Re: (erielack) Re: radio equipped

["Bill Weibel" <weib3_@_centurytel.net>]

I guess I'll add 2 cents,  But strictly technically speaking neither the 
Erie or the Lackawanna was able to install 2 way VHF radio equipment in it's 
entire locomotive and caboose fleet before the merger.  There were plenty of 
cabooses without radios, and a smattering of switchers were still without 
radio in 1960-62 HH600 322 comes to mind. The fact the most mainline freight 
and passenger trains were assembled with radio equipped power and cabooses 
in the early fifties prompted both roads to advertise the fact that they 
were "Radio Equipped" to impress the shippers with their technology and up 
to date service. Actually reliable radios with multichannal capability 
didn't get into wide use till the mid 70's and into the 80's. in locomotive 
cabs.  At the Conrail takeover, their was continuous "radio swapping" to put 
units in use in various divisions, and constant upgrading with crystal 
changing to try to use the fleet seamlessly systemwide. solid state 
synthesised channeling finally ended that.

Bill W.




- ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Len VanderJagt" <lvj911_@_worldnet.att.net>
To: <erielack_@_lists.elhts.org>
Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2006 2:57 PM
Subject: (erielack) Re: radio equipped


> Sometimes I just have to laugh out loud...
>
> In practice, through the 1960s, and I am certain right up to the end, the 
> real question was was the railroad equipped with working radios.
>
> The F units, and particularly the 1200 Geeps might have the decal, but the 
> radio inside did not often work.  If it did work, often the range was 
> barely farther than you could shout.  Same thing with walkie-talkies, 
> which started out about the size of Korean War field radio sets.
>
> Real observation: when you are calling someone on the radio and are 
> getting no response, you tend to press the receiver harder against your 
> ear. I bet Walter Smith still has a flat right ear.
>
> Best,
> Len VanderJagt
>
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