STrRedWolf wrote: ↑Sun May 31, 2020 12:53 pm(Note: spent way too long fighting with HTML codes to try and get my replies inserted at the right point. Had a long day and was too tired to fight with the computer)RRspatch wrote: ↑Sat May 30, 2020 1:37 am From what Jeff posted and my CETC 1 knowledge of the territory it looks like they're only redoing Track "A" between Winans and Bridge and probably surfacing on No.1 track. I would see no reason to shut down No.2 and No.3 track between Bridge and Grove unless the concrete ties on those tracks are going bad already.Or you're swapping the wood on the interlocks for concrete, which is what I see off of Google Maps. Just doing Track A? Not an issue.
As far as turning Winans into a full interlocking I believe long range plans are for a new interlocking just south of Stony Run curve which is just south of BWI. Eventual plans are to extend "A" track down to Grove so I would guess at that point Winans would go away. I believe one of the reasons for the new station building at BWI was to create a bigger space between the station building and the No.1 track platform for a future "A" track. Once done the No.1 track platform would become an island platform with the overhead walkway extended over it.The plan was to extend Track A all the way to GROVE and then rename it 1, bumping all the other numbers up 2-3-4. This would require a complete rebuild of BWI, pushing the station north, building a new bridge over the tracks, laying down two new tracks, and turning existing track 1 into an island platform.
Remembering my CETC 1 days ....
Right now, though... well, it can still be done... but it makes the rebuilt station feel like $5mil wasted.
(Regarding replacing switches at Winans and Bridge)
While it's possible Winans is getting a concrete switch I seriously doubt Bridge is getting redone at this point. Amtrak will probably wait for a new B&P tunnel before doing anything major at Bridge such as re-configuring the interlocking. As far as changing out wood for concrete in switches Amtrak has/had a large machine called the Switch Exchange System (SES) that could remove half of an old switch (rail cut at the mid point) and replace it with a new switch panel. When I saw this done back in the 80's during my Baltimore division tower days Amtrak was only using wood for switches. The whole procedure to replace one end of a crossover was usually done on a Saturday night starting at 2200. The switch was installed, surfaced, tested and back in service by Sunday afternoon once the signal department released it. I'm pretty sure the SES can handle concrete switches. Assuming Amtrak still has this system I see no need for a long term outage at Bridge to replace the No.91 and No.12 switches if Amtrak decides to renew them now. Amtrak is in the process for replacing the switches at Hook. I asked on one of the FB Amtrak groups if they were using the SES and concrete ties but I never got an answer. I assume Amtrak is using concrete at Hook.
(Regarding new station at BWI and future Track "A" though same as well as track renumbering)
I don't think you'll see the tracks renumbered between Grove and Bridge until a new B&P tunnel is built. From what I've heard the plan is for a diverging switch at Grove from No.1 track to Track A which I guess would be called the No.19 switch. As for BWI the best plan would be to have two island platforms with one serving "A" and No.1 and the other serving No.2 and No.3 track. Looking at the Google Street View image of BWI station (just past the Mack cement truck) I'm guessing there's not enough room between the new station building and the No.1 track platform to squeeze track "A" in. So yes, it's probably $5 million wasted. I must say that's a pretty impressive parking garage they've built since I was last back east.
(regarding to plan to extend Track "A" to Grove and why they're doing it .... someday)
The plan to extend "A" track down to Grove basically gives MARC a northbound track to it's self between Hanson/Carroll and Bridge. No longer would they have to hold at Grove for an Amtrak train (ACELA or Regional) ahead stoppig at BWI. Southbound Amtrak added a new switch at Bridge going from No.3 track to No.2 track (No.23) which allows a parallel from No.3 to No.2 at the same time a northbound is going from No.1/"A" to No.2 track. This now allows a MARC train to be sent out of Baltimore ahead of a late out of slot Amtrak train. The Amtrak train (assuming it doesn't stop at BWI) runs No.2 track Bridge to Grove or perhaps (depending on traffic) all the way to Carroll where Amtrak installed a new No.32 switch.
By the way extending "A" track south to Grove would be the easy part. Going further south the tracks slew from one side to the other in two places. Because of these two track slews platforms at Odenton (No.1 track side), Bowie State and Seabrook (No.3 track side) would have to be moved back for the forth track. I'm guessing Grove to Bowie would be the next segment to be added.
Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel
Is just a freight train coming your way
No leaf clover ~ Metallica.
Is just a freight train coming your way
No leaf clover ~ Metallica.