Baldwin Tower interlocking machine

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Baldwin Tower was an armstrong mechanical machine that was later modified when the interlocking was rebuilt as an electro-pneumatic plant, retaining the armstrong frame and levers. Baldwin was removed from service on October 25, 1991, the interlocking was rebuilt and remote-controlled from CETC in Philadelphia. I took these photos on its last day in service, courtesy of a "road day".

Baldwin was open part-time, 6:00AM to 2:00PM Monday through Friday except holidays. When closed, the interlocking signals were put into "fleet" mode, and they acted as automatic signals, except that the most restrictive aspect was a Stop Signal. (Note to self: check this, was the circuitry set up so most restrictive was S&P with a marker light when in automatic mode?)

Baldwin machine. Most of the levers are tagged with blocking devices (BDAs, for "blocking device applied" -- typically the notation made on the train sheet), as much of the existing interlocking has already been physically removed. The crossovers that are in place now (one-half of the standard "X") were installed new during the rebuild, so MU trains could come out of town and go right across the main into a yard on the east side of the railroad. The "model board" is a print of the interlocking, on canvas, I believe. The approach indication lights were mounted near the desk. about 90 degrees to the right from this view.

Levers, part 1... the very tops of the levers can be seen in the first image as well, just to give a better perspective to the layout of all the components here. Actually, what is visible in the first picture are the tops of the blocking devices on the armstrong levers; these slipped over the levers and blocked the release mechanism from being pulled.

Levers, part 2, AKA Son of Levers. This view shows the mechanism that, at one time, actuated the rods leading form the tower to the switches in the plant. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to throw a lever here, since this was my only visit to the tower, and everything was already effectively out of service.

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