Most yards were designed so that the engineer could see the switchmen and
their hand signs. Both yards at Eola were switched from long leads on the west
end of each yard with the engine facing east so the engineer could see signs
while running the engine w/o having to look over his shoulder all shift. This
worked very well in the West yard on the North side with its long gentle
curve bowing away from the mainlines. The east yard,on the south side, was
entirely the same except with the curve gently sloping away from the main and
the
engine facing east the engineer was on the outward side of the curve and
couldn't see a thing until the engine was very close to the yard switches .The
engine crews(understandably) didn't want to turn the engines backwards and look
over a shoulder all shift so........................ a solution was found and
I believe it was unique on the system and would love to hear if anyone knows
of a similar arrangement in another yard (other than a hump yard).
The fix was to put a signal pole alongside track 11 near the west end. The
pole had a standard three light signal atop it with a red,yellow and green
lenses. When the switchman at the base of the pole passing signs received a
stop
hand sign he flipped the toggle lever and the signal went red. The engineer
stopped. When the lead pounders wanted the engine to shove east they gave a
yellow indication. When they wanted a reverse move it was a flashing yellow by
using another button in addition to the toggle lever. Green meant "kick 'em".
Talk about delays in passing signs from the lead to the engine ! I've been
told when first installed the man operating the signal simply stood at the
base and worked the control box. At some point complaints and pleading got a
small shanty set at the base and now the man could sit in a chair and work the
box. I do not recall a stove so the only advantage was a chance to sit down
and avoid the wind,sun,rain or snow. The switchman would divide time in the
shanty in two hour increments and take turns.
This entire arrangement was much better(in the eyes of the ground pounders)
to having one man stand almost half way down the yard on the dirt road
leading to the Reclamation Plant passing signs.
One last point,the east yard lead ran downhill from the yard tracks so not
only did the crew have to deal with the delays in passing signs but also the
fact that the engineer is trying to stop a cut of cars with gravity fighting
him and then shoving uphill to kick them. Oh,in case your wondering there was
a
very long lead at the east end of the east yard and it was fairly flat but
the ladder diverged southward so the engine would have to be turned backward
to work from that end.
Does anyone know of another yard with a similar system ?
Leo
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