Morton, IL: Crandall Junction: NS/NKP(LEW) vs. (TP&W+Aban)/SantaFe (Uses an OWLS)

(Satellite)

This junction is now out in the country. Morton, IL, is the closest town. In fact, this remnant of a former SantaFe route is still used so that TP&W can serve Morton, IL using trackage rights on the NS/NKP/LE&W route.

Richard Fiedler posted
LE&W (NKP now NS)-Santa Fe depot at Crandall IL. Long gone.

Richard Fiedler: I got the photo from the Morton Post Office. The Crandall Post Office closed 1909 and was absorbed into Morton. I would assume the settlement withered after that.

Richard Fiedler shared

David Jordan posted three photos with the comment:

Norfolk Southern installed an OWLS* diamond at Crandall Junction last August. I took these shots Sunday, April 12, 2020, while waiting for D47. Captions on each pic.
*One-Way Low Speed"

Mark Egebrecht Where does the TP&W line run to?
Waylon Smith Morton
Mark Egebrecht Waylon Smith
Is that the remains of the Atsf Ancona branch?
Waylon Smith Yup that's what's left of it

Daniel Fulton What do they use the line for? It looks abandoned north of the diamond. Is it just to run through and get on the NS at the switch?
Chip Gay yes

Erik Coleman There are a few of these around, like Champaign. Crews tell me you barely notice since it's 10mph for the low-speed side. I have some closeups somewhere of the flange riding.
Steven Hamilton Increases track speed for the primary route. They have jump frogs on little used switches as well.
David Jordan Union Pacific's crossing with TP&W at Chenoa has them as well.

1
Looking toward East Peoria at TP&W Crandall Junction crossing on Norfolk Southern's Bloomington District.

2
Close-up shows Norfolk Southern Bloomington District at TP&W Crandall Junction crossing.

3
At Crandall Junction looking toward Morton at NS-TP&W crossing.