Coal east and a special signal  Contributor's Pick!       
A UNG coal train bound for NYSEG at Johnson City rolls east at Campville. The signal at right is notable for its hot box warning light, which is seen below the signal head. There was a hot box detector a mile to the east at MP 230.48 on track 1. If there was a hit, it would change the signal here to yellow, and the light underneath would light up with "hot box". It would also change the next signal, 233-1, at Hiawatha Road about 1.5 mile west, to red. That signal also had a hot box light. This detector predated the radio alarm detectors common nowadays, and the axle temps would read out on a tape in the Hornell dispatchers office. The train would have to call the dispatcher, who would review the tape, and tell the crew which axles to check. I saw this about a month after this photo. I was chasing TV 201 here when the signal dropped to approach, and the hot box light went on. Interesting system.
Date: 10/12/1988 Location: Campville, NY   Map Show Campville on a rail map Views: 359 Collection Of:   Tom Beckett
Locomotives: CR 6720(SD50) CR 6806(SD50)    Author:  Tom Beckett
Coal east and a special signal
Picture Categories: Signal,Action This picture is part of album:  Conrail in the Southern Tier-Susquehanna Division, Endicott to Gang Mills
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User Comments
Name Type Comments Date
Steve Coraggio General Great shot and excellent description of the hot box warning light and its function. 1/26/2022 5:01:22 PM

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