Communications and Signals:Then and Now

[@joeturner1597]

I was a guard (conductor) and a driver (engineer) in the UK for 35 years and I found this very interesting. It is fascinating to see how we do some things differently and some things the same.

[@hubertharned5835]

this gentleman did an excellent job explaining how things have work and are working now. My hat off to you sir.

[@zereprd3911]

Good gawd! This was entirely enlightening! I had no idea how many complex systems there were JUST in railway systems and communications. I think I have a greater respect for this industry from watching this video.

[@desertbob6835]

%

[@ap70621]

I love how NS shows a CSX train derailing.

[@caelanreeves9760]

Yea

[@crapper1]

+Michael Niemiera TRAIN WRRREEECKKK

[@hifijohn]

+Michael Niemiera the derailment has nothing to do with a hotbox, its from another video(you can find on youtube)the turnout was not set properly and one by one a car fell off of the track.

[@ap70621]

+hifijohn Never said anything about a hotbox, and yeah, I have seen that video.

[@gravelydon7072]

+Michael Niemiera And the funny thing is, CSX has been getting the last laugh lately with NS having one reported about once a week.

[@nssd70m2]

I live right near the shot at 2:58. That's pretty cool seeing a glimpse of what my town looked like about 30 years ago.

[@simplywonderful449]

My maternal grandfather worked for C&NW as a gate operator prior to the automatic crossing grade gate systems. I remember the "hut" on stilts he had in a northwest suburb of Chicago, as I got to spend a night in it with him - he gated the last train into Chicago and had to stay there overnight! Huge (to me at that time) control board for two intersections having a two-track mainline. Labor-intensive, and of course subject to the gate operator falling asleep! Good times back in the 1950s.

[@Kevinegan1]

I managed at a place that rented cranes. One day some guy at the railroad called me inquiring about renting a crane to remove two old crossing signals so they could be replaced with the larger crossing signal lamps. I had always wanted a railroad crossing signal so I struck up a deal with him. He stopped by my workplace and he told me that he would give me the crossing signal but I was going to have to take some other stuff. It was inventory time and the railroad head honchos wanted a bunch of old stuff gone so it wouldn't count on the upcoming inventory. Long story short I wound up getting three full tractor trailer loads of lights, crossings, cabinets, signs, cantilevers, cast iron crossing signs, old glass relays and about a hundred other things that I can't even remember. Over the last thirty years I have given away about 99% of the stuff.

[@rippersix293]

Neighborhood I grew up in Detroit was blocks from the NYC/penn central hump yard and locomotive service facility and less than 3 miles from the N&W, DT&I yards. I had a front row seat to all the changes shown. The '70's and '80's were a fascinating time in railroad history.

[@chrisreed26]

Great video..My father worked for the railroad for over 32 years starting in Wva with Chessie System L&N , then SCL...(Seaboard Coastline) then CSX took over SCL..Always love to see a train go by...best way to move goods in my opinion but then again coming from a railroad family I'm partial!!

[@rapturebound197]

I was a signalman for the D& RGW RR line going from Denver to Salt Lake City starting back in 1970. We had the CTC system for signals DC relay electronics. Thanx for the memories. 🚆

[@benmmbk765]

Thousands of intelligent men, inventions made the railway MORE safe, comfortable, fast as we see them today. We pay our tribute to ALL of them. Salutations. Thanks for making OUR lives better. There are MANY others who did the SAME. Thank you ALL scientists, engineers, technicians and the much tortured Capitalists. For being intelligent AND useful to ALL.

[@geomodelrailroader]

the evolution of technology never ceases to amaze me the railroads have come a long way since the systems were implemented.

[@ArtStoneUS]

People tend to forget that almost all of the class 1 railroads were built fifty years before the first mass-produced automobiles and trucks. It used to be that if you were moving to a new city, your furniture would be put on a rail car, and transported to and from the terminal using a wagon pulled by horses.

[@simplywonderful449]

My grandfather was a gate operator in Arlington Heights, IL for many years before automatic grade crossing signals were installed. He had an elevated "hut" on stilts, and a coal stove to heat it as he stayed overnight. As a young lad I'd walk the tracks scrounging coal with him as my "job" for getting to stay in the hut overnight, riding the train back to the city the next day. What memories those times made! One thing common to EVERY "advancement" made in this video was the elimination of humans, much for safety and reliability, but also for economic reasons; we lamented the passing of the caboose for the same reason as it was the end of an era.

[@Decembirth]

This was extremely informative! So much resources to keep things flowing. Big ups to the people of long ago who got up everyday to do their assigned jobs.

[@edwardwinner1301]

I was employed as a Field Service Representative for Harmon Industries from 1989 to 1995. I worked with the PMD and HXP crossing systems and the Hot Box Detector.

[@wnyp636]

Would you have any insight on the Model 24 or Model 34 detectors? Most references I've seen are for the Model 32 or Model 75, but these two pop up occasionally - but I'm unable to find any information on them. Thanks!

[@kenmccracken2954]

Thank you for providing a clear and concise history of railroad ground operations and evolutions. Too many presentations of railroads in action show rail cars endlessly passing by. I see that every time the gates come down!

[@Wikkus]

Fascinating video, kudos to NS for making it and putting it into the public domain.

[@georgesmith6891]

Very nice to see the innovative ways used to keep the railways on the move. It also shows how technology has evolved to replace the labour force of the yesteryear.

[@tommytruth7595]

And that is supposed to be a good thing?

[@uploadJ]

Yeah ,,, in case you didn't notice, we no longer live in caves or grass huts either ...

[@polcommwatcher]

I could watch this over and over, forever. Mesmerizing, like a camp fire. Dynamic narration; non-stop action!

[@DiabolicKal646]

As a person whose transitioning careers into the railroad industry; this is very informative

[@Cat-hn2on]

How do you like the new career?

[@DiabolicKal646]

@@Cat-hn2on I ended up going a whole new career path 😃

[@mackpines]

I remember the BNSF Fallbridge Subdivision had pole lines going out of Vancouver, WA until about 12 years ago. The Union Pacific still has some areas in Oregon with lines but they are slowly getting rid of them. Luckily, I found some glass insulators along the track and took them home.

[@FrehleyFan3988]

I really loved those PRR signals. And I can still see those old Morse code lines beside the tracks, in the brush

[@klbird]

Interesting to see how railroad technology has evolved.

[@stephenwilliams5201]

Saw a long dead friend Mr ling . Used to see him inspecting rail side boxes, then put his seal on the door. Very good man tks Fer well made show and bit of nostalgia.

[@BBT609]

It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen on film. I love old railway equipment like train signals and old highway crossing equipment.

[@RailGoddess]

I absolutely loved this video and shared it on my Ruby Rail Cruisers website, and also shared with other rail fan friends of mine. Good job! I'm looking forward to viewing more videos from your source.

[@jasonwalding9402]

Enlighten video, liked the contrast of old and new technology. Really appreciated the history on the line side communication circuits. Great video.

[@wa9kzy326]

Wow! I have loved trains (from afar) ever since I was a child in the 50s, but I had no idea how complex the support systems were. Loved this video. Thanks.

[@emeraldsoundproductions]

Well done NS. Excellent explanation of how things work.

[@RRIA_America]

I know I’m late but I have to say, wonderful narration! The music and all the audio is done perfectly. Beautiful piece!

[@clonetrooper576]

i wish i could go back to the 60s but take my good camera with me

[@tjlovesrachel]

Clonetrooper576 if you ever make it.... bring me back some good acid and quaaludes

[@daviddave7392]

Well, you could have travelled to most any PC line in the early 70's and wait for the next train to pass; it would have either been a shock to see it stay on the tracks - or derail, regardless of any slow order.

[@VelveteenRabbit77]

Just steal me a dang wig-wag. I want one!

[@TexasRailfan2008]

Same, I’ve been lookin for one forever!

[@johnstudd4245]

I've often wished I could go back to about the year 1900 with a good digital camera. It would be tough explaining it to the "natives", but just tell them it was a brand new experimental model from Europe. LOL Oh well..... when I perfect my time travel machine.

[@fredthompson7465]

Intresting rail history on signaling and communications!

[@puffnstuff12]

Thank you for sharing this video with the public as I've been curious about many of these systems for a long time.

[@glp53]

"Hump yard": At the beginning of the yard is a rise in the track, usually located at or near the yard master's tower. Cars are pushed to this point with enough energy to roll over the hump. The yard master makes note of the car and as the car rolls over the hump, gravity keeps the car moving to the correct track to make the consist.

[@bobpaulino4714]

And In 2019 they are closing hump yards and claim flat switching is faster??

[@6777Productions]

@@bobpaulino4714 yes. Welcome to what one CEO said would work, and everyone blindly followed. It'll bit them in their rear end soon I hope

[@BlueSkyScholar]

An interesting watch. I did my EE internship at Harmon in Grain Valley. A friend of the family that worked there kept me well stocked with parts for my school projects. Ended up going into wireless telcom so never got to see the equipment in the field aside from peeking in a couple of crossings that were being worked on.

[@jamesbarnes1913]

I worked for CSX 37 years as a communication tech. Technology changes about every 5 years. The railroad is full of technology. Doesn't look like it from a distance but it is. Upgrade on his hump yard info in the video; Car goes over the hump, radar gun records the speed so it can get the retarder to slow it down if needed, Car id tag on the front is read by an AEI system which will tell the computer which switches to throw and send it down the right track so it will be heading towards its destination. Electronic sorting system. AEI tag readers provide listing of cars in a train. Satellite links to wayside radios and signal switching bungalows for instant control. They need FCC licensed techs all the time.

[@Cat-hn2on]

I worked in the billing department and those AEI equipment id tags were very useful when it came to tracking movement of products and entering the correct car numbers onto the waybill. Especially when it came to coal trains, grain trains, intermodal flatcars and any other manifests. Sometimes the AEI readers would skip a car number, and it took just a little research to determine what the missing car number was.

[@LanceCampeau]

I really learned a lot by watching this video... thank you!

[@charliepersinger7702]

I remember taking form 19’s and 31’s by telephone and how tough it was the first time I handed up orders.

[@TrainsForever]

Love how it shows the engines running around that are now heritage units and you can’t see them all the time now.

[@dodgydruid]

Wow, to see semaphore signals stateside in action, a rarity. The ball on a rope was common here in the UK, replaced with a flat disc and bar until semaphore became more commonplace on British and other countries networks. My late father began his British Rail career at a signalbox called North Kent Jnc which was historically the very first signalled railway section in the world, he went full circle to finish his career at London Bridge power box but returned to lever boxes in retirement at Swanage Railway. Def pleased to see them US semaphores, like the idea of the third position of the arms which I guess is horizontal=stop, 45 degrees=caution and straight up=full clear ahead? Ours were only ever two position and some of the old gantries like Rugby, Newcastle, even Bath Green Park were incredibly complex rod and cable setups that required massive signalboxes and large teams of signallers.

[@James_Knott]

I used to work as a technician for Canadian National Telecommunications, which was part of the railway. Back in the mid 70s, I worked in Northern Ontario on the systems that worked along the tracks. These were the old open wire carrier systems, that carried multiple voice circuits over a pair of wires. Some of the traffic was for signals and also for the dispatcher's phone, train to wayside radio and more. I also worked on the teletype machines and circuits that carried the railroad communications. In addition, I worked on a system that managed freight train consists. My work would also occasionally take me into the dispatchers office, where I could see the big board, showing operation of rail traffic in the region. I also frequently rode freights, to get to work locations. In addition, I managed to salvage a Morse sounder from the CN office in Geraldton, Ontario, before it was demolished. I still have it here.

[@manning8]

This was enjoyable to watch. Thanks NS!

[@jasonbabila6006]

After the introduction of narrow band by the FCC, communications between the section trucks, track inspectors, signal maintainers, trains, etc have gotten worse, we used to communicate and hear everybody clearly on wide band VHF from one end to the other end of a 2+ mile tunnel, now days we sometimes have to have the DS help relay our communications between the sections, track inspectors, and maintainers.

[@awizardalso]

I always loved trains and railroads. and have been an HO train modeler for many years.

[@gaffneyrailroading1982]

Fun fact: even though the semaphore signals are no longer in use, that's where we get the term "knocking down" signals.

[@audinos1840]

It is interesting that, while the United States has used automatic level crossing signals almost universally since the 1950's, there are still many places in the world where live signalmen are still used to stop vehicular traffic, including a few places in Portugal and the UK.

[@larrymoore6640]

Thank you for this educational video about the different stages of the railroad accessories.

[@DieselDucy]

This is a very fascinating video! As a locomotive engineer for NS. I really love working here!

[@Frisky0563]

It was great to see Bridgeport and Forestview Control points here in Chicago.

[@encodocify]

Love that style of music at the start.

[@daveogarf]

encodocify - Big Band/Swing

[@mackpines]

If I worked for the railroad back then I would've been a guy who sits in a shack by the tracks and raises and lowers the crossing gates and watches trains go by. I LOVE TRAINS!

[@phantomcruizer]

Mack Pines And then boredom would have set in and you would have begged to get out of there especially since there NO A/C in summer or heater in winter...There may not have been a toilet either! Railroads have not traditionally been good to its field employees.

[@tommytruth7595]

@@phantomcruizer Hmmmmm, sounds like NS with no toilet in their locomotives. They gave their enginepersons a bag to sh-- in. Even numbered them so they made sure they were returned and not tossed out the window.

[@paulwood9043]

If back then I would be working in the baggage and mail car or at the station hauling the baggage and mail carts down the boardwalk to be loaded on the passenger train baggage car. I would pick the easy job to do.

[@ArtStoneUS]

If you can get a work permit, there are still thousands of jobs like that available in India

[@Triplebuc50]

Very interesting video, the progressive technology making Railroads more Effective and Efficient, Safer for Railroad Workers and the Public.

[@bobbypickard4454]

This was very interesting, I come up in the fifties and remember some of this stuff. I know this was put up some time back but thank you.

[@Taylor92229]

Not sure why I'm here but I'm learning something new and cool.

[@elektrosoundwave]

Nice to see all of those advances introduced by Southern in here.

[@Joeyardmaster40155]

This is what helps Norfolk Southern RR win the Harriman award so many times!! This was a very interesting video thanks NS RR .

[@robertdavenport5457]

Won it so much they did away with it.

[@paulwood9043]

I like trains and railroad technology and how it all operates, thanks for the great information on railroad technology of the past and present day.

[@SD457500]

Another great video NS, keep posting excellent videos like this!

[@friendlypiranha774]

Very interesting and comprehensive. Thank you for posting.

[@ppoutine]

I'm looking forward to more videos like this. I enjoyed this one a lot.

[@ArtStoneUS]

Norfolk Southern does still operate a KZbin channel, although the emphasis is now more on diversity and being green.

[@gregorygrice]

Great video. Railroads have come a long way!

[@natestrains1166]

3:44 NS shows video of rochelle Illinois, on the CNW track, back when it had Griswold signals. They also show more CNW at 5:19.

[@nosakhereberry7712]

That was awesome,too watch ‼️ Thank you so much for the clarification on so many different aspects‼️ I have greatly been informed you don’t have no idear💡 thanks again for this exceptional video. 😳☺️

[@spiritofcantaolisboa-p8871]

Excellent video and explaination. Thanks.

[@Imintune...]

One thing I've noticed that no one really uses yard switchers much anymore. They tend to use older former heavy locos to do switches now. Even got remote units one guy to set up cars to cut costs.

[@tommytruth7595]

Remote units have killed many people.

[@buddyclem7328]

In West Virginia we still use switchers, but they look similar to regular locomotives.

[@hakeemsd70m]

Mad Mack I know what you mean. At our railyards in the Ohio Valley, we mostly use six-axle SD40-2s to switch whereas decades ago a smaller GP9 would have done the trick. Or even a GE Boxcab.

[@ArtStoneUS]

One of the principles behind precision scheduled railroads is you use your brand new locomotives on the mainlines to reduce breakdowns and move the older locomotives to serve out their senior years doing switching service

[@docbrown7916]

Cool vid, I recall seeing a crossing bar manually cranked when I was a kid, mid 60s, can't recall where exactly but it was in south NJ.

[@quinnmattern2665]

Woodbury.

[@fredstuckmann]

Nicely explained and well done.

[@Gator_Bait_Motorsports]

WOW! I learned a lot from this video. You answered a lot of questions I had .....thank you ;-)

[@joelee662]

Hey I real nice video on trains I learned some stuff off of that I never knew before love looking at all your old videos keep them coming please thank you 👍

[@roselanemable3141]

Great train video. Thanks for sharing. 👍

[@ricksmith7631]

working the railway was my fantasy job when i was younger. i grew up near a set of track and a switchback and i would spend my afternoons watching trains come in and out. im alot older now and having a job working trains is just out of the question. oh well...

[@Cat-hn2on]

It probably wouldn't have been as fascinating as an adult, the way it was observing it from childhood. Just curious as to which career path you chose to follow.

[@ricksmith7631]

@@Cat-hn2on i became an RV technician, long ways off but ive had many different jobs throughout my youth from semi driver to builder, welder, emt....the sound of a train horn still makes me wanna stop and see whats happening

[@Cat-hn2on]

@@ricksmith7631 That’s great! Thank you for your sevice as a first responder. I worked for a railroad for a few years; so did my father and brother. I don't know if my dad liked it or not because I never got to talk to him about it much. He passed when I was 11 but he always seemed kinda stressed out for a while after getting home from work. Maybe it was the traffic, since it was the 70's and only two lanes on most freeways. But knowing what I know now, it can be a stressful job, no matter your position. Just my 2 cents.

[@MoonwolfeConsulting]

Interesting music choices, love hearing Perfidia, a true blast from the past.

[@yaraihan]

Railroad Crossing In Indonesia Still Using Human Controlling Railroad Crossing, Communications Still Pole Lines In Indonesia, & Signal In Indonesia Mostly Electric, Few Lines Using Semaphore. High Density Movement Are Electric Operated By Dispatcher In Indonesia.

[@trainman0771]

This video was informative. thank you for this ,I really enjoyed it,and looking forward to the next one.

[@bamboozledguy]

This was an informative video, I liked the choice of vintage film you choose to include. +1

[@c3pfett]

You missed one of the coolest signals around. The railroad torpedoes!! They were still in use in the early 90s, might still be.

[@BlueSkyScholar]

Thats the phase motion detector. In short it turns the track into a tuned circuit when the train rolls onto the section it alters the tuning and activates the crossing. While its moving the tuning is constantly changing holding the crossing active. If the tuning isnt changing but not its normal after a preset time it times out and deactivates the crossing but the instant it changes again it reactivates IE a train has parked in the detection zone.

[@RailPreserver2K]

hey congrats on bringing back the 611 keep up the good work

[@garylarson6386]

as a brakeman on the C&NW RR 1970, alot of the rr was dark ( track and time) as you went by the switch tower the dispacher held up the hoop and you grabbed you orders as you went by

[@michaelmohrmann]

This is a most interesting video, and the music was absolutely wonderful! Thanks for posting.

[@willardnelson2724]

Really neat and informative video

[@WigWagWorkshop]

Very nice, love the music and always love to see a WigWag - Thanks for sharing

[@ramonworden4844]

When exploring abandoned tracks I come upon those oil bottles for the batteries I wondered how that worked. Good history

[@ArtStoneUS]

Those little bottles contained sulfuric acid. Lead acid batteries were used to power early railroad signal systems. The acid produces electricity through a chemical reaction with lead plates.

[@ReadingRailFilms]

Awesome explanation!!

[@anb740]

It's actually Brosnan Yard in Macon, GA.

[@ylwpyro9549]

When you replace a Human with a Machine, you exchange one set of problems with another. Problems will always exist regardless of the position on the railroad. Technology-based operations can experience errors and bugs, and humans can drop their coffee or have a bad day.

[@tommytruth7595]

True. And create a lot of unemployment in the process.

[@Cat-hn2on]

@@tommytruth7595 Profit is the bottom line isn't it? It's all about making the most $$$ with as little operating costs as feasible.

[@intrepidfox37]

Very informative and interesting. Good job NS!

[@derail14]

never trust a remote locomotive....

[@tommytruth7595]

RCO has killed people.

[@TrainFan119]

That why I would most likely never equip RCO

[@toddabowden]

My wife left me for one

[@isaach.1135]

If this comment could see what regular cars are doing now...

[@WideWorldofTrains]

Interesting video, very good

[@jbayone]

And I'm on of those 1960 Era microwave site maintainers. Love it.

[@yadabenyisrael4374]

Enjoyed the background music😁

[@hvnterblack]

In US it is far different than Europe. Not sure if it is in your locos too, but we have some systems that really iimproves safety called RADIOSTOP. Alarm signal to radio triggers emergency breaking. It is not often in use, but when something goes wrong and two trains get on same track (control devices failure, human error or any other accident) it saves lives by stopping both. All railways should be still modernised, especialy contol and safety devices.

[@ArtStoneUS]

Does that system exist in Greece?

[@seaningram4434]

My mom used to work in the office at Seaboard Railroad (Richmond, VA) on Broad Street right off of I-195. When they moved to Florida, she chose not to go. A co-worker/friend of hers went though. This was back in the early 1960s and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Way before my time (1971)

[@ArtStoneUS]

I would like to know more about PTC. Maybe there is a newer video

[@turtleguy00]

13:12 Bronson hump yard in Macon GA the shot was taken from tower 1. i have been up in there once and you could see every thing what was happening in the yard. AWESOME EXPERIENCE

[@robertdavenport5457]

Brosnan Yard

[@oaktadopbok665]

2:55 Deval interlocking tower at Des Plaines IL, looking north

[@tehangrybird345]

Very good job NS

[@ATSF1927]

I remember the old Semaphore Signals and the train orders/train schedule.

[@ОфициальныйканалсайтаДрузья]

Интересное видео, спасибо! Но субтитры читать просто невозможно!!! Ютуб не успевает за разговором. Постоянно надо паузу включать.

[@douggodsoe]

Great video.