I was reading a post about another topic, and the fellow commented about 2 way radio in steam locos. Does anybody know what year, if at all, a 2 way system, either radio or the induction telephone, was installed in a steam engine, or maybe it was not in the loco but in the caboose where they could possible hear it. I've never seen a picture of the cab of a steamer where I could see a remote control to a radio, an antenna, or a handset which would make more sense than a speaker and mic. Referring to the days when steam was still mainline, and not excursions and restorations of today.
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Did you try a Google search? The PRR was the first to develop "Train Phone", first tested in 1936 and perfected by about 1943. Lots more information was provided.
In the 1960's Motorola made a special version of their handheld VHF two-way portable radio for the railroads.
Edwin Alexander's book on the PRR first published in 1947 has a photo of a steam locomotive engineer using a handset as part of their "Train Phone" system.
Missabe Road had radios on/in their steam locomotives.
So did N&W, D&RGW, CB&Q, C&S, FW&D, GTW, CNR, CPR, B&O, NKP, UP, IC, but no radios ! Guess their whistles were their radios !
Missouri Pacific experimented with radios in their steam locomotives sometime in the late 40's / early 50's.
You can go to YouTube and watch PRR Publicity Film "Clear Track Ahead". HIGHLY recommend if you have never seen it! Anyhow shows Engineer Jim in the Cab of his T1 using Trainphone to talk to tower, other trains and the caboose and has an Animation explaining how it works!
Did NOT show him saying Clear The Track I intend to do 110 MPH gotta beat the Empire State Express. LOL
Had to use his name (easy to remember for me) - Jim
Actually probably should have said 140 MPH. Wikipedia claims they were operated up to 146 MPH.
Now you know why I chose MainLine Steam as my Screen Name - Jim