I was a guard (conductor) and a driver (engineer) in the UK for 35 years and I found this very interesting. It is fascinating to see how we do some things differently and some things the same.

Thousands of intelligent men, inventions made the railway MORE safe, comfortable, fast as we see them today. We pay our tribute to ALL of them. Salutations. Thanks for making OUR lives better. There are MANY others who did the SAME. Thank you ALL scientists, engineers, technicians and the much tortured Capitalists. For being intelligent AND useful to ALL.

I managed at a place that rented cranes. One day some guy at the railroad called me inquiring about renting a crane to remove two old crossing signals so they could be replaced with the larger crossing signal lamps. I had always wanted a railroad crossing signal so I struck up a deal with him. He stopped by my workplace and he told me that he would give me the crossing signal but I was going to have to take some other stuff. It was inventory time and the railroad head honchos wanted a bunch of old stuff gone so it wouldn't count on the upcoming inventory. Long story short I wound up getting three full tractor trailer loads of lights, crossings, cabinets, signs, cantilevers, cast iron crossing signs, old glass relays and about a hundred other things that I can't even remember. Over the last thirty years I have given away about 99% of the stuff.

this gentleman did an excellent job explaining how things have work and are working now. My hat off to you sir.

I really learned a lot by watching this video... thank you!

I love how NS shows a CSX train derailing.

My maternal grandfather worked for C&NW as a gate operator prior to the automatic crossing grade gate systems. I remember the "hut" on stilts he had in a northwest suburb of Chicago, as I got to spend a night in it with him - he gated the last train into Chicago and had to stay there overnight! Huge (to me at that time) control board for two intersections having a two-track mainline. Labor-intensive, and of course subject to the gate operator falling asleep! Good times back in the 1950s.

My grandfather was a gate operator in Arlington Heights, IL for many years before automatic grade crossing signals were installed. He had an elevated "hut" on stilts, and a coal stove to heat it as he stayed overnight. As a young lad I'd walk the tracks scrounging coal with him as my "job" for getting to stay in the hut overnight, riding the train back to the city the next day. What memories those times made! One thing common to EVERY "advancement" made in this video was the elimination of humans, much for safety and reliability, but also for economic reasons; we lamented the passing of the caboose for the same reason as it was the end of an era.

Good gawd! This was entirely enlightening! I had no idea how many complex systems there were JUST in railway systems and communications. I think I have a greater respect for this industry from watching this video.

Great video..My father worked for the railroad for over 32 years starting in Wva with Chessie System L&N , then SCL...(Seaboard Coastline) then CSX took over SCL..Always love to see a train go by...best way to move goods in my opinion but then again coming from a railroad family I'm partial!!

Fascinating video, kudos to NS for making it and putting it into the public domain.

Thank you for providing a clear and concise history of railroad ground operations and evolutions. Too many presentations of railroads in action show rail cars endlessly passing by. I see that every time the gates come down!

I do miss classic signals as they gave each line personality and stood as monument to the many decades of rail service that came before. I loved growing up in northern Indiana - Erie and Monon semaphores, B&O CPLs, PRR/N&W PLs, Wabash searchlights, NYC CLs, etc.

I was a signalman for the D& RGW RR line going from Denver to Salt Lake City starting back in 1970. We had the CTC system for signals DC relay electronics. Thanx for the memories. 🚆

Well done NS. Excellent explanation of how things work.

This was extremely informative! So much resources to keep things flowing. Big ups to the people of long ago who got up everyday to do their assigned jobs.

Enlighten video, liked the contrast of old and new technology. Really appreciated the history on the line side communication circuits. Great video.

I was employed as a Field Service Representative for Harmon Industries from 1989 to 1995. I worked with the PMD and HXP crossing systems and the Hot Box Detector.

I live right near the shot at 2:58. That's pretty cool seeing a glimpse of what my town looked like about 30 years ago.

Wow! I have loved trains (from afar) ever since I was a child in the 50s, but I had no idea how complex the support systems were. Loved this video. Thanks.

I worked for CSX 37 years as a communication tech. Technology changes about every 5 years. The railroad is full of technology. Doesn't look like it from a distance but it is. Upgrade on his hump yard info in the video; Car goes over the hump, radar gun records the speed so it can get the retarder to slow it down if needed, Car id tag on the front is read by an AEI system which will tell the computer which switches to throw and send it down the right track so it will be heading towards its destination. Electronic sorting system. AEI tag readers provide listing of cars in a train. Satellite links to wayside radios and signal switching bungalows for instant control. They need FCC licensed techs all the time.

Neighborhood I grew up in Detroit was blocks from the NYC/penn central hump yard and locomotive service facility and less than 3 miles from the N&W, DT&I yards. I had a front row seat to all the changes shown. The '70's and '80's were a fascinating time in railroad history.

Very nice to see the innovative ways used to keep the railways on the move. It also shows how technology has evolved to replace the labour force of the yesteryear.

the evolution of technology never ceases to amaze me the railroads have come a long way since the systems were implemented.

Thank you for sharing this video with the public as I've been curious about many of these systems for a long time.

Very interesting video, the progressive technology making Railroads more Effective and Efficient, Safer for Railroad Workers and the Public.

This was enjoyable to watch. Thanks NS!

I know I’m late but I have to say, wonderful narration! The music and all the audio is done perfectly. Beautiful piece!

Intresting rail history on signaling and communications!

I absolutely loved this video and shared it on my Ruby Rail Cruisers website, and also shared with other rail fan friends of mine. Good job! I'm looking forward to viewing more videos from your source.

Interesting to see how railroad technology has evolved.

This was very interesting, I come up in the fifties and remember some of this stuff. I know this was put up some time back but thank you.

I could watch this over and over, forever. Mesmerizing, like a camp fire. Dynamic narration; non-stop action!

Wow, to see semaphore signals stateside in action, a rarity. The ball on a rope was common here in the UK, replaced with a flat disc and bar until semaphore became more commonplace on British and other countries networks. My late father began his British Rail career at a signalbox called North Kent Jnc which was historically the very first signalled railway section in the world, he went full circle to finish his career at London Bridge power box but returned to lever boxes in retirement at Swanage Railway. Def pleased to see them US semaphores, like the idea of the third position of the arms which I guess is horizontal=stop, 45 degrees=caution and straight up=full clear ahead? Ours were only ever two position and some of the old gantries like Rugby, Newcastle, even Bath Green Park were incredibly complex rod and cable setups that required massive signalboxes and large teams of signallers.

It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen on film. I love old railway equipment like train signals and old highway crossing equipment.

Saw a long dead friend Mr ling . Used to see him inspecting rail side boxes, then put his seal on the door. Very good man tks Fer well made show and bit of nostalgia.

It is interesting that, while the United States has used automatic level crossing signals almost universally since the 1950's, there are still many places in the world where live signalmen are still used to stop vehicular traffic, including a few places in Portugal and the UK.

Very interesting and comprehensive. Thank you for posting.

I like trains and railroad technology and how it all operates, thanks for the great information on railroad technology of the past and present day.

That was awesome,too watch ‼️ Thank you so much for the clarification on so many different aspects‼️ I have greatly been informed you don’t have no idear💡 thanks again for this exceptional video. 😳☺️

I remember the BNSF Fallbridge Subdivision had pole lines going out of Vancouver, WA until about 12 years ago. The Union Pacific still has some areas in Oregon with lines but they are slowly getting rid of them. Luckily, I found some glass insulators along the track and took them home.

As a person whose transitioning careers into the railroad industry; this is very informative

WOW! I learned a lot from this video. You answered a lot of questions I had .....thank you ;-)

Thank you for this educational video about the different stages of the railroad accessories.

I really loved those PRR signals. And I can still see those old Morse code lines beside the tracks, in the brush

Excellent video and explaination. Thanks.

Love that style of music at the start.

Great train video. Thanks for sharing. 👍

Very good video, there were a few similarities between Australian trains and American, I was in Peterborough SA, including Train orders, semaphore signals, and on standard gauge, color light signals. Brought back a lot of memories to me, and I also recalled the staff exchange on the broad gauge line, between Terowie to Hamely bridge.

Love how it shows the engines running around that are now heritage units and you can’t see them all the time now.

I remember taking form 19’s and 31’s by telephone and how tough it was the first time I handed up orders.

I used to work as a technician for Canadian National Telecommunications, which was part of the railway. Back in the mid 70s, I worked in Northern Ontario on the systems that worked along the tracks. These were the old open wire carrier systems, that carried multiple voice circuits over a pair of wires. Some of the traffic was for signals and also for the dispatcher's phone, train to wayside radio and more. I also worked on the teletype machines and circuits that carried the railroad communications. In addition, I worked on a system that managed freight train consists. My work would also occasionally take me into the dispatchers office, where I could see the big board, showing operation of rail traffic in the region. I also frequently rode freights, to get to work locations. In addition, I managed to salvage a Morse sounder from the CN office in Geraldton, Ontario, before it was demolished. I still have it here.

This video was informative. thank you for this ,I really enjoyed it,and looking forward to the next one.

It was great to see Bridgeport and Forestview Control points here in Chicago.

Hey I real nice video on trains I learned some stuff off of that I never knew before love looking at all your old videos keep them coming please thank you 👍

An interesting watch. I did my EE internship at Harmon in Grain Valley. A friend of the family that worked there kept me well stocked with parts for my school projects. Ended up going into wireless telcom so never got to see the equipment in the field aside from peeking in a couple of crossings that were being worked on.

I'm looking forward to more videos like this. I enjoyed this one a lot.

Great video. Railroads have come a long way!

After the introduction of narrow band by the FCC, communications between the section trucks, track inspectors, signal maintainers, trains, etc have gotten worse, we used to communicate and hear everybody clearly on wide band VHF from one end to the other end of a 2+ mile tunnel, now days we sometimes have to have the DS help relay our communications between the sections, track inspectors, and maintainers.

i wish i could go back to the 60s but take my good camera with me

3:44 NS shows video of rochelle Illinois, on the CNW track, back when it had Griswold signals. They also show more CNW at 5:19.

hey congrats on bringing back the 611 keep up the good work

This is a most interesting video, and the music was absolutely wonderful! Thanks for posting.

I always loved trains and railroads. and have been an HO train modeler for many years.

Not sure why I'm here but I'm learning something new and cool.

Interesting video, very good

Nicely explained and well done.

Another great video NS, keep posting excellent videos like this!

Very interesting video there was a few scenes from videos I already have. Have a happy, safe and prosperous new year e everyone

Really neat and informative video

Thanks,Very interesting and informative.

Very nice, love the music and always love to see a WigWag - Thanks for sharing

Awesome explanation!!

This was an informative video, I liked the choice of vintage film you choose to include. +1

"Hump yard": At the beginning of the yard is a rise in the track, usually located at or near the yard master's tower. Cars are pushed to this point with enough energy to roll over the hump. The yard master makes note of the car and as the car rolls over the hump, gravity keeps the car moving to the correct track to make the consist.

Cool vid, I recall seeing a crossing bar manually cranked when I was a kid, mid 60s, can't recall where exactly but it was in south NJ.

Great history. Thanks.

Very informative and interesting. Good job NS!

working the railway was my fantasy job when i was younger. i grew up near a set of track and a switchback and i would spend my afternoons watching trains come in and out. im alot older now and having a job working trains is just out of the question. oh well...

Thank you for this very informitive video,

This is what helps Norfolk Southern RR win the Harriman award so many times!! This was a very interesting video thanks NS RR .

This is a very fascinating video! As a locomotive engineer for NS. I really love working here!

Thanks for this post.

Great video

Railroad Crossing In Indonesia Still Using Human Controlling Railroad Crossing, Communications Still Pole Lines In Indonesia, & Signal In Indonesia Mostly Electric, Few Lines Using Semaphore. High Density Movement Are Electric Operated By Dispatcher In Indonesia.

In US it is far different than Europe. Not sure if it is in your locos too, but we have some systems that really iimproves safety called RADIOSTOP. Alarm signal to radio triggers emergency breaking. It is not often in use, but when something goes wrong and two trains get on same track (control devices failure, human error or any other accident) it saves lives by stopping both. All railways should be still modernised, especialy contol and safety devices.

grt vid.. i love everything about trains

great video thanks

Nice to see all of those advances introduced by Southern in here.

Great video.

Interesting music choices, love hearing Perfidia, a true blast from the past.

Fun fact: even though the semaphore signals are no longer in use, that's where we get the term "knocking down" signals.

Amazing thanks! ¡

Enjoyed the background music😁

If I worked for the railroad back then I would've been a guy who sits in a shack by the tracks and raises and lowers the crossing gates and watches trains go by. I LOVE TRAINS!

Great video my friend

2:55 Deval interlocking tower at Des Plaines IL, looking north

Great Video

You missed one of the coolest signals around. The railroad torpedoes!! They were still in use in the early 90s, might still be.

Thats the phase motion detector. In short it turns the track into a tuned circuit when the train rolls onto the section it alters the tuning and activates the crossing. While its moving the tuning is constantly changing holding the crossing active. If the tuning isnt changing but not its normal after a preset time it times out and deactivates the crossing but the instant it changes again it reactivates IE a train has parked in the detection zone.