Downtown Railroading

Old PRR signals-Chicago, IL, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

An interesting shot from just outside of downtown Chicago, on the near west side. These are a pair of Metra commuter trains, heading out of the city on a midday run, just a few minutes out of Chicago's historic Union Station.

The signals are interesting-they're old position signals that date from the 40's, when the Pennsylvania Rail Road ran passenger trains into the city. Position signals have rows of lights that mimic the positions of old semaphore signals. In this case they're also color coded-three greens vertically, three yellows at an angle, and three reds horizontally. Position signals have been gradually phased out, especially in light of more sophisticated communications between dispatchers and crews, but there are still a few of them in Chicago.

This shot is also interesting because you can see the Sears Tower in the background. It's one of, if not the, defining shape on the Chicago skyline, and seems to turn up whenever you shoot.

Chicago Railroad Signal and Supply Co.

Chicago Railroad Signal and Supply Co., a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

One of those "I happened to look down" deals. I was at the Illinois Railway Museum, which, like many such institutions, maintains a boneyard for spare bits and pieces. The IRM's is neatly arranged and not overgrown, and has a lot of old signal equipment that's been salvaged from various roads as they upgrade equipment.

This is one such piece, a vintage piece of...signal equipment. I really have no idea what it is, only that I'd never heard of this manufacturer, it had an attractive logo, and was made in Chicago. I particularly like this last bit, partially because I'm from the Windy City, and partially because it reminds me of how much industry was scattered throughout the country.

I should really go back and shoot the whole thing!

Wye

Signal, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

In railroad terminology, a wye is a triangular arrangement of tracks, allowing three lines to connect. It's often used to turn trains around, allowing them to do a sort of three point turn. Usually there's a switch or signal at each corner as well.

This is one corner of such an arrangement, at the Illinois Railway Museum. It's guarded by this unusual, short position signal. The only other place I've seen similar signals is at Chicago's North Western Station...er, I mean Ogilvie Transportation Center. I don't think they're in use at Ogilvie, though, however I think they date back to CNW days.