I just got my TRAINS magazine today, and once again found something new. I've always seen the silver shacks near grade crossings, but never knew what they were called. Like "Freds", I'm sure someone knows something about these "silver shacks" What's all on 'em, I've never really looked closely. The mile marker and street name are on them, anything else interesting? Anybody got pictures? Thanks
The signal bungalows contain the circuitry to operate the grade crossing signals in most locations; in other locations they operate the lineside railroad signals. At one time, they contained mainly relays, then vacuum tube electronics, now mostly solid state devices. All these "vital circuits" need to be contained in a structure that will protect them from weather and vandals.
Gregg is absolutely correct in what he says. There are signal bungalows right through the right of way wherever signalling is present. They carry vital signalling equipment as well as communications equipment. There are a variety of bungalows, some look like cupboards to the more extravagant brick or concrete locations. Here in Australia we also use concrete water tanks which have doors cut into them . These type of bungalows provide a great level of security although the down side is temeperatures can rise well over 120 degrees Currently these locations are either air conditioned or a type of awning placed over them to reduce temperatures. Although most equipment is rated to these high temperatures, these high temperatures reduce the reliability and life cycle of the equipment
Thanks guys This brings me to another question. As an engineer, how do you know when a grade crossing is ahead, and when you should begin blowing the wistle? Do you look for the "bungalow", or is there a light that goes on in the cab, or do you just know from experience? Thanks
Drew, while I am no engineer, I have always thought there were "W" signs posted where an engineer could see it an prompted him to blow the horn or maybe that was in days long ago. I am sure we will hear more about this
I just found out that the signal "Bungalows" on CSX between Mobile, AL and New Orleans are controlled by digital data carried over the nearby electric power lines. Is this a common practice? I know that previously signal controls were carried over the line-side "telegraph" lines. I have read that many railroads are converting to VHF or UHF radio to communicate signal control data. I would think that communicating signal control data over power lines would be limited to those areas where power lines were nearby. There are many areas where there are no power lines within many miles of a rail line. Hank
Drew, Robin is correct, however most engineers know their route, and have their own mental sign posts [incase the "W" is missing] to alert them to a grade crossing.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by CPRailfan: Thanks guys This brings me to another question. As an engineer, how do you know when a grade crossing is ahead, and when you should begin blowing the wistle? Do you look for the "bungalow", or is there a light that goes on in the cab, or do you just know from experience? Thanks <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Mr.Matthyson (sorry if misspelled), is correct. The "W" stands for "whistle" (now is horn) I know this from 35 years on the road. Those bungalows didn't reely come on until about 1968-1971 (depending on roads, and budget)
Tim, it seems I remember there were some telephone booths ever so often up in the mountains, where the rails are not within walking distance of a hiway. Were these just out in the Rocky Mountains, or did the B&O have some too? I think they were for use to call help in case of a derail, or forest fire, landslide, snow, etc. One of the old railroad runnaway tales told how one of these phones saved a passenger train.
Many Eastern railroad had lineside telephones at each passing siding and at the signals approaching each interlocking so that train crews could call the dispatcher or tower operator to get signals cleared for movement. (Sort of a gentle reminder that "hey, I'm sitting out here, when can I get moving?") These could also be used to report problems. Train radio eliminated the need for many of these.
Anyone have any updates of pictures to add to this topic? If not, it may be time to clean house and delete it.
Those silver shacks have another feature that is extremely important. There is white light on each side that tells the engineer that the grade crossing signals and gates should be working properly. If he is approaching a crossing and he doesn't see that white light, it may mean the gates are not coming down!
Hey J.T. - I work upstate and in PA so maybe there's something down your way that's different but just from my POV, I'd like to elaborate a bit on that white strobe light on signal bungalows - In the world according to the 8th edition NORACs... "A bell, white light or oscillating white light at remotely controlled signals and interlockings indicates that any employee, except on moving trains, must immediately communicate with the Dispatcher or Operator." In other words, "Hey stupid, I stopped you at a red signal because you forgot to change radio channels 20 miles back and I need to talk to you." Been there, done that. We wouldn't normally know about a xing problem until we went by and actually saw it or got a 'stop and protect' from the dispatcher or bulletin order. That's why it's important to report stuck gates, inoperative lights and such to the police or the RR as soon as possible. By the time I can see most of them, it's waaaaay too late to stop short. There's no specific signal that I would get that would let me know ahead of time that something was wrong. The only early warning system oftentimes is you.
Everyone seems to have a different name for those eyesores. Some call 'em sheds, shacks, or huts; "bungalow" is a new one to me. My friends and I usuall call 'em "thoolsheds."
Some railroads use a steady white light on the house or bungalow to indicate that the AC power is on. When it is out the location is on battery power.
I've seen those small white lights and figured they were put there to be more than just my personal landmarks on foggy nights. Pretty handy sometimes when you can't see anything else.
I know from riding Metro-North for a while, they were alerted to Crossings and other Track side Events, such as Workers, By a beeping sound in the Cab. this tells the train to slow down til it's at the right speed, plus when to start to Blow the horn. Most Engineers know where all the crossings are, since they ride it soo long. Pher
