Virginian in 1908 -- Telephones

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Bluefield Daily Telegraph
September 10, 1908

RUN TRAINS BY "PHONE"
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Virginian Railway to be Equipped for Double Service Over Same Wire

    Since the Virginian railway has commenced to prepare for train service it has developed that not only is the line to be equipped with telegraphic wires, but they are to be so arranged that phone service can be used over the same wires.
    The whole line is to be equipped with the double service.  By this system, if the telegraph works badly, the phone can be used.
    Another great advantage is that while all employes cannot telegraph nearly all can talk, and no doubt the line will be so arranged that an engineer or fireman can make a connection at any point on the line and report to an office.
    This service is used in a small way on several northern railways, but so far as known the Virginian will be the first to adopt it on the larger scale.
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[It's good to know that nearly all Virginian employees could talk!  Can anyone explain how this "double service" was accomplished on the same wires without interference?]

Gordon Hamilton
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