From: 31ochs@gw.wmich.edu
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
Subject: Re: Employee Timetables - Carl Loucks
Date: 19 Aug 92 20:15:33 EST
Organization: Western Michigan University

In article <1992Aug19.203820.13765@col.hp.com>, tvervaek@col.hp.com (Tom Vervaeke) writes:
> As a new railfanner, I am trying all I can do to learn the ropes
> in the local territory - Colorado Springs. We have 3 major rr's
> here: BN, Sante Fe, and some SP (swallowed our old D&RGW).      
> 
> While reading Trains magazine I can across an advertisement for a 
> guy called Carl Louck. In the 9/92 issue it is on page 16 to the
> left. He sells older employee timetables and the like for some
> reasonable. For example, a 1989 vintage BN Denver is $12. Has anyone
> here ever used these things? He claims they contain data on
> railroad operations, stations, signal rules, mileages. etc... Many
> have complete maps and grade profiles. I thought this would be
> a great way to learn something local. I realize '89 is kind of old,
> but the track hasn't changed much here lately. 

Well, actually, 89 isn't too old for something like this...
I first got a Chessie TT from 1981, and it hadn't changed too much.

>  
> Is it possible to get these things from employees locally on the
> side? I.E "offer" them a few bucks for a current copy? I really
> want to learn all the inside stuff regarding mile posts, sidings,
> grades, etc..

Well, if you know an employee, he might be able to get you some...
I have a friend that works for CSX that got me the current TT's for
the local divisions.

>  
> How does everyone else do it?  You can only learn so much by observing
> and listening to the scanner.
Depending on the RR, you can learn quite a bit from the scanner.
Some areas don't have to much chatter, others are talking almost constantly

>  
> P.S. What is the frequency of the device now used in lieu of a
>      caboose by many railroads?

Most RR's use 457.9375 , Norfolk Southern has their own home-built units,
and their frequency is 161.115 (in the regular RR band)


Employee TT's are a great way to learn about the local subdivision(if you 
get one for the local subdivision). They usually will tell track diagrams,
special rules, called TTSI(Time Table Special Instructions) They tell
the method of track operations, defect detector locations, some will
show engine rosters, or data about their engine roster.
One of the best places to look for ETT(Employee Time Tables) is at railroad
or model railroad fleamarkets. I've picked up regular rulebooks for $5, and
timetables from anywhere between $1 and $5. I've don't recall ever seeing
any ETT's for more than $5. (Personally, unless it was an old one, or a
collectors item, I wouldn't pay more than $5 for one, but that's just me ;^)
System Timetables are usually a little more expensive. They tell less 
information about each subdivision, but list ALL the subdivisions. so they
can be very helpful too.

Hope this answers your questions,


Fred Ochs
31ochs@gw.wmich.edu  (vax)
ochs@sol.cs.wmich.edu (unix)
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A DASH 8-40CW with a little imagination ;^)

Newsgroups: rec.railroad