Crew

Orientation,, 1 March 1970 Overview of this document This document describes the modeled railroad (The Railroad) and the traffic flow (Transportation Plan and Train Schedules). Those sections are followed with specific instructions for the dispatcher regarding the calling of crews (Crews), working with the yardmasters (Yardmasters), and CTC operation (Clearances, Crew Briefs, Local Switch Control, Train Movement on the Mainline, OS and Train Sheet, Radios, Getting Trains Started). Finally, there is a section that is a script for the orders that need to be written to start of an operating session (Script). The Railroad The OWNRy railroad is actually 5 railroads (UPRR, SP&S, SP, NP, GN) all converging upon Portland Terminal. It is a single track line with several sidings. The OWNRy also operates trains over the mainline. All mainline trackage is CTC controlled except within Seattle yard limits. The Union Pacific (South bank) runs single track from La Grande (LG) staging through Pendleton switch then Hinkle (Helper pocket) to Hermiston (HM) siding then on to The Dalles (DL), Portland Junction to Kenton where it can enter Portland Terminal depot or the yard. The SP&S runs single track from Spokane staging through Wallula Junction (WL) where it can enter Pasco depot (PSD) or yard (PSY) or can proceed through on the mainline to Vancouver (VC) where it can enter Portland Terminal yard (PRY) or proceed to Kenton where it can enter depot (PRD) or proceed through on mainline to Seattle. Pooled traffic moves between Portland and Seattle on shared trackage through Willbridge. There is a link from Seattle to The Dalles through Tacoma tunnel and Portland Junction. Southern Pacific trains run from Eugene staging to Portland upon verbal authority from Portland Terminal Yardmaster. They can enter the mainline from the yard or Depot at Willbridge, Kenton or Vancouver. They can return to Eugene through the Portland yard. There is trackage from Pendleton through Ontario, Pocatello and Nampa that connects to Pasco through Wallula Junction. This is affectionately called The WormHole and is a way for passenger and unit trains to run around the layout. The distance from Nampa to Wallula is literally a few inches. This is possibly the most confusing part of railroad as there is no real geographic counterpart plus the direction of trains change. The OWNRy operates a branch line between Pasco yard and Walla Walla and Yakima. Authority to run is controlled by Pasco Yardmaster. Page 1 of 6 April 28, 2010

 Crew Orientation,, 1 March 1970 Transportation Plan 5 major Class 1 passenger trains run: The UP City of Portland; the Shasta Daylight (SP 9/10); the Streamliner (SP&S 1/2); The Empire Builder (GN 1/2); the Northcoast Limited (NP 25/26). These trains contain express and pullman cars which are exchanged in the yards. The OWNRy Historical Society (OHS) operates 3 occasional excursion trains that run over the mainline with no exchanges in the yards. One local passenger train runs from Yakima to Portland and Eugene. There are 2 express thru freights running over the mainline: the Red Ball and the Stacker. 8 unit trains include grain trains (UPXGW/UPXGE) and NPXGW/NPXGE) serving the coastal ports in Seattle and Portland; and HOT SHOTS delivering produce between California and northern tier states with icing stops in Portland. Also a Logger (LGR) runs from Eugene to Yakima with specialized logs and back with empty cars. Also 12 Working Trains, i.e. manifest freight trains running over the mainline with stops in the yards to set out and pick up freight. They will originate and terminate in the staging or in the yards. Some continue as other trains. Train Schedules You will see a schedule of trains with train ID, originating location, destinations and notes on routing along with comments about this train in the crew lounge. The DS or Trainmaster will assign crew for a train according to the sequence. This is an approximate sequence, however, New Passenger trains will move every half hour on layout. Some trains will change names and continue at various points (e.g. NPW becomes NPE in Eugene). Passenger and express trains have priority. All classes are on the schedule. The DS will keep track of trains as they proceed over the mainline. Check the predetermined routing in the notes field on the schedule. Use train ID when communicating with crews and YMs. Crews For scheduled trains (trains on the lineup) the DS (or the trainmaster) calls for the crew to report for duty, then proceed to the origin of that train and review the crew brief for instructions. Select DCC address and call the Dispatcher for a clearance. You will need to have one FRS radio per crew and one Digitrax throttle. If you need assistance with selecting DCC address or radio check, contact the trainmaster or one of the local crews. Yardmasters Yardmasters give authority for movement within yard limits. Contact Yardmaster PRIOR to entering his yard to coordinate your movements according to what he wants you to do. Page 2 of 6 April 28, 2010

 Crew Orientation,, 1 March 1970 JOBS Available Dispatcher Use CTC and radio to authorize traffic flow on and off mainline. Portland YM Manage Portland yard, supervise switchers, run engine terminal Pasco, YM Run Pasco yard and East Pasco, supervise Pasco Local, Verbal TWC on helix Seattle YM Run Seattle Yard and mainline in Seattle West Portland yard switcher breakdown and make up trains. Some industries East Portland yard switcher breakdown and make up trains, some hostelling Pasco Local Work under Pasco YM as needed local Engineers/Conductor Locals with switching Mainline Engineers/Conductor Passenger and thru trains Clearances Clearances are given by signals. On the prototype, a Clearance is issued any time a train sees a red train signal. We do the same on the OWNRy. The Signal Rules on the OWNRy: (Mainline is top head, diverging is lower head) Stop Red Approach Flashing Yellow proceed prepared to stop at next signal Clear Green Proceed not exceeding normal speed. Restricted Flashing Red Stop and proceed into dark territory at restricted speed Crew Briefs Each train has a corresponding crew brief. This is included with the loco card and given to the conductor or engineer. It has train ID, train name, origin, destination, maximum number of cars and instructions for work and route. It will instruct the crew to call DS for clearance. Train Movement on Mainline CTC is defined as "a block system under which train movements are authorized by block signals whose indications supersede the superiority of trains for both opposing and following movements on the same track." The DS gives authority to move on the OWNRy mainline is by signals. When a conductor of a train calls you for clearance to proceed to his next destination., the DS will set the signals to allow movement according to class and priority. The CTC panel will give you feedback as to occupancy and signal status. Train Movement on Branches Movements between Eugene and Portland are authorized by Portland Yardmaster Movements between Pasco and Yakima and Walla Walla are authorized by Pasco Yardmaster. Page 3 of 6 April 28, 2010

 Crew Orientation,, 1 March 1970 Local Switch Control Each switch, on the mainline, is controlled by the DS. However, there are occasions when a crew or Portland or Pasco yardmaster needs local control and verbal authority to move across the mainline. When the movement is completed the crew or yardmaster is to call the DS to advise his completion of movement whereupon the DS resumes CTC control. The DS might have to call to check on status. Portland and Pasco Depot tracks are across mainline. Yardmasters need to coordinate with Dispatch for movements to and from depot. They can request local control of switches for short periods of time. Seattle Yard has yard limits at each end of tunnel. Yardmaster controls main within Seattle yard. Note that entrance to Seattle yard is west of Portland Willbridge and also West of Tacoma. Trains can depart Seattle and enter mainline from either place. OS and Train Sheet You as crews are required to verbally notify Dispatcher (OS) when have arrived and cleared the main at yards and depots and staging tracks, so he can cancel authority on the mainline, and a train sheet is provided to record the OSs. OS will be received from the crews verbally (if theyre physically close the DS office) or by FRS radio. Radios The OWNRy uses FRS channel 10/30. When the YM or crews call the DS, they are to ID themselves by train number. For outgoing calls, listen for a pause andpress to talk on the intercom and speak Dispatch to train ID. , etc. Suggested Script. Turn on radio to 10/30. listen if any other radio traffic then say something like: Crew: Dispatch, this is UP LG 3023. Dispatch: This is Dispatch Crew: I am in La Grande yard. Request clearance to proceed westward on southbank to Seattle Yard through Hermiston, The Dalles and Portland Junction and Tacoma Tunnel. Dispatch: Thank you UP LG 3023. Aligning switches. Follow the green signals. Call me if you get delayed en route. Or Crew: Dispatch, this is UP LG 3023. Dispatch LG 3023, be advised you will be meeting another train in Hermiston. Page 4 of 6 April 28, 2010

 Crew Orientation,, 1 March 1970

Layout Diagram

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 Crew Orientation,, 1 March 1970

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April 28, 2010