Eastern Railroad Discussion > Getting started:Rail Radio Language

From the dispatcher or T&E--"Here we go !"

This is one of my favorite expressions to hear.

What are yours ?

Thanks

Mark

Fort Wayne, Indiana

From the dispatcher to the train, "you are going to be meeting three at...."

Posted from iPhone

Dispatcher mumbling to self "Splendid, just splendid"

From the dispatcher, '....we've got some traffic...'!

"Jackson Five on the south side."

Bill Miller
Galt, ON

Alabama East End Dispatcher to west bound crews out of Atlanta specifically on Saturdays.... " we'll get you home in time for the game.. Roll Tide"

i always wanted to hear, "that is correct" from anybody involved in train or m.o.w. operations.........

66

"So your having EOT trouble? Is it broke or because your 18 billion feet long?"

Posted from iPhone

Heard for many years around West Chicago:

"Highball the birds"
"Highball the stacks"
"Highball the racks"
"Highball the junk"
"Highball the bins"

Train type self-explanatory.

JG

From the dispatcher:  "Come on big dog, let's rock and roll".  

One of MY favorites was eastbound nearing Barstow, CA on BNSF, "steps, everything through but the crew".
​JB

howeld Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "So your having EOT trouble? Is it broke or
> because your 18 billion feet long?"
>
> Posted from iPhone

LOL, this has to be the best one! I heard that was a CSX problem going through New River
Gorge,WV, the billion feet long thing!

dispacter to train  "can't accomodate that--it just doesn't fit into the Big Picture"
                                                   also
Dispatcher's initials  ALV   "Another Lonely Victim"

Brian Stevens

3rdswitch Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> One of MY favorites was eastbound nearing Barstow,
> CA on BNSF, "steps, everything through but the
> crew".
> ​JB

yea, changing crews at the steps for us needles crews was a good thing........

66

"That'll do!"
 

http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,1292720,1294708#msg-1294708 Date: 12/05/06 22:53 Re: Railroad Radio Humor...5 years later

http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,248769,248927#msg-248927 Date: 06/08/03 09:45 Re: Quotable lines as heard on RR radio.

TAW

"OK,,,,,,go ahead and back up!"

Thanks TAW.
A fun look back.

Mark

Posted from Android

This thread reminded me of back in the late 1960's.
I bought a used tube radio that could pick up police, fire
departments, railroads, taxis, etc.

One Summer afternoon, I was sitting in my backyard,
scanning the dial. There was traffic on the Penn Central
or Pennsylvania Railroad band from the B&P Tower.
Anyhow, the microphone had been left open! There
was a broadcast of some very 'colorful' language.
This went on for about 10 minutes. Before I heard a
phone ring and then suddenly there was a click and
it was off the air. Someone must havecalled them and
said, "Hey buddy, your conversation for the last 10
minutes has been going out over the airwaves." I
was chuckling to myself and wndering what kind
of dressing down he got for that mistake!!

During the trip to Portland, OR with UP 844, for the double header trip with 4449, we were enroute to Pocotello, ID.; the Dispatcher called "UP XXXXX Sub Dispatcher to UP 8444.". The Pilot Engineer started to reach for the mic, and my Engineer quickly said, "Don't answer him, as he is confused. He either wants the 'Steam Special'  or the diesel with the REAL number 8444. Wait 'til he figures EXACTLY who he wants to talk to.". After awhile, the Dispatcher called "UP 8444" again,,,,,,,,and again we didn't answer. The third time, the same thing happened, "UP 8444).

Finally, after quite a long pause, the Dispatcher comes back on the radio with "UP XXXXX Sub Dispatcher to the Steam Special, near mile pole XXXX.". Our Pilot Engineer quickly answered, and received instructions for our future movements, from the Dispatcher. Finally, ant the conclusion of the conversation, the Dispatcher asked, "By the way, what is your engine number?", and the answer went back, "We are UP 844,,,,,,,,,,many years ago it USED TO BE 8444, but now there is another diesel on the system with the number 8444, and we thought you were calling him earlier." The response from the Dispatcher was only, "OK,,,,,thanks.".