Centralized Traffic Control (CTC)

Train movements are governed by signal indication, which are controlled by the dispatcher, through the CTC machine. If crew communication is necessary, it is provided by telephones located at each OS section. The signals are all three color aspect and approach lit.

The first US&S style machine, installed in 1990, was used on the Southern Pacific in Eugene, Oregon. Rod Loder, from Salem, Oregon, had negotiated the salvage of the machines, in 1989, when the SP discontinued their use. He modified the height of the board cutting away all of the cabinet below the desktop, had new aluminum track panels etched, spent many hours cleaning and refurbishing the hardware and untold hours wiring everything together prior to installation on the UCW. His company, Photo Electric, now offers a full line of CTC parts and boards.

In the spring of 2000 the decision was made to install CMRI, Bruce Chubb's computer interface system, and also to replace the SP board with one from the UP. The new machine is also of US&S vintage and was part of the UP's dispatch center located in Pocatello, Id. It is a full height cabinet but only 8" deep instead of the original 16". Rod has a couple of very talented guys, in Salem, who do the welding and painting and they have done and excellent job in making these old relics look factory fresh just off the "Showroom Floor". All hardware is original to the machine which includes: switch and signal levers, code buttons, toggle switches, lamps and glass lenses and all the contacts behind the scenes.

Good friend, John Signor of Dunsmuir, Ca., provided all the artwork for the track panels. They are photo etched on aluminum by a company in Wis.

Below are a series of photos of the old and new machines plus close ups of the levers panels, and contacts.


Kelly Newton dispatching old machine Terry Wheeler viewing the action	JiJim French dispatching new machine J

Track diagrams on new machine	Communication via Bulldog mouthpiece

Lever contacts back of machine

CMRI

The CMRI system along with Oregon Rail Supply 3 color aspect signals were installed June - August of 2000. I am very pleased with the CMRI system it was easy to install and program and performs very well.

Signals Facing the Wrong Direction

added 4/20/2006

There is one area on the UCW, East Watercress, where the signals face away from the operator making it very difficult to determine how the approach signal is set. After considering several solutions I decided to try the easiest one which was placing a mirror trackside. After some initial tweaking the mirror was attached at the right position allowing the operator to view the signals when standing at just the right spot. The mirror is hidden from view unless you are standing at that spot. A simple solution to the problem.


If you look in the center of the picture below the building you can see the signals in the mirror. You have to stand at just the right spot to see them. The signal is just barely out of view around the backdrop.	Here's a closeup of the mirror. It was difficult to get my camera in position for the shot and you can see my hand and camera in the mirror.	Here's a shot of the mirror and how it's mounted under the layout. It's just a small hand held mirror held in place with a screw through the handle.