While rail fanning with my grandson, I heard on the radio the term VI used. An example would be "Train no. or Engine no.- VI (or TI, DI, or something sounding like that). It sounded similar to the conversation to a Dispatcher, but was directed to VI. What are they referring to? I did a search on our forums and Googled it with no luck. My grandson asked and I was just as curious as he. Anyone know what they are referring to?
Thanks,
Jim
Can’t say as I’ve heard it, but knowing which railroad is involved might help those who do know explain it to you. Some context would be helpful, too.
Squeeze,
I agree with tree68,Ive never heard this term used in my area…Some more conversation content might help…
Jim,
That would most likely be the dispatcher’s desk designation for that particular stretch of track or subdivision the train was occupying. Down here on the CSX, individual dispatcher desks use two-letter designations… dispatcher JA, JB, JC, etc… J stands for Jacksonville in this particular example. I could be wrong, but, I’d be inclined to believe that is the case.
Location was Connellsville Yard (CSX) and I don’t recall the conversations explicitly. There was a lot of chatter between Dispatch, signal maintainers/MoW, Yard shuttle, and road engines. What I do recall was there were many requests for “VI” and was not the voice of Dispatcher. I didn’t notice the freq. that was used, but the 2 dominant channels were the road (160.230 Mhz) and Yard (160.550 Mhz). BTW this was the first time I saw the W&LE come into the yard. Too bad I don’t have a camera to get pics.
Jim
Did a little research…
Is it possible it’s “BI?”
If that’s the case, you’re probably hearing mileposts along a former B&O line, possibly signals being called. I
Here’s a page with information on CSX dispatchers and their territories. Your road frequency also squares with BI mileposts.
“VI” is the dispatcher ? That’s what ot sounds like. So engine number to VI or whatever the letter, would be the train refering to the dispatcher.
CSX in Buffalo Belt Line calls the dispatcher “NG”
VI are the old telegraph call letters for the operator at Connellsville. The trains were calling the operator who controls the switches and signals near Connellsvile. Mark
The operator’s office at Connellsville is often referred to by its former telegraph symbol ‘VI’. The operator at Connellsville is the only operator left between Cumberland and New Castle. With the relocation of the CSX Train Dispatchers from Jacksonville to Baltimore and a slight territory shift between Dispatchers. The BA Dispatcher (Formerly AS) controls the territory from West Pittsburgh to VI office at Connellsville. The BB Dispatcher (Formerly CM) controls the territory from VI office to Cumberland and onto Weverton (the West end of the yard at Brunswick, MD)