Getting Real column - 7
is ready to “go to work.” That gives this person over 30 actual
minutes to complete this
switching. If I feel the opera-
tor might need more time,
I just have them go to work
earlier. Likewise, time basically
stops for the operators of the
locals when they reach their
final arrival yard. They still
have work to do to switch out
the cars in their train but this
work is not governed by the
timetable.
A relatively fast clock (but with
a very forgiving timetable) can
be a little stressful for visit-
ing operators who have never
operated before on my lay-
out. However, I tell everyone
that they will have more than
enough time to complete all of
their required work with plenty
of time to sit and wait before
timetable departure times. In
fact, if every single train runs
on time, each operator will
spend 15-20 actual minutes
out of the 2½ to 3 hour-long
4: To help operators, I’ve added a Car Type column and
deleted the Contents column of the prototype switch
list on my switch lists. Instead of a Remarks column,
I’ve substituted a Track column which indicates which
track the car is to be spotted.
4
operating session waiting for
departure times and meets.
I also tell visiting operators that
not only will they have plenty
of time to get their jobs done
in a prototype manner but
will also time to wait for the
“brakeman” to throw switches
and make a standing brake test
after making up a train.
Operators of the locals use
switch lists I prepare in
advance. This means no car
card shuffling or moving car
cards from one box to another.
The format of my switch lists
generally follows the format
of the prototype YV switch
lists. My clearance cards also
are replicas of the actual pro-
totype forms and list any train
orders an operator needs to
have in their possession before
leaving their departure station.
Figures 3, 4, and 5 are of a pro-
totype YV switch list and the
5: The YV used milepost designations on their switch
lists for cars to be switched along the line. Instead, I
use station names and siding names. The siding names
match the prototype ones. The back side of my switch
list includes this graphic to assist a visiting operator.
The two-three letter abbreviations under the station
names are the telegrapher’s abbreviations.
5
MRH-Jul 2013
