| The Dispatcher |
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| Bay Rails 09 - March 19, 2009 |
| Welcome to all of our very important guests. This was Bay Rails weekend and the Chicago & Mackinac RR was in full operation. We had a great group of operators on both days but this page is for the Thursday, March 19th operations. |
| The Operators We had two operators that were on the DL (disabled list). One was a guest operator that couldn't make it up from sunny Arizona and one of our C&M layout helpers. Even though we were 2 men short of a full deck we did a pretty good job of working the C&M. Our crew came from Arizona and from various parts of California. From Arizona, we had Dan Thompson (Tempe) and Dick Vogler (Goodyear). From California we had Patrick Davis (Acampo), Jason Hill (San Diego), Jerry Larsen (Modesto), John Sing (San Mateo) and Dave Stanley (Morada). One of our helpers couldn't make it but Andy Schnur did his best to double himself! After some serious thought, we had two volunteers for yardmasters, Jason and Dan. After considerably more serious thought, John Sing stepped up and volunteered for the dispatcher position. |
| Statistics: The total number of cars moved was 262 in a total of 28 trains: 4 1st class passenger trains 1 2nd class Fast Freights (#210) 11 turns (out plus back) 5 through freight 1 PRR interchanger's 2.5 boat interchanger's (estimated - out and back) Online customer deliveries/pick ups totalled 72 cars at industrial sidings and in addition, we even picked up/setout a total of 10 express loads in our passenger operations. |
| The Yardmasters |
| Click images to Enlarge: |
| Jason took the Grand Rapids Comstock Pk Yardmaster job. As you can see from the above photo, the yard was in good shape (at least when this picture was taken). We really didn't run that many through freights so that gave the YM's a little of a break. |
| The move of the day: |
Here is the crew. Judging from the smiles, it looks like everyone had a good time. It always amazes me that a group of guys that have never seen the railroad (with a dispatcher that never dispatched before) can make the railroad hum. It was a real pleasure hosting this group of guys. Should any of the group get back to the Bay Area, give me a call and we can get together. After "tax season" we need to take a quick trip to Morada (where???) to see what's going on there. Arizona is a bit far to go for the day, however, next time I get there, I will be making some phone calls. Well that's it for this Bay Rails session. Hopefully I will see you all soon or at least in 2 years for the next Bay Rails. The Superintendent//Photographer Brakeman Bob Osborn |
John reluctantly
volunteered to be the
dispatcher and he did a
fine job. Trains ran as
smoothly as can be and
didn't run into each
other. John operated
on the C&M many
years ago at one of the
first operating sessions
ever. Things have
changed a bit since
then and John kept 'em
moving without really
knowing the railroad.
Oh, by the way, this is
the first time John has
dispatched! Wow,
good job!!!
volunteered to be the
dispatcher and he did a
fine job. Trains ran as
smoothly as can be and
didn't run into each
other. John operated
on the C&M many
years ago at one of the
first operating sessions
ever. Things have
changed a bit since
then and John kept 'em
moving without really
knowing the railroad.
Oh, by the way, this is
the first time John has
dispatched! Wow,
good job!!!
| Below is Dick working the Cadillac Turn. He is stuck in the industrial area while a the passenger #102 rolls north. The extra through freight (from the move of the day) just cleared town going south, so Dick will be able to get back to work soon. |
| Here is Dave working the Petoskey Turn. He looks pretty serious. Dave did a great job, but he cheated because he does this kind of stuff for a living. He has worked the 1:1 scale railroad for many years so he actually knew what he was doing! What's that all about? |
Patrick looks like he
is waiting for a train
to run. Actually,
because we were a
couple of crew
short, I don't believe
anyone waited very
long for a train to
run.
is waiting for a train
to run. Actually,
because we were a
couple of crew
short, I don't believe
anyone waited very
long for a train to
run.
| Above is Jerry. He is working the Traverse City Turn. Jerry found out that things are bit tight in Traverse City. He is smiling to hide his tears!!! |
Looks like John and Patrick are having a good time. Hey John,
keep you eyes on the dispatch board.
keep you eyes on the dispatch board.
| Dan took the Mackinaw City Yardmaster position. Things got a little hairy at times, but Dan always clean things up quickly and got the trains moving. As you can see from the below photo, Dan really likes his work!! |
| We started the operations off with the two Commuters, numbers 86 & 87. They are supposed to meet in Traverse City, however, we started the session with a through freight train in the Traverse City Siding. It was left over from the last ops. |
So we quickly moved the parked through freight into the industrial
area track, just in time to complete the scheduled meet. A tight
squeeze to start the ops out.
area track, just in time to complete the scheduled meet. A tight
squeeze to start the ops out.
| Here is the move of the day. It is in Cadillac, early in the day. The northbound local passenger train, number 102 (Blue and yellow Pere Marquette E-7), had lots of company in town. The Cadillac Turn was working in the industrial area (see the CN engine) and the extra thorough freight train (C&M 300 class loco) all joined the 102 to make things pretty tight. Unfortunately, the passengers had to crawl over the couplers of the extra through freight to reach the station. Probably not that big of a deal, as not many passengers frequent that train. Now you know why! |
Andy, the regular
C&M crew member
is shown here in
Walton Junction.
He is waiting for the
passenger train to
go by so he can get
back to work
C&M crew member
is shown here in
Walton Junction.
He is waiting for the
passenger train to
go by so he can get
back to work