PRR Track Numbering

[R,N, Nelson]

On the B&O, eastbound tracks were even numbered and westbound tracks were odd numbered. But on the CNJ, it was the exact opposite.

What about the PRR?

Norman

[shlustig]

IIRC, PRR was "odd-#d track, even #'d train".

Track 1 was EB, #2 was WB.

Tracks were #'d South to North.

This was the opposite of the NYC and caused real confusion when certain sections of the NYC were renumbered when a PRR Gen. Mgr. took over the territory; also when NYC trains were routed onto the PRR at Lake Jct. east of Chicago.

[R,N, Nelson]

Thanks. Now I think I have it straight.

Norman

[westernfalls]

On the PRR, tracks were numbered sequentially from the east and from the south with numerous exceptions to be found in areas of dense trackage.

[Statkowski]

As stated, PRR numbered its multiple-track territory sequentially (1-2-3-4-etc.) from the east side (going to the west side) or from the south side (going to the north side). In current-of-traffic two-track territory, track 1 was either eastward or northward (and track 2 either westward or southward). In four-track territory, with two eastward and two westward, tracks 1 & 2 would be eastward and tracks 3 & 4 would be westward. Of course, there were always exceptions to that basic rule.

Most other railroads operated under the East-is-even rule, but geography did some into play. For the New Haven, with lots of multiple-track territory, eastward (even numbered) tracks ran northward or eastward. For the New York Central main line, however, it was southward or eastward. And now you say, "Huh?" The Central's main line ran eastward from Chicago, Ill. to Albany, N.Y., thence southward to New York City. The Central's "eastward" trains ran into Grand Central Terminal. The New Haven, which also shared Grand Central Terminal, ran its eastward trains northward out of Grand Central Terminal, thence eastward to Boston, Mass. The end result, EASTWARD (even-numbered) New York Central trains passed EASTWARD (even-numbered) New Haven trains going in the opposite direction.

You can't tell the players without a scorecard.

[R,N, Nelson]

Thanks. I think I now have it straight.

Norman

[ExCon90]

That south-to-north rule was pretty inflexible. When the PRR built Suburban Station in 1930 they put in 7 tracks on the north side of the property, with room for 5 more to the south. The original tracks were therefore numbered 6 through 12. When another track was soon added south of 6, it was numbered 5. When the Airport line was being planned, two more tracks were added to the south of 5, numbered 3 and 4. There never was a track 1 or 2. Approaching 30th St. from the south, the tracks were duly numbered from east to west, with 1=nb passenger, 2=nb freight, 3=sb freight, and 4=sb passenger. At BRILL interlocking, where the northbound passenger trains slewed over to the west, the track numbers became 2, 3, 4, 1 from east to west, but that was taken care of by giving the lines two different names, which I don't specifically recall any more, but the tracks leading to the High Line were numbered Line (X) 2 and 3, and those to 30th St. Line (Y) 1 and 4, thus keeping the numbering scheme inviolate. Also, if necessary to add another track south or east of 1, they resorted to "A" or "0" (referred to as "aught" track). For example, the 6 tracks between South Elizabeth and Rahway were designated A, 1, 2, 3, 4, and B. Another little curiosity is that on the PRR it was always No. 1 track, not Track 1.

[Missyg24]

What was the numbering for the Buffalo line?
Elmira Branch?
Susquehanna Division?

[philipmartin]

The Pennsy numbering system on the New York Division where I worked as a block operator was perfectly simple: 1, 2 , 3 and 4. The outside tracks were 251 (train orders against the current of traffic,) and the two inside tracks were 261 (either direction by signal indication.)
When Conrail started, I went on the EL side for a while. Booth the "E" and the "L" differed from the Pennsy, and also from each other in track numbering; and it struck me as needless complication.

[Tadman]

For the New York Central main line, however, it was southward or eastward. And now you say, "Huh?" The Central's main line ran eastward from Chicago, Ill. to Albany, N.Y., thence southward to New York City. The Central's "eastward" trains ran into Grand Central Terminal. The New Haven, which also shared Grand Central Terminal, ran its eastward trains northward out of Grand Central Terminal, thence eastward to Boston, Mass. The end result, EASTWARD (even-numbered) New York Central trains passed EASTWARD (even-numbered) New Haven trains going in the opposite direction.

You can't tell the players without a scorecard.

We've got a similar situation in Chicago. South Shore (operating over rights into the Loop on IC) had westbound trains going north into downtown. IC had westbound trains going south out of downtown in the opposing direction.

[ExCon90]

Not only that, they had eastbound Michigan Central trains for Detroit going timetable west to Kensington, and eastbound Big 4 trains for Cincinnati going timetable west all the way to Kankakee. I suppose the IC assigned its own numbers to those movements for operating purposes. The South Shore took the line of least resistance and gave its eastbound trains odd numbers and the westbounds even numbers to conform with IC practice.

[philipmartin]

What was the numbering for the Buffalo line?
Elmira Branch?
Susquehanna Division?

Here's a PC Northeastern Region timetable for 1974. Page 159 may answer your question about numbering on the "Buffalo Line." Page 242 also shows rules in effect on the various tracks. You may have to enlarge these scans.
http://www.multimodalways.org/docs/rail ... 9-1974.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

For this and other PC timetables go to Multimodalways.
http://www.multimodalways.org/archives/ ... 0ETTs.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here's a PC rule book (CT400) for 1968 from multimodalways, Courtesy Doug Kreinbihl
http://www.multimodalways.org/docs/rail ... 8-1968.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

other rule book material:
http://www.multimodalways.org/archives/ ... Rules.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

More multimodalways.org scans:
http://www.multimodalways.org/new/new.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Multimodalways also has CR track charts. Here's one for the Buffalo Division.
http://www.multimodalways.org/docs/rail ... 201985.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

For all multimodalways CR track charts go to http://www.multimodalways.org/archives/ ... harts.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A number of other timetable scans are available through Google. In any PRR, PC or CR timetable, look in the index for "Track Assignments" and "Signal Rules", or find rule 1151, or 1250, (they are rules 151 and 251 in the book of rules.)