trains that are delivered to Cresson by NS.