nanog mailing list archives

Re: (perhaps off topic, but) Microwave Towers


From: Andy Ringsmuth <andy () newslink com>
Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2018 10:10:40 -0500


On Jul 14, 2018, at 9:54 AM, Miles Fidelman <mfidelman () meetinghouse net> wrote:

Hi Folks,

I find myself driving down Route 66.  On our way through Arizona, I was surprised by what look like a lot of 
old-style microwave links.  They pretty much follow the East-West rail line - where I'd expect there's a lot of fiber 
buried.

Struck me as somewhat interesting.

It also struck me that folks here might have some comments.

Miles Fidelman

I’m not 100 percent positive, but from what I recall in my time down that way as a contractor for $major_railroad, I 
believe they are or were used by the railroad for their communication links. They may not necessarily be in service any 
longer though. Probably one of those instances where “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” In other words, if the tower 
isn’t falling down or a hazard, why spend the money to go remove it?

I know as recently as 2003, BNSF Railway was still using and upgrading microwave infrastructure in Chicago.

http://reference.newslink.com/current-pubs/CHIC/CHIC0304.pdf   (see page 2)


----
Andy Ringsmuth
andy () newslink com
News Link – Manager Technology, Travel & Facilities
2201 Winthrop Rd., Lincoln, NE 68502-4158
(402) 475-6397    (402) 304-0083 cellular


Current thread: