Re: Professional Advice to former GLRR, Inc.

Did the crews not carry radios and have radios in the cabs? I know they weren't under FRA, but had they been I believe it is a requirment along with their being a redundant radio in the cab. We normally have a hand held in the fireman's seat box, in case the mounted radio fails, or if we have a head end brakeman, his radio provides a backup. We operate with hand signals as much as possible, but from time to time the engineer will not be looking for the highball, or signal for a brake test as he may be preoccupied with conversation or lunch. Someone who was training me few years back, pointed out if you key the mike on your raido, the static and clicking in the cab, usually gives them the heads up to look back, without a word said. I visited another tourist rr last summer where they used hand signals, but the conductor carred a big silver whistle. When he wanted to get the attention of the engineer to receive a signal he would give a big tweet on the whistle. Low tech, but effective, and easier on equipment than unnessary emergency applications. No offence or criticism to the GTL, as I have no idea what their procedures were/are.