Railfanning the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo Railroad during the 2021 Holiday Lights Spectacular

After a one year absence, the Turtle Back Zoo's annual Holiday Lights Spectacular has returned! The zoo crew definitely made sure to put on a good show. Virtually everything around the zoo, including exhibits, buildings, statues, and plants, were decorated with colorful lights that can be only experienced during this time of year! Glad to see this event return as it definitely wasn't the same without it.
Today happened to be one of the busiest days so far, so I was called to work. Therefore, I made sure to get some action while I could! Since November 10, 2021, the railroad's new signal has been activated, and two train operation finally returned on November 26, in time for this event. This was earlier than my expectations as I thought the system would activate next year instead. Therefore, this is my first video of the TBZRR's two-train operations since July 15, 2020, and I figured it was finally time to show you all how the system works! Here are the basics:
1. A train leaves the station, and passes through the first signal located before the switch leading to the storage track. Once the locomotive passes through the signal, the light then changes from green to red. After the train fully passes through this block, the safety arm comes down.
2. Once the train passes the first signal signal, the sliding gate opens, allowing it to leave the zoo for its normal trip along the reservoir.
3. When the first train returns, it stops at the signal located outside the tunnel exit, while the second train does the first two steps as soon as it leaves the station. As such, until the first train returns, the second train waits until the first signal changes to green and the safety arm is fully raised.
4. After the departing train leaves and passes through the first block, the tunnel signal changes to green and its safety arm raises. The returning train is finally allowed to enter the station.
As long as these four steps are followed, a safe two train operation is ensured. This process keeps going until the zoo closes for the day; if there’s only one train, then there’s essentially nothing to worry about unless the system experiences a fault. The process at the beginning and end of the day is the same: take the trains out at the beginning, and back them up at the end.
So far, this signal system is doing its job during the dual train operation. It also works fine when only one train is out. As far as I’m aware, however, a few adjustments need to be made once the Holiday Lights Spectacular is over (which therefore concludes the railroad’s 2021 operating season). The most significant is that the sliding gate needs to be reprogrammed so that it closes when the train leaves the zoo, and opens up again when it returns, although this isn’t urgent. Currently, in the case of one train operation, it stays open until the train returns to the station. In the case of two train operation, it stays open for the entire time until both trains are put away. There are also calls for the crossing signal by the sliding gate to be activated. This is also not urgent, but is classified as a high priority project.
At the time this was taken, No. 199 was inside the shops getting some more work done; this is essentially a continuation of the overhaul that took place last year. Therefore, Nos. 306 and 382 are the only operational locomotives at the moment. Currently, two train operation is only taking place on the busiest weekends, such as today. On other nights, there's only one train. So for tonight, it's two train operation. No. 382 is on the red train, while No. 306 (and its famous holiday multi-chime whistle) is on the blue train. It's great to see some normalcy on the railroad again!
Just a reminder: I’m an employee for the zoo, so therefore all three clips were taken in areas that the public cannot access unless boarding and leaving the train. Other than that, please enjoy the video, and I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

[@strasburgsteamproductions3302]

Happy Holidays!

[@davidng2336]

Thanks!

[@NKsEntertainment]

I missed the Turtle Back Zoo Christmas lighs this year

[@davidng2336]

There’s always next year! Just a side note: we now run two trains at a time, so you won’t have to wait for so long during your next visit.

[@andrewsairplaneandtrainspo7947]

Great video!

[@davidng2336]

Thanks!

[@andrewsairplaneandtrainspo7947]

@@davidng2336 you’re welcome!