The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-08-01

Railroad traffic is now at its fullness,
and should a railroad train become de-
layed the complaints of the respective
pussenga ars are loud and unending.
They are apt to forget with what re-
markable regularity trains are kept on
time and take notice only of their pres
ent detention. For the movement Of
trains three things are essential. In
The order of their Importance these are
railroads, time tables and train des-
patChcrs If but one train were run on
the railroad at a time the two latter
mentioned might be dispensed with.
But moving a hundred trains daily
in opposite directions is entirely an
other proposition. To move that num-
her of trains over single track every
day in the year, with each train arriv-
ing and departing on time from each
of the stations on the line requires care
and bra inwork. 1t must be understood
that the hour of arrival and departure
OF each train has been announced for
weeks before hand. Even with the aid
of time cards and deSpatChers the un-
erring regularity of railroad trains be-
come a subject of interest. The pune
tuality of trains has become a matter
of course to the general public and any
delay or detention is apt to excite Won
der and comment
Railroads for the convenience and
economy of management are separated
into divisions varying in length from
so to 200 miles. Where the topography
of the line will admit. railroad men
prefer division of about $50 miles
long. Each division is in charge of
superintendent who directs through his
subOrdnateS the movements of all
trains on his division. Next in rank in
the train service is the chief dispatch
er, who is assisted by three dispatchers
who work the tricks" of eight hours
each. The latter are men who look
after the details connected with the
movement of the trains.
GOVERNED BY TIME CARD.
All regular trains are governed by
the time card, as long as they are on
schedule time. If regular trains We're
always on time, if no extras or specials
were run, the necessity for dispatchers
would not exist. The rights Of each
train are explicitly defined by the code
of rules which is issued with each
change of schedule and minute direc-
tons are given for procedure in every
emergency it is possible to foresee
When a train is delayed or loses it's
rights the service of the dispatcher is
required to get it over the road. The
various associations of railroad officials
have adopted a standard code for the
movement of trains. This code, with
slight variations, is in use on all the
prominent lines in the United States.
The time card is made out for every
division under directions of each divi-
son superintendent. subject to the ap-
Droval of the general superintendent,
superintendent of transportation and
general manager Schedules have per-
manent rules that seldom change. Ger
tain passenger trains lun on the same
schedule for years and are run regard
less of the business offered by other
trains. The probable amount and
source of business that will result from
additional trains are carefully consid-
cred when making a schedule. This
applies more closely to the freight traf-
1ic of Il road than to the passenger bus
mess New time cards are issued from
time to time as the freight traffic in
Creases or diminshes. with Il view, TO
the celerity and economy of it's move
ment.
Trains not having right of track must
keep out of the way of those going in
opposite directions.
Trains having the right of road on a
single track must wait at a meeting
point fve minutes after their departing
time for trains of the same class going
In the opposite directions. They must