Louis, great photograph. Looking at the signal bridge in the background, it raises a question that maybe the dispatchers or operators on our list might be able to answer. Why does the north main (track 1) eastward signal consist only of a 'call-on' signal?
The photo is looking west and the signal bridge (at MP 33.68) controls the west end of the Eola plant (interlocking). The 3 single searchlights are the Westward home signals for the 3 mains, and they control the 'traffic' between Eola and West Eola, which are check-locked against each other. These are absolute signals and must be lined up by the tower. In the eastward direction, the middle and south tracks have double searchlight interlocking signals, and the south main has an additional (low-slung) 'call-on' signal. The purpose of a 'call-on' signal, when lined up by the towerman, is to allow a train to pass the RED interlocking signal and proceed to the train-order signal at restricted speed, and then be governed by the train order.
So, to the question, why is there only a 'call-on' signal for the north track? Why is there no eastward interlocking signal for trains to proceed ON SIGNAL INDICATION east on the north track (or cross-over and proceed east on the middle track).
According the timetable for the period in question (1949), between Downers Grove and Eola, Tracks 1 and 2 (North and Middle) were eastward and westward tracks, and the movement of trains in either direction was governed by signal indication, regardless of superiority. This was a hold-over from when the 4th main was built in 1930 between DG and Eola, and these two tracks (middle tracks at the time) were signaled bi-directionally. Only the south track westward was devoid of signals and operated under manual block rules when running against the current (westward).
Also between Eola and West Eola, all 3 tracks were 'eastward and westward', so presumably an eastward train on track 1 was operating under signal indication from West Eola.
I am puzzled by this. The signal arrangement suggests to me that there is no way to proceed through the interlocking on track 1 (or crossing over to track 2) on a 'proceed' indication. The most favorable indication that can be displayed by the 'call-on' signal is YELLOW, and to get a 'proceed' indication, the train must rely on the eastward 'home' signal at the east end of the interlocking.
Sorry this is long-winded, but maybe someone has an answer.
Glen Haug
From: CBQ@groups.io <CBQ@groups.io> on behalf of Louis Zadnichek via Groups.Io <LZadnichek=aol.com@groups.io>
Sent: Tuesday, July 2, 2019 11:32 AM
To: CBQ@groups.io
Subject: Re: [CBQ] Eola Towers
July 2, 2019
Dave/Rich - The only image I can find at the moment is attached. It shows the Eola Tower in 1949 with a Class O-5-A powered freight passing by. Best Regards - Louis
Louis Zadnichek II
Fairhope, AL
In a message dated 7/2/2019 1:18:57 PM Central Standard Time, rgortowski=aol.com@groups.io writes:
Wasn't there a good color photo in the BRHS calendar that Featured George Spier's work? Isn't that the one with semaphores late into the '50's?
Rich G
-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Lotz <Dave_Lotz@bellsouth.net>
To: cbq <cbq@groups.io>
Sent: Tue, Jul 2, 2019 7:59 am
Subject: [CBQ] Eola Towers
Hi all,
I am looking for any photos of the Eola Towers to aid in the making of a laser cut kit.
Dave Lotz
Q Connection
