Operations on the VRS v2 on... · 2018. 3. 26. · Title: Microsoft Word - Operations on the VRS...

Operations on the (modelled) Vermont Railway

14 March 2018 Operations on the VRS v2.0 Page 2 of 16

The Vermont Railway

Operation Details

14 March 2018



Vermont Rail System

I am modelling the Vermont Rail System in the 2003-2010 timeframe. It is a modern, independent Class 3 Railroad, mainly within the state of Vermont – The Green Mountain State. The VRS is a grouping of 5 railways …

1. Vermont Railway (VTR), 2. Green Mountain Railroad (GMRC), 3. Clarendon and Pittsford Railroad (CLP), 4. Washington County Railroad (WACR), and 5. New York and Ogdensburg Railroad (NYOG).

All railroads (except the NYOG which is in western New York State) are fully integrated and operate as one railroad. There are locomotives and cars lettered for the five railways.

Route Map

See map.

Interchange points

The VRS has several interchange points with other railroads. They are:

1. Burlington with the NECR, 2. Bellows Falls with the

NECR, 3. Whitehall with the D&H, 4. Hoosick Junction with PAN

AM, and 5. Newport with the

Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway1 (MM&A).

The interchange being modelled is the NECR interchange at Bellows Falls.

1Central Maine and Québec Railway (reporting mark CMQ) was formed in February 2014 after the Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway (reporting mark MMA) went into bankruptcy following a massive rail incident in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec in Feb 2013.



Dispatchers and Operations

The VRS dispatcher is located at Rutland, while the NECR’s dispatcher is at St Albans. On the layout one dispatcher will carry out both functions (and is located in the wine cellar!!!).

As New England railroads, the VRS and NECR both use the NORAC operating procedures. These rules are established by the Northeast Operating Rules Advisory Committee (NORAC) and are similar to the General Code of Operation Rules (GCOR).

From a model perspective, the rules used are a simplification of both sets of prototype rules.

The Area Modelled

Essentially, the area modelled is the Green Mountain Railroad, and in particular Bellows Falls. As Bellows Falls is the interchange with the NECR, the part of the line from Bellows falls to White River Junction is also modelled.

Space has caused some compromises. Space only allowed for Bellows Falls Patch Track and not the Riverside yard. Therefore the Yard duties are undertaken in Bellows Falls.

In the prototype, most of freight traffic from lineside industries is generated by the OMYA plant in Florence, near Rutland. To model that traffic, the OMYA plant has been moved to White River Junction. This also creates more operation on the layout as most of that traffic must be exchanged at Bellows Falls.

As paper is a major industry in Vermont and the North East, a paper mill was placed on a mythical GMRS branch to Lake Rescue where a modelled paper mill is located.

Lastly, Bellows Falls (and Walpole) has more industries than the prototype, again to generate more traffic.



An overview schematic of the area being modelled is shown here.

All traffic off the modelled area passes through one of the following interchange points:

1. Rutland - all points west and south-west (Rutland infers the interchanges at Whitehall and Hoosick Junction),

2. Brattleboro – New York area, New Haven and all points east (Boston, etc),

3. St Albans – Canada and all points north, and

4. Newport - Canada and all points north and east.

Dark Territory

Both railroads operate under the Dark Territory rules as they have very limited signalling on the railroads. On the modelled portion, the only railroad signals control the crossing at Bellows Falls. These signals are owned and operated by the NECR.

Track Warrant Control (TWC)

Both railroads operate under a Track Warrant Control process.

Track Warrant Control (TWC) is a verbal authorisation system defined by both the Northeast Operating Rules Advisory Committee (NORAC) and General Code of Operation Rules (GCOR), used to authorise trains to occupy the main line (Main Tracks). TWC is usually used as a stand-alone dispatching and safety system for dark territory (no signals).

Each crew must hold a valid Track Warrant before the train can commence its journey. The Track Warrant allows the train to occupy a section of the main line, between defined specific, named locations.



An Overview of the Model Railroad

The Dispatcher’s Panel

In dark territory, the only tracks that the dispatcher controls are the main lines, and the passing loops. It is the Dispatchers job, to know where all trains are on the system.

The dispatcher tracks the trains by adding a token to the map for each train. In the diagram, trains BFRU001, BEBF001, 113S and 100N are shown. BFRU001 and BEBF001 are VRS trains, while 113S and 100N are NECR trains.



Train Numbers on the VRS

Format: XXYYnnn

Where:

XX Starting location of the train YY Destination of the train

nnn Number of train (starts from 001 each day)

Abbreviations of the modelled VRS Stations

Abbreviation Destination BA Barre BE Bennington BF Bellows Falls CH Chester HJ Hoosick Junction MJ Montpelier Junction NP Newport RU Rutland SJ St. Johnsbury WH Whitehall WR White River Junction

Example:

BFCH002 – The second train of the day from Bellows Falls to Chester.

Train Numbers on the NECR

Format: nnnx

Where:

nnn 3 digit number. Even numbers are northbound, odd numbers are southbound X N or S – North or South

Example:

100N – Train 100 is Northbound.



Working on the Railroad

Just like the prototype, in order to move equipment smoothly and safely across the railroad, there are many specialised jobs required during an operating session. They are:

Trainmaster / Dispatcher

The Trainmaster is the "boss" of the operating session. The Trainmaster makes the operating sessions possible by planning and coordinating the flow of trains within a session.

The Dispatcher is the person responsible for making sure that trains move properly across the railroad without incident. The Dispatcher has a separate "office" away from the layout area. In the Dispatcher's Office there is a large diagram of the layout on which magnets can be used to track trains on the layout. The dispatcher cannot see you, when in doubt please recall the following old railroad adage:

YOU may know where you are and what YOU are doing; GOD may know where you are and what YOU are doing; BUT, if the DISPATCHER doesn't know where YOU are and what YOU are doing, THEN I hope YOU and GOD are on very good terms!

Yardmaster

The Yardmaster controls all operations in the Bellows Falls / Walpole area. This includes the interchange tracks. The Yardmaster will be in contact with the Dispatcher to ensure all through trains pass through the area unhindered.

Hostler

The Hostler will report to the Yardmaster and will assist in building trains in the Bellows Falls precinct.

Train Crew (Engineer and Conductor)

The Train Crews may be one or two individuals. The train will make stops along its route, adding and/or removing cars from the train. The Conductor is the senior member of the crew and will communicate to the Dispatcher for permission to use the mainline.



General Procedures

1. Report to Trainmaster/Dispatcher for your train assignment. 2. Check the train consist against the paperwork before departing. 3. Get authority from the Dispatcher to start the assigned journey. 4. Your Track Warrant must be completed and approved before departure. 5. Perform all pick-ups and set-outs along the journey. 6. If a car or engine malfunctions or is damaged, fill out a bad order form. 7. Contact the Dispatcher when the Track Warrant is complete. 8. Request a new Track Warrant for the next part of the trip.

The Track Warrant

The Track Warrant is read and validated to the train crew by radio. The process is …

1. The dispatcher reads the Track Warrant information and instructions to a crew member on the train. The crew member writes the information and instructions onto a Track Warrant Form.

2. The crew member then repeats the information to the dispatcher. 3. The dispatcher checks the repeated information and, if correct, says "OK" and gives the

time and his initials. 4. The train crew member then enters the "OK" time and initials on the Track Warrant form

and repeats that to the dispatcher.

The Track Warrant is not in effect until the "OK" time is recorded on the track warrant.

Some Definitions

Named Point

A named point is any point on the railroad that can be exactly identified. For example a Station, a switch, or a mileage post

First Named Point

This is the current location of the train and is the starting point. If the First Named Point is a Station with a Siding, the Track Warrant extends from, and includes, the last switch. The Track Warrant thus enables trains to leave the station.

Last Named Point

This is the ending point of the permission.



General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR) Track Warrant

The General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR) is a set of operating rules for railroads in the United States. GCOR is used by Class III railroads.

The GCOR rules are intended to enhance railroad safety. The rules cover employee responsibilities, signaling equipment, procedures for safe train movement, dealing with accidents and other topics that directly and indirectly affect railroad safety.

The Track Warrant Form

GCOR has designed a “standard” Track Warrant form. Most railroads have modified it to suit their own specific requirements

This is the GCOR Track Warrant form.

Northeast Operating Rules Advisory Committee (NORAC) Form D

The Northeast Operating Rules Advisory Committee (NORAC) Track Warrant is called a Form D. It performs exactly the same tasks as the Track Warrant above. It does have a lot more operational information included.



VRS (Form D) Track Warrant

The VRS (Form D) Track Warrant used on the layout is shown here.

Description of the Track Warrant Fields

A completed Track Warrant would look something like this ….



The upper 2 lines identify the Track Warrant by a

1. Track Warrant number, 26 (Dispatcher starts from 001 each day),

2. Date of the Track Warrant, 5th August 2010,

3. The applicable train number, BFRU001, and 4. The location of the train, Bellows Falls (BF).

The VRS train, Train Number BFRU001, is located at Bellows Falls. The train is to go from Bellows Falls to Rutland.

Check boxes 1 through 9

Note: Only the “ticked” check boxes are active on a valid Track Warrant.

The Track Warrant is giving the train crew authorisation to travel from Bellows Falls (BF) to Chester (CH). As this train starts its journey at Bellows Fall, this Track Warrant does not void a previous warrant. At Chester (the last named point), they must clear the main line (ie take the passing siding).

Normally, all switches must be left in the “normal” position. The normal position is for the switch to be aligned for the main line. The Dispatcher has told the crew to leave the switch for the siding.

Last Two lines

The last two lines contain the approval validations and conclusion information. The first line is completed when the Track Warrant is approved by the dispatcher (before the train departs). The last line is completed after the Track Warrant approved move is completed.



This Track Warrant was OKed at 9:00am by the dispatcher (PJ) and copied down by XY. The TW was completed at 10am as advised by XY.

A TWC Example

The following example illustrates the process on my railroad. The partial layout schematic below shows the two single track main lines crossing at Bellows Falls and Chester, along with the interchange track. Only the main lines, and the passing tracks, are shown on the dispatcher’s schematic as that is the only part of the railroad controlled by the dispatcher.

All tracks are unsignalled, except for BFX (the Bellows Falls Crossing).

Example 1

This Track Warrant is for a Freight Train (BFRU001) travelling from Bellows Falls (BF) to Rutland (RU). It is ready for departure and sitting in the Bellows Falls Siding. It will cross a second freight train (BEBF001) which is travelling from Bennington via Rutland to Bellows Falls. The two trains will cross at Chester (CH).

Train BFRU001

Train BFRU001 is ready for departure on the Bellows Falls siding. The locomotive is No. 3401. The sequence and content of the train crew and dispatcher communications is described below.

1. Engineer to Dispatcher:

Train BFRU001 is ready to depart.

2. Dispatcher to Engineer:

Track Warrant No 026, 05/08/2010, To BFRU001 at Bellows Falls (BF) Check Box 2: Proceed from BF to CH Check Box 9: Clear Main Track at last named point Check Box 13: Other Specific Instructions:



East Switch at Chester may be left reversed.

Note: “Check Box 1: Track Warrant No. ____ Is Void” is not used in this example as this train is starting its journey in Bellows Falls. This is its first Track Warrant for the trip.

3. Engineer to Dispatcher:

Track Warrant No 026, 05/08/2010, To BFRU001 at Bellows Falls (BF) Check Box 2: Proceed from BF to CH Check Box 9: Clear Main Track at Last Named Point Check Box 17: Other Specific Instructions:

East Switch at Chester may be left reversed.

4. Dispatcher to Engineer:

OK (if the engineer’s comments back are correct) 9:00 am , PJ (the dispatcher gives the time of the OK, and his initials)

5. Engineer to Dispatcher Repeats “OK”, 9:00 am and his Initials (XY) and adds to the Track Warrant

The Track Warrant is now in effect as the Dispatchers “OK” has been acknowledged by the crew. The train can now depart as the track to the Last Named Point (Chester Siding) has been reserved for train BFRU001.

Note: In this example, the train needs to cross the NECR main lines at Bellows Falls. As this crossing is controlled by signals, the engineer will need to contact the NECR dispatcher and have the signals set to “Green” to cross the NECR. At present, the Bellows Falls Yardmaster will control the signals.

Once BFRU001 arrives in Chester, the engineer would advise the Dispatcher that 100W is “Clear of the Main”, voiding Track Warrant 026. This is added to the last line of the Track Warrant.



After this movement, the schematic would look like the following:

Train BEBF001

Train BEBF001 (coming from Bennington) is in Rutland yard and heading to Bellows Falls. The locomotive is No. 2822. The Track Warrant is shown below (Note: The last line would not be filled in until it reaches Chester).

The Engineer and the Dispatcher go through the same discussion as previously discussed. Once the Track Warrant is in effect after the Dispatcher’s “OK”, the train can depart to the Last Named Point (Chester Main), which has been reserved for train BEBF001. It does not matter which train (BFRU001 or BEBF001) arrives first, as the track is clear for both.



Once BEBF001 arrives in Chester, the engineer would advise the Dispatcher that BEBF001 is “Holding the Main at CH”, voiding Track Warrant 086. This information is added to the last line of the TW.

After this movement, the Chester Hill schematic would look like the following:

Additional Points to Make

1. If BFRU001 calls the Dispatch and advises they are clear of the main well before BEBF001 arrives in Chester, the dispatcher could immediately void BEBF001’s Track Warrant and issue a new Track Warrant. The new Track Warrant could allow the train to continue on to BF. The new TW would look like:

Track Warrant No 087, 05/08/2010, Train BEBF001 at <somewhere> Check Box 1: Track Warrant 086 is Void Check Box 2: Proceed from <somewhere> to BF Check Box 9: Clear Main Track at last named point Check Box 13: Other Specific Instructions: East Switch at Chester is reversed.

This specific instruction advises the crew that they must stop and throw the west switch in Chester before proceeding.

2. The Dispatcher could also issue a new Track Warrant for train BFRU001 to continue to Rutland before BEBF001 has arrived in Chester.

Check box 6 would also be ticked, and would read: “Not in effect until the after the arrival of BEBF001 at CH”

As soon as BEBF001 has arrived and cleared the switch for the main, BFRU001 could leave.

3. All switches on both railroads are set manually by the train crew. Normally all switches are left set for the main.

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Operations on the VRS v2 on... · 2018. 3. 26. · Title: Microsoft Word - Operations on the VRS...

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