Semaphore Records actually began as Ralbar Productions which was a small, custom recording service that produced yearbook records for high schools and collages. In 1960, Ralbar Productions received a commission from the Reading Company to produce the official "Iron Horse Rambles" record. It was a seven inch souvenir record which would be rereleased the following year as a deluxe 12" LP album. After a half a dozen railroad titles released, a name change was needed; hence Semaphore Records.

Semaphore Records grew to become a true, fully professional recording company that has employed the latest in innovating cutting edge technologies to release ever higher quality albums. Such albums include the "Grand Trunk Western 6323" which was the first disk mastered using DynaGroove disc cutting technology for superior dynamic range and sound quality. Semaphore Records also released "The National Railway Historical Society's 50th Anniversary Album" in 1985 which became the first all digital steam recording album to be released. Semaphore Records currently catalogs over 50 titles and has plans to produce more in the near future.