Railway dark territory switch automation

In a vital railroad switching system for dark territory, a method of wirelessly controlling a railroad switch in a track system that includes tracks in a dark territory, comprising:

• a railroad switching system comprising
• a plurality of audio messages wherein each audio message is maintained on a discrete audio board, and each board is equipped with at least a trigger and an audio output;
• each audio message is triggered by a programmable logic controller (PLC), the PLC being coupled to the trigger of each audio board;
• the railroad switching system operates by:
• receiving a wireless dual tone multiple frequency (DTMF) signal, the signal generated from a railway vehicle, at a device located concurrent with a section of railroad track located in a dark territory, from a first communications device, the signal indicating a desired railroad switch position;
• validating the wireless signal;
• initiating the control of the switch;
• checking a relay to determine a relay status, the relay coupled to the railroad switch, the railroad switch not having a switch signal system that is associated with a central dispatch system;
• checking a logic controller to determine a correspondence condition;
• reporting the correspondence condition;
• and
• wherein the wirelessly controlled switch reports a status of the railroad switch in a dark territory.