One last stand at Milledgeville, on the CNO&TP

[E.M. Bell]

As Carmon and myself headed home from an afternoon out with Butch Two weekends ago, we took the back way (which is about the only way I go anywhere) into Danville (Ky),  via Moreland and Milledgeville. I happen to notice a set of brand new, shiny and almost completely installed  Darth Vader" signals just South of the signals currently in use at MP 125.6. It was almost dark, and we had no trains, so no pics from that day, but I knew I HAD to get back down there ASAP to get a few final shots of the searchlights and Milledgeville before they where gone.

This past Saturday, (10/30/10)  We headed out around daylight, with the only plan of the day to shoot those signals (and the whole way there I was hoping they hadn't disappeared during the week). Over the past few years, NS had been steadily doing away with the older Southern signal bridges and searchlight signals that have kept the CNO&TP safe for decades.  The newer signals, while surely cheaper to operate and safer to maintain, just do not have the same old school character as the GRS models. I have made it a point to get as many shots of the old stuff  as I can, and having used the intermediate at MP 125.6 as a photo prop for years, I felt it only proper to spend a little more time with them.

Luck would be with us this day, and even the scattered clouds would not keep us from our little mission.  When we arrived at Milledgeville, the old signals still stood and where in use, while the new ones still had their heads turned away from the mainline. Traffic was a bit lighter, but we managed 3 Southbounds to shoot with the soon to be history signals.  When we drove away towards the end of the day, all I could think of is that by the next time I get back there, progress will have taken another little piece of CNO&TP away...

I only have a total of 5 pictures to share from this little outing, so I will be posting them all here. IF you see anything you want a bigger look at, you can find them at this link.   http://www.pbase.com/kd4jsl/nscs2nd2010

#1. The first train of the day was the 215, seen below passing the new signals, with the old ones in the background. Anyone see a little problem with that lead motor?



#2  The Second train of the day was the always reliable 229. A former Conrail Dash-8 leads it South past MP 125.6



#3 The last train we would shoot at Milliedgeville with the old signals would be the 175, late in the afternoon.



After shooting the 175, we eased back into Danville to get some roster shots of the track research train that was tied down in the pocket track and grab a early supper. On the way home, I made one last swing down by the yard and lucked into a 197 that was changing crews.  After seeing what he had for power, we turned back around and headed for Bowen for a couple of shots. It was a gamble, as it was late and the shadows where falling fast, but we bagged him the sweet light just a few minutes before the sun was gone behind the ridge.

#4 and 5, NS 197 at Bowen KY

[easterniarail]

A very sweet catch of 197.  ;D

[butch]

on 215, do you mean the missing number board?

[E.M. Bell]

You win the major prize Butch.. Jason will take care of that for you, One years free JREB membership, or 54 cents off your next EB EWS service

I have seen numbers boards cracked, broken, duct taped and even painted on, but never missing completely.

[JCagle]

I will get right on upgrading Butch to the JREB Elite status! Lol

As part of the upgrade you get a free EBEWS alert and a free glass of water every day from your kitchen sink.

[kbarnett]

Does anyone know why they went with new north and soutbound signals masts and not with 1 mast, which seems to be the norm for signal replacement?

[E.M. Bell]

I wondered the same thing about why they went with a pair of mast here. The only thing I can think of is location, and the big curve there. Having a mast on Each side of the track may help to improve the sight lines from the train. In any case, that style of new signals is somewhat better looking than the ones that have the bi-directional heads mounted on on mast, on top of the bungalow. 

[butch]

Thanks guys, it is worth it for the free EBEWS alert alone.

[cmherndon]

Here's another question. Since the southbound signal has two heads, could it be that they are also deactivating the intermediate signal at Moreland as well?  If so, it just seems counterproductive to me to have a nearly 4.5 mile spacing between blocks.