Re: Rights of Trains - Time-Table Meets

Great question Herb. Great answer Paul

It all reminds me of an article in "Trains" about an ATSF dispatchers shift in the middle, single track area of the north route. It was the area where the east/west trans cons met. West bounds had priority over the similar east bounds but the order of named trains was the Super, El Cap, Chief, Grand Canyon (North), Fast Mail, freight trans con (usually went south route) and then local freight.
As it was scheduled, all ten passenger as well as what ever freight would meet in this area during this dispatchers shift. Also, this area was where the more time consuming named trains were over taken by the faster trains. Factor in delays for what ever reason and the read of how this person had to adjust and readjust was very impressive. It then ended that day's events by saying "this was a typical shift". Wow!
I imagine this was not unique to just Santa Fe. I remember reading how NYC in the hey day for passenger travel had all of their named trains scheduled to arrive at GCT at about the same time. Add in multiple sections, commuter and moving out the empties to the coach yard (too make room in the terminal). I would think to some degree the stress might rival an air traffic controller.

Phil