Module 2: Train Operations

1. Module 2: Train Operations

2. Objectives • Knowing how trains are operated will help understand railway engineering • Passenger & freight trains • Shipment from origin to destination • Movement control on main & other tracks • Track time for revenue train operations and maintenance of way work • Line capacity considerations • Train speed considerations • Terminal capacity considerations

3. Train Operations A railway’s business is operating trains to transport freight or passengers from one point to another Photo courtesy of CN

4. What is a Train? • An engine or more than one engine coupled, • With or without cars, • Displaying markers. • Markers: • Headlight or white light in front • Red sign, flag or blinking red light at rear

5. Passenger Trains • Service: • Intercity-long haul • Intercity-short haul • Commuter • Urban transit • Scenic tour • Equipment: • Conventional • High Speed Rail • Acela – U.S.A. • TGV – Europe • Bullet Train – Japan Photo courtesy of CTE Engineers, Inc. Photo courtesy of CTE Engineers, Inc.

6. Passenger Trains • Major considerations: • Safety • On-time performance • Speed / travel time • Ride comfort • Noise and vibration • Passenger, environment • Schedule connection • Equipment choice • Tilt mechanism • HVAC and facilities • Station building: • Access and facilities

7. Freight Trains • Intermodal • Manifest (mixed freight) • Unit trains • Bulk commodities • Same product (autos, grain, etc) • Terminal movements • Work trains • Special trains

8. Freight Trains • Major considerations: • Safety • On-time delivery • Speed vs. heavy haul • Service scheduling • Keeping the line moving • Car and load tracing • Empty distribution • Balance of Power & Crew • Terminal ability to receive, marshal, and depart trains • Traffic Interchange • Paper trail Photo courtesy of CN

9. The Paper Trail • Bill of Lading • Contract between customer and originating railroad • Waybill • Contract between carrier railroads to follow shipment • Special handling instructions for dangerous commodities and perishables • Wheel Report (Train Journal) • List of cars in train for conductor’s information • Updated by conductor for pick-up and set-out • Consist Report (Advance Consist) • Advance report of arriving trains to next division point • Switch List • Instruction for classifying cars for making up outbound trains • Interchange Delivery Report • Confirmation of cars interchanged to another railroad

10. Keeping Track of the Cars • Automatic Equipment Identification (AEI) transponder on each equipment • Wayside interrogators report locations of trains & equipment to railway computer • Railways interchange information through AAR computer • Customers can access information on shipment

11. Movement Control • Main tracks & sidings • Dispatcher controlled • Occupy with permit only, track work included • Speed in Timetable • May or may not be signaled • Other tracks • Speed depends on range of vision • Yardmasters designate track use in terminal • Track work requires protection Photo courtesy of CN

12. Bibles of Operations • Rule Book: • USA – GCOR, NORAC & Individual Rule Books • Canada – CROR • Variation for each railway • General Operating Instructions - GOI • Timetable & Terminal Operating Manual: • Special instructions • Subdivision footnotes • Operating Bulletins

13. Control of Main Tracks • Permit Systems • Modernized train order • Track warrant • Occupancy Permit • With or without automatic block signals (ABS) • Computer programs to aid dispatchers in keeping track of train order issued • CTC System (Controlled by dispatcher) • Centralized Traffic Control • With controlled and intermediate signals

14. Centralized Traffic Control • Trains operate by signal indications • Dispatchers line switches and set signals at sidings and junctions • Intermediate signals fleet trains between controlled signals in same direction at proper spacing • Computer programs help plan and control train movements

15. Line Capacity • Definition: • How much tonnage moved per unit time • Function of acceptable train delays • Track Plant Restrictions: • Gross ton/car allowed • Number of main tracks or siding length • Siding grid (running time) • Signalization (signal block length & pullout penalty) • Maintenance work blocks

16. Line Capacity • Train Restrictions: • Trailing tonnage - length & weight/car • Speed - grade & power to weight ratio • Priority - speed differential • Distribution - direction & peaking • Switching work required • Dispatching Efficiency - experience • Weather

17. Meet/Pass & Work Block Analysis Tool

18. Speed = Safety & Capacity • Maximum Speeds in Timetable & Signs • Differ by zone or section • Differ for passenger, express and freight • May differ by train length or tonnage for freight • May differ by direction • Speed applies to Whole Train • Subject to Restrictions • Temporary • Permanent • Equipment

19. Terminal Capacity • Capacity affected by: • Receiving & Departure Yards • Classification yards • Flat yard • Hump yard • Switching leads • Availability for switching • Conflict with inbound and outbound movements • Yard engine programming • Connecting lines between yards within terminal • Hard to determine

20. From Origin to Destination • ABC Sawmill in Lumby, BC ships two boxcars of cedar shingles to United Lumber in Seattle, WA. • Line hauled by 3 railroads • KPR L>K 100 miles • CN K>V 247 miles • BNSF V>S 180 miles • Total L>S 527 miles • Interchanged at Kamloops and Vancouver • Clear US Customs at international border • Final delivery in Seattle

21. QUESTIONS?