Operational
Matters
The
HO layout currently runs under the control of a dispatcher using a JMRI
panel, with two way radios and car cards and waybills.
Avidio of a typical scession can be found here. With the New Layout the branch will be dark territory controlled by TWC and the main station will be under CTC.
The N Gauge layout has not developed far enough for a remote panel to
be used.
Western Union Division, NMRA (BR)
Rules and Guidance for Operators participating in Club Prototypical Operation or at a Model Railway Exhibition
With
the introduction of radio headsets and the ongoing development with
regard to prototypical operations, the following rules will be in
effect when Prototypical Running is taking place, either at club meets
or on exhibition.
At an exhibition, it is particularly
relevant to be aware that every individual will be giving their free
time to participate in the event over the course of three whole days,
and it is the aim of the club to exhibit the layout in a disciplined
manner which will be a credit to us all – from the opening minute of
Day 1 to the last half hour of Day 2. This means no short cuts, no
funny stuff, and a mature outlook – THIS IS HOW THE REAL THING OPERATES
TOO.
It is still possible to have lots of fun with
this in mind! This principle also applies to Prototypical Operation
Sessions at monthly meets.
At exhibitions, an Operations
Manager will be appointed, and given overall control of the layout and
all people operating on it, including the Dispatcher. The OM will have
the power to oversee all pertinent matters, being guided by the rules
below, and to make final decisions which everyone has to adhere
to. His decision will be final, and club members are expected to
accept the decision of the OM with good grace.
At monthly
meets, when Prototypical Running is taking place, the following rules
will also apply, but with full acceptance by all participants that
these things take time and patience to learn, and that mistakes will
happen.
Do NOT place drinks, waybills, tools or other
impedimenta on ANY part of the layout, especially the scenic
boards. Additionally, you are required to refrain from leaning
your hands on ANY part of the scenic boards – a lot of hard work has
gone into them. If you made them yourself, YOU would be annoyed
at any lack of respect for your hard work too.
1.Each Operator must be fully accepting of these terms and be willing to abide by them.
2.Each Operator must always wear a radio headset and ensure that he operates in full contact with the Dispatcher
3.Each
Operator must be fully aware of how the Lenz 100 handheld controller
functions, how to control locomotives and other relevant facilities,
and be able to demonstrate this; for example, each Operator must NOT
use the red button on the Lenz controller unless there is an imminent
danger of a major collision. It should NEVER be used to stop a
locomotive if it is about to over-run – there are other methods to do
this. Experienced operators will be happy to pass on their knowledge.
4.No-one
will be allowed to place and/or operate their own or any other trains
onto either the scenic or storage side of the layout at any time
(either at Exhibitions or when Prototypical Running is taking place at
monthly meets), or run them “because it’s quiet”, or “no-one will
mind”. Permission must be obtained from the OM or Dispatcher.
5.Remember
that people will mind that you purposefully make infractions and ignore
these rules, even if they do not say so.
Do not therefore take advantage of other operators’ politeness – please stick to the agreed rules.
6.Each
Operator must work with full permission of the Dispatcher. He must
NEVER change points or signals without the Dispatcher’s permission,
unless he has been given a specific task which allows him to do so, eg
switching the yard. Each Operator must never go beyond “yard limits”
without the permission of the Dispatcher and Yard Master.
7.All
Operators must fully obey instructions and colour signals at all times,
and be constantly vigilant of signals – a train may even be
continuously circling the layout but it must always be under your
control, as other operations may be taking place that require it to
stop. For further information, refer to Anson Running Rulebook.
8.All
Operators are required to tell the Dispatcher when the rear of their
train has cleared any powered switch(es) under Dispatcher control, so
that they may be set back to their original position.
9.If,
for any reason, a main line or storage yard switch, or a signal, has to
be changed by the Operator, this can only be done following the gaining
of permission from the Dispatcher. The Operator should ALWAYS ensure
that a switch is returned to its correct setting, and/or be fully aware
of the potential to cause problems for following trains. Think ahead,
and think of others.
10.Scale speeds will be adhered to at
all times – this is usually rather slower than many people realise; eg
a main line train would never be able to stop prototypically in the
length of the layout if it is travelling at line speed as it enters the
scenic section. If a stop is to be made, then the train should be
travelling at a very reduced speed as it enters the scenic section, and
NOT at full-tilt.
11.When switching and/or coupling cars,
a brief 4-5 second pause should be made to represent the fact that the
car must have its hoses connected and air pumped. If a locomotive
is coupling up to a train, a period of at least 20 or so seconds should
represent the time it takes for the air to travel the length of the
train. Anything less is toy-like. Trains must never simply couple
up and move off – it’s NOT prototypical.
12.Prototypical
horn signals should be used at all times (eg grade crossings, moving
off etc, also locomotive bells. Bells should ALWAYS be turned off
when the locomotive is stationary for more than a few moments. For
further information, refer to Anson Running Rulebook.
Be aware that bells are prototypically NOT used at all times when switching in the yard or elsewhere.
13.No
locomotive or other item of stock should be replaced on the layout at
any time, by any person or Operator, without full permission of the
Operations Manager and/or Dispatcher.
14.Each locomotive
placed on the layout will be accompanied by a card which states all
relevant information, including owner and DCC function
numbers. These will be held by the Dispatcher and given to the
Operator for his use when running a locomotive or locomotives.
Following completion of a task with a locomotive or consist, the
card(s) will be returned to the Dispatcher.
15.Any
individual car placed on the layout which is to be used actively in
operations will always have an allocated Waybill; this will contain
details of the car and instructions on its various destinations.
16.Prior
to moving a locomotive or consist, each operator must ensure that
correct lights (if fitted) are lit, and that other, non-leading
locomotives in the consist have their lights OFF, other than the
trailing light of the last locomotive if this is appropriate (eg helper
set etc).
17.An Operator must never “do his own thing”, and
depart from the specific task he has been given: if in doubt, ask for
clarification. He must operate according to the rules and instructions
at all times.
Remember that we are attempting to replicate the real thing.
18.If
an Operator maliciously fails to abide by these rules during
Exhibitions or Active Club Operations, or continually fails to take
them seriously enough, he will be removed from duty.
19. An
intelligent instructor once said: Rules are for the blind obedience of
fools and the guidance of wise men. Fair enough.
20.
Be fully aware that Rule 19 does NOT mean you can become Admiral
Nelson. He was the one that was fully in charge of
everything. You are not, and anyway, no one likes a smart-arse.
You
are part of an inter-dependent team. If you can’t abide by all of the
above, Rule 18 will
apply.
Happy Railroading!
BM February
2009
Version 1
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