May 1996
RG Tower Closes
CSXT's RG Tower in Philadelphia has closed. Its last official
day was March 29, but operators remained on duty until April 3. The tower
was located in the office building serving East Side Yard at the east end
of the Schuylkill River swing-span bridge. The building was built as part
of a B&O modernization project in 1960 combining the functions of other
offices. A 1928 agreement book listed seven towers serving the B&O
in Philadelphia. Now there are none.
Shown in the photo above is the model board at RG Tower.
CSXT Applies "D" Markers to Certain Signals
CSXT has been mounting "D" markers on signals,
and "D" marker signs at the departure end of passenger stations
located in the block immediately preceding an absolute signal in other
than train control territory. The marker is round with a black background
containing a white "D" in the center. They are intended to remind
engineers in push-pull or MU passenger trains making the station stop of
requirements to approach the absolute signal at controlled speed not exceeding
40 MPH, as provided by emergency order of the Federal Railroad Administration.
Ashley Drew & Northern Given Abandonment Permission
The Ashley Drew & Northern Railway in Arkansas has
been granted permission to abandon its line between Whitlow Junction and
Monticello, and to sell the remaining five-mile portion between Crossett
and Whitlow Junction to its sister line, the Fordyce & Princeton. The
matter was decided by the Surface Transportation Board on April 9.
BNSF to Restore Stampede Pass Route
Burlington Northern Santa Fe plans to restore the 78-mile
Stampede Pass route between Auburn and Cle Elum, Washington. According
to the company, the $125-million project will connect with the Washington
Central Railroad route at Cle Elum that extends through Yakima Valley,
and will give the company a third route linking central Washington with
the Pacific Coast. BNSF has signed an agreement to acquire the Washington
Central for $40-million.
CSXT Issues New Operating Procedures Manual
CSXT has issued a new operating procedures manual containing
safety, operating, hazardous material, train handling, and helper service
rules. The book is softbound, about the size of a pocket dictionary, and
replaces the looseleaf binder format. The binder is still being used for
division timetables.
CSXT to Repair 11 Bridges in Illinois
CSXT bridge forces will be making repairs to 11 bridges
on the Decatur Subdivision between Dana and Decatur, Illinois, with work
expected to last until the end of September.
CSX Corporation Records Higher Earnings
CSX Corporation recorded first quarter earnings of $146-million,
or 69 cents per share. The results are 21 percent higher than the corresponding
quarter in 1995.
CSXT Locomotive Roster Update
As of April 28, there were 2,734 units on the CSXT locomotive
roster. CW44AC units through and including 171 had been delivered.
Strike a Possibility on May 9
The Transportation Communications Union intends to strike
one or more of the nation's railroads on May 9. But the establishment of
a Presidential Emergency Board could postpone the strike for 60 days or
longer. The TCU, which represents clerical and car department personnel,
was released from mediation by the National Mediation Board on April 8
following 17 months of negotiation. The May 9 strike date follows a required
30-day cooling-off period. The establishment of a Presidential Emergency
Board is a "very strong possibility," according to the union,
but not a certainty.