From: jishnu@nospam.verizon.net   
      
   On 1/27/2015 8:25 PM, Michael Finfer wrote:   
   > On 1/26/2015 10:53 PM, John Albert wrote:   
   >> On 1/26/15 4:04 AM, mroberds@att.net wrote:   
   >>> At least one of the switches in the next town east on the Kansas City   
   >>> Southern has been radio-operated for a while.  The engineer or conductor   
   >>> could key in some numbers on their radio, which were transmitted as DTMF   
   >>> on the air.  Once the switch actually moved, it would transmit a short   
   >>> single-tone beep as an acknowledgement.   
   >>   
   >> Looks like the railroads have finally realized the potential of   
   >> "power-operated, remote-control" switches that could be thrown by other   
   >> than train dispatchers (at CTC consoles).   
   >>   
   >> It's certainly cheaper than paying a brakeman or conductor to "walk 'n'   
   >> throw" them!   
   >   
   > The Alaska Railroad has been doing this for some time.  It's a lot safer   
   > for the crew member who doesn't have to go outside when it's 60 below to   
   > wrestle with a switch.   
   >   
   > Michael Finfer   
   > Bridgewater, NJ   
   >   
      
   As long as the switch heater is working properly. ARR has a remarkable   
   crew who patrol tracks on highrailers in the same -60 weather checking   
   for broken rails and proper switch operations.   
      
   There was a TV series on ARR on Destination America. Turns out that the   
   guys I met on the ARR Winter Aurora train were all on that show, and I   
   did the trip after seeing them on the show. Specially the Conductor, and   
   the guy who is popularly called "Animal" (yes there is a story behind   
   it). It was a wonderful experience.   
      
   If you get a chance watch the series. They do reruns from time to time.   
      
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