Getting Real column - 5
The addition of the rock train provides a job for a fourth opera-
tor and, like the log train, it runs the length of the mainline and
turns to return to its initial departure yard. I do not have the
aisle space for two-person crews so all engineers also take care
of uncoupling cars, paperwork, etc.
2: My employee timetables are folded, four-sided
forms, as were the prototype timetables. This is page
three, which is the most important page. The times in
bold are meets. I also have a variation of this timetable
which deletes the Merced and El Portal Locals (Trains
14 and 15). Under that timetable these two trains are
run as Extras. Only one group of operators has ever
chosen this option.
2
Paperwork
In order to operate under TT/TO, you need an employee time-
table, train order forms, and clearance cards. For my timetable,
I followed as closely as possible the format of the YV timetable
in effect in August 1939. I used a desktop publishing program
to prepare my timetable but Excel or even MS Word would
work. The main page of my employee timetable is shown in
Figure 2.
One method of developing a timetable is to graph all of the
trains that will run during an operating session so that loca-
tions and times of all meets can be determined. That method
seemed to me to be most useful when working with time-
tabled through or first class trains instead of locals and other
trains which have work to do along the line. Instead, I needed
an approach that would work with visiting operators and
accommodate the switching each train needed to perform.
I began by running a number of trains at appropriate speeds
between each town or yard and recording how long they took.
MRH-Jul 2013
