CTC Machine At Springfield - 543 East Commercial Street Building - 1949

Discussion in 'Operations' started by frisco1522, Nov 15, 2016.

  1. pbender

    pbender Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Tom,

    I'll have to go find it again, but somewhere around here I have a video from the old Frisco Museum that has a Frisco film on it called "Train Radio on the Frisco". I seem to remember there was a scene on a passenger train, but it's been a while since I watched it.

    That might provide some answer to your question.

    Paul
     
  2. TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020)

    TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020) Passed Away July 15, 2020 Frisco.org Supporter

    Paul.

    I have that video too, I think the scene you mention was a passenger train crossing the Mississippi at Memphis.

    I thought that it was kinda unusual because the "plot" of the video showed the radios installed in a freight engine and a Caboose?

    Tom G.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 22, 2023
  3. Karl

    Karl 2008 Engineer of the Year Frisco.org Supporter

    Chris,

    First a little background is in order.

    The Frisco added the EB main between Southeastern Junction and Valley Park during 1922. The Frisco added the WB main to Pacific during 1923. Between Grand Avenue (St. Louis) and Pacific, the mains were protected by APB signals. Between Grand Avenue and Pacific, the tracks were signaled for movement in one direction, and operated under Rules 251-254 and Rules 261-264 (March 1, 1957 Rule Book).

    When traffic levels declined after the WWII boom, it became evident to the Frisco that the second main was redundant, and it was retired during 1952. The Frisco also extended CTC from Pacific to Valley Park (MP 17.9). The second track was retained through Pacific and Eureka (MP 27.2), and they served as passing tracks.

    When the Chrysler plant was built, the Frisco rebuilt the second main between Valley Park (MP 17.9). and Morschels (MP 20.8). The two attached ETT’s show the changes, which have occurred between 1947 and 1952.

    Note that Southeastern Jct. no longer showed “DN” in the TELEGRAPHIC OFFICE column. Even though the Southeastern Jct. tower and it’s armstrong plant had been retired, and replaced with a CTC plant, the limits of the Southeastern Jct. Interlocking Plant remained T 7+15, 7+11, and 7+13. Operationally, Southeastern Jct. remained a manual interlocker, and interlocking rules still governed.

    Between Valley Park and Lindenwood two main tracks, governed by APB, signaled for one direction, remained in operation until the very end of the Frisco.

    So, the answer to your question is no, because there was never CTC between Valley Park and Grand Avenue.

    Rolla_sub_47.jpg rolla_sub_52.jpg
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 22, 2023
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  4. Karl

    Karl 2008 Engineer of the Year Frisco.org Supporter

    Neither were radios installed in local cabooses.

    Although local crews did carry a Pak-Set to help with on-line switching. Since radios were not used for dispatching purposes, there was little need to use them on passenger trains, which used a communication whistle (Rule 16a-16n) to handle communication between the conductor/brakeman the head-end crew.

    When the need arose to communicate with the dispatcher regarding non-movement issues, it was common practice to drop a butterfly note at open stations.

    When we rode the head-end of No 101, the head-end crew did not have a Pak-Set, and the communication whistle was used exclusively.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 22, 2023
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  5. frisco1522

    frisco1522 Staff Member Staff Member

    Whenever we took 1522 out of Lindenwood, we were given a Track Warrant to Valley Park.

    Same thing EB. West of Valley Park was CTC.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 22, 2023
  6. yardmaster

    yardmaster Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Karl,

    Very helpful and interesting stuff, and much fun to come home to after a week away. Excellent background and chronology,

    It never ceases to amaze me how much forensic detail can be obtained from the old ETTs.

    It inspires further awe to think how crews in the day had to know ETTs and keep their orders straight, not to mention the meanings between the various communication whistles.

    Best Regards,
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 22, 2023

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