Getting Real column - 10
8. This is a job card for Train No. 14, the Merced
Local. It gives the operator the general scope of work
for their train. The notation “Non-OS” in the bottom
right corner identifies this job card as one where there
isn’t a dispatcher on duty. A slightly different job card
includes notes on calling the dispatcher at each sta-
tion or telephone location, and giving their OS (or “on
sheet”) time when a dispatcher is available during an
operating session.
8
Together with an assignment card, and a copy of the timetable
(and switch list if required), each operator is also provided a
job card for their train [8]. One side provides detailed informa-
tion on what the operator needs to do throughout the session,
and the other side
provides standard
YV whistle signals
(for those not so
stressed that they
forget to whistle
for grade crossings,
when approach-
ing stations, etc.).
These forms are
4¼″ wide by 5½″
high, are printed
back-to-back, and
are laminated at the
local copy store for
permanency.
The purpose of
these cards is to
9. There are no known photos of local freights on
the YV while they were running as extras. However,
this photo of a mixed train leaving Merced some time
after June 1943 shows what might have been a typi-
cal consist in those days. The engine has just passed
the semaphore for the AT&SF interlocking plant. Fred
Stoes photo.
9
provide to a visiting operator with the experience gained by a
real YV engineer running the same train every day — the need
to obtain a clearance card before leaving the initial station (and
possibly later before changing train numbers), when to take
water, etc. As such, it is much like having a mentor working
with you as you take out your first train.
Orientation
All of these efforts to help visiting operators might seem exces-
sive if you have only regulars operate your layout, but every
operator is a newbie on a new layout. I also provide a quick
MRH-Nov 2014
