Active North American railroad interlocking towers and cabins

Working version

Maintained by Jon Roma
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign


This list of active railroad interlocking towers and cabins was originally compiled for the "Tower Tribute" section in the April, 1995 issue of TRAINS magazine.

The assistance of numerous people is gratefully acknowledged.

The list is organized alphabetically by state, with regional subgroupings as needed. A total of active interlockings follows the state or group heading. An italicized entry signifies a recent closure.


Additions and corrections

Additions and corrections to this list are welcome. We'd be glad to hear about omissions and would appreciate learning about tower closings so we can update this list. In most cases, the railroad controlling (and staffing) a tower is named first within the list of railroads named for the facility. Additional details (e. g., type and size of control machine(s) and historical or operational data) are welcome.

Corrections and updates may be sent via email. Alternatively, you may submit additional information by post to:

Jon Roma
P. O. Box 2155
Champaign, IL 61825-2155


NOTE: This list and the information contained therein may be freely reproduced or used in printed or electronic form for non-commercial purposes, provided the source is acknowledged and provided that such publication also refers readers to the original list.


Definitions

All entries listed meet the following criteria: We need clarification on several bridge control facilities, as to whether they are cabins on the bridge, or cabins or towers near the bridge. A few towers are noted as mechanical (``M''), meaning they are equipped with the distinctive large ``strong arm'' levers that provided leverage to operate pipeline connections to switches, signals, and so on. A variety of towers retain these levers even though the pipe has been removed and the levers operate the switches and signals electrically. The lack of pipeline makes the presence of ``strong arm'' levers difficult to determine externally. As a result, we anticipate that more towers on this list should include the ``M'' notation. We would appreciate any additional information. A few remaining towers do retain mechanical connections and operate switches and signals using pipeline.


Key to symbols

Abbreviations denoting type of interlocking machine:
  E electric (typically GRS model)
  EM electro-mechanical (mechanical frame in conjunction with separate electrical levers interlocked electrically or mechanically with mechanical frame)
  EP electro-pneumatic (typically US&S model)
  M mechanical frame (old ``armstrong'' or ``strong-arm'' levers); presence of pipeline-operated switches, derails, or signals is indicated when known
  R all-relay machine (includes CTC- and "NX"-type panels and other modern variants)
 
Abbreviations denoting type of building or structure:
  B movable bridge cabin, on or next to bridge
  C cabin
  O office (e. g., in yard office or depot building)
  T tower (building with two or more stories)


California   [8]
L. A. Area   [2]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Hobart Avenue Los Angeles AT&SF, UP T
Redondo Jct. Los Angeles AT&SF and UP (ex-LA&SL) T
Other   [6]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Suisun Bay Bridge Martinez SP B
"I" Street Bridge Sacramento SP B
Orwood Orwood AT&SF B
Brazos Brazos California Northern (ex-NWP) B
Black Point Black Point California Northern (ex-NWP) B
Petaluma Petaluma California Northern (ex-NWP) B
Connecticut   [4]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
New Haven New Haven Metro North (New Haven West), Amtrak (New Haven East) T two interlockings sharing two-story building
Nan ? Amtrak B Niantic River bridge; cabin or tower?
Conn Old Saybrook Amtrak B Connecticut River bridge -- cabin or tower?
Mystic River bridge ? Amtrak B part-time -- cabin or tower?
District of Columbia   [1]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
K Tower Washington Amtrak R T Washington Union Station; modernized in 1980s
Illinois   [33]
Chicago area   [24]
Amtrak   [2]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
21st Street Chicago Amtrak (ex-CUS), CR (ex-PRR), IC (ex-IC and ex-GM&O) EP T crossing and junction; formerly run by C&WI (also controls Amtrak Clara St. interlocking in New Orleans, LA)
Lake Street Chicago Amtrak (ex-CUS) EP T Chicago Union Station north throat
Metra Electric (ex-IC)   [2]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
67th Street Chicago Metra (ex-IC) E T South Chicago branch junction
Kensington Chicago Metra (ex-IC), CSS&SB R T junction with Blue Island branch and CSS&SB
Metra Rock Island District (ex-CRI&P)   [4]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
16th Street Chicago Metra (ex-CRI&P), IC E, R T IC (Iowa Division and St. Charles Air Line) crossing
Gresham Chicago Metra (ex-CRI&P), CRL (ex-CRI&P) R T junction
Blue Island Blue Island Metra (ex-CRI&P) T junction between main and suburban lines
UD Joliet Metra (ex-CRI&P), AT&SF, SP (ex-GM&O) E T next to Joliet Union Station
Metra Milwaukee District (ex-CMStP&P)   [4]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
A-2 (Western Ave.) Chicago Metra/Soo (ex-CMStP&P), UP (ex-C&NW) EP T crossing with UP Geneva Subdivision (West Line)
A-5 (Pacific Jct.) Chicago Metra/Soo (ex-CMStP&P) T junction between Metra Milwaukee District North and West Lines and and Soo Kingsbury branch
Rondout Rondout Metra/Soo (ex-CMStP&P), EJ&E R T Fox Lake branch junction, EJ&E crossing; staffed by Soo
B-17 Bensenville Metra/Soo (ex-CMStP&P) R T junction; staffed by Soo
Union Pacific (ex-Chicago & North Western)   [3]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Lake Street Chicago UP (ex-C&NW) E T passenger terminal throat
CY Chicago UP (ex-C&NW), Soo (ex-CMStP&P) R T junction of UP Kenosha and Harvard subdivisions (North and Northwest Lines) and crossing with Soo Kingsbury line; also controls Mayfair interlocking on UP Northwest line and CTC on UP between Clybourn and Winnetka
Deval Des Plaines UP (ex-C&NW), WC (ex-Soo) E T crossings of UP Harvard Subdivision (Northwest Line), C&NW freight cutoff, WC (ex-Soo)
Barrington Barrington UP (ex-C&NW) O end of double/triple track; inside depot, part time -- to be remoted to Deval?
Elgin, Joliet & Eastern   [2]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Barrington Barrington EJ&E, UP (ex-C&NW) T UP Harvard Subdivision (Northwest Line) crossing -- had been staffed on demand; closed May 3, 2003
West Chicago West Chicago EJ&E, UP (ex-C&NW) T UP Geneva Subdivision (West Line) crossing
Bridge Jct. Joliet EJ&E B cabin
Illinois Central   [1]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Corwith Chicago AT&SF, IC/Metra Heritage (ex-GM&O) E,R T crossing
Conrail   [1]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Brighton Park Chicago CR (ex-PRR, ex-CR&I), B&OCT, IC (Metra Heritage, ex-GM&O) M C non-interlocked, employees classified as switchtenders; cabin (M, w/pipeline)
Indiana Harbor Belt   [1]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Dolton Dolton IHB, UP (ex-C&WI, ex-C&EI, CSX (B&OCT), IHB (ex-CR, nee PRR) M T transferred from CR on March 1, 1996
Grand Trunk Western   [1]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Blue Island Blue Island GTW, B&OCT, IHB R T crossing
CSX (B&OCT)   [1]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
South Branch Bridge Chicago CSX (B&OCT), IC E B IC St. Charles Air Line bridge over south branch of Chicago River (bridge cabin)
CSX (ex-CRI&P)   [1]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Bridge 407 Joliet CSX (ex-CRI&P) B bridge cabin
Norfolk Southern   [1]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Cummings Bridge Chicago NS (ex-NKP) B Calumet River bridge, also controls Pullman Jct.; bridge cabin or tower?
East St. Louis area   [3]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Lenox Mitchell UP (ex-MP, nee NYC), Gateway Eastern, NS (ex-Wabash), A&S, SP (ex-GM&O) E T
Willows East St. Louis Gateway Eastern E T (ex-PRR), CSX (ex-B&O), TRRA, NS (ex-Southern)
HN Cabin Rose Lake CSX (ex-B&O), R T CR (ex-PRR), A&S building is a tower in spite of the term "cabin"
Downstate Illinois   [6]
Northern Illinois (outside Chicago area)   [1]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Rock Island Rock Island Iowa Interstate (ex-CRI&P) B Mississippi River bridge; bridge cabin -- not verified
Central Illinois   [3]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
BJ Tower Peoria P&PU T dispatcher, bridge and ex-PT crossing
Pearl Pearl Gateway Western (ex-GM&O) B Illinois River bridge (bridge cabin)
Ridgely Springfield SP (ex-GM&O), C&IM (M, w/pipeline) M T
Southern Illinois   [2]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Mt. Vernon Mt. Vernon UP (ex-C&EI), NS, CSX (ex-L&N) C crossing; one-story cabin built 1975 -- to have been closed 1994, but verified as active on May, 2001
Centralia (NY) Centralia IC, BN (CB&Q), NS (Southern) R O crossing; inside IC yard office
Indiana   [5]
Chicago area   [4]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Hick Indiana Harbor CR (ex-NYC), IHB, EJ&E, B&OCT R T bridges and junctions
Calumet East Chicago IHB, B&OCT, EJ&E M T
Indiana Harbor Canal Bridge East Chicago IHB, EJ&E C opens weekdays for trains -- cabin or tower?
Grasselli East Chicago IHB, EJ&E, B&OCT M T (M, w/pipeline)
Outstate   [1]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Drawbridge Michigan City Amtrak (CR) R T bridge plus CTC on Amtrak Michigan line between Porter, Indiana and Kalamazoo, Michigan; manned by CR
Iowa   [2]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Sabula Sabula Soo (ex-CMStP&P) B Mississippi River bridge and short CTC segment; bridge cabin
Burlington Burlington BN (ex-CB&Q) B Mississippi River bridge (bridge cabin) -- not verified
Kentucky   [1]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Clagg Louisville L&I (ex-PRR/CR) T bridge, south end; one shift depending on traffic, also controls Louisville & Portland Canal span
Louisiana   [3]
New Orleans   [3]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
East Bridge Jct. New Orleans IC, NOPB, NS (ex-Southern) E T connections at east end of Huey P. Long Bridge; also controls Southport Jct.
West Bridge Jct. Avondale SP, UP, NOPB T connections at west end of Huey P. Long Bridge
Clara Street New Orleans Amtrak (NOUPT) R T controlled Union passenger terminal trackage, was last active brick tower in Louisiana; closed May 27, 2003 with interlocking controlled by Amtrak 21st St. Tower in Chicago, IL.
NOPB Industrial Canal Bridge Tower New Orleans CSX (ex-L&N) T near drawbridges east of New Orleans -- to be remoted?
Maryland   [1]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
WB West Brunswick CSX (ex-B&O) T
Massachusetts   [6]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
South Bay ????? Amtrak (MBTA, ex-NYNH&H) C connections and junctions on former New Haven Dorchester Branch; located inside trailer
Waltham Waltham Amtrak (MBTA, ex-B&M) T in addition to local interlocking, operates various interlockings on ex-B&M Fitchburg line between W. Cambridge and Acton
Saugus Draw Saugus Amtrak (MBTA, ex-B&M) Ipswich line B open two tricks daily
Beverly Draw Beverly Amtrak (MBTA, ex-B&M) Ipswich line B open two tricks daily
Manchester Draw Manchester Amtrak (MBTA, ex-B&M) Gloucester branch B open one trick daily and closed during winter
Gloucester Draw Gloucester Amtrak (MBTA, ex-B&M) Gloucester branch B
Michigan   [7]
Detroit   [5]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Delray Detroit CSX (ex-C&O), GT, CR (ex-NYC), NS (ex-Wabash) EM T
Schaefer Detroit CR (ex-MC) M T Open part-time as needed if operator available
NS Bridge Detroit NS (ex-Wabash), GT (ex-D&TSL) T Rouge River, also controls GT/CR and CR/NS crossings at Victoria St. and NS/GT crossing at Allen Park
Conrail bridge Detroit CR (ex-MC) T Rouge River bridge, also CP "YD" and CP "MILL"
Short Cut Bridge River Rouge CR, GT (ex-DT&I) T
Other   [2]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
FN Trenton CR (ex-MC), GT T
BO Kalamazoo CR (ex-MC) M, R T
Missouri   [5]
Kansas City   [3]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Ustick North Kansas City BN (ex-CB&Q), NS (ex-Wabash) T
Truman Bridge ????? Soo (ex-CMStP&P), UP (ex-C&NW, nee-CRI&P) drawbridge B
Hannibal bridge ????? NS B Missouri River bridge -- not verified
Other   [2]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Louisiana Louisiana Gateway Western (ex-GM&O) B Mississippi River bridge but not adjacent BN crossing (bridge cabin)
Hannibal Hannibal NS (ex-Wabash) R T Mississippi River bridge and BN crossing; tower built 1992 to replace previous cabin
Nebraska   [1]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Carling Tower Lincoln BN (ex-CB&Q) T east end BN yard, controls functions of former Hall Tower
New Jersey   [6]
NJ Transit   [1]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Hoboken Terminal Hoboken NJT (ex-EL) T replaced earlier tower at same interlocking
Amtrak Northeast Corridor   [3]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Hudson Kearny Amtrak (ex-PRR) EP T
Dock Newark Amtrak (ex-PRR) EP T also controls Passaic River Bridge
Union Rahway Amtrak (ex-PRR) EP, R T
Conrail   [2]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Hack Jersey City (?) CR (ex-PRR) EP, R T Passaic & Harsimus Line movable bridge over Hackensack River, CP Kearny, CP Stock, WA-5 Waverly
Upper Bay Newark CR (ex-PRR, LV) R B National Docks Secondary, movable Newark Bay bridge formerly used jointly by PRR and LV
New York   [17]
New York City area   [16]
LIRR (14 -- 12 full time, 1 part time, 1 as needed)   [14]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Harold Long Island City LIRR T
Jay Jamaica LIRR T
Hall Jamaica LIRR T
Dunton Jamaica LIRR T
Brook Brooklyn LIRR T Flatbush Avenue
Van Brooklyn LIRR T Flatbush Avenue tunnel approach, junction, Vanderbilt Avenue Yard, two tricks on weekdays only
East New York Queens LIRR T open as needed
Queens Queens Village LIRR T
Nassau Mineola LIRR T
Divide Hicksville LIRR T
Valley Valley Stream LIRR T
Lead Island Park LIRR T swing bridge -- tower or bridge cabin?
Babylon Babylon LIRR T
PD Patchogue LIRR T
Amtrak Northeast Corridor (ex-PRR)   [2]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Q Tower Queens Amtrak (ex-PRR) EP T Sunnyside Yard
R Tower Queens Amtrak (ex-PRR) EP T Sunnyside Yard
Outstate   [1]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
LAB (Livingston Avenue Bridge) Albany-Rensselaer CR (ex-NYC) R C drawbridge -- tower or bridge cabin?
Ohio   [17]
Columbus   [0]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Scioto Columbus CSX (ex-B&O), CR (NYC) E T closed August 2, 2002
Cleveland area   [5]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Bridge 460 ????? CSX (ex-B&O) B Cuyahoga River
Drawbridge (DB) Cleveland CR (ex-NYC) T Cuyahoga River
Bridge 4 ????? CR (ex-NYC) T Cuyahoga River
Bridge 184.50 ????? NS (ex-NKP) B Cuyahoga River
Bridge 222 ????? W&LE (ex-NKP) T Cuyahoga River
Toledo area   [6]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Stanley (SA) Toledo CR (ex-NYC) E T
Walbridge Toledo CR (ex-PRR), CSX (ex-C&O) EP T
Lower Bridge Toledo CSX (ex-TT) B Maumee River
Walbridge Toledo CSX (ex-C&O) O yard office
Ironville Toledo NS (ex-NKP)-CSX (ex-TT) T
Hallett Toledo AA-CSX (ex-TT) EM T
Other points   [6]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
JM Ashtabula CR (ex-NYC) T tower/drawbridge
Bay Bridge ????? CR (ex-NYC) T Sandusky Bay bridge
CO Port Clinton CR (ex-NYC) T drawbridge
F Tower Fostoria CSX (ex-B&O), CSX (ex-C&O), NS (ex-NKP) R T
RU Lorain Black River Bridge, NS (ex-NKP) B
HN Newton Falls CSX (ex-B&O) EP T tower is part of depot structure
Pennsylvania   [14]
Philadelphia area   [8]
SEPTA -- Main Line   [0]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Broad Philadelphia SEPTA (ex-PRR) R O office inside Suburban Station
Mark Philadelphia SEPTA O Market Street East station, also controls Vine; new office built 1984
Wayne Jct. Philadelphia SEPTA (ex-RDG) T tower also houses Wind, controls various interlockings on SEPTA's ex-RDG trackage
SEPTA -- Airport Line   [0]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
A Philadelphia SEPTA, CR (ex-RDG) T new tower (block-like building) built 1984, controls Airport Line, CR access
SEPTA -- Chestnut Hill Line (ex-PRR)   [0]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Chestnut Hill West Chestnut Hill SEPTA (ex-PRR) O inside station, part time
Amtrak Northeast Corridor   [2]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
North Philadelphia Philadelphia Amtrak EP T
Zoo Philadelphia Amtrak (ex-PRR) EP T
Amtrak Harrisburg Line   [6]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Overbrook Philadelphia Amtrak (ex-PRR) EP T
Paoli Paoli Amtrak (ex-PRR) EP, R T
Thorn Thorndale Amtrak (ex-PRR) R T
Park Parkesburg Amtrak (ex-PRR) T open only as needed
Cork Lancaster Amtrak (ex-PRR) EP T
State Harrisburg Amtrak (ex-PRR), CR (ex-PRR, RDG) EP, R O inside Harrisburg depot
Other   [6]
Conrail, ex-PRR main line   [2]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Alto Altoona CR (ex-PRR) T
C (Conemaugh) Johnstown CR (ex-PRR) EP T
CSX, ex-B&O Cumberland-Connellsville main line   [1]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
VI Connellsville CSX (ex-B&O) O ex "D" (inside old yard office)
Pittsburgh area   [3]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Glenwood Glenwood CSX (ex-B&O) EP T
East Conway East Conway CR (ex-PRR) T
Midland Midland ??? T part time -- who operates?
Texas   [6]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
#17 Rosenburg SP, AT&SF E T
#47 El Paso SP T yard
#97 (Causeway) Galveston AT&SF, SP, UP O office
#121 San Antonio SP E,R T yard
Beaumont (no number) Beaumont KCS R T Neches River bridge and adjacent junctions with SP, AT&SF
#106 (Tower A) Dallas UP T Dallas Union Terminal
Virginia   [1]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Bridge 5 Norfolk NS (ex-N&W) T controls several junctions and a drawbridge (tower off end of bridge)
West Virginia   [4]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
NA Martinsburg CSX (ex-B&O) R C cabin; slated to close early 2001
HO Hancock CSX (ex-B&O) M T (M, w/pipeline); slated to close late 2001
Z West Keyser CSX (ex-B&O) M T (M, w/pipeline)
MK Rowlesburg CSX (ex-B&O) M T M&K Jct.
Ontario, Canada   [3]
name location roads mach. bldg. notes
Cherry Street Toronto TTR, CN, CP E T junction of TTR and CN Kingston and Bala Subdivisions and CP Belleville Subdivision east of Union Station
Scott Street Toronto TTR E T east throat of Toronto Union Station
John Street Toronto TTR, CN, CP E T west throat of Toronto Union Station and junctions between CN Oakville and Weston Subdivisions and CP Galt Subdivision west of Union Station
Active towers listed:   145


Updated on Monday, June 7, 2004 at 15:28.