23-06-10 PHOTOS: IRON 2 - Electrified Boogalo

Back in 2002 I paid a visit to Amtrak's IRON interlocking that literally site on the Mason-Dixon line between Maryland and Delaware. Well, IRON is actually just one of a surprisingly large number of signaling locations between DAVIS interlocking in Newark and the former PRR Elkton, MD station so a in the following year I returned to visit two more of the 5 total locations with the full set of photos available here ( mirror ).

The milepost 40.6 intermediate signal location is right off Delaware Route 276 behind an industrial estate with ample parking. It is northbound only due to the short signal distances between Elkton and Newark. The track A signal on the right is also equipped with a lower head / position to support an Approach Slow indication for a Slow Approach at the outer signal at DAVIS when the inner signal is at Stop. Here we see Amtrak ACS-86 #649 passing under the 406 signal bridge with a southbound Regional train.

The signal location is located immediately behind what used to be the Delaware Refrigeration Company, that even had a pretty substantial freight siding off NEC track #3. In addition to ample parking there are picnic tables if one finds themselves waiting around for some special move.

Just before I departed I happened to catch northbound Amtrak Silver Star Train 92 being hauled by ACS-86 #653.



The preceding northbound signals for track 2 and 3 are only a mile to the south at Milepost 41.6 and is co-located with IRON interlocking's northbound signal on track #1. Here ACS-86 #620 leads a southbound Regional under the signal bridge.

About the same time was a northbound Acela Express with power cars #2038 and #2016.

I unfortunately flubbed the photo of class leading Acela power car #2000 at the head of a southbound run. It was paired with #2002.

The southbound Milepost 41.1 tracks 2 and 3 automatic signals are co-mounted on IRON's southbound signal bridge, which is where I got my photos in 2022.

Moving on to some non-signaling photos, here is Acela power car #2036 early one morning at the BWI Airport Rail Station.

I also had the opportunity to pick a friend up from the St. Dennis MARC station. Upon arriving I spotted CSX ET44AC #3416 at the head of a parked garbage train in the storage track located between ST DENNIS and LANSDOWNE interlockings.

My friend's MARC train soon arrived with MP36PH-3C #35 leading and Bomber split level cab car #8048 on the rear. A local railfan was on hand to video the proceedings.

On an unrelated MARC pickup at Dorsey I arrived to find a northbound CSX train of empty NYC Metro trash cubes returning empty for another load.



Following behind was the ~6:30p eastbound MARC Camden Line train with MP36PH-3C #14 and cab car #8048, the same one I had previously encountered at St. Dennis.

That's all for now. Next week I'll be back with my first ride on NJT's Morris and Essex lines in close to 20 years.