"DO" and "WB" Interlockings in Roanoke

[NW Mailing List]

I think I am remembering this correctly! Jimmy did a good job with his description and location of "DO". Although, I am thinking that "West Roanoke" was the first signal controlled by the New River Dispatcher. That means that "DO" (now Roanoke Dispatcher) controlled movement onto the "Freight Runner" (the switching lead at the west end). "DO" also controlled movements to and from the Main Line (Main 2) to and from the west end of the Empty Side Yard. There was a "short block" which allowed room for moving light engines , etc. to and from the "Empty Side Yard" and the Main 2. This was a "see/saw" move through what was called "23 Crossover", controlled by "DO".  If more room was needed, or to allow a train to move through that area, the New River Dispatcher would have to be contacted to line up that route and set up the signals (West Roanoke) for such movement. Movement west off of the west end of the "Freight Runner" was also controlled by "New River".

"WB" was the large bridge signals that controlled movements in and out of the extreme west end of Roanoke Terminal.
Jeff Sanders


      From: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
 To: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> 
 Sent: Monday, May 15, 2017 10:52 AM
 Subject: Re: "DO" and "WB" Interlockings in Roanoke
   
 On 5/13/2017 8:33 AM, NW Mailing List wrote:
  
In 1949 the N&W built two new interlockings in the Norfolk area: “WB” at West Roanoke and “DO” at ?
 "WB" & "DO" are in Roanoke, not Norfolk.    
     In my lifetime, "WB" was nothing more than a name of a "control point". "DO" was the the dispatcher that controlled the signals on the west half of North Yard between 24th St. (Shaffer's Crossing) and "WB" and those in South Yard. At this time I did not get out to the west end of the yard very much, so, I can't remember if "DO's" western control limit was at "WB" or "West Roanoke". I am thinking "WB" ( I'm sure Abe and Jeff will tell more about this.
 ).  "Randolph St." controlled the east half North Yard. 
     "DO" was located in the hump building/scale house at Shaffer's Crossing. The operator had a very small open room on the north side of the building at the top of the steps on the second floor (hump level being the first floor) where he handed out train orders & clearance cards and a control panel for signals. Lynn Gregory (recently deceased) was one of the long time "DO" operators. Later, "DO" was moved to the Call Office at 24th St. and later still was consolidated into "Randolph St.".
    
 Jimmy Lisle
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