>>>By DAVE BAKKE ([email protected])
THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER
Posted Apr 21, 2010 @ 11:30 PM
Last update Apr 22, 2010 @ 06:01 AM
The Union Pacific Railroad is closing the Ridgely Tower in Springfield, one of the last manually operated rail switching towers in Illinois.
The tower, south of Sangamon Avenue and west of 16th Street, controls rail traffic along the Union Pacific/Amtrak line between St. Louis and Chicago and the Springfield to Peoria line of the Illinois and Midland Railroad. One of five operators sits in the tower around-the-clock to control rail traffic using a series of levers.
“We will be able to move the Ridgely Tower functions to the Harriman Dispatching Center in Omaha by the end of June,” said Union Pacific spokesman Mark Davis. “The automation of the tower is part of our annual improvement projects and takes advantage of newer technology that enhances operations and safety.”
The tower has been in its current location since the early 20th century. It was rebuilt in 1930 by the then-owner, the B&O Railroad Co., and hasn’t changed much since.
>>>
rest of article with pix here: http://www.sj-r.com/carousel/x43866324/ ... June?img=1
THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER
Posted Apr 21, 2010 @ 11:30 PM
Last update Apr 22, 2010 @ 06:01 AM
The Union Pacific Railroad is closing the Ridgely Tower in Springfield, one of the last manually operated rail switching towers in Illinois.
The tower, south of Sangamon Avenue and west of 16th Street, controls rail traffic along the Union Pacific/Amtrak line between St. Louis and Chicago and the Springfield to Peoria line of the Illinois and Midland Railroad. One of five operators sits in the tower around-the-clock to control rail traffic using a series of levers.
“We will be able to move the Ridgely Tower functions to the Harriman Dispatching Center in Omaha by the end of June,” said Union Pacific spokesman Mark Davis. “The automation of the tower is part of our annual improvement projects and takes advantage of newer technology that enhances operations and safety.”
The tower has been in its current location since the early 20th century. It was rebuilt in 1930 by the then-owner, the B&O Railroad Co., and hasn’t changed much since.
>>>
rest of article with pix here: http://www.sj-r.com/carousel/x43866324/ ... June?img=1
