but basically all journals provide similar information and serve the
same purpose. In a theater of operations, such journals are kept as
simple as possible and they show only essential information. In
addition to the name of the yardmaster, the terminal or yard name,
the date, and the time, the journal also shows:
(1) A consist or lineup of inbound trains due in the next
several hours. Three trains are en route, and the yardmaster notes
the engine number, conductor's name, number of cars in each train,
and approximate arrival time of each. The marking N. F. under the
ETA (estimated time of arrival) means no figure; the dispatcher will
estimate the arrival time later.
(2) The listing of every track in the yard, including cars and
their contents, if any. The illustration in figure 2.4 shows that
the first train in the lineup is ordered in on track 5.
(3) The status of every track in the yard. This includes
whether the cars are coupled, whether they are at the east or west
end, or whether the cars on the shop tracks are spaced or unspaced.
An appropriate notation is also made if the air has been tested and
OK'd on any track. See the notations on tracks 6, 7, and 9, and on
the shop tracks.
(4) A list of the yard crews and locomotives that will be
working during the oncoming shift, exactly what each crew is doing at
the time the yardmasters change, or where each engine is awaiting
relief. Yardmasters usually change shifts a half or full hour before
yard crews change.
(5) List and consist of trains ready for departure.
(6) Other data pertinent to yard operations. Wide margins
appear on that portion of the page that deals with the cars on tracks
1 through 17. This is to allow for the additional entries that will
be made as work progresses and the picture of the yard changes.
After 2300 hours, all cars switched to these tracks from the west end
of the yard will be entered on the left side of those groups already
shown on hand, and all cars switched in on the east end of the tracks
will be entered on the right side. An illustration of this page with
all entries posted is shown in figure 2.5 and should be consulted and
checked after the following switching operation is completed.
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