Understanding Dispatch Operations in the Birmingham District Model Railroad

1. Operations on the BDMRR Dispatching for the Birmingham District Model RR

2. What is Dispatching All About? • Simple! • On a real railroad running a train: • You may know where you are, • And God may know where you are, • But if the Dispatcher doesn’t know where you are, • You better have a good relationship with God. • The Dispatcher’s job is to keep the trains apart

3. How Does the Dispatcher Know? • Simple! • You tell the Dispatcher where you are • How? • With a Radio • When & Where? • At key points along the Railroad • Especially those called “OS” Points (On Sheet) • Why? • So you don’t meet God too soon…

4. Dispatcher’s Desk • JMRI running • Car movements • Train makeup • Dispatch panels • Computer • Magnetic

5. This is our railroad • Looks pretty complicated… • What are the key “ “ points? • Stop here unless authorized to proceed • Why here? • Let’s look at a schematic… This i

6. Dispatcher’s (DS) computer screen schematic • OS locations added “ “ • We don’t have train detection • DS monitors train location on magnetic board • Based on your reports via radio • DS controls key turnout locations in RED • Train crews leave these alone unless ordered

7. Dispatcher controls mainline with 8 turnout locations • Controls passing tracks or yard limits • Track between pair of “ “ is a key segment • May be no passing track or tunnels in that segment • May be yard limits beyond “ “ • May define passing track segment • Let’s look at these segments one by one

8. This is the Yard Lead segment of railroad • This is NOT main line track • Yard lead extends to Woodward Jct. • Yard limits (Yardmaster in control in yard) • More on this later

9. Yard lead segment on plan view • All trains are SB out of yard • Possible passing track for yard • OS control point at WD • More on this later

10. First segment of Main for trains traveling SB from Yard (all trains are SB from Yard) • Includes two tunnels • One possible passing track between PK & OX • OX is location for SB trains to get NB/SB routing • OX is location for NB trains to get Main/Yard

11. First mainline segment on plan view • Route via NB or SB main at OX • Inbound trains route to Yard or Main at OX (or PK)

12. Second segment of Main for trains traveling SB • Includes LONG Tunnel 51 • No passing tracks – points of “no return” • 4 branch lines access this segment • 2 industry crossings • 1 mainline spur requires switching

13. This is in Tunnel 51 below the Station • Second main line segment • Long tunnel & no passing track • Four branch line points • Red Mountain Br. • Downtown Siding • Coal Br. • Steel Works

14. Third segment of Main for trains traveling SB • Includes passing tracks • Trains can meet • Trains can overtake • Trains can wait for access to next segment

15. Third mainline segment • Passing tracks • Three sets end-to-end • May use as double track right hand run • South end Downtown Siding (EL)

16. Fourth segment of Main for trains traveling SB • Includes • Potential passing track (depends on traffic) • Birmingham Station platform/house tracks • Post Office/Express & Freight House spurs • Interchange track access for L&N and 8 foreign RR’s • This is a busy segment even w/o passenger trains • Yard Limits from West End Jct. to Avondale Jct. • Terminal Area Switcher “TAZ”works to minimize congestion w/ YM • Dispatcher can order your train to clear the main

17. This is on top at B’ham Station • Fourth mainline segment • Key control points (OX) & (ML) • Hold trains headed into terminal area • Yard limits at WE & AV • DS & YM coordinate here • Terminal Area Switcher “TAZ” here • Passenger & Interchange traffic

18. Fifth segment of Main for trains traveling SB • Includes • Passing track (OX) to (PK) for main line • Passing track (BY) to (WD) for yard traffic (only) • Two tunnels • Main Yard Limits at (WD) • This segment completes loop of the main line

19. That completes one loop of the railroad mainline… • In only 5 key segments for Main • There are LOTS of lesser control points for entering, leaving and crossing the mainline

20. What about branch lines? • The Dispatcher doesn’t “see” these • Likely knows if branch is occupied(?) • YOU get permission to leave main • YOU get permission to return to main • Train crews have to stay out of each others way on the branch lines/yards This i

21. Yard Lead (special case) • Yard Master (YM) controls yard to “yard limits” at WD Jct. on lead • Outbound: YM hands you off to DS • YOU get permission to access main • Inbound: DS hands you off to YM • YOU notify DS you are going “off the RR” • YOU get YM permission to enter yard

22. Downtown Lead • Access to two Yards • Access to many industries • You get Permission to leave/return to main or cross main This i

23. Red Mountain Branch • Long Branch Line (TCI) • Access to red ore mines • You get Permission to leave/return to main This i

24. Steel Works Lead • Access to Steel Works (TCI) • Access to Fairfield Yard crosses mainline at FX • You get Permission to cross and leave/return to main This i

25. Coal Branch (L&N) • Access to Coal Mines • Includes runaround and wye • You get Permission to leave/return to main This i

26. Summary • Dispatching adds to fun of operations • It is simple and VERY IMPORTANT • Depends on the train crew to report • Dispatcher works to keep trains apart • Dispatcher runs the railroad • YOU provide key info: Where are the trains… • Do what the dispatcher says or advise why

27. Always stop at Red OS Points • Stop and call dispatcher • Unless previously cleared further • Notify DS: “your train & location” • Wait for instructions • Repeat instructions • Follow instructions from DS • QUESTIONS? This i

28. Always stop at Red OS Points • Stop and call dispatcher • Unless previously cleared further • Notify DS: “your train & location” • Wait for instructions • Repeat instructions • Follow instructions from DS • QUESTIONS? Thanks for watching! This i