Operations on the BDMRR

Dispatchingfor the

Birmingham District Model RR

What is Dispatching All About?

• Simple!• On a real railroad running a train:– You may know where you are,

– And God may know where you are,

– But if the Dispatcher doesn’t know where you are,

– You better have a good relationship with God.

• The Dispatcher’s job is to keep the trains apart

How Does the Dispatcher Know?

• Simple!– You tell the Dispatcher where you are

• How?– With a Radio

• When & Where?– At key points along the Railroad– Especially those called “OS” Points (On Sheet)

• Why?– So you don’t meet God too soon…

• Dispatcher’s Desk– JMRI running

• Car movements• Train makeup

– Dispatch panels• Computer• Magnetic

This i

• This is our railroad– Looks pretty complicated…

• What are the key “ “ points?– Stop here unless authorized to proceed

• Why here?– Let’s look at a schematic…

• Dispatcher’s (DS) computer screen schematic– OS locations added “ “

• We don’t have train detection• DS monitors train location on magnetic board– Based on your reports via radio

• DS controls key turnout locations in RED– Train crews leave these alone unless ordered

• Dispatcher controls mainline with 8 turnout locations– Controls passing tracks or yard limits

• Track between pair of “ “ is a key segment– May be no passing track or tunnels in that segment– May be yard limits beyond “ “– May define passing track segment

• Let’s look at these segments one by one

• This is the Yard Lead segment of railroad• This is NOT main line track• Yard lead extends to Woodward Jct.• Yard limits (Yardmaster in control in yard)• More on this later

• Yard lead segment on plan view• All trains are SB out of yard• Possible passing track for yard• OS control point at WD• More on this later

• First segment of Main for trains traveling SB from Yard (all trains are SB from Yard)

• Includes two tunnels• One possible passing track between PK & OX • OX is location for SB trains to get NB/SB routing• OX is location for NB trains to get Main/Yard

• First mainline segment on plan view

• Route via NB or SB main at OX• Inbound trains route to Yard or

Main at OX (or PK)

• Second segment of Main for trains traveling SB • Includes LONG Tunnel 51 • No passing tracks – points of “no return”• 4 branch lines access this segment • 2 industry crossings • 1 mainline spur requires switching

• Second main line segment– Long tunnel & no passing track

• Four branch line points– Red Mountain Br.– Downtown Siding– Coal Br.– Steel Works

This is in Tunnel 51 below the Station

• Third segment of Main for trains traveling SB • Includes passing tracks– Trains can meet– Trains can overtake– Trains can wait for access to next segment

• Third mainline segment• Passing tracks

– Three sets end-to-end– May use as double track right hand run

• South end Downtown Siding (EL)

• Fourth segment of Main for trains traveling SB • Includes

– Potential passing track (depends on traffic)

– Birmingham Station platform/house tracks

– Post Office/Express & Freight House spurs

– Interchange track access for L&N and 8 foreign RR’s

– This is a busy segment even w/o passenger trains

• Yard Limits from West End Jct. to Avondale Jct.

• Terminal Area Switcher “TAZ” works to minimize congestion w/ YM • Dispatcher can order your train to clear the main

This is on top at B’ham Station

• Fourth mainline segment• Key control points (OX) & (ML)

– Hold trains headed into terminal area– Yard limits at WE & AV– DS & YM coordinate here– Terminal Area Switcher “TAZ” here– Passenger & Interchange traffic

• Fifth segment of Main for trains traveling SB • Includes– Passing track (OX) to (PK) for main line– Passing track (BY) to (WD) for yard traffic (only)– Two tunnels– Main Yard Limits at (WD)

• This segment completes loop of the main line

• That completes one loop of the railroad mainline…

• In only 5 key segments for Main– There are LOTS of lesser control

points for entering, leaving and crossing the mainline

This i

• What about branch lines?• The Dispatcher doesn’t “see” these• Likely knows if branch is occupied(?)• YOU get permission to leave main• YOU get permission to return to main• Train crews have to stay out of each

others way on the branch lines/yards

• Yard Lead (special case)• Yard Master (YM) controls yard to “yard

limits” at WD Jct. on lead• Outbound: YM hands you off to DS

– YOU get permission to access main• Inbound: DS hands you off to YM

– YOU notify DS you are going “off the RR”– YOU get YM permission to enter yard

This i

• Downtown Lead• Access to two Yards• Access to many industries• You get Permission to leave/return

to main or cross main

This i

• Red Mountain Branch• Long Branch Line (TCI)• Access to red ore mines• You get Permission to leave/return

to main

This i

• Steel Works Lead• Access to Steel Works (TCI)• Access to Fairfield Yard crosses

mainline at FX• You get Permission to cross and

leave/return to main

This i

• Coal Branch (L&N)• Access to Coal Mines

– Includes runaround and wye

• You get Permission to leave/return to main

Summary

• Dispatching adds to fun of operations• It is simple and VERY IMPORTANT• Depends on the train crew to report• Dispatcher works to keep trains apart• Dispatcher runs the railroad• YOU provide key info: Where are the trains… • Do what the dispatcher says or advise why

This i

• Always stop at Red OS Points– Stop and call dispatcher

• Unless previously cleared further

– Notify DS: “your train & location”– Wait for instructions– Repeat instructions– Follow instructions from DS

• QUESTIONS?

This i

• Always stop at Red OS Points– Stop and call dispatcher

• Unless previously cleared further

– Notify DS: “your train & location”– Wait for instructions– Repeat instructions– Follow instructions from DS

• QUESTIONS?

Thanks for watching!