Progress of the Michigan Line M/W (Part 3)

[JStryker722]

They had a broken rail at mp12.3 yesterday, good for walking speed. There were also 2 activation failures. East of wayne

That may have been the reason why my crossing was down. I believe MP 12+ is Gulley Rd or somewhere close to it

[iandt]

Yesterday a broken switch in Battle Creek delayed 350 by 45 minutes. But when traveling past Wayne I noticed they've started regrading the second main, right now they have the area between I think Venoy and Merriman (it might have been Howe to Venoy) cleared of snow and a full team of dump trucks and graders working it all, it looked real neat and straight anyway. Last week they were doing the same in downtown Dearborn between Mason and Monroe streets.

[NSSD70ACe]

Believe it or not...it looks like the North Pass has been removed. Out by Gearhart today and there is no evidence that the track is still there. I thought they were replacing it, not taking it out completely.

[59caddy]

I saw a big reel of orange cable (or whatever it is) sitting on the south side of Superior Road west of the tracks in Ypsilanti earlier today while driving through there.

[ConrailMan5]

I saw a big reel of orange cable (or whatever it is) sitting on the south side of Superior Road west of the tracks in Ypsilanti earlier today while driving through there.

Same one that is in the very first post of the thread caddy, they have been moving it around since summer. On the south and east side of the crossing currently. It is conduit for the new signal relay boxes I believe. Been in the current location for about 4 months now.

[iandt]

Now that the snow has mostly melted it has revealed a neatly graded second mainline stretching all the way between Wayne and Dearborn. Today, Amtrak crews were working at various points along the whole route. A great deal of supplies has been piled up, including new cement crossing pieces at every road between Wayne and Dearborn, a large pile of ballast beside the Dearborn station, and at Wayne there is now a literal mountain of new ties, complimented by at least 50 long pieces of new, freshly welded rail. All the materials seem to be in place to begin laying the second main, whenever Amtrak crews finish grading.

As a side note, there is also a short section of new track lying beside the Leforge Rd. crossing in Ypsi, anyone know what this is for? Amtraks have been slowing down at this curve for the past couple months, and I thought this was just because they were laying cable, but maybe there's a section of bad track?

[Ypsi]

30.6 or something like that has only been good for 30mph all winter. May have to put new rail down on the curve. Guess I will try and check that out today. I did note the mountains of supplies last time I was in wayne as well. exciting times on the MC now. We will soon have the 20+ miles of double track back in service between towline and Ypsi.

[Ypsi]

New signal base was installed at 31.13 today, far enough away from the main so they can keep their driving path and potentially install a second main in the future (plan may or may not have called for such)

[Saturnalia]

Heh...is that right by your house?

[Ypsi]

Yep, right in view. Looks like I have a new prop I am wondering if they will call it signal "31.13" or "31". I am assuming the resignaling will allow more exact signal numbering that won't be close to a mile away from their actual location

[Saturnalia]

Oh 31 is my bet. Don't be surprised if you hear 30 at all though!

Watching your NPCU video, I see that you once ended up with the current 30 in your shot, looking down the track. You should try to zoom in down there and get her before she's gone.

[ConrailMan5]

Oh 31 is my bet. Don't be surprised if you hear 30 at all though!

Watching your NPCU video, I see that you once ended up with the current 30 in your shot, looking down the track. You should try to zoom in down there and get her before she's gone.

It ain't much to see. Standard type A Signal
NYC signal mast by Conrailman5, on Flickr
NYC signal mast Signal Mast by Conrailman5, on Flickr

[Ben Higdon]

Stopped at Jackson this past weekend, and there are two switches on the ground (the other one is visible in the distance on the right side of the picture). Just the one track machine and maybe 6 or 7 ballast cars at the ballast dump. Also a large cantilever signal mast going up across from the depot (barely visible behind the scrub trees).

Didn't notice whether the second turnout was left or right hand. Maybe relocating one of the crossovers?

[Buster Manning]

Ypsi, that isn't for an intermediate signal; they have been putting up radio-type towers at the crossings.....thinkin' it's for ITCS or PTC stuff.

Starting to see ties laid out for the 'new' main btw Wayne and Mort...

[Ypsi]

Alright thanks buster. Thats interesting, and not quite as cool as a signal I guess, but good progress.

[iandt]

What are the switches for? What exactly are they adding at Jackson?

[JStryker722]

Howe Rd crossing in Wayne will be closed starting April 27th. I'm guessing by the fact that at either side of the crossing, they have laid out ties and strips of welded rail on the new ballast,that the long-waited reinstallion of the #2 main is just weeks away.

[SousaKerry]

Stopped at Jackson this past weekend, and there are two switches on the ground (the other one is visible in the distance on the right side of the picture). Just the one track machine and maybe 6 or 7 ballast cars at the ballast dump. Also a large cantilever signal mast going up across from the depot (barely visible behind the scrub trees).

Didn't notice whether the second turnout was left or right hand. Maybe relocating one of the crossovers?

The signal mast was set in the fall, the switches come in over the winter some time. The ballast cars have been in and out several times over the past year. Track machines have been there maybe a month. I think they will be replacing the crossover at the station and maybe the yard lead switch.

[Ypsi]

Ties are down at least near signal 15 in wayne, photo from TrainWatcher

https://www.flickr.com/photos/csxt1534/17238455811/

[iandt]

Ties are down at least near signal 15 in wayne, photo from TrainWatcher

https://www.flickr.com/photos/csxt1534/17238455811/

Ties and rails are laid out like this from 2nd St. in Wayne all the way to Merriman Rd., and at a brief section between Military St. and Mason St. in Dearborn, as of last Sunday.