Re: Train No.'s on the C&S NG and a few words on Dickey/Dillon Passenger service

Posted by Rick Steele on Jan 15, 2015; 8:54pm
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/Train-No-s-on-the-C-S-NG-and-a-few-words-on-Dickey-Dillon-Passenger-service-tp243p244.html

In answer to your question, Mike,

If a train was scheduled by timetable and was assigned a train number it was not an extra train. It would be either first, second or third class. The class distinctions being assigned by the individual railroad.

Extra Trains mean just that. These are trains that are run IN ADDITION to the regularly scheduled trains. For example, Train 86 would be run according to timetable. Any extra trains run would have to get in the clear for any scheduled trains. This is in Train Order territory. This was also the prevalent operating system when I hired out before it was done away with about 20 years ago.

Trains were classified according to Right, Class and Direction.

Right was conferred by Train order. For example, if a train was too long to clear in a particular siding for a meet, the order would read "Extra C&S 60 West has right over train 70 east Bailey to Long Meadow. This means that regular train 70 would have to take siding for Extra C&S 60 and not leave the siding at Long Meadow until Extra 60 had passed them.

Class is just what it says, First Class is superior to Second Class which is superior to Third Class and they are all Superior to Extras. Class is conferred by Timetable.

Direction, if two First Class trains are to meet on line, who takes the siding? Let's say that the timetable has a note that says "Westbound trains are Superior to Eastbound Trains". That will answer your question right there.

Now there is one other thing that you have to watch for but you will only find this in an Employee Time Table (not a public one). Those are the times indicated in BOLD PRINT Why? Simple, the bold print indicates where one train is scheduled to meet another, usually East and West Bound.

I think that by now you should be thoroughly confused, so ask me any other questions that you wish. I used to live with this stuff on a daily basis, and I've probably forgotten something.

Rick