Location: Templeton, IN
Call Sign: MD
Railroads: New York Central and Nickel Plate Road
Milepost: 192.6 (NYC) 277.1 (NKP)
Operator: Nickel Plate Road
Machine Type: US&S Type F Electric

10 working levers

6 levers for 9 switches and 1 derail

4 levers for 14 signals

9 spare spaces 1-2-4-5-10-11-12-18-19

Open Date: Unknown
Closed Date: 1980s
Demolision Date: 1980s

Description:
Templeton was the west end of the Nickel Plate's TA Double. Eastbound New York Central trains would swing left into the NKP and run to Lafayette via trackage rights on NKP's double track. The tower was a single story brick structure because it was also an Agency depot and appears to have been built by the NKP. The tower was situated between the NKP and NYC tracks with the operator facing east down the TA Double. All signals were installed on bracket masts and were of the color light type. Signals 6R, 6L, 16R and 8L were of the kind typically used by the Nickel Plate. Signals 14L and 16L appear to be of a style typically used by the New York Central.

Sometime in the 1970s the track arrangement was modified. A portion of the NKP track between signals 6R and 6L was removed. This eliminated 2 switches with another switch machine being removed as the switch to the NKP siding was converted to hand throw. The bracket mast holding signals 6L and 8L was removed along with signal 6L. Signal 8L was placed on a regular mast and moved a few hundred feet to the east.

The NYC and NKP lines were in a steady downgrade after the 1970s modifications. At some point the tower was retired and demolished in the 1980s. I don't know if the signal system was removed at this point or if control of the interlocking was remoted to another tower or dispatcher. Perhaps someone can fill me in. No signals exist today and both the NKP and NYC are now part of the Kankakee, Beaverville & Southern. Both lines are now single track and the NYC merges into the NKP via a handthrow switch with the normal position towards the NYC. The concrete foundation for signals 6R and 16R is still in place along with the foundation for signals 14L and 16L. There is also a two door relay case along the NYC where this signal used to be.

Photos:

Diagram (ca. 1959, hand drawn by myself)

Looking southwest at Templeton. The tracks in the foreground are the two NYC mains and the hi-rail vehicle is sitting on the eastbound NYC main. December, 1975. (Gary Stuebben Photo)

Looking northeast at the southwest corder of Templeton. The tall signal is the train order signal for eastbound NKP trains. December, 1975. (Gary Stuebben Photo)

Penn Central GP35 2366 (former PRR 2366) leads another PC GP35 eastbound on the former NYC at Templeton. The track is the foreground is the former NKP. The startup of Conrail is less then two months away. February 23, 1976. (Gary Stuebben Photo)

PC GP35 2366 with PC caboose 24039 are eastbound at Templeton and about to enter the former NKP eastbound main. The track off in the distance to the right is the NKP eastbound main. It used to contine towards the photographer and connect with the NKP siding. The signal is in the middle of the old track. February 23, 1976. (Gary Stuebben Photo)

We are looking west at the east side of Templeton. The tack in the foreground is the NKP main. Notice the concrete at the edge of the station platform. April, 1977. (Jim Sinclair Photo)

Looking northeast at the southwest corder of Templeton. The tall signal is the train order signal for eastbound NKP trains. Notice the ties in the foreground. This is the track that was removed between signals 6R and 6L. April, 1977. (Jim Sinclair Photo)

This is the Union Switch & Signal Type F Electric interlocking machine. The downward facing levers control the signals and their normal position is centered. The upward facing levers control the switches and their normal position is to the left. Notice that lever fifteen is reversed meaning that the switch from the westbound NKP main to the NYC westbound main is lined for a NYC move. Also notice that lever thirteen has a lockout tag on it signifying that it is out of service. This is the crossover between the NYC eastbound and westbound mains April, 1977. (Jim Sinclair Photo)

Templeton's model board and manipulation chart. A track used to extend from H west to the NKP siding. April, 1977. (Jim Sinclair Photo)

Here comes an eastbound Conrail train led by an F9. This train is running down the eastbound NYC main and is about to enter the NKP eastbound main. Neither main line looks to be in good condition and you can see the very rusted rails of the crossover between the two mains just in front of the F unit. The black signal is the NYC train order signal. April, 1977. (Jim Sinclair Photo)

Just a few years after the previous shots we visit a very different Templeton. We are looking west at the tower. The signals have all been removed and the NYC mains are buried in weeds. Early 1980s. (Jim Sinclair Photo)

KBSR 308, MALX 1501, KBSR 312 and another KBSR Alco leads the westbound Lafayette turn through Templeton. The train is seen entering former NYC rails and MALX 1501 is entering home territory as it is an ex NYC GP7. February 19, 2003.