Dick - Not posted to nit pick even tho it is. Those employees at the switches are/were more than likely Switch Tenders. They probably are Conductors and take direct instruction from the Dispatcher as to how the various switches are to be lined. My reccollection of Binney Jct., however is that the switches were power. I know some had been removed and maybe the ones replaced were hand throw. The reason for having the switches manned in such a manner would be to keep each train using the switches from having to contact the Dispatcher to get authority to use the switches and the route lined up. It would be a big time saver. Andy