Re: Desperately Seeking Signals: Train Order Boards and "Open Depots"

Posted by Doug Tagsold on Nov 03, 2016; 8:54am
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/Desperately-Seeking-Signals-The-Saga-Of-The-Train-Order-Board-tp6678p6747.html

A train order station is a location where the dispatcher, using the agent to copy his order and pass it on to the train crew, can give a train an order.  The train order board is the way the agent signals to the oncoming train that there is an order for that train.  IF the order board is set to red, the train crew knows they must pick up an order there before passing that location.  

Best timetable / train order practice was to give a train an order to meet another opposing direction train at a location "before" the place of the actual meet.  Example: A westbound train at Beaver Brook could possibly receive an order to meet an eastbound train at Idaho Springs at Forks Creek.  Both trains get a copy of this order before they arrived at Forks Creek.

The order would be written like this:

To: Extra 71 West at Beaver Brook
      Extra 70 East at Idaho Springs

      Extra 71 West meet Extra 70 east at Forks Creek

                                                       DPT (dispatchers initials)

Doug Tagsold
Blissfield, MI