CP&S dispatcher’s desk with some of the various forms that are used to get trains on the road and keep them moving. It doesn’t take much to start dispatching a model railroad by time table. It isn’t that dif- ficult, and most that try it usually end up enjoying it, right, Mikey? — Bill Navigato photo
tors begin with that so-called “mother- may-I” system Mike mentioned. This is probably about as basic as operations can be. All that is required is some form of communication and a dispatcher to tell the mainline trains how far they can go. More refined systems may have the crews advise the dispatcher their posi- tions as they progress along their run. But that’s still not really very realistic. According to most surveys, the most
popular era to model is the 1950s — presently my choice — followed by the 1960s (Mike’s choice). Now, unless you are modeling a multi-track railroad, timetable & train order was probably the most common method of train dis- patching in the 1950s. Centralized traf- fic control (CTC), while developed in the 1920s, wasn’t that widespread until the 1960s or later on most lines with single track. So, from a prototypical stand- point, from about the 1960s or earlier, TT&TO would probably be the most prototypical way to control train traffic. I can appreciate using CTC to control
train movements on a model railroad, and that it may only be 35 feet from Dwight to Peoria on the I&StL. However, if the traffic is that heavy, perhaps it’s time to think about double track. Even the prototype reaches a point that dou- ble track is necessary.
I have dispatched using CTC before,
and it can be enjoyable playing the game from a dispatcher’s point of view. It’s pretty much like most of the dispatcher computer simulators available that do the same thing — and you don’t need to build the layout. Okay, maybe that’s a little extreme, but you get the idea. The dispatcher watches lights go across his panel — or often today on a computer screen — throws switches and pushes buttons, so the lights don’t collide — sort of like playing Pac-Man. (Of course, with CTC, the signals and switches are interlocked, so routes can’t be set to al- low for a collision.) Okay, so let’s back up a little bit. If
the goal for railroad modelers over the years has been to create better models and layouts and finer-operating locomo- tives, then running trains prototypically is a natural follow-up. CTC is okay, but TT&TO allows all the mainline crews a chance to participate. Getting their heads into the game can be a lot more entertaining. Crews make decisions about their train movements; they don’t just sit back, turn up the throttle, and cruise along to the next red light. The dispatcher doesn’t have to decide every- thing. As a matter of fact, if things run well according to schedule, he makes very few decisions. I’ve attended TT&TO
sessions and never received a train or- der, and I have hosted sessions where not a single order was issued to a train once it left its originating terminal. Another factor to maybe consider in
regard to CTC versus TT&TO may be cost and ease of installation. CTC re- quires costly detection systems, panels, and a lot more signals than TT&TO. In addition, to have proper detection, CTC requires having cabooses and probably other rolling stock equipped with resis- tance wheels and axles — more time and money to install. TT&TO requires only a few forms and some sort of train-or- der board at each station. This can be as simple as a clip or two at each sta- tion with a card that is red on one side and green on the other. Of course, ac- tual train-order signals or semaphores could be installed for further realism and enjoyment. Sure, there can be those who get
wrapped up a little tight with the process of dispatching a model railroad. Those kinds are all over, but that’s okay. This is still a hobby, and it is supposed to be fun! Sometimes, they just need to be re- minded that, after all, we are just play- ing with trains and need take it down a notch. In more extreme cases, some may just have to be cordially invited out of the basement. So relax and enjoy. Now, repeat that Mike…relax…r-e-l-a-x…and… a-n-d…enjoy…e-n-j-o-y.
JULY 2015 81
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100