When were portions of the NEC in the MD area reduced to two tracks with CTC? I am pretty sure this is the only area where 2 of the tracks have been removed.
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Originally Posted by Mike W.:
When were portions of the NEC in the MD area reduced to two tracks with CTC? I am pretty sure this is the only area where 2 of the tracks have been removed.
Not sure about the exact answer to your question but the B&P tunnel section just south of Baltimore Penn Station was always 2 tracks and other sections were never more than 3 tracks wide, as evidenced by three track bridges over roadways and streams. The line past Ivy City, just north of Union Station was always 2 tracks wide, if I recall correctly.
Remember, there were far fewer trains south of the Philadelphia commuter zone in the PRR days, than there were between Philadelphia and New York.
The GG1 cab ride videos from the late 50's/early 60's on youtube show some awesome PRR shots in PA and MD. 
Too bad they're not commercially available on a better video medium.
Railroad Video Productions released a cab ride program taped aboard an AEM7 on a Metroliner between Washington Union Station and 30th Street Station. The combination of the AEM7s large windshield and modern production quality provides an excellent view of the railroad.
http://www.train-video.com/rvp13d.html
Bob
I think the two track areas in places like Wilmington and just out of DC were accompanied by a two track electrified freight bypass as well.
A side note...the freight bypass in Wilmington looks in better shape now than it ever has. Nice welded rail and good ballast.
What about the NEC south of say Newark NJ...the 4th track often splits off in places...and is on an embankment compared to the remaining tracks. What was the reason for this? The separate alignment is used by the same traffic as the other 3 tracks.
Where one NEC track is on an embankment, it is usually to allow for a flyover/duckunder at a junction. A perfect example can be viewed along I-495 north of Wilmington, DE. This is the access to the former PRR Edgemoor Yard.
Mike,
the ex-PRR NEC is 4 tracked going south (RR west) all the way to Trenton, and beyond. It becomes 5 and 6 tracks in the Rahway, NJ area, largely due to the merging with the 2 track Coast Line.
Historically tracks 1 and 4 were for local trains, and tracks 2 and 3 were for express passenger and freight trains. Of course there were variations and today both NJ Transit and Amtrak use all 4 tracks, depending on the routing.
