Signal Demise

[NW Mailing List]

Two words "Mother Nature"

Anything that is exposed to the elements for 40 plus years, even well
maintained will wear out. Plus OSHAA requirements have gotten stiffer for
ladders and other platforms. I certainly wouldn't want to climb it!

CG Tower

On Feb 17, 2008 4:10 PM, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:


> Well, it wasn't a "decision" not to maintain the signals, but rather the

> fact that other things took priority over the physical maintainence, such as

> pole line elimination and electrocode conversion, and there just wasn't

> enough money in the budget.  Now, its getting to the point that many of

> these things HAVE to be done because they are rusting out.

>

> As for whose fault it is?  Well, I haven't a clue, as I'm in the signal

> dept. and the Bridge & Building dept. is responsible for painting the

> signals.  So, I'm not pointing a finger.  I just don't know who said "don't

> bother painting the signals" if that was indeed the case.

>

> But, the fact is, most of this stuff is approaching the century mark in

> age, such as the bracket masts, signal masts and some of the cases, as well

> as footers.  You see, N&W reused most all of the semaphore equipment when

> they upgraded to position light signals, so the Style S cases, masts,

> ladders, and bracket assemblies were already 30 or 40 years old when they

> were changed to position signals.

>

> Even the aluminum structures being erected now will be hard pressed to

> still be in service in 90 years.  If they do, that will be the year 2098.

> While aluminum doesn't rust per se, it does oxidize, and flex quite a bit.

>

> Ben Blevins

>

>

> *NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>* wrote:

>

> This is a little of which came first, chicken or egg. Are they rusty

> because they need to be replaced,

> or are they rusted because someone decided not to maintain that which is

> to be replaced soon.

>

> We had some buildings (1939 vintage temporary) on Ft Monmouth that

> started to sprout signs

> that they weren't going to be painted because they were to be torn down.

> Then it took 3 years

> to tear the eye sores down.

>

> Tom Cosgrove

>

> NW Mailing List wrote:

> > The N&W Color Position Light signals are being replaced as you all

> > know. Yes, they are going to be retired as soon as NS can get to

> > replacing them. They are becoming unsafe to climb, and parts are no

> > longer available. (And, from the signal maintainer's point of view,

> > the colorlights are easier to maintain, troubleshoot, and work on.)

> >

> > But, don't expect them to totally disappear for a while. There are

> > some newer ones, made by Safetran, that have been installed in a few

> > places on the old N&W. Roanoke has at least one of these on a signal

> > bridge near the Hotel Roanoke. Also, there are a few on the Pokey

> > that I have seen. These will probably be the last to be replaced with

> > colorlight signals. Especially the interlockings around Roanoke. If

> > that entire interlocking plant is upgraded with colorlights, it will

> > take an entire ARMY to cut in a job of that size.

> >

> > The main emphasis is to get the old signals replaced, and this means

> > replacing everything. The signals themselves, the house cases and

> > signal relay cases, cables, just about everything that needs it.

> > Especially on the Pokey.

> >

> > Here are a few photos of the signals at the crossover at War Eagle.

> > It is on the list to be replaced soon, and when you look at the

> > photos, you will see why.

> >

> > Ben Blevins

>

>

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