Operating With A Dispatcher and Switchlists

We select who will hold the "must fill" jobs for the session such as Dispatcher, Yardmaster, and Hostler for the session. Everyone else becomes a train engineer for either a local or an extra. Locals are trains that will perform switching duties over the layout and may or may not switch every industry on the layout. Extras are usually trains that do very little or no switching such as passenger trains, through freights, or short car hops from town to town. Those on extra trains will wait in the crew lounge and may end up sitting around for some time until a train becomes available. We do make every attempt to keep everyone busy at all times. The Dispatcher, Yardmaster, and Hostler enter the train room and prepare for the session. All train engineers must wait in the crew lounge and are not allowed in the layout room until they are given specific instruction by the Yardmaster that their train is ready on one of two arrival/departure leads of the South Yard wye. The Yardmaster will have pre-coordinated with the Hostler to affix a caboose and a locomotive to each freight train

We utilize a computer program called RailOp to generate switchlists. After telling the program all it needed to know, we select a train number and try to have it "AutoBuild" the train. If it can find available cars, it builds the train in its memory and we can print out the switchlist. Most of the time these switchlists go directly to the South Yard Yardmaster so that he can build the train(s). The Yardmaster can sometimes start the session with multiple trains to build. The yardmaster doesn't get to build EVERY train though. There are quite a few trains that go somewhere other than the South Yard to obtain cars or start and end their run without ever interacting with the South Yard. We will also stage at lesat one or two passenger trains and up to two through freights for the start of the session. Other through freights will be built if the Yardmaster has time.

We utilize a fast clock to simulate a real 12 hour crew shift. We use a 4:1 ratio on the clock and end up with a session that is about 3 hours long. Trains are released from the yard on Dispatcher authority. Our departure schedule is very loose and trains can run early. No train is completely held to its time, however passenger trains must follow as closely to their station stop schedule as possible. The schedule is tight so there is no doubt that other trains cause the passenger train to be late from time to time. A good Dispatcher will keep the train as close to its schedule as possible.

All mainline movements are controlled by the Dispatcher via trackside signals in CTC (Centralized Traffic Control) mode. Limited radio communication is used when the signals can't provide complete authority. Once an engineer has taken control of their train, they ask permission from the Dispatcher to leave the South Yard. If the Dispatcher gives the clearance, the engineer takes the train to the location indicated on the switchlist. All engineers must follow trackside signals as they are the #1 authority on the railroad. Radio communication from the dispatcher is the #2 authority. If a train has switching work at a particular location the engineer asks permission to occupy the location upon arrival. He can request main, siding, and switches so he can perform his switching work. If permission is granted, the Dispatcher no longer controls the switches in the location and local control is given to the engineer. Once the engineer has completed switching duties, he notifies the Dispatcher and at the same time gives the control of the switches back to the dispatcher. If the track ahead is clear, the Dispatcher will set the signal and the train will be on its way. No train is allowed to pass a red signal unless otherwise instructed by the Dispatcher. No train crew is allowed to throw switches affecting the mainline unless otherwise instructed by the dispatcher. If the Dispatcher does not grant permission to the engineer to proceed with his switching work at the location requested, this means another train is nearing the location and needs to pass before the engineer can perform his work. Sometimes there will be more than one train that needs to pass.

In addition to the "locals" that we run, we also have passenger service and through freights. These trains are designed to cause problems with the "locals" while they are working. Usually a local will occupy both main and siding to perform their duties. Passenger trains have the highest priority, therefore, the Dispatcher must request a clear track from the local's crew when the passenger train is approaching. Usually within a minute or two the local's crew is able to let the passenger train by. Of course this doesn't just happen with the passenger trains. If one local needs to pass another local, then the same type of request is made. Once the fouling train passes, the local train is allowed to resume duties.

After a crew finishes their switchlist by terminating their train on the arrival lead of the South Yard wye, or other location on the layout, they find a seat in the crew lounge. Chances are another train will need a crew and the person waiting will get another switchlist within a few minutes.

We usually have 6-12 people to fulfill the duties, however, with RailOp, we can operate with as few as 4 people. Sure the session is more dull, but at least we can still operate.

Does this style of operation appeal to you? If so, and you are in the Denver, Colorado area we invite you to visit the Wind River. While we don't allow new and unexperienced people on operating nights (unless by special private invite), please feel free to contact us to arrange a visit to the layout. If you are interested in becoming a regular operator we will qualify you on the layout and then you may participate in operating sessions. We are not a club, but rather a group of model train engineers that get together to have fun. We are all about having fun and therefore are a FREE group. There are also no requirements to bring locomotives and rolling stock, in fact outside equipment is NOT allowed unless previous arrangements are made by the President. All we ask is that you bring a Lenz XpressNet DCC compatible controller if you have one. If you don't have one, no problem. We will provide you with one. We also don't hold formal business type meetings and there are no politics. There may be informal meetings from time to time, however, everyone is encouraged to participate and speak. Suggestions and observations are welcome. The Owner and President has the final say in any and all decisions.

Requirements for New Group Members:

First timers must schedule a visit, no prospective new members or visitors (watchers) are allowed on operating nights (unless by private invite).
Must be at least 18 years of age, under 18 must have parent or guardian in attendance.
Must be willing to participate and operate trains, no "watching" a session allowed.
Must be willing to learn. We are all learning as we go and are very loose on learning new ideas.
Must be qualified to operate any type of train on the Wind River. We will work with anyone needing assistance.
Must be a fairly regular attendee. If you miss more than 10 sessions in a row, you will be dropped from the group unless otherwise noted with the President.
Will not be allowed to be Dispatcher until 6 operating sessions have been attended (unless otherwise invited to learn dispatch sooner) You will be supervised by a qualified dispatcher while actually dispatching a session.

Please contact us at: Wind River if you would like to be a group member.