From: schumann@msus1.msus.edu
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
Subject: Re: Employee Time Tables
Date: 18 Dec 92 15:57:22 -0600
Distribution: us
Organization: Minnesota State University System

In article <1992Dec17.083723.7240@lmpsbbs.comm.mot.com>,
ARES56@email.mot.com (Bill Hoffman) writes, in part:
> I want to learn about the Chicago and North Western trains in and leaving
> Chicago.  There are probably several divisions involved in this.  Since I 
> want to model some section of the railroad I want info about yards, procedures,
> routes, etc.  I also want some idea of when trains will be running so I can
> try to minimize my dead time while watching for trains. 
> 
> Will a recent (less than 5 years old) Employee Time Table give me some of this
> info and how would I go about getting one, or several?  For my purposes a 
> copy is just fine. 
> 
> Any help is greatly appreciated.
> 
> Bill Hoffman

The Chicago and North Western System Employee Timetable does not list 
freight train schedules.  For each Subdivision, the timetable lists 
the stations by name, milepost, length of passing siding (if any), and 
other similar information.  For example, in DTC territory (Direct 
Traffic Control is a method of dispatching), the timetable gives the 
milepost limits of each DTC block.  For another example, the timetable 
gives speed restrictions and yard limits.

In general, therefore, it shows the routes, gives some information on
procedures and rules, and generally gives the kind of information that
train crews need to operate safely.  The C&NW ETT does not provide
yard diagrams, however.

Thus, a C&NW ETT will provide some of the information you're looking 
for, but it won't tell you when the freight trains run.

The C&NW, like most railroads, makes regular revisions (oh, about every 
other year, say) to its ETT.  Most of these revisions are "minor" from 
a railfans perspective (e.g., a railfan may not really care THAT much 
that the speed limit on some subdivision has been changed from 40 mph 
to 30 mph).  Therefore, it may not matter that much to you whether you 
get the current edition or one a few years old.

Aside from swap meets or dealers, probably the best source of ETTs in 
general are the railroad employees.  While "officials" are unlikely 
to give them out, some train crew employees may be willing to part
with an out of date ETT.  If you're looking specifically for a C&NW 
ETT, you might also wish to consider placing a want ad in the 
quarterly magazine of the Chicago and North Western Historical 
Society; it seems as if most issues have one or two people looking for 
them.

Of possible greater utility, however, is the Chicago railfan timetable 
(I forget its real name and who sells it).  While I haven't seen a 
copy, from the ads and reviews I've seen it sounds like they copied 
the pages relevant to Chicago from the employee timetables of 
railroads that operate in Chicago.  It's on my list of things to buy 
after the holiday craziness subsides.  I've seen it advertised in the 
railfan press, so check out a very recent issue of Railfan & Railroad. 
I don't know, however, how it covers C&NW's Chicago operations, which 
is why I'm posting this followup instead of sending e-mail -- has 
anyone seen this railfan timetable?

I hope this helps.  Since I will be off the net for several weeks, I 
won't be able to provide more help or follow the followups.

Best wishes to everyone for a happy and safe holiday season!
--
   Paul L. Schumann, Ph.D.           |  VAX:  IN%"schumann@MSUS1.MSUS.EDU"
   Professor of Management           |  Office Phone:       (507) 389-5349
   Mankato State University          |  Secretary's Phone:  (507) 389-2966
   Mankato, MN   56002-8400          |  Fax Number:         (507) 389-5497