Introduction to the Alberta MTC Line Project 2026

 Greetings

Way back in January 2024 I sent a brief introduction on the Alberta MTC Line Project our to the Alberta Museums Association List Server and I figure it is time for an update and a little more detail!

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My name is Kevin Jepson and I am a board member for the Calgary Chapter of the international Morse Telegraph Club. I am also the "Wire Chief", I.E. the technical lead, and instigator of the Alberta MTC Line Project.

The ABMTC Line Project is an ambitious plan to connect museums, and other groups in Western Canada, that are interested in preserving and demonstrating land line Morse Telegraphy, to a functional telegraph line running across the Internet.  Land line Morse was used by railways and commercial telegraph systems in Canada from the advent of the CPR in the 1870s right up to the last telegraph message sent on the CPR telegraph system a hundred years later in 1973. The telegraph was THE long distance communication system. The project is connecting old telegraph equipment, that many museums have in their collections, to our working telegraph line. Many small museums across Western Canada are actually housed in old train stations where that equipment was actually used. There is a surprisingly large amount of this equipment gathering dust in our collections or in static displays. We aim to bring it back to life to make our displays actually work, to add the sounds of Morse code to these displays and keep the sound of Morse alive. We don't just want canned sounds we want the line to carry real telegraph traffic from real people!

Since 2024 and to-date we have connected 9 museums and groups, 6 in Alberta and 3 in BC, to the line and there are more than 30 groups and museums who have expressed an interest in getting connected. We have interested museums and groups across Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. We have also received expressions of interest from as far North as the Yukon, as far West as Southern Vancouver Island, and as far East as Quebec. 

As part of the project it was necessary to develop an inexpensive, standard, turnkey interface setup that would make connecting physical telegraph equipment to the Internet easy, safe, and secure. Our system enables Morse code to be sent across a virtual telegraph line to other stations just like it would have been sent across those thousands of miles of physical wire! Our setup has been very successful and as long as a site has some kind on internet access available we can usually get it hooked up.

The website for the project has a map showing the current active stations on the line updated in real time. Feel free to check it out here: https://abkob.servehttp.com
The software used to make the connection has the ability to translate the Morse code traffic into English letters and there is a real time transcript of the traffic available here: https://abkob.servehttp.com/traffic.html

It does a fairly good job with the old pros but for us just learning to send it can be... "interesting".

In order for the project to be successful we also need people to use it.
To that end we focus on education and training on the use of American or land line Morse Code (which is different than International Morse code used on radios), and the history of the telegraph in Canada and elsewhere in the world. Of course the telegraph was intimately linked with the railroad, but it was also used for government, banking, newspapers, and other commercial traffic. We have resources available for learning to send and receive American Morse Code, and technical information on keeping this old equipment working properly. Many of these resources are available through our low volume mailing list at: https://groups.io/g/Alberta-MTC and the website for the Calgary chapter of the Morse Telegraph Club here: https://alberta-mtc.blogspot.com/

At Supertrain in Calgary last year I was interviewed by a Ham Radio video blogger, Vince d'Eon, about the project.
You can see that video here: https://youtu.be/-jM10EvASBE

I send out a semi-regular update on the status of the project and am happy to add anyone interested to that mailing list.

If this sounds interesting and you would like more information, or would like to participate in the ABMTC Line Project, please reach out to me, Kevin Jepson, at albertamtcline@gmail.com

73 (Telegrapher's code for 'Best Wishes')
Ciao
Kevin Jepson (KJ)
Instigator and Wire Chief
Alberta MTC Line Project

Calgary (CG) Chapter
 Morse Telegraph Club

February Operator-Agent post

This month's Operator Agent post is a big one!

Larry presents the the details from the "Rule Book" that every employee of the Railroad including Operator-Agents was supposed to be familiar with. 

The rules applicable for Operator-Agents are highlighted.

Enjoy
73

You can start from the beginning of Larry's series with Part 1 here.

The job of the Train Order Operator 

and

Timetable and Train Order Operations

by Larry Isenor

Part 5

The Rule Book

The rule book is the main authority for the operation of trains and train orders.

It consists of a number of sections:

General Rules:

This section has a group of safety rules for all operating employees including rule G:

The use of intoxicants or narcotics by employees subject to duty, or their possession while on duty, is prohibited.

Rules 1 to 6 cover standard time and timetables.

Rules 7 to 35 cover signals including hand and lamp signals, whistle signals, and signals on trains such as flags and markers.

Rules 40 to 49 cover protection of trains.

Rules 71 to 152 cover actual train operations.

Rules 201 to 223 cover train order operations

A section after 223 covers the forms of train orders. These are used where possible but other information can be added to train orders to clarify them.

Rules 246 to 673 cover fixed signals such as train order, block signals and movement by signal indication.

The main section we are concerned with are the train order rules so below are some of the more important points.

Train Order Rules

The following rules are from the Uniform Code of Operating Rules and are the rules which apply to the train order operator. There are a number of other rules that cover dispatching, issuing orders after a clearance has been given, failure of communication and other contingencies.

Rule 201

For movements requiring their use, train orders will be issued by authority and over the signature of the superintendent or designated train dispatchers and only contain information or instructions essential to such movements.

They must be brief and clear; in the prescribed forms when applicable; and without erasure, alteration, or interlineation.

Rule 202

Each train order must be given in the same words to all employees or trains addressed.

Rule 204

Train orders, except those relating to track or other conditions, must be numbered consecutively beginning at midnight.

Train orders relating to track or other conditions must be numbered consecutively, using a separate series of numbers, and re-issued if contin

Rule 206

In train orders, regular trains will be designated by numbers such as “No 10 Eng 756", Sections as “Second 10 Eng 756", “Psgr Extra 234 East”, “Mixed Extra 234 East”, “Plow Extra 234 East”, etc.

Work extras will be designated as “Work Extra 234".

Engines of other railways will be designated by their initials and numbers, as Eng ABC 234", “Extra ABC 234 East”, or “No 76 Eng ABC 234:.

When two or more engines are coupled, or when a combination of units are operated in multiple service, the number of the leading engine or unit will be used in train orders, except when an engine or unit is placed in the head endo of a train to operate over a portion of the subdivision only, the number of the engine operating through may be used.

To express even hours in train orders the word “oclock” will be used as “nine oclock 900 am (or pm)” and the words “noon” or “night” will be used instead of “am” or “pm” where midday or midnight is involved as “ twelve oclock 1200 noon (or night)”.

In transmitting and repeating train orders by telephone, train order numbers, and the numbers of trains and engines in the address, will be pronounced and then spelled letter by letter. All stations and numerals in the body of an order must first be plainly pronounced and then spelled letter by letter, thus: Aurora A-u-r-o-r-a, and one nought five o-n-e n-o-u-g-h-t f-i-v-e.

Rule 207

Before transmitting a train order, the train dispatcher must give the signal 19R or 19Y followed by the direction to each office addressed, the number of copies being stated, if mor or less than three, as: “19R east copy 2" , or “19Y west copy 7", and receive the proper response from the operator as prescribed by rule 221.

Rule 209

Operators receiving train orders must write or typewrite them in manifold on the prescribed form during transmission. They must retain a copy of each train order. The word “complete”, the time, and the signature of the operator must be in his handwriting.

If for any reason a train order is to be rewritten, the operator must make additional copies from one previously repeated, and repeat to the train dispatcher from the new copy each time additional copies are made. The date of issue, repeated time, “complete”, and time must not be changed, and the name of the operator who first copied the order will be shown with the initials of the opeator who made the additional copies.

The train dispatcher must make a record in the train order book of each repetition.

When an error is made in transmitting a train order and before it has been repeated, all copies of that order must be immediately destroyed, the order marked “void” in the train order book, and if re-issued, given another number.

Rule 211

Clearance must be filled out by the operator before clearing a train, showing thereon, without erasure or alteration, the number of each tain order, if any, for that train with other required information, and will then transmit to the train dispatcher, from the clearance, the number of such orders as “Winnipeg, clear No 17 with orders numbers 1,2 and 3", or “Winnipeg, clear No 17 orders nil”. The train dispatcher will make the required record in the train order book and check the order numbers, and if correct will respond by giving OK, the time and his initials, which the operator will endorse on the clearance.

Clearances must be delivered, together with all train orders, to the trains addressed. Train and enginemen must see that their train is correctly designated and that train order numbers shown on the clearance correspond with the number of the train orders received. Operators must retain a copy of each clearance.

Rule 222

Except as otherwise provided, operators must promptly record and report to the train dispatcher from the train register where provided, the time of arrival and departure of all trains and the direction of extra trains.

They must, when practicable, observe trains and report at once to the train dispatcher if proper signals are not displayed.

Rule 223

The following signals and abbreviations may be used:

ABS Automatic Block Signal System

CTC Centralized Traffic Control

Com Complete

Cy Copy

Eng Engine

Frt Freight

Jct Junction

Mins Minutes

No Number

NS No Display of Train Order Signal

OK Correct

OS Train Report

Opr Operator

Psgr Passenger

SD Signal Displayed, adding R or Y as required

Sub Subdivision

9 To clear the line for train orders

23 Message to all

Initials for signature of the superintendent or train dispatcher.

Office Signals indicated in the timetable.

The usual abbreviations for the names of the months.

In transmitting, repeatin, copying and recording train orders, spelling of station names must be exactly as shown in the time table.

No other abbreviations are authorized.

Note: some sections dealing with the job of the dispatcher and failure of communications have been omitted.

========================

Next month Larry begins a section on Railway Mail and Express Operations

The Crew

 An interesting taxonomy of a Railroad crew.
Courtesy of Joe F on the MKOB mail list.

73
Ciao
KJ

January Operator-Agent Post

For this first Operator-Agent Post of 2026 Larry talks about the telegraph procedures used when receiving a train order from the dispatcher.

73
Enjoy

You can start from the beginning of Larry's series with Part 1 here.

The job of the Train Order Operator 

and

Timetable and Train Order Operations

by Larry Isenor

Part 4

Receiving Train Orders:

Procedures are in use to ensure that train orders are delivered in a proper fashion and to prevent any confusion. As we are only doing this as a demonstration, the train orders have no effect but they demonstrate the method of train control during the park’s time frame.

The dispatcher will first send the station code to the receiving station:

MN for Midnapore

R for Laggan

SA for Shepard

BO was originally used for Bowell but this office was closed before WW1

Station addressed will reply with the station code

Dispatcher will give type of order and number of copies:

19 West cpy 5 - 19 order West 5 copies (for engineer, conductor of 2 trains and operator)

If 3 copies are required number of copies is not necessary as 3 is assumed.

The operator will set train order signal to stop (we only have 2 aspect signals)

and reply SDR West - signal displayed red west

The dispatcher will then dictate the order - for example:

ORDER NO 13

TO EXTRA 2023 WEST AT MIDNAPORE

EXTRA 2023 WEST MEET EXTRA 2024 EAST AT SHEPARD

EXTRA 2024 EAST TAKE SIDING

KWA

The initials are those of the dispatcher.

The operator will repeat the order back to the dispatcher who will reply with

COM 1245 KWA

Operator will write complete, the time and their signature on the bottom of the order.

A clearance should also be started for the train listing the orders. The clearance will be requested from the dispatcher as the train approaches:

MH CLEAR EXTRA 2023 WITH ORDER 13

The dispatcher will reply OK with the time and his initials:

OK 1145 KWA

The operator will enter this on the clearance with the last train ahead and staple the clearance to the train orders.

The train orders will be attached to the train order hoops and delivered to the engineer and conductor as the train passes.

The time of passing should be noted and added to the train register once returning to the station.

If no further orders are held for delivery the train order signal can be set to proceed. (We usually leave it at stop as we try to hoop up orders to each train. If no orders are needed a clearance with nil can be issued.

===============

Next month will a massive post dealing with the infamous "Rule Book" that every Operator-Agent needed to be familiar with.

From the Chief Dispatcher

Happy New Year everyone. Welcome to 2026!
An update from me is long overdue.

MTC Calgary finished 2024 with just over 30 members and our finances in good shape.

Early in January 2025 we received an official version of our chapter charter from the MTC international office, some 25 years after the Calgary chapter was first formed. Better late than never I suppose.

In March we held our annual general meeting where discussions ranged from membership to incorporation to goings on at Heritage Park to the MTC line project. The level of interest was great to see. We also submitted our application to be incorporated as a not-for-profit under Alberta’s Society Act. Incorporation will give us formal standing and help in obtaining grants to fund expansion of the line project.

In April we attended Supertrain, Calgary’s premiere annual model railway show. It was held for the first time in the Olympic Oval at the University of Calgary. It was well attended and the new venue was enjoyed by all.

We commenced our efforts at Heritage Park in May under our alter egos as the Heritage Park Morse Telegraph Club, working Tuesday’s and Saturday’s. In September we attended Railway Days, the parks annual railway extravaganza. We continued to support and steward the junior telegrapher program as well. We had a busy summer and when the regular season ended at Thanksgiving we had worked over 300 shifts, a truly amazing feat! We finished the year at the park by working several days during their Once Upon A Christmas event. In the end we had handled over 140 telegrams to Santa.

We joined the Historical Society of Alberta and the Canadian Pacific Historical Association as corporate members as part of our networking efforts.

On the outreach front we did a dozen presentations to various groups from BC to Alberta to Saskatchewan, spreading our words on a wire, so to speak.

On the advertising front we appeared in print more than a dozen times in various publications from Dots and Dashes to Canadian Rail to the Summerland Museum newsletter.

The Alberta MTC Line continues to be a defining project of MTC Calgary. We received substantial donations of telegraph equipment from several people and purchased a few surplus items from the CRHA/Exporail museum. We added 5 new stations to the line and ended the year with 10 stations, 7 in Alberta and 3 in BC. Soon we will be welcoming the Grande Prairie Museum and Archives to the fold.

On the membership front we welcomed three new members and said so long to two others. On a sad note two other Calgary chapter members, Clifford Hine and Carmen Wallace, passed away.

As we head into 2026 we look forward to our upcoming annual general meeting. While the date has not yet been determined, I expect it will be held once again at the Nichols public library.

Planning for our booth at Supertrain 2026 is underway with the show scheduled for Saturday April 25 and Sunday April 26, again at the Olympic oval. As I write this I heard that there is 106 exhibitors registered asking for over 70,000 square feet of space which might make this the biggest model train show ever held in Calgary.

In conclusion I want to thank all Calgary chapter members for your continuing interest in and dedication to Morse telegraphy and in particular my fellow Board members for the countless hours of time you put in to keep it all running so smoothly. Well done!

And that’s it for now. All the best in this new year.

73
Ken Ashmead, President

Morse Telegraph Club, Calgary “CG" Chapter

Happy New Year!

 Wishing you all a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous, and Safe 2026!

 “Of all the marvelous achievements of modern science the electric telegraph is transcendentally the greatest and most serviceable to mankind … The whole earth will be belted with the electric current, palpitating with human thoughts and emotions … How potent a power, then, is the telegraphic destined to become in the civilization of the world! This binds together by a vital cord all the nations of the earth. It is impossible that old prejudices and hostilities should longer exist, while such an instrument has been created for an exchange of thought between all the nations of the earth.”  

-- Charles F. Briggs and Augustus Maverick  in their 1858 book “The Story of the Telegraph”