On Sunday June 10, 2012 I’m presenting “Introduction to Time-Table and Train Order” clinic.  Also known as “TT&TO 201”

I presented the following during the clinic.  The greatest benefit of this page is the links to on-line references and the 11 rules to start TT&TO operations.

References

I’m not a professional railroader, instead I’m a model railroader who believes that bringing a model railroad to life through prototype based operations is lots of fun.  Honestly, I’ve only operated with TT&TO on sessions I’ve setup on my Sn2 SR&RL (dismantled in 2006) and a friends HO PAR&NCo.  These are small model railroads, but still worthy of operating.  I’ve obtained most of my knowledge by reading model railroad publications and a few prototype publications.  So all credit to this clinic goes to those who have shared their information, thanks.  Below is a list of references to get you started too.  The list is not comprehensive.

• OpSig (the best $20 in model railroading or $7 for electronic membership) http://www.opsig.org
• OpSig references page:  http://www.opsig.org/reso/
• How to OPERATE your model railroad by Bruce Chubb (out of print – great general model railroad operations book.  Not so simple, does include some TT&TO information)
• Realistic Model Railroad OPERATION by Tony Koester (Replaces Chubb’s book, and is general operations.  Should still be available from Kalmbach)
• Model Railroader’s monthy “Operators” section by Andy Sperandeo.  Andy presents one page about prototype and model operations.  Collect the pages for more comprehensive knowledge
• “How to Operate Your Model Railroad” by Kalmbach publishing.  Published in 2012 is a special issue of operating articles.  It includes many from Andy Sperandeo’s “Operators”.  However two of Andy’s latest cover the communication be between dispatcher and operator.  These two are not included.  So keep reading the operators.  I will say, it is nice to have so many articles in one place.
• The Rights of Trains by Peter Josserand (The be-all reference for railroad rules, includes TT&TO, CTC, .. information as it pertains to real railroads)
• The Condensed Code of Operating Rules (A model railroad simplification of Rights of Trains – This is my primary technical reference, probably all any model railroader needs/wants) http://www.railgroupchicago.org/CCOR.html available from LULU:  http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/condensed-code-of-operating-rules-edition-of-1951/14364376
• Wolfgang Dudler online version of the Condensed Code of Operating Rules:  http://www.westportterminal.de/rule-book-1.html
• GML Enterprises (fast clocks): http://www.thegmlenterprises.com/

TT&TO – Operations 201 – Goals:

1. Introduction to TT&TO: Identify the tools of TT&TO and explain setup of TT&TO on Jim Stewart’s PAR&NCo.
2. Running a train under TT&TO:  To train the clinic attendee for his first TT&TO job – Conductor or Engineer of a train.  The training is via an interactive presentation, not provided in these notes.

What is TT&TO:

1. Time-Table and Train Order:  Time-Table = schedule of Trains and Train Order = Means to make adjustments to the schedule.
2. Means to control the “movement of trains”:  The “How and When”.   Examples are Sequence, TT&TO, WTC, CTC…
3. NOT:  Car forwarding/routing system:  Passenger and freight cars are the “Why or What”.  Examples are Switchlists, CC&WB, tab on car, …

This clinic is about the Movement of Trains only.  Specifically by the means of Time-Table and Train Order (TT&TO).

Why TT&TO for a Model Railroad?

• It was used by railroads from 1850’s to 1980’s (I’ve been told that Southern and SP had lines running with TT&TO into 1990s)
• B&O Ohio Division through 50’s or 60’s, in conjunction with signaling
• Used by all major narrow gauge railroads (C&S, D&RG, EBT, SR&RL, ET&WNC, … )
• Using TT&TO is a form a modeling

Excuses – Why not use TT&TO

• Too Much Like Work:
• If you want to watch “day’s of our lives”, stay at home.
• TT&TO is a challenge, like a role playing game or puzzle
• Some rolls/trains are easier than others choose a role that suits you.  Run an passenger train for ease.  Run a local extra for challenge.
• Medical journals have reported that TT&TO is better than Sudoku at staving off Alzheimer’s
• I do not want to write things down:
• Properly applied crews do not write things down.  Only the Dispatcher and Operator(s) write.  Sign up to run a train.

Elements of TT&TO

Modeling TT&TO

Making a Time Table

• Make a list of “regular” trains (scheduled trains, usually just the passenger trains on our NG model railroads
• Calculate the travel time between each town.
• Adjust the times for the fast clock ratio you plan to use.
• Use the time between to towns to calculate the times in the time table.
• Allow time to perform switching
• It might be helpful to have a string diagram of all planned trains (scheduled and extras)
• Extra trains are not included in the time-table.

Fast Clocks

• Fast clocks or model railroad time clocks put the operators into “railroad time”
• Fast clocks give a feeling of time passing
• Fast time is usually described as a ratio (3:1, 6:1, 12:1)
• Early model railroads tended to use high ratios (8:1, 10:1, 12:1), possibly to complete a 24 hour day in a 2 hour operating session
• Current trend is for lower ratios 4:1, 3:1, 2:1.  Some have even chosen 1:1.  The change is that operators have realized the switching approaches real time
• Remember to choose a ratio that will allow trains to perform yard switching, turn train at a terminal, perform local switching
• For the PAR&NCo. 6:1 was choose because passenger trains and a complete railroad day occurs in under 3 hours  (up to 18 hour railroad day).

Sources of Fast Clocks

• NCE has fast clock built into the system and external clocks are available too.  Only the full featured power cab shows the clock
• Digitrax – A 3rd party loco net clock is available, I’m not sure if any throttles can display.
• GML Enterprises has fast clock systems –  http://www.thegmlenterprises.com/
•  Free-ware on computers – Clocks are available for the computer, but to my knowledge they only support singe display of computer.
• Future – I predict computer driven clocks will appear on wireless phones (along with throttles).

PAR&NCo. Time-Table Sample

 Above is the physical time-table.  On the PAR&NCo. we post the time table along with help on reading the time-table for the following information.  This is created in Excel but any word processing tool with tables would work.

Extra Trains

• Extra trains do not appear on the time table
• Extra’s may be run daily.  Circumstances often cause them not to meet a schedule or run to a schedule.
• Regular trains get their rights from the time table thus only require a clearance card to depart the initial station
• Extras require a clearance card and a train order to depart initial location
• Extras get their rights from the train order.
• Extras are exciting, crew must navigate the railroad dodging the schedule trains.  The dispatcher protects them and keeps them from falling too far behind.

Conductors & Engineers

• On a small model railroad with short trains (5-10 cars) a one man crew is usually sufficient
• Two man crews are fun for longer trains.  Consider requiring that crews use hand signals when performing the switching (Engineer/Front Brakeman gets signals from Conductor/Rear Brakeman)
• Two man crews are good for training
• One of the most important points for a crew to remember:  “Time table gives a train 12 hours rights, so trains can run late…It’s OK”  Make safe choices.

On the PAR&NCo crews are provided a Guide as follows.  I Try to make it a single page that a crew member can fold and put in their back pocket.

 The Dispatcher

• The dispatcher will issue train orders and must transmit and record them as prescribed by the rules.
• The orders are issued to augment the time table.
• Orders are issued by writing them in the Train Order book and then dictating the order to the operator.

The Station Operator

• Writes orders from the dispatcher (the PAR&NCo is very small, so the dispatchers job is minimal.  Sometimes we have the dispatcher write the orders, as the operator bounces in and out of the railroad room.  Gives DS more to do)
• Sets order boards when orders are waiting or coming for crews.  Ideally order board would be functional models on the layout, but non-prototypical means of lights on fascia, balls in CC&WB box, flags on fascia are all good substitutes as is hollering
• Delivers orders to the C&E’s (usually by walking to the location and placing order in crew’s hands or in the car-card box)
• OS’s train departures (some arrivals) back to dispatcher
• On PAR&NCo, the operator can stand in doorway and seem 90 percent of layout, and relay OS back to dispatcher at desk in adjacent room.  One operator is sufficient
• Larger layouts may benefit from having multiple operators (one per isle?)
• Larger layouts may benefit in having a phone between DS and Operator, and the PAR&NCo, it is not required.
• Operator(s) are not decision makers.  Decisions are made by the DS and crews.  The operator is a communicator.  This is a low pressure job for those who do not want to work hard.

Guide for Dispatcher and Operator

Dispatcher Train Order Sheet

Dispatchers Sheet

Clearance Form

Form 19

Form 31

Train Register

• Train registers exist at division points or locations where trains enter or exit a division
• Train register are reviewed by crews to assertain if they can depart.  In TT&TO it is the crews responsibility to verify that all superior trains have arrived and left.
• Crews must sign the train register
• The PAR&NCo. uses registers at each end of the railroad.

Reading a Time Table

Employee Time Tables

• Real railroads have employee time-tables.  This is a single booklet (4.25×11″) that was required to be on employee.  It contained all rules of the railroad.  One can find them for various railroads on Ebay or included in some publications or from historical groups.  These are very valuable in understanding how a specific railroad worked.
• May model railroad have employee time-tables too.  I find them hard to use for new crew members.  It’s hard for the newbe to comprehend all the newaunces and identify what is “critical” to the assigned job.  As such, the PAR&NCo. uses guides for each job (as shown above).  The guide is a one page document that an employee can read and digest and reference as they break in to a specific job on the railroad.
• I suggest having employee time tables as your crew advances.  They are a cool  to model!

Codes and Rules for all Railroads

• All railroads followed a common code.  Even the narrow gauge railroads.  Many employee time tables only contain the railroad specific deviations from the code.
• The code contains information rules of communication, order writing, signaling, etc.
• The best reference is “Right of Trains” by Peter Josserand (try checking amazon)
• A Chicago area group create “The Condensed Code of Operating Rules”  This is a simpler version of Right of Trains.  It is available on the web at the following URL: http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/condensed-code-of-operating-rules-edition-of-1951/14364376

11 Rules to get started running trains in TT&TO

SUPERIORITY OF TRAINS

S-71. A train is superior to another train by right, class, or direction. Right is conferred by train order, class by timetable. First class trains are superior to Second class trains. Eastward trains are superior to Westward trains.

73. Extra trains are inferior to Regular Trains. Extra trains do not have right over extra trains except by train order.  Regular trains are those in the time-table.

MOVEMENT OF TRAINS

82. Time-table schedules, unless fulfilled, are in effect for twelve hours after their time at each station. The time-table is “ideal” time but is seldom achieved by all trains.  Take your time, be prudent, be safe.  It’s not a race!

S-83. Stations at which train registers are located will be designated by timetable. A train must not leave a register station until it has been ascertained whether all trains due, which are superior, have arrived or left.

S-83a. A train must not leave its initial station without a train order or clearance card.

97. Unless otherwise provided, extra trains must not be run without train orders.  Regular trains must have a clearance card.  Extra trains must have a clearance card and a train order.

86. Unless otherwise provided, an inferior train must be clear at the time a superior train in the same direction is due to leave the next station in the rear where time is shown.

S-87. An inferior train must keep out of the way of opposing superior trains and failing to clear the main track by the time required by rule must be protected as prescribed in Rule 99. Extra trains must clear the times of opposing regular trains not less than five minutes unless otherwise provided and will be governed by train orders with respect to opposing extra trains.

S-88. At meeting points between extra trains the train orders must specify superiority of trains or indicate train responsible for being in the clear.

92. A train must not leave a station in advance of its schedule leaving time.

93. Within yard limits, the main track may be used without protecting against second class trains, extra trains or engines.  In Yard limits just clear first class trains.

Parting Comments

• This clinic was just a teaser.  There is much more out there to learn.
• Hopefully you now have confidence to try TT&TO, it need not be daunting
• TT&TO is enjoyable…can be relaxed
• Operate!