2.2.4 Radio Rules

History  

Railroads began experimenting with radio at a very early date, In 1913, Guglielmo Marconi tested the possibility of transmitting telegraphic signals to moving trains along the Lackawanna Railroad system in the U.S. Northeast. But it wasn't until after World War II that technology enabled VHF radio equipment to become practical for compact and reliable very-high-frequency two-way equipment was developed for train operations.

The PRR used an electromagnetic induction system called Trainphone for voice communication between crews on moving trains, dispatchers, and tower operators. The Trainphone system was first tested in 1936 and perfected by 1943. This system was also used by the Kansas City Southern, and to a lesser extent on the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range.

In 1945, the FCC established the Railroad Radio Service. The AAR was designated as the frequency advisory coordinator with respect to the operation of land mobile and other radio-based services used by the railroad industry. Early railroad radio service was oriented on Dispatcher to Train, Train to Train, and Crew to Crew communications. 

The WWSL

In late 1945, the WWSL established Dispatcher to Train and Train to Train radio communications. They used military surplus radios, SCR-300's for those interested, initially. The WWSL purchased the communications equipment for the OPLC since trackage rights had been granted on the 1st Division.

In 1949 Motorola sets replaced the military surplus radios. For the WWSL, the equipment was installed on the fireman's side of the locomotive. For the OPLC, the Motorola equipment was placed in a box on the right side of the tender. The antenna was first on the tender but moved to the cab roof in early 1950 for easier maintenance. The radio system required special turbo-generator equipment, placed ahead of the whistle on the boilers.

Base Stations. 

OPLC Corporate - Headquarters Wash. 

WWSL dispatcher and main line - Montessano Wash. Secondary sites - Coal Grove Wash and Wickwood Wash. 

STC -  Corporate  - Wickwood Wash.

Radio channels.

Channel 1 (161.290 MHz) OPLC Corporate

Channel 2 (161.520 MHz) WWSL dispatcher and main line

Channel 3 (161.404 MHz) STC Corporate

Rules

650. Radio communication systems are under the jurisdiction of the Federal Communica­tions Commission. The Railroad Company and its employees are governed by the Commission is Operating Rules, the requirements of which are included in the following rules. An employee receiving inquiry concerning any viola­tion of such rules shall answer the inquiry within 24 hours after receipt of notice.

651. All employees, except those specifically authorized to do so, are prohibited from mak­ing adjustments to a railroad radio set. Employees so authorized must carry their FCC op­erating license or verification card when on duty. If it appears that a radio transmitter is not operating properly, its use shall be dis­continued. The train dispatcher or yardmaster must be notified when radio is not operating properly.

652. No employee shall knowingly transmit any false distress communication, any unneces­sary, irrelevant or unidentified communication, nor utter any obscene, indecent or profane language via radio.

653. No employee shall divulge or publish the existence, contents, purport, effect or mean­ing of any communication, (distress communi­cations excluded), except to the person for whom the communication is intended, or to another employee of the railroad whose duties may require knowledge of the communication. The above applies either to the communica­tions received direct or to any that may be intercepted.

654. Before transmitting, any employee op­erating a radio transmitting set shall listen a sufficient interval to be sure that the circuit is not already in use, particularly for distress traffic.

655. A distress call will be preceded by the word "Emergency" repeated three times. Such calls shall be used only to cover initial reports of derailments, storms, washouts, fires, obstruc­tions to track, or other matters which would cause serious delay to traffic, damage to prop­erty, injury to employees or the traveling pub­lic, and shall contain as complete information thereon as possible. All employees shall give absolute priority to communications from an­other station in distress, and except in answer­ing or aiding a station in distress shall refrain from sending any communications until there is assurance that no interference will result to the station in distress.

656. Any employee shall permit inspection of the radio equipment in his charge and all FCC documents pertaining thereto, by a duly ac­credited representative of the FCC at any rea­sonable time.

657. Employees must clearly identify the sta­tion, train, engine and employee transmitting or responding to a radio call, and must preface calls with the railroad name or use station call letters.

658. In radio conversation the following terms will be used:

Term      Meaning

Over - end of transmission, over to you.

Out - end of conversation.

Roger - your transmission received and understood.

659. In certain areas some interference may develop with another railroad. In such cases, special care in making identification shall be used, and the employees concerned shall co­operate in handling their business by alternat­ing calls and being as brief as possible.

660. If any communication from a station other than another railroad radio station inter­feres with railroad radio service, the railroad employee shall endeavor to ascertain the iden­tity of such station, and report the occurrence as soon as possible through authorized chan­nels to the Superintendent, giving the exact time, nature of the communication and identity of the station, if possible.

Internationally, the word "MAYDAY" indi­cates a distress message, the word "PAN" an urgent message, and the word "SECURITY" a safety message. Railroad employees may hear such messages sent by aircraft, or, in coastal areas by boats. Railroad employes hearing such messages must report them immediately through authorized channels to the Superin­tendent, in addition to taking such appropriate action to relieve the distress as may be pos­sible.

661. When train or engine movements are to be made in response to radio transmissions, specific instructions must be given as to each movement to be made. When backing or push­ing a train, engine or cars, distance of move­ment must be specified and movement must stop in one half the remaining distance unless additional instructions are received.

662. Railroad radio must not be used for transmitting when located less than 250 feet from the scene of blasting operations, account hazard of detonating dynamite charge where electric caps are used.

The train dispatcher will, upon advice from the foreman in charge, notify all trains operat­ing in that territory the location of such blast­ing operations.

663. When using railroad radio there may be times when employees are not able to con­tact, or get response from another train or wayside station. If necessary to transmit im­portant information, it should be transmitted regardless of whether or not an acknowledg­ment is received. When such information is transmitted, and no acknowledgment is re­ceived, necessary action must be taken based on the belief that the information was not re­ceived.