Track Numbering

[Chronic]

How are tracks numbered , listening here near Cleveland I hear dispatcher giving authority on track 1 or track 2 . How would a listener know which track is what , not only in a area with only 2 tracks but with more.. Does the numbers change with direction of travel ? any help would be appreciated.

 

[AK9R]

There aren't many places in the U.S. that have more than two main tracks anymore. Where you are seeing multiple tracks, it's possible that you are seeing two main tracks plus a siding or passing track.

The timetables usually include track diagrams for each district, subdivision, or branch which clearly show how the tracks are named or numbered. Those diagrams also indicate which tracks are under control of the dispatcher and which are under control of a local authority like a yardmaster.

The CSX Indianapolis Line between Cleveland and Indianapolis and the CSX St. Louis Line between Indianapolis and Terre Haute is mostly double track. The south track is Main #1 and the north track is Main #2. There are a few places, like Greencastle and downtown Indianapolis, where there is a third track that is a siding or a "house" track. On the CSX Crawfordsville Branch through the west side of Indianapolis, there appears to be two main tracks. But, the north track is the main and the south track is the "Kraft Runner" which has connecting tracks to yards or industries.

 

[ky_fire_man]

Generally on main tracks running North/South the tracks are numbered from West to East. The same goes for East/West tracks they are numbered from North to South. This is for double or multiple mains and doesnt apply to other tracks... (sidings, etc)

 

[FrensicPic]

Track numbers identify the physical track and do not change with direction of travel. Track 1 is always 1 regardless of your direction of travel.

 

[burner50]

It is pretty well standardized depending on timetable direction.

They're numbered north to south, and west to east.

I don't agree with Bob's assertion that there are few places with multiple mainlines anymore.

 

[AK9R]

It is pretty well standardized depending on timetable direction. They're numbered north to south, and west to east.

If you make that assumption on the CSX (former NYC, PC, CR) double-track lines from Cleveland through Indianapolis to Terre Haute, you're going to have a problem. I don't know how far back in time the south to north numbering of these lines goes, but it's been that way ever since I worked for Conrail. On the other hand, the CSX (former B&O) double-track from Willard, Ohio, to Chicago is numbered north to south, so my guess is the NYC just did things different.

I don't agree with Bob's assertion that there are few places with multiple mainlines anymore.

Double-track main is fairly common in busy corridors. More than double-track, which is what I said, is not so common. The only triple-track I can think of in Indiana is about 6 miles of the CSX Garrett Sub between Auburn and Garrett. Garrett is a crew change point, so trains tend to get stacked up a bit in that area.

 

[TAMR213]

It is pretty well standardized depending on timetable direction.

They're numbered north to south, and west to east.

I don't agree with Bob's assertion that there are few places with multiple mainlines anymore.

Having been a railfan since I was little, I am well aware that track numbering is standardized. I do find it interesting though, that the NEC (in New Jersey anyway) does not seem to conform to your assertion, as they are numbered as such:

North/East​

west/south-4-3-2-1-east/north

South/West​

(hope that crude diagram makes sense)

 

[burner50]

Yes, I'm sure that there are isolated instances that do not confirm. That is why I never said that ALL tracks were numbered that way.

 

[TAMR213]

Yes, I'm sure that there are isolated instances that do not confirm. That is why I never said that ALL tracks were numbered that way.

No complaints here, just pointing out that there are in fact anomalies. Infact, just thought of another: on NJT's Morristown line east of Summit, tracks are actually numbered 3-1-2. In another case, Horseshoe Curve used to have 4 tracks but one (either track 2 or 3) was removed in the 80's I believe. So, I'm not sure but I believe the track numbering in that area is now either 1-2-4 or 1-3-4 (I'm not completely familiar with that area).

 

[burner50]

No complaints here, just pointing out that there are in fact anomalies. Infact, just thought of another: on NJT's Morristown line east of Summit, tracks are actually numbered 3-1-2. In another case, Horseshoe Curve used to have 4 tracks but one (either track 2 or 3) was removed in the 80's I believe. So, I'm not sure but I believe the track numbering in that area is now either 1-2-4 or 1-3-4 (I'm not completely familiar with that area).

Seems overly complex.

We used to have one called the Bypass, then ML 1-2.

They built two more mains through the area

1-2-bypass-3-4 wouldn't work, so they renumbered everything 12345

 

[mrconrail]

Having been a railfan since I was little, I am well aware that track numbering is standardized.

Nope. Track numbering varies depending on the RR's preference and operation needs. For instance on the Reading in The Reading, PA area tracks east of the city are numbered North to South. As the tracks go around the city they are numbered South to North then West of the city they are numbered North to South. This is a result from a change in traffic flow over time. West of Harrisburg, PA on the PRR tracks are numbered South to North.

When the NYC built four tracks between Albany and Buffalo, they were numbered from South to North as 2,1,3,4. Odd numbered tracks were westbound and even numbered were eastbound. Passenger trains ran right-handed operation on tracks 2 & 1 while fright ran left-handed on tracks 3 and 4. This was done so a passenger train would not pass a freight head-on on the adjacent track.

 

[RadioGuy1951]

If I remember correctly, in central north Nevada, Track 2 is the northernmost track...

I was chasing UP #844 one day, and asked the crew what track they're taking, that said #2...I set up on the southern most track but something inside my head said I was on the wrong track. I confirmed this with a MOW guy. I was able to go 1 mile east & set up on the correct track with my video camera...

 

[375]

And just to stir up some fun... What about lettered tracks? Sorry, couldn't resist!

 

[TAMR213]

And just to stir up some fun... What about lettered tracks? Sorry, couldn't resist!

Ah, how could I forget about those!

For example, the NEC between Elizabeth and Rahway NJ is numbered:
west-B-4-3-2-1-A-east

Those are all main tracks. Of course there are also other locations on the NEC here in NJ with a running track along one side or another that is usually numbered 0 or 5.

 

[n4jri]

If I rememer correctly, CSX and NS had opposite numbering schemes--at least prior to their dividing up Conrail between them.
CSX would number tracks North-to-South and West-to-East. i.e. a westbound or southbound train would have track 1 on the right and track 2 on the left.

NS would number tracks South-to-North and East-to-West, so that a southbound or westbound train would have track 1 on the left and track 2 on the right. AFAIK, Conrail & Amtrak mains in Maryland used this same configuration.

The RF&P had track numbering that probably came from the Pennsylvania RR, numbering tracks from east-to-west. For most of its length, a southbound train would find track 2 on the left and track 3 on the right. As you enter the Richmond Terminal there's a track 1 to the left of 2 leading into the Acca Yard, and there's a track 4 to the right of track 3 which functions as a siding for the Amtrak station. It's now part of CSX, but I think the track numbering is still the same.

If track numbering is standard now, it must be a fairly recent development.

73/Allen (N4JRI)