Adding timetable and train order control to the C&W: Pt. I
A detail from side two of the train instruction shows the “switch list” panel (above) which can provide a starting wheel report, which is helpful if the train begins in hidden staging. This gives the engineer insight into what he may be in for including: where work needs to be done, what the power is, how long and heavy
ahead of them, and thus if the route ahead of their train was clear to pro- ceed, the prototype had register books which each passing train “must” sign indicating their train and particulars. We have combined the register books for South Slocan and Castlegar, be- cause these two junctions are very close in proximity on the model, and replicate these register books with a single fascia-mounted clipboard. Com- bining these registers reduces the over- head on the crews as they only need to stop and sign in once although it does require the crews specify which subdi- vision they are arriving from or depart- ing to (i.e. arriving Boundary sub/de- parting Rossland sub,
or arriving
Slocan sub/departing Boundary sub) . To get written orders to the crews we use pads of Micromark train order 19Ys and clearances. These are pre- carboned making it easy for the dis- patcher to produce multiple copies should that be needed to send copies to
46
their train is, and how it is made up. The Castlegar/South Slocan register book (above right) shows which trains have come through the junctions. When used with the standard timetable it also shows which trains are outstanding. The key is getting oper- ators to consistently record their train’s passage.
multiple trains, for example issuing run late or meet orders where more than one train is impacted and there- fore each needs a copy. We also have made up more accurate copies of the CPR’s train orders but the convenience of the Micromark pads – save them be- ing the wrong color as the CPR purists amongst the crew are fond of pointing out – wins the day in my book. The rule book, timetable, train in- structions, TO/clearance
forms and
register book do not change between sessions, however, there are four addi- tional documents that are customized for or during each session. These are the Nelson Yard arrival/departure sheet; the dispatcher’s line up; the dis- patcher’s trainsheet, and the train or- der record – called the train dispatch- ers record in CPR practice. Nelson yard can be a busy place. If it gets behind or messes up everything on the layout is affected. To try and make the yard crews’ lives easier, before each
session I create a comprehensive ar- rival/departure sheet for them and post it centrally above the yard.
The
arrival/departure sheet shows in chrono- logical order the time that each train should be expected to arrive or depart. Departing trains that need to be made up are color-coded with the destination of their cars. The tag-based car forward- ing system also uses these same colors so the crew can quickly see that the fifth train of the day is eastbound and will consist of the cars with the “blue” tags but that there is also a train later in the day which can take “blue” cars. The ar- rival/departure sheet also has informa- tion on the power consists to be called for each train (and their Digitrax number), the caboose number and the maximum train length. Finally, the arrival/depar- ture sheet acts as a terminal log where crews sign in and mark the time of their departure or arrival.
The single most important sheet for the dispatcher is the train line up. This
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