More Local Control Panels Completed and Installed

Following are the most recent local control panels to be installed and tested.  The local control panels are used for two purposes.  If no dispatcher is present you can set the signaling system to ABS mode (automatic block signal) and operate the turnouts from the local panels.  When a dispatcher is present and the signaling system is in CTC mode, an engineer/crew can call dispatcher and request to use a portion of the layout and control those turnouts in that portion.  The dispatcher can throw a local toggle and press the code button to allow local control.  A light on the local control panel will then light giving control to the crew within the area the dispatcher has released to them.  My photos were taken while in ABS so the local control light are lit on all panels.  The first two panels I finished can be found under the posting for June 2014.

Penn Station Panel.  Due to the size of Penn Station this panel also has turnout position indicator lights so an operator and see all the turnouts in the station area from their panel.

Fulton Junction Panel.  Also controls the PRR South Staging.  Occupancy lights for the staging tracks are also shown so staging can be operated from this location as the staging tracks can not be seen from this location.  There is also an occupancy light for the lead track into Port Covington for the same reason.  When a dispatcher is present the engineer/crew won't need to know the occupancy in these area.

Leahigh Junction Panel.  Also includes control, turnout position, and occupancy lights for Northern Central Staging as these tracks are under Leahigh and therefore a bit hard to see.

Computer generated version of the CTC model boards and lever boards.  This can be used until such time the actual CTC is finished.  Everything is controlled by a mouse.  Also this display includes the ability to turn on some testing procedures as well as change from CTC mode to ABS mode.  Please excuse the fuzzy photo.  I will try to replace it with a screen capture later which should produce a sharper image.