Train orders ... Flimsies the tissue paper type . in Tales of the Jointed Track

I found a box of train orders that I collected over the years. There was at one time there would be a collection of train orders stuck in the trash bag, or behind the regulating valve, or between the automatic brake valve and the independent.

You knew what you needed, plus there was more gold and timetables in the trailing units.

I will attempt to I-phone these. and I will do a test. How would you proceed? A protect order? who protects .. Let’s have a think tank, because this is how we operated. Yeah I know, and yes I have better have a knowledge. They will keep you alive and to railroad another day. Like block signals, train orders are the same thing. They are an instruction on how and when to proceed. They have failed at times due to crew failure to comply. The Dispatcher may have had a “lap” out, meaning there was an oversight on what was running out there. Dispatching and compliance with the rules and train orders were always a factor. Track warrants are the same. So lets proceed:

This is an easy one:

this is a running order. So how do we proceed? Now remember, I have not included any other orders, that could restrict this train Extra 3612 west.

A) Proceed from La Junta to NA JCT
B) I am not sure an I’ll have the brakeman call at every station
C) Maybe something is coming against me…I need to see if there is a meet order
D) I won’t or can’t leave La Junta

Answer A and C… this is only an authorization to operate between La Junta and NA Jct.

This is a little more complicated. You are on a crew at Dodge City, Kansas. I have given you a time table. You have a clearance card with other train orders listed. Some may be slow orders or tracks out of service. You also will be getting a new wait or meet orders, from the Operator at Garden City, KS and Lamar, CO.

The time table on the First Subdivision Dodge City to La Junta

This the running order from Dodge City to La Junta

This is a new train order you have picked up at Garden City, KS
Per time table schedule and the rule book Eastward trains are superior to Westwards trains. You have a right over order.

The 6329 East is coming toward you and is past Lamar 250 pm. The signal at Holly is clear (Green) and the time is 254 pm when you arrive. Barton is 6.6 miles away. Can you make Barton at current speed and gives you seven minutes from the Holly wait time. How will you proceed?

• A) I am afraid, and I will wait, even thought I have the right over order to proceed.
• B) ATSF 6329 East needs to wait and be in the clear at Barton per rule 5 minutes before the arrival of ATSF 3524 West at Barton.
• C) I need to wait at Holly for the ATSF 6329, because I am not between stations, and my arrival time at Barton is past my wait time.
• D) They need to be at Granada, because there is no siding at Barton, just a station.

Answer D You are given right, by train order. The ATSF 6329 has the same order. It is on the 6329 crew to be in the clear at Granada. If they were unsure, they should have stayed at Lamar.

Last updated September 29, 2014