Prototype Operations and Procedures

ProTrak

Prototype Information and Paperwork

  1. Prototype waybill specifications What prototype waybills actually look like.  With specifications for size and fonts.  Used on all
  2. What is Switching Definition and explanation of switching practice
  3. Weighing Rules Definition and explanation of car weighing
  4. The modern way for sorting waybills! A glimpse of why so many people are involved in manual-waybill and manual car-tracking methods
  5. Example SPOT maps
    • Typical map as used in TOPS/TRACS
      On-screen map shown at 50% reduction. Download map is at 100%.

    • Conrail ZTS map for Newark, NJ seaport terminal
      • Download this CR ZTS map
      • Industry list page 1f or Newark Marine Terminal
        Note that Conrail uses a paired 2-digit ‘from’ ‘to’ format for track spots. The numbers are ##zone-###track-##from-##to
      • Industry list page 2 for Newark Marine Terminal
    • Conrail ZTS map for “Elizabeth, NJ”
      • This map is more typical as it is on one page.
        The symbols along the track, lines plus circles, denote spots
      • Industry list for Elizabeth map. Ice for a refinery?
    • MoPac at Ft Worth, TX
    • ATSF at Amarillo, TX, 1987, showing the ATSF’s version of CLIC (Car Location Identity Code)
      • Instructions page A for using switchlists
      • Instructions page B for using switchlists
      • Instructions page C for using switchlists
      • Instructions page D for using switchlists
      • Instructions CLIC map of customers on Zone 5, Sheet 2
        Examples on multiple spots on a single spur. See the topmost three spurs on this map. The boxes with “0#” numbers in the outlines of the structures mark the spots.
        The customers’ buildings face two adajcent streets and the spur runs down the backyard.
      • Download this map
      • CLIC list of customers on Zone 5, Sheet 2 map
        List is sideways because ATSF printed it that way.
  1. Instructions to Traincrew on using Switchlists and Car Control
    (Enlarged about 50% to be legible on screen)

    • General Instructions page 1 How Car Control Works
    • General Instructions page 2 Foreman’s Switch List
    • General Instructions page 3 Maintaining Sequence Check, Repetitive Information
    • General Instructions page 4 Returning Switchlists, Adding work to switchlists
    • Yard Procedures Reporting Work Complete, If Switching not complete. Note emphasis on reporting work done and train “standing order integrity” – the order of the cars in a train
    • Industrial Switching page 1 Cars spotted and pulled, Constructive Placement
    • Industrial Switching page 2 Cars not spotted, Plant switching, One car for two customers
    • Industrial Switching page 3 Loads/empties left in storage track, Cars not on Switchlist
    • Industrial Switching page 4 Cars left for furtherance, cont’d
  2. Car Quality Card Card stapled to car after inspection
    • Cars (kinds: X, R and G) are inspected following Interchange Rule 1, and graded into one of 5 categories:
      • A, B, C, K (contaminated) and U (condemned), plus D for gondola cars.
      • in current era N and W also are used
      • Dirty cars (containing refuse and not yet cleaned) otherwise graded A, B, C are graded X, Y, Z until cleaned. Send these cars to your car cleaning facility.
    • You can model car grading, and car cleaning, with manual car-tracking (see photo above) but a computer system makes this a snap.
    • Here is an excuse for more boxcars (Fleets for “A” and “K” commodities).
    • This CR car was carrying brick into Ontario from Tennessee in 1988.

Signaling Information

  1. Fundamental signal aspects, including CPL, from Phillips’ Railroad Operation and Railway Signaling, Copyright 1942, Second Printing Copyright Simmons Boardman 1953
  2. Color Position Light (CPL) signal aspects from Farrington’s Railroading from the Rear End, pages 192 and 193, Copyright Kip Farrington 1946 (note that “Farrington” is a town on the C&NE)