reputations for making good time under
almost any conditions, and occasionally a
smaller number who never seem to maintain
schedules
or
come
up
to
reasonable
expectations despite a good locomotive and
the most favorable conditions.
Centralized Traffic Control, two-way
radio communication between moving engines
and cabooses, and other modern innovations
in
train
dispatching
have
probably
partially taken some of the occupational
strain off many dispatchers.
However,
many single- and double-track lines still
operate without these refinements.
On
many railroads where the number and length
of sidings have not increased with the greater train density of the past few
years, the job of train dispatching is more exacting than ever.
Chapter 1 describes dispatching principles and the methods used
in
moving trains over the various track systems.
First, the timetable,
the
dispatcher's train orders, and the operating rules are explained. Then
the
dispatching methods used on single-, double-, and multiple-track lines,
and
the Centralized Traffic Control method are described.
1.2.
TIMETABLE
A timetable authorizes the movement of scheduled trains.
A sample
timetable representing the division illustrated and discussed in this text
is contained in appendix II. It shows trains as first, second, third, and
even fourth class: their relative superiority is established by the
designators shown for them in the timetable.
First-class trains are
superior to all others, second-class next, and so on.
Extra, or
unscheduled, trains are inferior to all regular trains having a class
designator; no superiority or inferiority exists between extra trains.
However, the timetable on single track specifies the superior direction,
which was decided on by the railway's officials.
On the Elwood division
used as an example in this text, the superior direction is east. This means
that if first-class trains were opposing each other, the eastbound train
would be superior. Opposing trains are those traveling toward each other on
single track. Direction is superior only between regular trains and
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