Someone gave me a photo of an E44. In the foreground was an unoccupied track, but coming out of the ground between the rails were several cables. Does anyone know what these cables are and what they are used for?

Thanks.

Cable plant?
Modern art?
Metal tentacle monster?
I think we're going to need to see the pic to have any chance of answering the question.

Likely crossing signal wiring, but scan it and post it.

Might also be cab signal test loop. Equipment service and layover areas usually had them. Allows you to test the cab signals by running though all aspects. Last test you don't acknowledge to test the auto train stop feature.

Just a guess without seeing them.

On an electric line, if a substation or powerhouse were nearby, the cables could be ground cables returning traction power to the power source.

Sorry guys. Apparently, I can’t upload a photo from my phone. I’ve showed the image to some friends and have been told that it’s a dragging equipment detector.

Thanks.

Gotcha: sits on top of a tie with feelers sticking up? Cable goes underground?

In Electrified Territory PRR put Communication and Signal cables in underground conduit to shield them from interference from the 25 Hz traction power; hence the cables going underground.

Phil Mulligan

Hi Phil,

You’re exactly right.

Thanks for the other information. My first inclination was a dragging equipment detector, but I didn’t think it would look like that.

Troy