Conrail switch malfunction

Conrail Chicago Line at CP 235, Schuyler, NY just 2 miles east of Utica Station. A crossover has experienced a malfunction and the signals at CP235 have dropped to red for both directions. The Chicago Line is effectively blocked. The is both a westbound freight on track 2 and an eastbound freight on track 1 that have been stopped facing each other at each end of the crossover. A maintenance worker arrives and finds that the switch on the number two track has failed to completely return to normal. After he manually locks it in place and checks the rest of the crossover both freights are cleared to proceed and they waste no time accelerating away as he prepares to make repairs.

[@phantomlord71usa]

Strange error indeed. Looked as if the switch machine started closing the switch rod, then stopped about half way through. The throw on those is normally 4-3/4" to 4-7/8" at the point. We manufacture those types of switch rods for various rail road clientèle as well as a plethora of other types of switch rods. Most newer designs are manufactured from CSX design plan 2326, from 16' - 6" to a 39" - 0" turnouts.

[@rocksreynolds3642]

How many other viewers made a "bzzztt!" noise in their mind when the engineer put his finger into the switch mechanism?

[@b3j8]

Nice catch!! I watched CR many a night on the other end of the Chicago Line at Waterloo Indiana CP 367! Never saw a switch failure once. LOL Thanks for putting this one up!

[@TheTheo58]

Appears no power was reaching the motor. I remember a delay on the Bart trains once, train operator announced something about the interlock up ahead was malfunctioning, was going to exit and turn it by hand. It was a freezing cold winter morning, might have been frozen. I guess Central Control was able to set the switch.

[@donaldrodgers8389]

That happens alot on the NS Pittsburgh Line at CP ALTOONA.After they took ALTO and SLOPE out of service.They should have left it alone.Thanks for posting this video.

[@ckakalak2]

Awesome video description thank you

[@stevenmichael2845]

Nice catch

[@MFXdump]

I counted 17 front runners on that intermodal. I've never seen more than a couple on a train before.

[@jaywinn481]

This video was taken a couple of decades ago. Maybe this was before they figured out that front runners were unstable. At least they were loaded in this instance.

[@Jim-hw1xr]

My new quote when I comment about someone's laptop in for repairs "Somethin' really weird"

[@thomasstambaugh4832]

That's a technical term.

[@robertheinkel6225]

I am surprised how easily the switch moves with the crank handle.

[@PowerTrain611]

That's gotta be some serious reduction gearing for it to be that easy.

[@beeble2003]

@@PowerTrain611 Can't be that much reduction gearing, as he doesn't have to turn the crank a million times to move the switch.

[@PowerTrain611]

@@beeble2003 Good point. Must be a multiplier like what's on modern handbrakes.

[@markfrench8892]

Ah!! The joys of railroading. 😆

[@kc8hnz]

Its a 5 machine, what do you expect?

[@SOU6900]

Back then they really don't seem to care if you filmed them or not it seems.

[@b3j8]

Yeah many times they even explained what they were doin if you asked. Today they're afraid of Company backlash. And rightly so.

[@waltonwayaugusta]

BRING EXTRA COFFEE AND PACK A LUNCH GONNA BE A LONG DAY

[@jdzonline5008]

Nah it’s just a standoff between two opposing sides

[@peterolsen3797]

you have got to get a tripod, please

[@kansasstatealerting2424]

You do realize this was filmed in the 90s right?

[@kmagnussen1052]

Just giggle the wires right? Then CTR ALT DEL never get Microsoft switches. So what was the actual cause? And don't say gremlins.

[@djdj-qx3hb]

Shit happans

[@JugSouthgate]

GRS 5G switch machine. Obviously no power for the motor.

[@MarkInLA]

Wish we saw man stand back and let the tower throw it to see if remote is now working correctly.. We saw manually thrown, but not remote..

[@jaywinn481]

Mark.. What you are looking at is the maintainer manually throwing and locking the switches so that the traffic could go. He had not even attempted the repairs at that point. Never witnessed the actual repair..

[@MarkInLA]

Thanks. What it looks like is the points are stuck midway and MOW guy manually corrects it, as if there was a failure to throw them all the way, remotely. No ?

[@jaywinn481]

One switch failed to throw all the way when the dispatcher tried to line the crossover... causing all signals in the vicinity to drop to red. First thing the maintainer did after a cursory look was to manually throw and lock the switches so the dispatcher could clear the signals and get the trains moving again.. Then the maintainer has to wait for the dispatcher to give him some "foul time" to work on it..

[@MarkInLA]

10-4 Dat's basically what I thought. Thanks

[@wb6wsn]

The whole point of the video was a malfunctioning switch, not to document every car that passes once the switch has been manually set. And then the video ends as the train goes by. Yawn.

[@jaywinn481]

The whole point of the video depends on your perspective..My point with this video is to capture the entire series of events that were linked together. From the first train that was stopped until both trains were on the move again. An important part of the video was the acceleration of the delayed trains when they were able to move.

[@littlewn9280]

Ed Price the whole point of the video is to show you why we shouldn't have switch tracks in the first place...its ridiculous to keep endangering Amtrak passengers with the timing of freight trains...its time we redesign our railways to operate on separate tracks and routes...everyone complains there are not enough jobs in this country,, well lets fix the infrastructure, that will create jobs...we have had too many collisions lately...there is no excuse.

[@maxshelltrack6131]

As long as you got the train sitting there most people wouldn't mind catching it on the move rather than posting a video that's only a few seconds.

[@videobruceb8879]

Boring, it's a everyday occurrence somewhere on the system.

[@stevenmichael2845]

I agree, your videos are way better. All 0 of them.

[@videobruceb8879]

I don't believe in posting something just because I shot it when it isn't worthy to do so. It's called having quality standards.

[@scottcoleman9570]

No one held a gun to your head and forced you to watch it. Don't click on it if it's not up to your action packed standards.

[@markschenher4559]

I actually thought it was a good video, showed the problem, resolution, and resumption of normal operation. How nice is it to hear the whine of traction motors without the horn blowing? A hearty thumbs up!

[@BigTex9752]

LOL,some people these days just cant enjoy a video

[@littlewn9280]

This is why we shouldnt have switches at all.😐these railways need redesigned...makes no sense to keep endangering Amtrak passengers with the timing of freight trains...its ridiculous..just design seperate tracks and routes for all trains period.

[@vermilionrailfan5651]

If a train stops somewhere on a double track line with no switches, how are you gonna run around it?

[@maxshelltrack6131]

How the fuck would you sort cars or trains impossible you need switches wtf.🙄🙄

[@SOU6900]

@@maxshelltrack6131 🙄 Maybe we should just get rid of trains all together and go back to canals to stop trains from derailing... Or do away with knuckle couplers to eliminate broken knuckles.🙄 Stupidest shit I've heard just this week.

[@jasonw833]

🤣