The century-old B&O interlocking office known as NA Tower in Martinsburg, West Virginia, has closed. Its final day of operation was July 19, 2003 when its signal control was removed, and the operators' positions were abolished effective 7:00 A.M. on July 30.
The closing of NA Tower was part of a 23-mile switch and signal upgrade on CSXT's Cumberland Subdivision between Sandy Hook, Maryland, and Pearson, West Virginia. The project included the addition of three new control points, the modification of two others, and the retirement of another. The names of the five control points now in service along the affected portion of track
Sandy Hook, milepost BA 80.5
Harpers Ferry, milepost BA 81.3
Shen, milepost BA 89.2
Byrd, milepost BA 98.3
Martinsburg, milepost BA 99.8
"Shen" is a shortened name for Shenandoah Junction, and "Byrd" (location formerly called Rattling Bridge) is named for U.S. Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV).
The project was actually the increment of a larger project begun in the spring of 2000 to install a state-of-the-art electro-code signaling system with higher-speed crossover switches along a 61-mile portion of the Cumberland Subdivision as far west as Orleans Road, West Virginia. An earlier increment involved the retirement of Miller and West Cumbo towers in the fall of 2000. A later increment to include the retirement of the tower at Hancock, West Virginia, is still in the planning stage.
Five operators' positions at NA Tower were affected. Four positions were abolished, and the fifth position was modified to include custodial duties at a different location to replace the single day that the operator worked each week at the tower.
The cache you seek has been placed safely away from the Railroad and Overlooks the NA Tower and provides a good view of the Roundhouse Area from the GZ.
Room for only a log so BYOP.
Congratulations to chrisw87 for the FTF !!!!
Enjoy the History of the Area, It’s All Around you