On the west side of the junction along the Lehigh Valley tracks, an NJ International cantilever signal bridge with a brass tube signal mast and Oregon target heads, plat- form and brass ladders was installed (left). A DPDT slide switch mounted on the fas- cia board in front of the tower controls the signals (above). The tower operator watch- es as the Lehigh Valley’s Wilkes-Barre yard switcher approaches the junction (below).
the junction, they have not been as con- sistent in notifying the train dispatcher and changing the signals to stop for the CNJ after crossing. We are still working on correcting that.
Operation
Our two hour operating sessions are run on a 3:1 clock, so a six hour time- frame is covered. The timetable used is based on 1947 CNJ and LV schedules. During a typical six hour period, seven or eight LV symbol freight or passenger trains and two CNJ symbol freights will pass through the junction. The LV Wilkes-Barre yard switcher makes mul- tiple switching moves through the junc- tion, and a CNJ interchange run will be made once during a session. If space was not an issue, a dedicated tower operator would be an ideal oper- ating position for new people. While not a very busy position, it would pro- vide newcomers a job and an opportu- nity to learn the system. Unfortunate- ly, aisle space is at a premium on the layout and a maximum of only eight operators can be accommodated. The junction is operated as a simple crossing, rather than as a manned inter- locking. As the normal position of signals at the crossing is for the Lehigh Valley, the CNJ trainman must place the sig- nals in the stop position for the LV after receiving authority from the train dis- patcher. This is accomplished by moving the slide DPDT switch mounted on the fascia board in front of the tower. A slide
RAILROAD MODEL CRAFTSMAN
switch was chosen as it presents limited opportunity of being inadvertently caught by someone’s clothing. If this be- comes a problem, it will be recessed in the fascia board. While CNJ trainmen have been very conscientious about fol- lowing this procedure when arriving at
Summary I achieved most of my objectives in designing the junction within the limit- ed space available. There is a three- track, multi-railroad mainline protected by a working signal bridge on the east side of the junction. The interchange tracks being switched by a CNJ local re- quires crossing the junction similar to the prototype branch lines, and my replica of Franklin Tower sits adjacent to a road crossing with working flashers and crossing bell. (You can see more of my layout at:
https://sites.google.com/ site/mylvrr.) If you have the opportunity to incor-
porate a junction on your layout, I think you will be very satisfied with the result.
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