Last Manual Blocking of Trains on the N&W ?

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

As late as 1981, N&W had provisions for Manual Block on two divisions  -
the Norfolk Division and the Moberly  Division.   If you  include 
hermaphrodite
TC (Manual Block - Remote Control), then the Decatur Division should  be
included.
 
On the Durham District , there was TC between Vabrook and Hyco   Jct.,
the rest came under Manual Block rules.  On the Moberly Division,  MBS
was in effect on the Stanberry  and Council Bluffs District, also on  the
lines to Des Moines and Ottumwa.
 
Not sure it falls into your definition of Manual Block, but when detouring  in
ABS, double track territory, N&W provided supervisors at each end of  the
detour to block trains.  In April, 1950, N&W was detouring  eastbound trains
on the westward main track to Kimball.  No. 24 entered Kimball Tunnel  and
struck a motor car killing six employees.  Although the ICC report  places
responsibility on the motor car,  some Pocahontas Division employees  say
that the Asst. Trainmaster at Kimball gave the motor car permission to  enter
the block.
                                                                 Harry Bundy
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