NEW NEWS

NEW NEWS 2008

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DECEMBER 30, 2008

FIRST MEETING OF THE SIGNAL DEPARTMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HELD

On the evening of December 29th the first meeting of the new Signal Department Advisory committee was held at the home of Signal Maintainer Al. Several important concerns of Signal Department operations were discussed and a few recommendations were developed to present to the General Manager. The most pressing concern and the one that prompted the meeting is scheduling of Signal Department work assignments. All attendees agreed that what has worked in the past is not working now. Because the number of personnel in the Signal Department has grown we are often over manning the inspections. This causes, on those days, some personnel to not be able to participate and therefore either not learn or not keep their skills up to date. A scheduling system was devised at the meeting that the Signal Engineer will present to the General Manager. Other topics were discussed but no decisions made in regard to immediate action. Those in attendance were Signal Maintainers Al, Paul, Chuck and Dave and Signal Engineer Dale. Additional meetings are planned but no dates have been set.

DECEMBER 22, 2008

POLAR EXPRESS IS OVER!

It is finally over! Twelve days of Polar Express Trains and about 12,500 passengers later it is done. Lots of positive comments from the Polar Express passengers and lots of positive feelings from the SSRR and CSRM folks that made it happen. Good Job Everybody!

NOVEMBER 24, 2008

DESIGN DRAWINGS OF NEW CROSSINGS REVIEWED

The Signal Engineer was asked to review the 60% design drawings of the two new pedestrian crossings across our Main Line at Mile Posts 0.69 and 0.75. Each of these crossings will be protected with flashing lights and crossbucks. No gates are planned for the crossings at this time. The pedestrian crossings are part of the City of Sacramento's long planned project to lengthen the River Promenade. The existing promenade stops at the Circle of Lights just south of the Embassy Suites Hotel. The new project will extend the promenade from the Circle of Lights to about Mile Post 0.90. Part of the project includes moving the SSRR Main Line east about eleven feet between the Circle of Lights and Mile Post 0.85. The project is schedule to begin around February 1, 2009 and will take about a year to complete. The moving of the Main Line is one of the first parts of the project and will take two weeks. Main Line movement is scheduled to begin on a Thursday, last for 12 days and end on a Tuesday in an attempt to be of minimum disruption to SSRR train operations. The 60% design drawings have very little information on the grade crossing warning systems other than their location and the specification of flashing lights only. The next review will be 90% design documents. Watch for an update on your SSRR Signal Volunteers Web Site.

DECEMBER MONTHLY INSPECTIONS SCHEDULED

The December Monthly Inspections have been scheduled by Signal Maintainer Paul for Tuesday the 2nd. Details will follow from Paul soon.

NOVEMBER 19, 2008

ZOO TRAIN ARRIVES - SIGNALS DID NOT ACTIVATE

The Operations Department operated a two car consist train from the CSRM to the Sacramento Zoo this afternoon. On board were staff from State Parks, the CSRM Foundation and the SSRR. Also thought onboard were members of the Board of Directors of the Zoo and members of a local community group. A Signal Department crew, consisting of Dan, Bill, Jim, Joe and Dale, thought they would take the opportunity to take some voltage readings from the Sutterville Warning System Grade Crossing Predictor (GCP) in an effort to determine if it is operating properly. Since the system was put back in operation in 2003 no trains have operated within the approaches so the Signal Department does not have any actual operating data. This appeared to be the chance to get operating data and to observe if the system will actually sense a train. The consist, however, was shoved from Baths to just short of the north side of Sutterville Road. The train was not traveling fast enough for the GCP to sense motion and it did not activate the system to drop the gates. Too bad.... Perhaps another day. It was fun, however, just to see the consist on the approach with what appeared to be happy folks within it.

NOVEMBER 14, 2008

ANNUAL SIGNAL DINNER A LOT OF FUN!

The Fourth Annual Signal Department Dinner was held at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Sacramento with 21 personnel and spouses attending. The "Keynote Speaker" was Signal Maintainer and Capitol Mall Project Manager Paul whose topic was "What We Do", which was a great humorous dialog accompanied with a slide show. The Annual Dinner is the venue for giving Signal Maintainer's their Recertification Certificates which they receive for passing the Annual Recertification Exam. Those Signal Maintainers receiving their certificates were Al, Paul, Chuck and Dave. The Signal Engineer also presented 5 Year and 10 Year Service Pins to some of the Department Members. Those members receiving 5 Year Pins were Randy, Paul and Dave. Signal Maintainer Al received the only 10 Year Pin. Additional awards presented by the Signal Engineer were: Signal Maintainer Al a "Got It Done" award for coordinating the Signal Departments segment of the CSRMF 2008 Behind The Scenes Tour; Signal Maintainer Paul a "Got It Done" award for coordination of the Capitol Mall Project; and Signal Maintainer Dave a "Behind The Scenes" award for all his efforts to provide a working radio system for the SSRR. All spouses received a "My Man Pic" which is a photo of their spouse working on the SSRR and is intended to thank them for supporting their spouses volunteer efforts with the Signal Department.

NOVEMBER 8, 2008

UP HERITAGE STREAMLINER LEAVES OLD TOWN AFTER HELP FROM SSRR

The REAL STORY about the UP Heritage Streamliner being in Old Sacramento is as follows: New News November 6th entry below is a joke story. The train did not arrive from Hood but arrived in the usual manner over the hump across the UP Main Line. The Streamliner arrived Thursday afternoon and was moved to and parked south of the South Approach to Capitol Mall Grade Crossing. The photos in the November 6th entry actually show UP1983 shoving - not leading. The train was scheduled to leave Saturday morning, the 8th, to Roseville via Marysville. The passengers were staying in local hotels and attending a railroad convention of some sort. The UP 1983 locomotive was cut off the consist and moved to one of the tracks that connects the SSRR Main Line to the turntable on Thursday, shut down and left there until Saturday morning.

When UP crews arrived Saturday morning they inadvertently lost air pressure in the locomotives starting system. The locomotive apparently has engine starter motors that operate on air pressure. To get air pressure back up in the starter air system SSRR Operations personnel Red and Leonard moved SSRR 1240 and 206 locomotives to the stricken UP 1983. Since the air hose connections were different a spare hose was removed from UP 1983 and installed on SSRR 1240 thus allowing the air connection to be made. After sufficient air was pumped up by SSRR 1240 and 206 UP 1983 was started. UP 1983 was then moved south across Capitol Mall to the waiting consist. UP 1983 then pumped up the consist, about 30 minutes or so, and then proceeded north across Capitol Mall to Old Town. Passengers were waiting at the K Street grade crossing and boarded there. Boarding took about 30 minutes so the consist was blocking J Street, K Street and L Street grade crossings for an extended period of time. Signal Crew was on hand to manually operate the Capitol Mall Warning System, if required, and it was. When UP 1983 made the joint with the consist it was still in the Capitol Mall South Approach circuit and the Warning System had to be taken out of service with the "Cut-Out" switch in order to clear the gates. When the consist was ready to cross Capitol Mall heading north the Signal Crew had to manually activate the Warning System with the "Test" switch. Thus is the life of "Stick Circuits". The Streamliner slowly left old Town about 8:35 AM

NOVEMBER 6, 2008

UP HERITAGE STREAMLINER DIVERTED TO SACRAMENTO THROUGH HOOD (HOAX!!!)

A Union Pacific Heritage Streamliner was diverted through Hood on its way to Sacramento today due to unknown reasons; perhaps weather related or poor track conditions. The Signal Engineer just happened to be at Capitol Mall when the beautiful train came through the Grade Crossing there. As you can see from the photos here on the left starting from the left the head end power was a UP locomotive painted to look like a Heritage Western Pacific Locomotive. The train's destination is Roseville via Marysville. It was a grand sight to see! The Signal Engineer did not make a count of the number or cars in the consist but believes it to be fifteen.

NOVEMBER 1, 2008

ANNUAL RECERTIFICATION EXAM FOR 2008 IS FINALLY OVER

A great sigh of relief was felt through the dark side nerdy force field as seven members of the Signal Department completed the 2008 Annual Recertification Examination. Signal Maintainers Al, Paul, Chuck and Dave and Student Signal Maintainers Dan, Jim and Marc persevered, as the morning dragged on, and completed the exam. Stress relieving goodies (Fuel Donuts) were at hand, but even those did not fully relieve the vibrations of tensions within the Big-4 Conference Room. A good time was had by all, however, especially by Signal Engineer Dale; as his work was done. The examination was the fourth Recertification Examination taken. Until 2005 there was not a requirement for the Signal Engineer to recertify the Signal Maintainers, however, by vote that year the then six Signal Maintainers requested a recertification process be put in place. Student Signal Maintainers are encouraged to take the examination as it is a great training exercise for them.

OCTOBER 30, 2008

MONTHLY REPORT POSTED

The Signal Engineer has posted the September 2008 Monthly Report on the Mirra Machine. Wow! It's about time!

OCTOBER 29, 2008

SUTTERVILLE MONTHLY INSPECTION COMPLETED FOR OCTOBER

A Signal Crew, Paul, Dan, Bill, Jim and Dale, washed the flashing light fixtures and completed the Monthly Inspection at Sutterville Road. The system passed the inspections. Earlier the crew adjusted the flashing light voltages at Capitol Mall. With the new equipment in the new Instrument Case this was easily accomplished. Thanks Crew! Great Work! Photos of the crew at Sutterville Road are on the Mirra Machine.

OCTOBER 19, 2008

CHECKOUT YOUR ANNUAL DINNER ANNOUNCEMENT

You should have received, by email, an announcement and your invitation to the Annual Signal Department Dinner to be held at the Spaghetti Factory (Old Western Pacific Passenger Station) in Sacramento on November 14th. This year Signal Maintainer Paul has made the arrangements and so Thank You Paul! Please respond to your invitation as soon as you can so Paul can let the restaurant know our entree choices and how many of us plan to attend. This is the fourth Annual Signal Department Dinner which is held shortly after the Recertification Examination so we can celebrate our caliber skills!

OCTOBER 18, 2008

BROADWAY ANNUAL INSPECTION COMPLETE

EIC Dave and his crew, Bill, Joe, Chuck and Dale completed the Annual Inspection of the Broadway Warning System. The Halloween Trains were in operation and it was great to see our own Signal Department Signal Maintainer Al at the throttle of Locomotive 1240 "Spookomotive"! The system passed the Monthly, Quarterly and Annual Inspections.

OCTOBER 15, 2008

FRONT STREET ANNUAL INSPECTION COMPLETE

An eight man Signal Crew, headed by Employee In Charge (EIC) Chuck, completed the Annual Inspection of the Front Street Warning System. Three Signal Maintainers and five Student Signal Maintainers made up the crew. Plenty of training was administered including a semi-formal presentation by Signal Maintainer Paul. The Timing Tests were accomplished with the help of the Operations Department as Engineer Dick and Brakeman Randy operated Locomotive 1240, light, through the Grade Crossing. The system passed the Monthly, Quarterly and Annual Inspection.

OCTOBER 13, 2008

TRAINING MATERIALS FOR RECERTIFICATION EXAMINATION ARE ON THE MIRRA MACHINE

The Signal Engineer has posted Training Handout material on the Mirra Machine for the use of Signal Maintainers in preparing for the Annual Recertification Examination scheduled for Saturday, November 1st. There are three Training Handouts; one for each section of the examination. The three sections are: Regulations, DC Circuits and Warning Systems. Per Section 2.2 of the Signal Department Regulations, and in place since 2005, the Signal Engineer must annually recertify each Signal Maintainer. The upcoming examination will be the fourth Recertification Examination to be provided. Until 2005 there was not a requirement for the Signal Engineer to recertify the Signal Maintainers, however, by vote that year the then six Signal Maintainers requested a recertification process be put in place. Student Signal Maintainers are encouraged to take the examination as it is a great training exercise for them. Since 2005 all students have taken the examination. See you There Everyone!

OCTOBER 6, 2008

NEW CAPITOL MALL INSTRUMENT CASE IS "IN SERVICE"!

SSRR CAPITOL MALL PROJECT MANAGER PAUL AND RAILWAY SIGNAL CONSTRUCTION PRESIDENT DON IN FRONT OF THE NEW CASE

The new Capitol Mall Instrument Case is installed and in operation. The system was placed in service at 11:10 AM on October 6th. The SSRR Signal Department Volunteers want to put out a big Thank You to everyone that helped make this project work so smoothly. Special Thanks to Pam, Jeff and Ron the Trucker of Safetran and Don, Misha and Nik of Railway Signal Construction. The install went extremely smooth thanks to both Safetran and Railway Signal Construction personnel. The removal of the old Instrument House and the installation of a smaller and more attractive Instrument Case was requested by the City of Sacramento as part of an effort to provide an attractive River Promenade and visitor area along the Sacramento River River Front. Because of a project to widen the sidewalks on the Tower Bridge the original SSRR Instrument House had to be relocated from the west side of the Main Line to the east side, but was still planned for the north side of Capitol Mall. When the question of esthetics came up, about the time the house was to be relocated in November 2007, the SSRR was requested to instead move to the south side. Time was running out, however, so the house was temporarily relocated to the south side while planning and financing were developed for the new case. It only took a year but it is finally done and looks and works great! To see photos of the project click here.

OCTOBER 4, 2008

OUR FAVORITE TRUCKER RON FROM SAFETRAN

Here are some photos of Ron - When he left he thought he might be on his way to Montana or the Dakotas to pick up empty containers.

On October 4th the new Instrument Case for the Capitol Mall Grade Crossing Warning System arrived by Safetran Truck piloted by Ron, our Favorite Trucker! Signal Maintainer Paul and Trucker Ron had been in communication since Ron left the Safetran assembly plant in Louisville, KY on Tuesday, September 30th. As Ron came 2232 miles across our "Fruited Plains" Paul charted his course and kept those that needed to know in the know. We were somewhat worried that Ron and the new case would not arrive by Saturday the 4th, while we also worried that Mother Nature would get us wet the same day. As it turned out, instead of stopping in Reno and laying over Friday night, Ron had the foresight to come down the mountain and beat any snow that might have stopped him on Saturday morning. By Saturday morning Ron was in Sacramento and in communication with Paul. When Railway Signal Construction knew what time they wanted Ron to arrive at Capitol Mall Paul called him, laid him out a route, and Ron arrived exactly on time at 8:48 AM. The truck was unloaded and Ron was on his way home by 9:24 AM. Thanks to Ron we made our project schedule. And so Ron is our favorite Trucker and we hope to see him again. Thanks Ron!

OCTOBER 3, 2008

NEW NEWS!! - FROM STREETCAR MEETING IN WEST SACRAMENTO LAST NIGHT

The Signal Engineer attended the West Sacramento Planning Commission Meeting last night during which the Draft EIR for the proposed Streetcar service from West Sacramento to Sacramento via Tower Bridge was presented. What was not new news was that the Streetcars will travel in the center of Tower Bridge leaving four vehicle traffic lanes, two in each direction, for vehicles. What is new news is that there is not sufficient room for four vehicles and a Streetcar to pass at the same time. Therefore a scheme has been proposed to allow some vehicles and the Streetcar to travel across the bridge when the Streetcars are traveling on the bridge. The proposal will incorporate gate arms which will stop oncoming traffic against the direction of travel of the Streetcar. For example: If the Streetcar is traveling east, east bound vehicle traffic will not be stopped but west bound vehicle traffic will be stopped with a gate arm located on the east end of the bridge. Pause.................. Hmmm. How will this effect our pre-emption with the City of Sacramento's Nesham Circle - Capitol Mall Intersection traffic signal system? How will vehicles be kept off the SSRR tracks? The planned headway for the Streetcars during the middle of the day (10 AM to 2 PM) is ten minutes. This means a Streetcar will be scheduled to cross the bridge every five minutes (one each way every ten minutes). Hmmm. What happens when the bridge is raised? Hmm. If several Streetcars become bunched up on each end of the bridge which will be allowed to go across first, second, etc..? Also... The Streetcar is to share RT tracks from Capitol Mall to "J" Street. Hmmm. I wonder how the raising of the bridge will effect the coordination of the RT trains with the Streetcars? Lastly... If the SSRR West Bound Gate is used to stop the east bound vehicles every five minutes, instead of a Streetcar System owned and operated gate, how much more maintenance will it require? (We all know how long that arm is!) Sounds like a request for a bullet proof Gate Mechanism might be in order. But guess what? The new Capitol Mall SSCC Surge Panels are not compatible. We'll need to cover all the bases and look under every rock to see how the SSRR will be effected by this project. Capitol Mall just gets more and more complicated and all the parameters need to be well thought out before anything is agreed to by SSRR. Recommend everyone take a look at the Draft EIR. See Item on September 18th below..........

PROJECT TO REPLACE CAPITOL MALL INSTRUMENT HOUSE HAS BEGUN

The contractor retained by the SSRR to remove the old Instrument House and in it's place install a new Instrument Case began yesterday morning at 7 AM. The system was shutdown and all the incoming and outgoing conductors disconnected from the Termination Panels. Whoops... Although we had coordinated with the City of Sacramento Traffic Signal Department to disconnect the pre-emption circuit, they had not arrived yet. We opened the circuit and left it open, thus implementing the pre-emption sequence in the City's Traffic Controller. To complicate matters, after 180 seconds in pre-emption the City's traffic signals are all supposed to transition to flashing red. They didn't and instead all signal stayed steady red. Vehicle operators, of course, did not want to go through a red light and so traffic backed up at least 1/2 mile into West Sacramento and as far east on Capitol Mall as can be seen! Fortunately the City's technician showed up just in time and reset the pre-emption. We asked the City to check the software program in their signal controller. Our contractor made other progress too. They were able to re-label all the conductors on the south side. They plan to do the north side today. Signal Maintainer Paul, who is in contact with the truck driver operating the truck with the Instrument Case, reports the truck is moving from Salt lake City to Reno today and will come down the mountain to Sacramento on Saturday morning. Looking Good!!

NEW INSTRUMENT CASE BEING LOADED ON TRUCK AT SAFETRAN ASSEMBLY PLANT IN LOUISVILLE, KY ON SEPTEMBER 30TH

OCTOBER 2, 2008

BROADWAY AND FRONT STREET ANNUALS SCHEDULED

The annual inspections of Broadway and Front Street Grade Crossing Signal Systems, due in October, have been scheduled by Signal Maintainer Paul. Signal Maintainer Chuck will be Employee In Charge on October 15th to take the crew to Front Street and Signal Maintainer Dave will be Employee In Charge on October 18th taking the crew to Broadway. All personnel planning to participate are requested to meet at the CSRM Parking Lot at 9:30 AM on those days. Please let Paul, Chuck or Dave know if you will be helping out. As recommended by Paul, it's a good idea for all of us to review Sections 9.1, 9.2 & 9.3 in our Signal Department Regulations Revision E as a refresher to what is required work during the inspections. See you there!

OCTOBER 1, 2008

CAPITOL MALL NEW INSTRUMENT CASE PROJECT CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN

The construction phase of the project to remove the old Instrument House at the Capitol Mall Grade Crossing Signal System and replace it with a new Instrument Case is scheduled to begin the morning of October 2, 2008. The contractor, Railway Signal Construction, will begin by removing the system from service about 7:00 AM. The City of Sacramento Signal Department will also be on hand to disconnect the preemption circuits and Caltrans Bridge Operators have been alerted and are ready to stop traffic with the bridge gate arms instead of with SSRR West Bound Gate. Preliminary work will include relabeling all conductors and disconnecting all the conductors from the existing Instrument House. The new Instrument Case left the manufactures assembly plant on September 30th and is in transit and scheduled to arrive at the job site on Saturday the 4th. Completion of the project is anticipated to be October 7th or 8th. Stay tuned for further developments!

SEPTEMBER 20, 2008

ANNUAL TRAINING WAS A LOT OF FUN!

The Signal Department had their annual Training today in the Big-4 Conference Room at the CSRM. As expected the training module presentations were very informative and very well presented. Every member of the Department, which has twelve personnel, attended the training sessions. We also had a guest presenter, Eric, who presented a module on Battery Chargers. After the morning training sessions we met at Broadway and group photos were taken. Then, we moved to Miller Park where we enjoyed a BBQ hosted by the Signal Engineer with Chef Al at the grill.

SACRAMENTO SOUTHERN RAILROAD SIGNAL DEPARTMENT - SEPTEMBER 20, 2008

SEPTEMBER 18, 2008

THE SACRAMENTO TO WEST SACRAMENTO STREETCAR PROJECT PROGRESSES

The Draft EIR for the project to install a streetcar system from West Sacramento to the Convention Center in Sacramento has been released. It is available for review at www.riverfrontstreetcar.com and www.cityofwestsacramento.org . There will be two public comment meetings held on October 2nd. The first is scheduled for 2:00 PM at the California State Association of Counties, 1020 11th Street, Second Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814. The second is scheduled for 6:00 PM at the West Sacramento Planning Commission, Civic Center Galleria, 1110 West Capitol Avenue, West Sacramento, CA 95691. They usually have cookies and coffee for refreshments. The public review comment period of the Draft EIR is from September 5th until 5:00 PM on October 20th. This is an interesting project and will involve the SSRR because the streetcar track will cross the Capitol Mall Grade Crossing Island.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2008

AGENDA RELEASED FOR ANNUAL TRAINING

The Signal Engineer has released the agenda for the Signal Department Annual Training Day scheduled for Saturday, September 20th. There are eight training modules scheduled with seven personnel presenting training modules. The module topics and the related presenters are:

1.    FRA Part 228 - Hours of Service Rules - Presented by Al
2.    True-rms AC+DC Multimeters - Presented by Randy
3.    Track Circuits Again - The Third Time - Presented by Dale
4.    FRA/PUC Grade Crossing Numbers and Forms - Presented by Dan
5.    Battery Chargers - Presented by Eric
6.    Call Outs - Flow Chart - Presented by Chuck
7.    Problem Solving - Euphoria vs Despair - Presented by Paul
8.    Capitol Mall Revisions - Presented by Dale

The event, as the list indicates, is very diverse and is being presented by over half of the Signal Department personnel. After the training a BBQ is scheduled and hopefully and finally a current Department Group Photo will be taken.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2008

MONTHLY REPORT POSTED

The Signal Engineer has posted the August 2008 Monthly Report on the Mirra Machine. See what's new or old by now.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2008

MONTHLY INSPECTIONS COMPLETED FOR SEPTEMBER

The Signal Crew consisting of Al, Paul, Chuck, Randy, Dan, Bill, Jim and Dale completed the Monthly Inspections of all In Service Warning Signal Systems on September 4th. No problems found. Battery Charger outputs adjusted at Broadway and Front Street.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2008

REQUEST FOR AUGUST SIGNAL TIME SENT TO DEPARTMENT MEMBERS

The Signal Engineer has sent an email to all department members requesting their Tracking Time for August. Please send your August extra Signal Department time to the Signal Engineer soon. The sooner everyone sends it the sooner the often untimely Monthly Signal Department Report can be developed. Thanks.

SEPTEMBER MONTHLY INSPECTIONS SCHEDULED FOR THE 4TH.

Signal Maintainer Chuck is setting up the September Monthly Inspections scheduled for September 4th. If you plan to participate please let Chuck know. Meet at the Signal Shop at 9:15 AM.

ANNUAL TRAINING DAY REMINDER:

The Signal Department Annual Training Day, BBQ and Group Photo is scheduled for Saturday, September 20th. Meet at 9:00 AM in the Big 4 Conference Room.

AUGUST 30, 2008

SIGNAL CREW REPLACES THREE STOLEN BOND WIRES AT FRONT STREET

A Signal Crew consisting of Dave, Paul, Bill and Dale using an On-Track Cart, with Clearance Card and Train Order in hand, proceeded south from Front Street to MP 1.67 and replaced three Bond Wires found missing the previous day. The system had been removed from service by the Signal Engineer the previous day. The system was placed back In Service at 10:58 AM prior to the departure of Scheduled Train No. 1. To see photos of the crew at work click here.

AUGUST 29, 2008

SIGNAL ENGINEER CALLED OUT TO BOND WIRE THEFT AT FRONT STREET

At 2:00 PM the Signal Engineer was called out by the General Manager to respond to a call of Gates Down at Front Street. Upon arrival at Front Street it was noticed the Motion Sensor MS light was off thus the Motion Sensor was probably thinking a train was in the approach. Signal Engineer placed the system Out Of Service at 2:37 PM. No train was in the approach. Inspection of the South Approach Bond Wires found three missing wires on the east rail at approximately MP 1.67. The GM alerted the Park Rangers who responded and took photos of the dirty deed and subsequently filed a report. Removal of Bond Wires is a Federal Offense and the FBI may be contacted. Plans were made to make the necessary repairs on the morning of August 30th prior to Scheduled Train operation.

AUGUST 28, 2008

ONLY 24 DAYS UNTIL THE ANNUAL SIGNAL DEPARTMENT TRAINING DAY AND BBQ

All Signal Department personnel should check their calendars to make sure they are on track to attend the 2008 Annual Signal Department Training scheduled for Saturday, September 20th. Training will start at 9:00 AM and take place in the Big 4 Conference Room. Several department members have volunteered to present training modules and are feverishly working on getting all their materials ready. After the training session, scheduled to last all morning, we'll head down to Miller Park for the BBQ (Chef Al will be doing the honors) provided by the Signal Engineer and a Group Photo.

AUGUST 25, 2008

MONTHLY REPORT POSTED

The Signal Engineer has posted the July 2008 Monthly Report on the Mirra Machine. See what's new or old by now.

AUGUST 24, 2008

ANOTHER SIGNAL DEPARTMENT MEMBER PROMOTED IN THE OPERATIONS SHOP!

The SSRR General Manager announced several promotions today one of which was our very own Signal Maintainer Chuck to Brakeman. The announcement was made at the Sunday Briefing before Excursion Train operations. Congratulations Chuck! Again Hard Work Pays Off!!

AUGUST 10, 2008

TENTATIVE DATE SET FOR SEPTEMBER MONTHLY INSPECTIONS

September 4th has been tentatively selected for implementing all the September Monthly Inspections. Call time is 9:15 AM. Contact Chuck if you plan to participate.

REMINDER - ANNUAL SIGNAL TRAINING DAY IS SEPTEMBER 20TH

On Saturday, September 20th the Signal Department will have it's annual Training Day, our annual BBQ (postponed from June) and Group Photo. Six personnel have expressed an interest to present a training module. If you too are interested please let the Signal Engineer know. The training will begin at 9:00 AM in the Big Four Conference Room. After the training session we'll relocate to Miller Park for the BBQ (provided by the Signal Engineer and served up by Chef Al) and taking of the Group Photos.

AUGUST 9, 2008

SIGNAL ENGINEER SPEAKS TO DOCENT CLASS 43

The Signal Engineer spoke to the current Docent Class, Number 43, at the Signal Shop. About 17 new Docents were present. This year the museum is planning to have three, instead of two, Docent classes and Docent Class 43 is the second one this year. Because the Signal Department has grown so rapidly during the last year the Signal Engineer announced that any new Docent interested in becoming a Student Signal Maintainer would not be able to join immediately but could be put on a waiting list.

AUGUST 6, 2008

SIGNAL DEPARTMENT VOLUNTEERS INVITED TO ANNUAL MOW PICNIC

The annual MOW Picnic has been scheduled for Saturday, September 27th. As usual, all Signal Department Volunteers and spouses are invited to attend. It is a great BBQ with lots of folks and conversation in the shade of the trees at Miller Park. The usual spot is right at the north end of the parking lot on the west side of the Main Line. That weekend is the last weekend this year of excursion trains so we'll get to wave at the trains and passengers as we chow down our burgers and doggies. Al, as a MOW volunteer, is one of the picnic coordinators. Let him know if you plan to attend.

AUGUST 2, 2008

MONTHLY INSPECTIONS COMPLETED FOR AUGUST

The Signal Crew consisting of Dave, Paul, Bill and Dale completed the Monthly Inspections of all In Service Warning Signal Systems on August 2nd. No problems found other than a suspect exhaust fan at Front Street with bearing problems. Front Street was taken out of service while MOW Crew repair track just south of there (See next article). To see photos of the crew at work click here. More photos are on the Mirra Machine.

SIGNAL CREW ASSISTS MOW AT FRONT STREET

On August 2nd the MOW Crew was raising, leveling and tamping the track just south and in the South Approach to Front Street. Signal Crew was requested to take the Front Street system Out Of Service because the Tamper Machine is not isolated and will cause the Warning System to cycle if it is in an approach. The track looks a lot better with level straight rails and new ballast. Good job MOW!

FRIEND OF THE SIGNAL DEPARTMENT, LEONARD, GIVES THE CREW THE WAVE - AGAIN

As the Signal Crew was working at Front Street August 2nd one of the Scheduled trains wandered by and low and behold who should give us a wave, AGAIN, but Leonard the Brakeman. Check out March 2nd. below.....