Defunct line or lots of downgrades in Peoria, IL?

[CIC755]

Former median signal:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UT ... 55,,0,2.26

More downgrades to the north, with one signal reduced to only a bell:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UT ... 33,,0,4.72

Another crossing with only a bell:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UT ... 79,,0,1.77

Not sure about this one:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UT ... .47,,0,6.9

More downgrades:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UT ... 22,,0,2.26

[Smjh1979]

I'd go with defunct. That track doesn't look too good in a few places.

[SirKrunch]

Isn't that last crossing on Phil's page?

[Crossingman18]

I bet 100% DEFUNCT! The top of the rails have 0% shine on them so they aren't be used at all, and the tracks appear to be in bad shape. I'm going with defunct.

[bigphilliestyle2000]

love some of those concrete grades! look like they were poured and leveled by hand or something. think i voting for defunct

[gedunk]

As I understand the Federal guidelines, the signals at a crossing on an active line cannot be downgraded, regardless of any decrease in RR actvity. A line that has been mothballed or rail banked has been certified as being inactive, and those lines can have their signals canniblized for parts. However, if the line is reopened the parted out (or removed) signals must be replaced with new signals meeting current standards.

[mlgillson]

As I understand the Federal guidelines, the signals at a crossing on an active line cannot be downgraded, regardless of any decrease in RR actvity. A line that has been mothballed or rail banked has been certified as being inactive, and those lines can have their signals canniblized for parts. However, if the line is reopened the parted out (or removed) signals must be replaced with new signals meeting current standards.

I'm sure there's a way railroads can get around that. An example of this that I've seen was on the former Milwaukee Road line that went thru Marion, Iowa. In 1988 or 89, the CC&P (Chicago Central & Pacific) removed the signals at a couple crossings in Marion, yet the line remained active and was used until about 2002 when it was abandoned and torn up.

[AndyWS]

Canadian Pacific has also downgraded several crossings in the Milwaukee/Kansasville/Union Grove areas, from active warning devices (wigwags in one case, cantilevered flashing lights w/bells in the others) to passive (crossbucks and Yield or Stop signs only). WSOR did the same with a wigwag in Blue River.

In the CP's case, I believe they were able to get an exemption in part because train service was so infrequent that the signals did not operate until a train was in the crossing island anyway.

[gedunk]

Maybe it's a California thing then, because that's sure what goes on.

[SirKrunch]

Don't forget that CN (CP, etc...) also removed the 'Wags at Epworth and Peosta, Iowa on their main track through north-central Iowa... and left them with only crossbucks afterward... Hardly a line with decreasing traffic... seeing as in other places along the line they've upgraded gravel road crossings to signals w/lights, and some private crossings to gates and lights.