Re: Switch Questions
Author: hepkema
Date: 12-27-2007 - 15:46
Lakeside Junction, between Cheney and Spokane. There remains a finger of ex-SP&S main from UP Junction west 1/2 mile to Fish Lake, where UP track actually begins. UP junction itself is a left-hand #20 turnout with the diverging side being the BN westbound mainline, used by 15-20 westbounds a day (while the straight side sees 8-10 UP trains). The diverging route is the 1/4-mile connection track to Lakeside Junction--the dividing point between the Lakeside Sub and the Kootenai River Sub. The westbounds then go through the tangent side of that #20 turnout as a trailing point movement. Eastbounds off the Lakeside Sub take the diverging side of that turnout in a facing point movement to access the eastbound (ex-NP) track down Marshall Canyon. The predominant movements at both junctions are diverging--meaning that ALL BNSF trains through the plant get restrictive signals that have to be called out over the radio. I have heard rare eastbound movements that go down the canyon on the SP&S side. They are usually so surprised when they reach the intermediate signal near Cheney and get a green that they call the dispatcher to see if the aspect is correct.