In the late 1960's I was a telegraph operator on the Ft. Worth and Denver
during the summers between college semesters. I much preferred the company
phone, but could use telegraph if I needed to. At that time it was part of the
job requirement.
Only a few small freight-only branchline depots did not have telegraph and
company phone. Those were the standard communication tools. The telephone had
a "push-to-talk" foot pedal. The same telegraph circuits were common to all
depots. There were no secrets!
Three of my most prized possessions now are the original telegraph key, sounder
and company phone from the Lubbock, TX depot.
Jay
--- In CBQ@yahoogroups.com, Jpslhedgpeth@... wrote:
>
>
> Gerald et al
>
> I seem to remember that 1972 was the last year for telegraph on the Q..but I
> can't point to any particular reference...IIRC the Rock Island quit the
> telegraph in1965.
>
> Coincidentally I've been reading through some of my od RR Magazines and have
> recently read some of Palmer's stuff in the 1941 and 42 issues.
>
> When I was braking on the Q 1956-58 the branch lines in Nebraska were all
> telegraph and the mainlines had both telegraph and telephone communication.
>
> All of the old head agent-operators were telegraphers..Most of those guys
> were 1900-1920 seniority and used mostly the key and sounder.
>
> Some new agents-operators were coming on and most could telegraph a bit but
> didn't like to use the key in preference to the phone.
>
> There was a young telegrapher who worked on the Lincoln-Ravenna line as an
> extra operator...It was said of "Arch".. "The only thing Arch can use the
> key for is to send....FN. ie...."get on the phone"
>
------------------------------------
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