New UP Microwave tower near Blair.

[Allan_Love_Jr]

Hey Burner and group.

Just last week and yesterday I saw that the UP is installing a new Microwave tower SW of Blair. Since the UP is Double Tracking the Blair Sub. I wonder if this has anything to do with the project. Thanks.

 

[burner50]

Have they added any other antennas or just the one microwave?

 

[Allan_Love_Jr]

Have they added any other antennas or just the one microwave?

As far as I know. Just one Microwave. I'll have to go check later today.

 

[DPD1]

CN has also been putting up new stuff since they took over EJ&E. I think they put up a new large tower in Joliet, IL. They've shifted a lot of their comms around since the takeover.

Since the railroads keep getting bigger, but fewer of them... I'm wondering if they will be moving to more of a centralized radio system in urban areas, and moving away from the track-side transmitters.

 

[burner50]

CN has also been putting up new stuff since they took over EJ&E. I think they put up a new large tower in Joliet, IL. They've shifted a lot of their comms around since the takeover.

Okay? The UP had existing towers with what I thought was adequate radio coverage in the area. I never had trouble reaching the 'spatcher in that area. And UP has installed a new control point just a few miles up the road, so one wonders why they might put the tower out here. Also, Blair is within the distance from omaha that they could almost throw a rock from UP headquarters and hit the train.

Since the railroads keep getting bigger, but fewer of them... I'm wondering if they will be moving to more of a centralized radio system in urban areas, and moving away from the track-side transmitters.

Are you talking about detectors? Thats silly.


UP already uses a centralized communications system.

 

[timkilbride]

I would have to check FCC records, but probably for controlling track side signals and possibility some other things.

Tim

 

[timkilbride]

Allan,

Is this on Maple Hill?

 

[burner50]

looks to be on the side of blair hill not too far from town.

 

[cifn2]

CN has also been putting up new stuff since they took over EJ&E. I think they put up a new large tower in Joliet, IL. They've shifted a lot of their comms around since the takeover.

Since the railroads keep getting bigger, but fewer of them... I'm wondering if they will be moving to more of a centralized radio system in urban areas, and moving away from the track-side transmitters.

Higher towers and less of them?

 

[burner50]

It is almost certainly for the signal system, but a tower that big there is curious.


The area has always been CTC... but it was an older flavor and the blocks used to be upwards of 6 miles or so. Between Missouri valley and Blair there was only a handful of signals, most of them being at California Junction. Between CJ and Blair, I believe there was only one more signal.


Having only the one microwave antenna, it really couldn't be for anything but the signal system.