The August 1909 issue of the Signal Engineer (page 98) states that "Authority has been granted for rebuilding and extending the interlocking plants Nos. 1, 2, and 3 at Memphis, Tenn." I think that these involve crossings from Bridge Junction to the east end of the Mississippi River bridge, but does anyone have further information? Bill Pollard
Bill, This one's been interesting to investigate. And while I've not really any definitive or thorough answers to your question, I'm wondering if Interlocking Plant No. 3 referred to what's listed in later Frisco employee timetables as the "Union Ry. Crossing"? From the Southern Division "Special Instructions No. 3, Effective May 17, 1936" that you'd previously posted, it lists the following note: "Trains are operated over double track between Clarkdale and Critco and between Tower No. 3 and Nonco; double track rules will govern. Extra trains will move with the current of traffic on double track between Nonco and Tower No. 3 and between Critco and Clarkdale without running orders. " Frisco ETT 35D from May 1, 1947 shows the Union Ry. Crossing as the beginning of two-track running, just east of Shelco, TN (Mile 483.1) and running all the way through Yale yard and through Nonco on the Tupelo Sub. It also shows the Union Ry. Crossing as gate-protected, so not an interlocking plant per se. It makes me wonder if it would have been an interlocking plant in 1909 or thereabouts? It's nothing more than conjecture to string together bits and pieces nearly 40 years apart, but that's about as good as I've got. Nary a clue on Plant Nos. 1 and 2, but maybe No. 1 is the Bridge Jct. interlocking?
