If you have an interest in train order operation, here’s a scenario that could be typical in dispatching the C&O Elmdale SD. The players: GR87, lead engine 3030 is on duty Saginaw 1:00 pm. SA88, lead engine 3002 is on duty Grand Rapids 2:00 pm. The Alma road switcher has engine 5937 and is operating today between Alma and Edmore. The Greenville road switcher has engine 3022 and is ready to leave Lowell to return to Greenville.
Order #101: “Eng 5937 works extra 1030 am until 601 pm between west yard limit sign Alma and east
yard limit sign Edmore not protecting against extra trains except protects against Extra
3030 West after 401 pm.” [This order was issued to the road switcher at St. Louis, and also
placed for delivery to GR87 at Mershon, and to SA88 at Edmore. SA88 will never actually
see the order since the time will expire and the order will be annulled at Edmore long
before the train ever gets there.]
Order #102: “Eng 3022 run extra Lowell to west yard limit sign Greenville and has right over Extra 3030 West Lowell to west yard limit sign Greenville.” [This order is issued to the local at Lowell, and placed for delivery at Mershon to GR87, who must verify that this opposing train has arrived Greenville before it can proceed west from there.]
Order #103: “Extra 3030 West take siding and meet Extra 3002 East at Stanton.” [This order is placed for delivery to GR87 at Mershon, and to SA88 at Pleasant St in Gd Rapids.]
All superiority has now been established, so running orders can be issued:
Order #104: “Eng 3030 run extra Paines to Elmdale.” [This order is issued to GR87 at Mershon, and
establishes the train as the Extra 3030 West. On order #101, GR87 cannot enter the
working limits west of Alma until after 401 pm., on order #103 must meet SA88 at
Stanton, and on order #102 must verify at Greenville that Extra 5937 East has arrived.]
Order #105: “Westward trains except Extra 3030 West wait at Paines until 1159 pm.” [This order is
Issued to Westward trains at Mershon, and relieves GR87 from providing rear end flag
protection until the time stated. The order remains on the table at Mershon, to be
annulled after 1159 pm.]
So, at Mershon, GR87 is cleared with orders 101-102-103-104-105. I didn’t include them, but he would also get any slow orders in effect.
Order #106: “Eng 3002 run extra Elmdale to Jct Switch Paines.” [This order is issued to SA88 at
Pleasant St. in Gd. Rapids, and establishes the train as the Extra 3002 East. On order
#103, he must meet GR87 at Stanton. Edmore is protecting the work order #101.]
Order #107: “Eastward trains except two Extras 5937 and 3002 East wait at Elmdale until 1159 pm.
Extra 5937 East originates at Lowell and terminates at Greenville.” [This order is issued
to eastward trains at Pleasant St in Gd Rapids and relieves SA88 from rear end flag
protection, and remains on the table at Pleasant St. until annulled after 1159 pm. In the
highly unlikely event that SA88 passes the local between Lowell and Greenville, he would
have to provide rear end flag protection as far as Greenville.]
OK---now to put one’s feet up and see how it all works out!! Keep your fingers crossed for no engine troubles, major delays getting out of the yard, derailments, etc, etc, etc.
(I tried to get my schematic to show up like a photo, but had to paste the link instead).
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