Saw-by

[NW Mailing List]

Dave:
Ultimately, the dispatcher probably bore the responsibility for 
the "saw-by" which occurred at Prospect.  At Fort Wayne,  and
probably at other division points, the Superintendent  reviewed
the previous nights performance with the Chief  Dispatcher
beginning at 7:00 AM.  During the session, the Chief  Dispatcher
would explain delays -- it was kinda a "Monday  morning
quarterback" event known in the dispatching office  as
"confessions".   No doubt the chief at Crewe had a lot  of
explaining to do.
 
The incident at Prospect did bring to light an oversight  the
railroad was making.  Remember that this occurred in  the
late 50's or early 60's.  The initial terminal would report  a
train's consist in loads, mtys, and tons.  E.G. 60 X 80 -  9100,
translated that means 60 loads, 80 mtys, 9100 tons.   That
would calculate into a train with 140 car LENTGTHS.   The
standard car (on most roads) was figured at a constant  of
40 feet.  Certainly  Prospect with 8340 feet would clear  a
train of 200 cars, plus three units and a caboose !   BUT
WHAT IF - sixty-five of the cars were those new 89-foot  TTX
flats ?    
 
With the introduction of jumbo tanks and covered hoppers, 
bi-levels and tri-levels,  the old standard  of 40-foot cars no
longer applied.  In advising the dispatcher of a  train's
consist, the expression became 60 X 80 - 9100 PLUS  65L.
Translated, that's 60 loads, 80 mtys, 9100 tons and
65 LONG cars.  Now I believe a computer calculates  the
train's length.
                                                                    Harry 
Bundy
 
                                    



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