From what I understand the Long Island railroad issued the last traditional train order tonight, thus ending an age old practice. I knew the LIRR was the last major carrier to use this method of train control, but I didn't actually realize they still used it, if this is true another of railroadings links to the golden age has passed into the history books. Kudos to the LIRR for keeping this practice alive for as long as they have, I guess a few scattered semaphores across the country and some short line first generation diesels are about all that's left of the early years that isn't preserved at a museum.
Don't forget about all the coaling towers that still dot the rails. I know they are not used... but, still there to remind all of us. Dan
We have discussed this at link here in the past, but Train Orders and their use was an art, and now I guess we can add it to the (many) lost arts of railroading.
When I was a kid, I probably spent more time hanging out at the Lawrenceburg (KY) depot than I did at home. Every day after school I would go there and stay for a couple of hours, and that was my first real lessons in railroading. I probably knew more about 19R's and clearance cards than any teen needed to know!