Handbook: Towns
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JERSEY CITY, NJ
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The panel controls the main line between Jersey City Terminal and Easton.
It can also control the four loop tracks between the passenger terminal and
Elizabethport yard and the first four yard tracks for show operation. As
the railroad's eastern terminus Jersey City is always bustling with activity.
The terminal switcher is responsible for local freight deliveries as well
as switching passenger consists to and from the coach yard. A freight line
connects with the main at "Port" Interlocking. Freight trains travel to
Elizabethport Yard. The main line tower operator notifies the yard of arriving
freight trains and routes them into the freight yard. Auxiliary controlls
for the Communipaw Engine Terminal and the rotary coal dumper are located
adjacent to the main line panel.
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ELIZABETHPORT, NJ
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The panel controls the freight line between Newark Transfer and "Port"
Interlocking. Elizabethport contains ten yard tracks. Reserve a couple of
the yard tracks for arrivals and departures. The track against the aisle
is the lead to the coal dumper and container port. The coal dumper is easier
to work from the Jersey City panel location, as the controls for the "barney"
and dumper itself are on that side of the benchwork. During operating sessions
the four loop tracks are used for staging transfer runs to other railroads.
Keep the inside loop clear for use as a switching lead. Power can be routed
to come from the Jersey City panel if desired.
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BETHLEHEM, PA
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The panel controls the main line between Easton and Allentown.
Busy steel operations at Bethlehem Steel are the mainstay of this panel.
Downtown Allentown is also represented in this room. Since the GSC layout
is going through some updating, this panel directs traffic to either Allentown,
PA (via the CNJ) or Wilkes-Barre , PA. At some point in the future, this
panel will connect up with Jim Thorpe, PA on its way to Wilkes-Barre.
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ALLENTOWN, PA (Main Line)
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The panel controls the mainline between Bethlehem and Lehigh.
Allentown is literally right in the middle of things on the GSC. The operator
must be aware of arrival and departure times and have pick-ups ready so that
through trains are not delayed. The Allentown passenger station has extensive
facilities. Many through trains work mail and express cars here. Several
runs originate out of the coach yard. A switcher is assigned to the station
to assist with train make-up and do local freight work in the station area.
A freight line connects with the main at Pollard's Crossing and "WK"
Interlocking. Most freight trains travel to the Lower Yard via the freight
line. The main line tower operator notifies the yard of arriving freight
trains and routes them onto the freight line.
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ALLENTOWN, PA (Lower Yard)
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The panel controls the freight line from Pollard's Crossing, through the
lower yard, to "WK" Interlocking.
The Lower Yard operator controlls movements to and from the mainline. Power
is routed through relays to the transfer blocks. The block toggles may be
thrown to allow the Allentown Main Line panel to run in or out of the yard.
There are transfer sections to Bethlehem Yard and to the Bethlehem Engine
Terminal which are controlled by those panels. Communication between the
Lower Yard and Bethlehem Yard is essential to keep traffic from being delayed.
Be sure that the classification yard has enough notice to have cars blocked
for pick-up before a train arrives. NOTE: The classification yard (Bethlehem)
can be operated from the Lower Yard tower. There are controls adjacent to
the panel to throw the switches in the upper yard.
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WILKES-BARRE, PA
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The panel controls the main line between Tunnel and Nay Aug, it also controls
the D & H Rwy. from the connection at Nanticoke Jct. to the Buttonwood
Loop.
Wilkes-Barre has a lot of local switching and is assigned an engine to the
Wilkes-Barre road drill. Some passenger trains do head end work at Wilkes-Barre.
They usually handle their own switching duties. Ashley yard supports the
freight activity and has its' own panel. The D & H is operated as an
absoulute block since the line has no passing track. Only one train at a
time can occupy the line.
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SCRANTON, PA
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Panel controls the mainline from Nay Aug to the western block limit of Keyser
Valley Junction and the D & H Railway from Bridge 60 to Taylor Junction.
It also controls the Laurel Line from Keyser Valley to Avoca (two routes).
The GSC mainline becomes single track as it passes west through Spruce Street
Interlocking. Freight trains should be routed on the Main Track, not on the
Scranton Station Track. D & H westbounds are sent to Taylor Junction
via Bridge 60 Interlocking. The Laurel Line operates interurban passenger
service from Scranton to Wilkes-Barre and to Keyser Valley. Freight is
interchanged with the GSC at Keyser Valley Junction. Laurel Line crews are
based out of Scranton.
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