Railroaders' Nostalgia > Use of Railroad Intercom System

Norm Orfall and a few other "old head" ATM's that was Assistant Trainmaster in those days and not Automated Teller Machine, taught me as the newbie on the appropriate use of the High Tower intercom and radio system. Rule number one was making comments you did not want to come back to haunt and taunt you should not go out over the intercom. However, it was hard to overcome a mechanical or electrical problem with the system once in awhile that got us into trouble. One of our deceased fellow ATM's fell into such a trap one night. Our desk up there had a plastic chair pad on the carpet before the days of little plastic spikes were molded into them to keep them from shifting on the carpet. As this unfortunate ATM found out, this pad could shift and it did at the wrong time. There was a foot pedal on the floor and the shift was created and pedal depressed and after talking to one of the clerks in the Agent's office said ATM began to transmit how he could help her out with any sexual issues that she might be having. All of the sudden the hot line to the High Tower was ringing and another clerk who was hearing this being blasted in the Agent's office called to advise the ATM he might want to fix that intercom pedal right away. Said ATM had to amble on down to the Agents office and make a big apology before the end of the shift.

Any other intercom stories?

Jim Wilson

While working in the high tower one afternoon, I heard the "loud click" of the elevator working, which meant someone was coming up to the tower. A quick glance over the edge of the tower didn't tell us whose car was parked below. Then I heard the elevator door open and some people talking as they ascended the interior stairway to the main floor of the tower. Say, I know that voice. Rich and mellow, who is that? And then I knew! It was John Reed, President and chairman of Santa Fe, with about three or four others. I turned to the intercom panel on the desk and puched the button for the Superintendents office, flopped my big foot on the pedal and turned toward Reed and his guests, greeting them with " Well, Mr. Reed, what a surprise! How nice to see you today!". With a deft motion I clicked the button off and lifted my foot off the pedal before the super could reply.
The superintendent made it from the terminal building to the high tower, about 1 and 1/2 miles, in record time!.

TIOGA PASS



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/24/13 18:54 by aronco.

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Funny story. And good foot movement. I see that private car often. Is it yours?

Great stories!

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR

That is my favorite TIOGA PASS story...classic-cool, collected and quick thinking is important when you are in the "Tower of Power"