The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-08
DIVIDED INFO cLAssEs,

DIVIDED INTO CLASSES.
Trains are divided into classes, those
of first class having right OF way over
lower classes, and so on Then there is
a direction right. g., trains moving in
q specified direction, have right OF
way over trains of the same or inferior
class moving in the opposite direction.
All schedule trains are numbered on the
time table. A train falling behind its
time may proceed If it avoids the time
of all trains Of superior right. A train
Of superior right may proceed re-
CARELESS OF how late it Is, provided al
ways that 1t avoids superior trains
and any scheduled train falling twelve
hours behind time looses all rights
and can be moved only by special orders.
Extra trains" are those not provided
for in the time table and can be ope-
rated only by telegraphic train orders.
Now, IL all trains ran always on time
the time table would be ample for their
movement. But 1t is necessary to pro.
vide for special orders which supple
ment the time table, and here is where
the train-dtspatcher comes In. This Off.
cial keeps before him a train register
sheet wherein Is recorded the number OF
each train and the time each passes the
several stations on his district, the
station operators reporting the trains
over the wire as they pass. The dis
patcher's thinker is kept busy as he
continually records these trains and spins
out special movement orders. He must
figure for the best net result, for in a
multiplicity of trains 1t Is often q ques,
!. ton of equal moment to consider q
prospective meet with another train
as 1t is to make a close meet between the
two. he Is Immediately. considering.
Then he must lookout for "blocks"-i.
e., see that there is not an accumula-
ton OF trains more than the siding will
hold at any point. and he must always
have tucked away in his Uranium the
capacity Of all sidings, the physical
characteristics Of the road and so on.
Each telegraph Office is provided with
train order signal. Red means stop"
white means mo ORDERS" When the dis
patcher sends an order 1t is communi-
Gated simultaneously to the operators
receiving for the respective trains and
also toh the operator at the meeting
point which is double check" Of safe
ty. The operators repeat the order
and II correctly repeated (and if not the
dispatcher requires a new and correct
copy to be made) 1t Is 20. K'd": the
conductors sign on the triplicate mani
fold. their signatures are given to the
dispatcher over the wire and recorded
by him in his book. which contains the
order as sent. The operators tear off
and deliver two copies to the conductor
zone for enSineerman) and the trains
proceeds to their meeting point. The
order to train of inferior right cannot
be completed until the signature of the
conductor OF train Of superior right has
been received by the dlspat cher, unless
the latter mentioned train is otherwise
neld up This is safeguard rule for
u tho operator should fail to hold the
superior train no harm would result fur
sher than delay to the inferior train,
since the lattcr's order would not, of
course, be completed"
l2xtrh trains are those not provided
Tor on the timetable, and can be run
only by special orders.
THE BLOCK SYSTEM.
Very many roads now use the absolute
block systaEl." which is simply that ONLY
Aone train IS allowed ON zach section OF the
crack, ta2 block Offices being generally,
lUur or hve lnilos apart. This sup
PIGMENTS the timetable ana the speclal
orders rs very effective safeguard, but
doesS not conflict with them. since n
'clea.r block" would not give train
right to eEtcr az against a train of
suporioN right.
on double-track roads, of course, tho
"meetnES matter is minimiZcd, although
i Is necessary for trains Of inferior
class to keep on the time of superior
clasa trainsN following. and this neces-
States 'croak,overs'' and frequent spe-
cial orders in cffectlng them.
] could. OF course, elaborate upon this
interesting subjept. but tho foregoing Is,
trust, comprehensive outline of tho
matter such as you desire
When 1t is considered how vast the
number OF trains gun ana passengers
handled evhry day. ut will be realized
mat the accidents aud casualties are
comparative few Every possible pre-
caution that can be susgeste is being
atnlzed to Insure safety. This Is par
aoularly true of the great Chesa ake
and Ohio road, which makes safety the
paramount consideration. and is strict
~ insisteEt upon the observal.ce of every
9recaution and tho provision OF every
safeguard. Nor IS this ytrnl,ee. since
this great trnnk-line has for its general
manager such an artist as Mrs O. u
Doyle( who is an honor to this progress.
utve railway world.
"Railroadlng in all It's branches 60 .,
high tension business, Those enga oed
actively In the transportation department.
are specially called upon tn be quick IN
perception and in execution. They must
DO vol poised. calm. collected, brave, en-
during. And II any ono has 1t In mind