Nudge Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SP had them right up to the end. Usually a one
> mile circle from the depot or on duty point. When
> they closed the freight depot in Santa Barbara,
> crews were going thru to LA & SLO, they moved all
> the crew stuff up to the station. I got the old
> call book. I donated it to the Goleta Depot
> foundation. Just the contents of it could have
> caused a string of family problems back in the
> day. Notes on where to find someone, what gin
> mill, etc. Also phone numbers for people out of
> the calling area. (I was even in there with my
> mothers phone number in Goleta from 69)
>
> SLO called within a mile of the crew dispatchers
> office. We had a lot of Apple Knockers (Wat. Jct.
> trainmen) staying around that didn't have a phone.
> A lot of the old heads wanted to be called by the
> caller, not by phone.
>
> When the SP started to provide lodging in Wat.
> Jct. for engine crews, they used the phone.
> Same in Santa Barb at the hotel on State St.
>
> As times changed, very few people lived in the one
> mile circle, so the callers just faded away. If a
> situation came up, the crew dispatcher or clerk
> would call the person if needed.
>
>
> Again, those callers knew everything about
> everybody. Where they ate, slept and drank. They
> were a big part of railroading.
>
>
>
>
> Nudge

That is all true and towns like SLO ( The old wild west of the SP) and Buggersfield, they knew what cat houses the hoggas and con's would go to to find them too. Ahhh those good old days of real railroading.