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<blockquote data-quote="Sandpatch" data-source="post: 112278" data-attributes="member: 10543">A lot of railroad pole lines are coming down.&nbsp; They are hazardous and expensive to maintain and most communication went to radio long ago.&nbsp; Some railroads maintain pole lines for CTC (Centralized Traffic Control - remote dispatching of lines where signals and turnouts are worked from hundreds of miles away) and/or to trickle charge batteries which provide back-up power to signals, turnouts, radio base stations and grade crossing flashers during commercial utility power outages.&nbsp; In my area, Norfolk Southern has major projects underway to remotely operate signals and turnouts by radio.&nbsp; Pole lines fading rapidly.&nbsp; Commercial electricity is easier to access, so trickle charging runs can be short.Trivia: Railroad communication lines aren't run through most tunnels -- they stay outside on pole lines up and over the mountaintops.&nbsp; That way if there was a tunnel collapse communication woudn't be cut.&nbsp; I miss the pole lines -- they are one of the few traditional remaining lineside details we can use in our pictures!&nbsp; I have a few insulators around here, in ceramic, clear glass and green glass I think.&nbsp; The pole lines in your area are beautiful nikonpup.&nbsp; Haven't seen such in 30 years here.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Sandpatch, post: 112278, member: 10543"] A lot of railroad pole lines are coming down. They are hazardous and expensive to maintain and most communication went to radio long ago. Some railroads maintain pole lines for CTC (Centralized Traffic Control - remote dispatching of lines where signals and turnouts are worked from hundreds of miles away) and/or to trickle charge batteries which provide back-up power to signals, turnouts, radio base stations and grade crossing flashers during commercial utility power outages. In my area, Norfolk Southern has major projects underway to remotely operate signals and turnouts by radio. Pole lines fading rapidly. Commercial electricity is easier to access, so trickle charging runs can be short. Trivia: Railroad communication lines aren't run through most tunnels -- they stay outside on pole lines up and over the mountaintops. That way if there was a tunnel collapse communication woudn't be cut. I miss the pole lines -- they are one of the few traditional remaining lineside details we can use in our pictures! I have a few insulators around here, in ceramic, clear glass and green glass I think. The pole lines in your area are beautiful nikonpup. Haven't seen such in 30 years here. [/QUOTE]

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