Extra 1027 West on the move
In last month’s column, you were making yourself comfortable in the caboose when the conductor rattled you by asking what gave the Spud authority to depart from Kennebec. You’re operating on a timetable-and-trainorder layout, and you overlooked the train order needed to occupy the main track because the Spud is an extra train, not a regular train with a schedule.
“Call me Smitty,” the conductor smiles, warming up to your sincere interest in learning the ropes. “Here’s what we got, Sonny.” He hands over a train order to conductor and engineer (C&E) Engine No. 1027 reading Eng 1027 run extra Kennebec to Idaho. Stapled atop the train order is a clearance addressed to C&E Extra 1027 West.
Here’s an important distinction. That order makes the Spud a train going west between Kennebec and Idaho, powered by engine No. 1027. The train becomes Extra 1027 West the moment the dispatcher completes the order. The order and the clearance have different addresses because the clearance issues after the order does. Railroaders may call it “The Spud” (some chuckle “Hot Potatoes,” since it’s a hotshot) but officially, it’s Extra 1027 West, just like nicknames compare with full names.
The order doesn’t relieve the Spud of respecting other trains, however. Their schedules have No. 11 and No. 202 running between Kennebec and
Idaho while the Spud does. Both are regular trains, superior to extras, so the Spud must work around them.
Smitty asks, “No. 11 is the first we’ll see. How?” You’re ready for the answer because you studied this: “We’ll let him pass at Fries.” Smitty had already arranged this with the engineer, so he nods and motions you to the platform to wave a highball. The Spud starts rolling, departing Kennebec at 6:50 a.m.
Immediately Smitty asks you about Rule 99 flag protection. “Will you drop off the rear end when we’re nearly stopped and go back?” You smile and shake your head. “No, I’ll drop a fusee about a mile away, when we begin to slow for the head end to get the switch.” Indeed, Rule 99 begins with the phrase “When a train is moving under circumstances in which it may be overtaken by another train, the flagman must drop lighted fusees at proper intervals.”
Fusees burn for 10 minutes, long enough to protect a short stop for the head brakeman to open the switch. Sure enough, the brakes squeeze soon after you drop a fusee. (Forgive me for stepping from layout operation into prototype practice briefly, but fusees and layouts don’t play well together.)
The Spud pulls in the siding. It’s 7:15, clearing No. 11 by five minutes according to rule. Whether or not No. 11 reaches Fries on schedule, there’s not enough time to run for Baked to meet No. 202, so you’ll have to cool your wheels here for at least 40 minutes.
But here comes Smitty, with a train order he just picked up at the depot: Extra 1027 West has right over No. 202 Fries to Baked. Right, class and direction make one train superior to another. Train orders give right, which is superior to class and direction. This one requires No. 202 to wait for the Spud at Baked. The order tells of a dispatcher who’s on his toes, expediting the Spud.
Just now, No. 11 rushes by at 7:20, starting the 10-minute countdown that spaces trains. A 10-minute fusee fits with the 10-minute spacing, you realize.
The Spud whistles off at 7:30. Smitty tests you again: “Do we head in at Baked or stay on the main?” You answer: “The siding, because our superiority ends there and makes us inferior to No. 202.” You’re on solid ground. The order’s wording has a specific meaning. The Spud must clear up at Baked because No. 202’s superiority resumes there, entitling it to the main track.
Smitty continues: “How could we stay on the main?” “The order would state ‘has right over No. 202 Fried to Baked and at Baked.’”
“You’ll make a good conductor, kiddo.”
Indeed, 202’s waiting for the Spud at Baked. Its head brakeman lined the siding switch so the Spud heads in without delay. He’ll throw the switch back when your caboose rolls by so 202 can depart promptly. The meet completed, Extra 1027 West rushed its spuds to Idaho.
TRAIN ORDERS GIVE RIGHT, WHICH IS SUPERIOR TO CLASS AND DIRECTION. -JERRY