From: finfer@optonline.net   
      
   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   
      
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