Telephone Systems for Layout Operations

[Anonymous]

I've seen references to using telephones for operators and dispatchers. How do these "closed circuit" systems work? Is there a how-to article somewhere?

Thanks!

[Big_Boy_4005]

It wouldn't be too hard to create an open "party line" with normal telephones. Then all you would need is a way to signal each station, sort of like an intercom.

There are old commercial phone systems that have these features built in. I have a system like this in my house, but am considering picking up another for my layout. There is a lot of this kind of stuff for sale on eBay.

Another option that is popular is little 2 way radio sets. These can be picked up at Radio Shack, and I suspect on eBay as well.

I'm sure there are a lot of different ways to do this.

[Anonymous]

Thanks,

My layout is set "pre-radio" (1920's), so the easiet option won't work - story of my life!

[ndbprr]

Well first of all your home phone runs on 24volts DC which should be easy to power. I have a friend who got some old wall phones and stationed them at various locations. Then he installed a separate buzzer system and uses the morse code for the first letter of the location as a call sign for the person there to pick up the phone. The phone system is always on and is like a big party line so if more than one person picked up they would immediately be part of the conversation.

[Jetrock]

It would certainly be fun to find a few antique phones (the old ones where you talk into the microphone on the stand or box and hold the separate earpiece to your ear) for such an operation--for that added touch, a dispatcher with a phone on a telescoping metal arm like one sees in old photos of dispatchers' offices!

Or, for the ultimate in low-tech realism, get some Morse code sets and start tapping! Put that Morse code merit badge to work!!

[ahuffman]

Check out the following article.

Telephones on the Huntington Northern
Railroad Model Craftsman, April 1999 page 78
Author: Joseph Birsa