* Login   * Register * FAQ    * Search
It is currently Wed May 22, 2013 8:42 pm

All times are UTC - 6 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  Page 1 of 1
 [ 8 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: No More Block Lights???
PostPosted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 12:48 pm 
Offline
Passenger

Joined: Tue Oct 11, 2011 9:37 pm
Posts: 1
Location: Lake Buena Vista, FL
On a recent trip to the Magic Kingdom, I noticed that all of the block lights on the WDWRR were turned off. After asking a CM about it, they informed me that the current block light system was deemed by upper management to be "dangerous" and that they are currently looking at replacement options. For now, I was told that railroad CMs are required to call the blocks over the radio and, as a result of not having block lights, that they can no longer run three train operations.

Does anyone here know why, after forty years and not a single collision, is the current block light system all of a sudden considered "dangerous"? Any ideas on what will replace the current system? Will it be an all new wayside signalling system? Or are they planning on doing away with wayside signals altogether and going with an all in-cab signalling system like they did a few years back at DL? Or are they possibly even considering installing a Positive Train Control "moving block" type system?


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
 Post subject: Re: No More Block Lights???
PostPosted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 3:59 pm 
Offline
Conductor
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jul 29, 2004 4:27 pm
Posts: 277
Location: Canal Fulton, OH
Wha...? You're kidding me.

Wait until Christmas...well, Thanksgiving week and 60,000+ people are in the park.

I'd bet that the CM you talked to was not very knowledgeable about what is/was going on. I can't see the trains running *without* the block light system at all.

And...we did radio dispatch with three trains during busy seasons many times over the three years I was there.

_________________
Former WDWRR Engineer/Conductor (2004-2007)
Former WDW Cast Member (2001-2010): Main Street Operations, Frontierland Attractions, Tomorrowland Attractions


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
 Post subject: Re: No More Block Lights???
PostPosted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 4:46 pm 
Offline
Conductor
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jul 29, 2004 4:27 pm
Posts: 277
Location: Canal Fulton, OH
A CM friend of mine commented that it could possibly be because of the new station construction <?>. Not sure how accurate that might be....but still a possibility.

I just can't see "no block lights" at all, and "no three-train operation" at all.

_________________
Former WDWRR Engineer/Conductor (2004-2007)
Former WDW Cast Member (2001-2010): Main Street Operations, Frontierland Attractions, Tomorrowland Attractions


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
 Post subject: Re: No More Block Lights???
PostPosted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 10:44 am 
Offline
Fireman
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 10:44 pm
Posts: 417
Location: Hillstop West Virginia
At Carowinds we had three stations and two trains at all times. We had no signals of any kind. We operated in a simple way. Telephones were used between stations to control trains. When Plantation would release train No. 1 and it cleared the platform train No. 2 would be released from Black Bear Station. This continued around the loop at each stop. It was not 100% fool proof but in the two years I was there we never had any incident caused by signals or lack of. (we had one derailment during park hours and one after hours) The closest we came to an incident was when No. 1 was released from Plantation Station in the middle of a downpour rain storm it stalled on the steep hill that started just past the platform. Train No.2 had been released from Black Bear and was heading into Plantation Station. No. 1 was unable to climb the hill so the station crew sent a staff member with a red flag, all stations had red and green flags, toward Black Bear on the tracks. He caught No. 2 well before it got to Plantation. 1880's era railroading at it's finest!!!!

_________________
Carowinds locomotive engineer 1975-76
6000 miles on Amtrak in words and pics
http://www.currtail.com/catrip


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: No More Block Lights???
PostPosted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 3:36 pm 
Offline
Passenger
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2007 12:32 am
Posts: 76
Location: Orlando Fl.
I worked a week and a half ago and everything was working as normal. I have not heard anything about any changes.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: No More Block Lights???
PostPosted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 8:37 pm 
Offline
Engineer
User avatar

Joined: Mon Nov 22, 2004 11:13 am
Posts: 888
Location: Georgia
I am betting the station construction cut a wire - and the system was down. I don't think this would be a permanent thing...


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: No More Block Lights???
PostPosted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 7:32 pm 
Offline
Passenger

Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2009 7:11 pm
Posts: 17
It is true...No more bloack lights till further notice as per area manager and engineering. We will bot be able to run lights and are on radio dispatch for all trains.

BTW us cast members usually know what we are talking about on trains, hate when people think they know more then we do.

Has been this was for a few weeks with no date of end being told to us yet.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: No More Block Lights???
PostPosted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 9:23 pm 
Offline
3000 post Engineer
User avatar

Joined: Sun Aug 29, 2004 1:17 am
Posts: 3814
Location: San Jose, California
When I was at the Magic Kingdom throughout the past two weeks, I never saw more than two trains in operation at any time. I asked a conductor on the first day that I was at the park how many trains were operating and she said that there were only two but they really needed three due to the crowds that day. She mentioned that they were having problems with the signals and could not operate more than two trains.

_________________
"Hello folks. Welcome aboard the Disneyland Railroad."

- Thurl Ravenscroft 1914-2005 -

Locoboy5150@hotmail.com


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  Page 1 of 1
 [ 8 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 6 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
© 2006-2011 Burnsland.com, Steve Burns. Check out the Information page. All Disney-owned type stuff is property of Disney. No ownership or rights of usage are implied. No endorsement by Disney is implied, either. Surf at your own risk. Look both ways before crossing the street. Live long and prosper.