There's not much in CSX's Norwood Yard. Two sidings, one main line. Mostly used as an overflow make-up yard for Massena, or so I gather. This year there are two new bits of construction in the yard. One is very obviously an air compressor. It's in a half-container, with electric service and an air line going out of it. Closer to the end of the yard is an air hose tying down some cars (the valve is open).
So here's my question: Has something changed (on CSX at least, but I speculate for everyone) where standard practice has become to tie down a string using a fixed air compressor as I described above?
Now add to that the various bits of signals work that I see going on here and in other places. There are new conduits going in along the railroad, seemingly connected between existing infrastructure and switches. Potsdam has a new radio transmitter. Is there some sensing of switch position being added? Are engineers going to be able to see the switch position before they get to it?
So here's my question: Has something changed (on CSX at least, but I speculate for everyone) where standard practice has become to tie down a string using a fixed air compressor as I described above?
Now add to that the various bits of signals work that I see going on here and in other places. There are new conduits going in along the railroad, seemingly connected between existing infrastructure and switches. Potsdam has a new radio transmitter. Is there some sensing of switch position being added? Are engineers going to be able to see the switch position before they get to it?