Metra is in the midst of a major rehab of A-5 (Pacific Jct. - the split between the Milwaukee North and West districts). Some new signals have appeared and it appears a lot of the switches and other special work is being replaced.
A new signal bridge is up but not in service on the MD-N just west of the MD-N/W split and east of the tower (in other words, in the middle of what has been a single interlocking). New switches and movable point crossing have been laid out along the tracks at the MD-N/W split and it looked like could be going in this week. But I have no idea what is planned beyond that.
Work done on the west leg (MD-W) suggest one or more new signal bridges out there and the track panels piled near there suggest those switches will be replaced as well.
Anyone know the extent of the plans? Searches have turned up nothing. I just hope that the switches on the west leg will be upgraded to be faster than the current 10mph. The 15mph for MD-W trains on the curve is bad enough but the 10mph on the crossovers just adds insult to injury when you're crossing over (my regular PM WB train has to do the 1/4 mile long 3 to 2 to 1 slog which is just painful).
A new signal bridge is up but not in service on the MD-N just west of the MD-N/W split and east of the tower (in other words, in the middle of what has been a single interlocking). New switches and movable point crossing have been laid out along the tracks at the MD-N/W split and it looked like could be going in this week. But I have no idea what is planned beyond that.
Work done on the west leg (MD-W) suggest one or more new signal bridges out there and the track panels piled near there suggest those switches will be replaced as well.
Anyone know the extent of the plans? Searches have turned up nothing. I just hope that the switches on the west leg will be upgraded to be faster than the current 10mph. The 15mph for MD-W trains on the curve is bad enough but the 10mph on the crossovers just adds insult to injury when you're crossing over (my regular PM WB train has to do the 1/4 mile long 3 to 2 to 1 slog which is just painful).
Larry
Reno, NV (yes, I've moved)
ex-N&W Sandusky, Ohio
Reno, NV (yes, I've moved)
ex-N&W Sandusky, Ohio