he would not predict or guarantee to anyone that the train was going to be
50 minutes late at every station between its points of origin and
destination. Other trains and yard crews would not know the precise time to
expect the train, and they could not depend on using the full 50 minutes
because this figure might be progressively reduced as the train traveled
over the division.
When the dispatcher issues the run-late order, he is
guaranteeing to everyone concerned that the 50 minutes will not be reduced.
b. A wait order, also called a time order, may be issued instead of a
run-late order.
The latter is not popular with all dispatchers; some
railroads even prohibit its use. A wait order permits the engineer to make
up time and tells everyone concerned approximately how much time.
It
predicts, without guaranteeing, just how much time will be made up.
In
effect, it is saying: "No. X will be allowed to make up 20 minutes between
A and E. It might make up less, but it's not going to be permitted to make
up any more." The order specifies that the train may not leave a station
before the time shown opposite the station name. A wait order for No. 19,
under the conditions just given, might read as follows:
No.
19 Engine 3130 Wait at
Bliss Until
1815
Hours
Madison
1823
Hours
Cain
1831
Hours
Ogdensburg Until 1838
Hours
Wildwood
1845
Hours
Fairview
1852
Hours
Nelson
1905
Hours
Lily
1918
Hours
AY Tower Arrive
1929
Hours
FMB
The dispatcher, in effect, writes a new schedule for most of the run. Also,
he shortens by a few minutes the individual running time between certain
stations. A comparison of the running time between stations can be made by
examining the two columns that follow. The times and stations of the run-
late order are shown in column 1; the stations and departing times of the
wait order are listed in column 2.
Column 1--Run-Late Order
Column 2--Wait Order
DN Tower Leave
1802 Hours
Bliss
1819 Hours
Wait at Bliss Until
1815 Hours
66
Previous Page
