Finally, someone said "El Monte". That was the place. It was a sad day. West guy coming down the main at speed and had a high green at the east switch. An east man was in the hole waiting for him to clear. As stated, the switch was lined on top of the east man and the west crew didn't have a chance. There was a relay turned upside down and also some jumpers involved.

After that, every relay case, shack, etc., had a picture of the wreck and super imposed was a picture of the relay and jumpers.

The reason they started to get rid of the "H" head signals was moving parts. With a tri color signal that SP started to use, allowed the signal folks to get rid of the "H" head and two relays. The first thing we started to notice was the lower signal at a switch would remain on so you would see green over red or yellow over red. The first one I saw like that was at Fagan on the east valley. At 2 in the morning you are ready to see the next signal lite up green and that was it. Well let me tell you you throw a red into the mix {no warning or instructions out)its makes you pucker for a bit.

Now UP has changed everthing out to coded track circuits, no line wires, etc. The thing a lot of guys miss is in ABS territory, the old style signals would lite up yellow, then red. That told the head man it was time to get off his butt and go and roll this guy by. With the coded circuits the first thing you see is a headlight.

Change, yuk.


Nudge