18-03-31 PHOTOS: Perryman

With Amtrak making waves about eliminating intermediate signals along the NEC I am scheduling some trips to cover such an eventuality. One such signaling location is at Milepost 69 in Perryman, MD just south of Aberdeen. It happens to be adjacent to the Perryman Substation, which was built in 1935 as part of the Wilmington to Washington electrification project and provides an additional photography subject. You can find the full set of photos covering both these subjects here.

The Milepost 69 signals support three bi-directional tracks numbered 2, 3 and 4 from east to west. They were previously converted to LED lamps along with the BUSH interlocking high speed turnout project around 2010.

The Perryman Substation is a typical PRR intermediate substation with two 25hz transformers that step down 138kv transmission voltage to 12kv for the overhead wires.

The substation was built to accommodate 5 of the transformers, although only 2 were ever installed. The transformers are relatively new, having been installed around 2005, and have a capacity between 10 and 25 MAh.

The substation is fed by two 138Kv, split phase transmission lines. Although referred to in literature as a single phase system, the two transmission wires are offset 180o in phase, which provides the 138Kv figure. This trick allowed the PRR to save on costs and complexity as each wire is only at 69kv with respect to the ground. Although each transformer is typically fed through a single transmission line, it is possible to use field switches to feed either transformer from either transmission line as well as cross tying the two transmission lines together.

As another cost saving measure the PRR decided to place all of it's circuit breakers on the 12kv side of the substation with 138kv field breakers present only at Perryville, Zoo and Thorndale. High voltage faults will usually involve isolation of the complete electric region followed by the manipulation of HT field switches, such as those pictured above, under unloaded conditions.

In this side view we can see the configuration of the substation with the second 138kv transformer and the bank of 12kv breakers.

A progress tree erected within the fence line of the substation had been taken over by a mated pair of Osprey. These maritime raptors enjoy a diet completely composed of fish and appear to have a permanent chip on their shoulders.

Note the size of the talons which are perfect for snagging fish...or murdering you.

The pair was in the process of constructing a nest, much to the chagrin of every other bird in the area who were actively harassing the Osprey for the entire time I was there. Just goes to show that humans are not the only species to practice racially motivated housing bias.

You can hear all the commotion in this video.


Humans are also apparently not the only species that is able to use product.

Yes, trains did eventually make an appearance.  First on the scene was a ACS-86 #652 and a southbound Regional, dropping the 695 automatic signal.

From a position on the opposite side of the tracks I caught ACS-86 #656 with another southbound Regional passing under the MP 69.6 signal gantry.

At some point a few days later I caught some CSX power idling at the front of a coal train on the main line storage tracks between ST DENIS and LANSDOWNE interlockings. The lashup consisted of ET44AH #3398, AC4400 #386 and AC4400 #308.

I'll also throw in this photo of some tank cars on the Baltimore Belt Line at HUNTINGTON AVE interlocking that I took while waiting for my car to get an MD state inspection as part of the new resident punishment process.

Well that's it for now. Tune in next week as I continue the spring content scrape with a trip to the St Denis MARC station.