Operating Session 9

Operating Session #9 took place on Thursday 7/18/2019.  I had 9 operators in addition to myself.  This was the largest crew I’ve had yet.  The conclusion is that 8 operators is a more optional crew size.  With 9 some people ended up waiting a while between trains.

The Digitrax duplex radio throttles generally worked well, although at the east end of East Yard the reception didn't seem to be the best.  A second UR92 radio receiver is probably a good idea for the future.

During the session I ran into a slot limitation problem with my DCC command station.  I’m still running off of a Digitrax Zephyr DCS50 command station.  It has 12 control slots, and somehow we ran out.  For a while it seemed like we could only have 6-7 throttles with a locomotive assigned to it.  When doing some research afterwards I discovered that if locomotives aren’t dispatched with all functions (including headlight) off, then the slot isn’t released.  Additionally, old consists defined in the system may be holding onto slots.  During the next session I plan on running the slot release procedure, and then have each operator make sure they turn off all functions before dispatching their locomotives.  Do note that the clearing procedure also wipes any consists you may have configured.  If that doesn’t do the trick then it is time to upgrade to a more capable command station.  I’m still a bit amazed that the oldest most basic Digitrax Zephyr has managed to do the job so far.


Here were the assignments for the session, Friday 9/11/1959:

• 6:45am ATSF/P&E/C&IM/P&PU Dispatcher on duty.  Dan J, all day job.
• 6:45am ATSF Pekin switcher on duty.  Greg B, all day job.
• 7:00am PPU yard switcher on duty.  Kurt V, all day job.
• 7:00am PE switcher on duty.  Frank S, all day job.
• 7:00am ATSF#14 Eastward passenger from Pekin.  Peter A.
• 7:00am PE Corn Products AM job.  Mike H.
• 7:45am ATSF #47 Westward green fruit express from ATSF staging (Streator).  Bob M.
• 8:15am ATSF Westward extra local freight from ATSF staging (Streator).  Mike A.
• 10:00am ATSF #48 Eastward through-freight from East Yard.  Charlie S.
• 10:15am CIM #6 Northward freight from CIM staging.  Peter A.
• ~ 10:30am ATSF Eastward extra local freight from East Yard.  SEVERELY DELAYED DUE TO DELAYS FROM OPPOSING EXTRA.
• 11:00am ATSF #17 Westward mail and express from ATSF staging (Streator).  Bill S.
• ~ 11:00am PE American Distilling AM job.  Mike H.
• 12:05pm PE #11 Westward passenger from PE staging (Bloomington).  Peter A.
• 12:50pm PE #95 Westward freight from PE staging (Bloomington).  Mike A.
• 1:00pm ATSF #18 Eastward mail and express from Pekin.  DELAYED 1HR.  Mike A.
• 1:42pm TPW Westward coal extra from ATSF staging (Streator).  Peter A.
• 2:15pm PE #12 Eastward passenger from Pekin.  Charlie S.
• 3:05pm CIM #7 Southward freight from East Peoria.  Bill S.
• 3:15pm ATSF #13 Westward passenger from ATSF staging (Streator).  Charlie S.
• 3:30pm ATSF #50 Eastward way-freight from East Yard.  Delayed 1 hrs, Mike H.
• Session ended 4pm.
• 4:30pm PE #90 Eastward freight from East Peoria.  Run after session.
• 4:45pm ATSF #49 Westward way-freight from ATSF staging (Streator).  Run after session.

Train orders issued during the session:

1. To: No 14, No 47.  Body: No 14 Meet No 47 in Roanoke.  No 47 take siding in Roanoke.  Complete: 6:40am.
2. To: x707W.  Body: After No 14 arrives in Streator engine 707 run extra Streator to East Yard.  Complete: 7:30am.
3. To: x401W.  Body: TP&W engine 401 run extra Streator to East Peoria via Pekin Jct.  Complete: 1:05pm
4. To: No 18, x401W.  No 18 run 1HR late.  Complete: 1:42pm
5. To: No 13, No 50.  No 50 run 1HR late.  Complete: 3:30pm.