Passenger Trains > Semaphore Repair Team

highgreengraphic's excellent post on the BNSF semaphores in New Mexico ( https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,4861137,4861425#msg-4861425 ) came just as I was starting out on a Route 66 trip, so that was a good reminder that we should try and include them on our itinerary.  The blades west of Las Vegas, NM are actually on the Historic Route 66, and we did visit some of them (and the Southwest Chief) on the way west, but on the return trip we decided to deviate a bit more and see the examples east of Las Vegas. Many of them are right next to the I-25 frontage road, including the first set of intermediates east of Wagon Mound (7222).  A couple BNSF signal maintainers were at work as we pulled over, so we exchanged pleasantries, and then I banged off a few different angles before moving on to the next set.

What I didn't realize at the time (September 23rd) was that the westward blade (7221) has now been repaired.  Apparently the blade has been bent for quite some time.  However, the presence of new signal mast foundations (to the left of the pole) are an ominous sign that the blades aren't long for this world.

GTD



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/10/19 19:20 by cn6218.

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Yayyy, they finally fixed it! Great to see they are maintaining those. The new steel foundations have been in place for several years if not over a decade. Rumor was the remaining semaphores would be coming down this year, but the year is waning and they must have got a reprieve. I keep hoping they will last until 2926 is rolled out. I think these semaphores are actually becoming a tourist attraction, I know of several people who rode that train specifically to see these last operating semaphores on the continent, I have to wonder if Amtrak is aware of this. Thanks for this post! === === = === JLH



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/11/19 05:20 by highgreengraphics.

Amtrak, back in the day when middle and upper management probably cared for running passenger trains have apparently retired or sought other employment. It is a sinking ship. I seriously doubt anyone in a position of responsibility gives a "hoot" about  semaphores assuming they could indentify one! Sorry this appears to be cynical, but I have a lot of company!

They boxed up the new signals back around thanksgiving of 2002 and hauled them off. So 17 years ago:)

> They boxed up the new signals back around thanksgiving of 2002 and hauled them off. So 17 years ago:) =14pxThey say, "If it ain't broken, don't fix it".  Save the $$$ for other things and keep these old babies doing their thing with only minimum maintenance as required.  

cn6218 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> highgreengraphic's excellent post on the BNSF
> semaphores in New Mexico (
> https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,
> 4861137,4861425#msg-4861425 ) came just as I was
> starting out on a Route 66 trip, so that was a
> good reminder that we should try and include them
> on our itinerary.  The blades west of Las Vegas,
> NM are actually on the Historic Route 66, and we
> did visit some of them (and the Southwest Chief)
> on the way west, but on the return trip we decided
> to deviate a bit more and see the examples east of
> Las Vegas. Many of them are right next to the I-25
> frontage road, including the first set of
> intermediates east of Wagon Mound (7222).  A
> couple BNSF signal maintainers were at work as we
> pulled over, so we exchanged pleasantries, and
> then I banged off a few different angles before
> moving on to the next set.
>
> What I didn't realize at the time (September 23rd)
> was that the westward blade (7221) has now been
> repaired.  Apparently the blade has been bent for
> quite some time.  However, the presence of new
> signal mast foundations (to the left of the pole)
> are an ominous sign that the blades aren't long
> for this world.
>
> GTD

Just curious in looking at the photo.  Is the line pole really that short or are the weeds all that tall.  The brace insulator is normally higher off the ground, so just wondering.

rrman6 Wrote:

> Just curious in looking at the photo.  Is the
> line pole really that short or are the weeds all
> that tall.  The brace insulator is normally
> higher off the ground, so just wondering.

Yes the pole line really is that short (at that particular location).  You're right about the insulators in the guy wires: they wouldn't stop somebody from getting a shock if something came loose.  I would guess that the crossarm is only 10-12 feet above the ground.  I suppose a maintainer could use a stepladder to reach the insulators and still not require fall arrest protection.

GTD

TomPlatten Wrote:
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> Amtrak, back in the day when middle and upper
> management probably cared for running passenger
> trains have apparently retired or sought other
> employment. It is a sinking ship. I seriously
> doubt anyone in a position of responsibility gives
> a "hoot" about  semaphores assuming they could
> indentify one! Sorry this appears to be cynical,
> but I have a lot of company!

Don't know how pactical an item it would be for anyone to be familiar with at 125mph in a snow storm. Which is the territory where most Upper Mgmnt.works.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/12/19 06:47 by Molino.

How did the semaphore blade get bent in the first place?

Molino Wrote:
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> Don't know how pactical an item it would be for anyone to be familiar with at 125mph in a snow storm.
> Which is the territory where most Upper Mgmnt.works.

Semaphores were once common in territories where they are no longer used.

rrman6 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Just curious in looking at the photo.  Is the
> line pole really that short or are the weeds all
> that tall.  The brace insulator is normally
> higher off the ground, so just wondering.

I wonder why they are so short.

JBWX

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at one time there were more cross arms or did they keep lowering them?