Off Key?

[Mookie]

What keys do you use in your job on the railroad - besides your car/truck key to get to the job, silly!

Mookie

[CShaveRR]

I used to have switch keys for UP, CNW, and IHB. I lost my key chain a couple of years ago, and never replaced them. I don't need them on my job (though I really would have preferred to keep them as collector's items!). The CNW switch key was good for unlocking things on the old Metra passenger cars, well after UP changed the switch locks.

I use a key to open my locker at work (same key I lock my bike with!).

[mudchicken]

Roadmasters tend to have:

Switch Keys (Adlake, Sargent & Greenlee, American)... In LA I had 14 for 5 railroads
(Including oddball mechanical and interlocking keys)

Coach Key/ Skeleton Key

Security Keys (master or slaymaker)....2-3 standard issue, gets you in outbuidings, gates, lockboxes, etc.....on Santa Fe they were A-1 and S-1 keys

Security keys for other departments.... (Signal, Communications, B&B etc.) to get in certain gates and doors....

A reverser....

multiple office keys....

(A roadmaster/ tracksupervisor usually has more keys than any of the operating or mechanical guys by a wide margin......Wife used to laugh at me at the end of the day unloading my pockets when I got home)

Had 2 garage door opener remotes to activate gates at certain private at-grade crossings in and out of piggyback yards and transfer facilities...

[Mookie]

I got an e-mail regarding the keys - I should make my request more specific. I don't want you to give out information that is classified, was just wondering in general. I was thinking about this while watching the crossing gates go up and down several times - and remember someone said the crew had a "key" to open up the crossing at will.

Figure there is one for the door to the cab, so just wondering in general what they were and if they still used switch keys - (I remember Dad's old switch key!) Sorry for not enough information - but looks like my e-mail and old Muddy explained what I wanted to know!

[MP57313]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mudchicken

Had 2 garage door opener remotes to activate gates at certain private at-grade crossings in and out of piggyback yards and transfer facilities...

Ahh...is that how that works. Thanks for explaining that. I had thought someone in the nearby tower watched for vehicles and lifted the gates for "authorized personnel".
MP

[Mookie]

No church key?

[mudchicken]

UP Hobart tower and the Yardmaster at BNSF Hobart do have that capability.....The gates to UPS, etc. are still tied into the track circuits and will not open if a train is in the circuit....

[mudchicken]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

No church key?

Working for the Grand Railroad of the "Holy Faith" was enough, thank you....Think BN kept the SF in the company name so the BN heathen did not go straight to Hades[:D][}:)][}:)]

[CShaveRR]

Yes, there were some grade crossings that had controls in a box protected by switch keys. I was able to do the crew (well, actually, the motorists) a favor by raising the gates for them while they pumped up their air. I did this with their knowledge and permission, of course, since I was not a part of the crew. When they were ready to go, they told me to drop the gates, and I did.

[Mookie]

Why would a mudchicken have a reverser? Does Mother Know?

[mudchicken]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

Why would a mudchicken have a reverser? Does Mother Know?

Because the mechanical dept., supt., trainmaster and the RFE would show up at the derailment site at 2am and wouldn't remember to bring one. (and the switch crew had already gone home as fast as they could, taking their reverser with 'em like they should)...

Always prepared! (And I had a world class teacher, Asst. Supt./RFE who taught me how to run an engine in mountain territory and in a yard "just so I understood")[:D][:D][:D]

[mudchicken]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR

Yes, there were some grade crossings that had controls in a box protected by switch keys. I was able to do the crew (well, actually, the motorists) a favor by raising the gates for them while they pumped up their air. I did this with their knowledge and permission, of course, since I was not a part of the crew. When they were ready to go, they told me to drop the gates, and I did.

There also were ABS Automatic Interlockings where you could use the keys to occupy the plant, and at least two tunnels in ABS/CTC country that still had enough of a staff system in place to protect you while hi-railing or walking thru the tunnel.