Northeast Corridor Log Sheet

The left side of the sheet was used to record southward trains. Northward trains are on the right side. For southward trains, the first column it titled Grove (MP 112.4) which replaced Odenton (MP 113.6) as the next northward tower on November 16, 1981. When a train passed Grove tower, the operator would call Bowie and the train dispatcher on the block line to notify them. The Bowie operator wrote down the train number, engine number(s) and track number. From the note "CETC in Control", the tower operator still recorded the movement of trains but didn't operate the signals and switches. There was a test period where tower operators where on duty eo ensure that CETC was correctly operating switches and signals. Eventually, testing was successful and the tower was closed. As a convention, southbound passengers trains ore odd numbered. Conrail freight trains are identified by four letters followed by a number. The first two letters are the code for the train's origin. The last two letters are the code for the train's destination. The number is the last digit of the day the train left its origin. Sample codes are PY (Potomac Yard), BE (Bethelem, PA), EN (Enola, PA; across the Susquehanna River from Harrisburg), and AL (Allentown, PA.)

Odd number trains 101-127 are southbound Metroliners and are authorized to operate 125 mph. The other Amtrak trains originate in Boston or New York.

Switching to the northbound side, even numbered trains 100-130 are Metroliners. Other trains terminate in New York or Boston.

Look at the engine column. On January 4, motors 910 and 913 teamed together to pull #67 from New Haven to Washington. Both motors spent a short time in Washington because they went north a few hours later on #174 to New Haven. Motor 913 returned by itself to Washington the same day on #177. With three trips in one day, this motor definitely said "I think I can."