Laying cable for railroad signal

These photos from about 1920 show the process of laying cable for railroad signals.  Presumably some sort of ditcher was used to create the trench the cable is being placed in.  There is no indication of the location or railroad involved.

The flat car has some low sides and stakes.  I always find it fascinating that the workers of this era were always well dressed and wore hats.  The cable is being unreeled along the tracks.

The cable has now been strung along the trench beside the tracks.  Above and to the right is what looks like the cable train.  These cables were usually well sheathed to endure weather and wet conditions.