Timetables

[Anonymous]

Hello!
I was wondering, how to use Timetables? For this reason, I might want to add it on my layout. I already have three other prototype paperwork on my layout: Car-cards/Waybills, Switchlists, and a Daily report. I just want to know how to use a Timetable? Thanks for the info!
Zachar
P.S. GO BUSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JESUS IS KING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[orsonroy]

OK, here goes (I'll probably forget SOMETHING):

A timetable (I'll be refering to an employee TT from the transition era, not a public or passenger TT) is a general guide of what's scheduled to be on the railroad, as well as a quick reference if special instructions for the part of the railroad the TT refers to. Normally, the TT will have a column listing each station (named place, NOT building) on that line, info about that station, milepost, etc. Scheduled trains will be listed across the top (usualy some sort of number), with their class listing:

First class: passenger trains and some priority freights
Second class: scheduled priority freights and some local passenger service
Third class: lower priority freights

Under each train will be a time of arrival at each station. Generally, TTs have two of these graphs, showing both directions of travel. From these schedules, you can get a rough feel for the traffic on any given line.

HOWEVER, the railroad is NOT a slave the the timetable; they're just guides. Scheduled trains, if they are not anulled by train order, have "authority" to occupy their block of time on the TT for twelve hours, unless they get in the way of superior trains or are issued new train orders that modify the schedule. Frankly, it's all a bit confusing unless you actually work with them (schedules, TTs and train orders).

I highly suggest getting an employee TT for a road and time period you're interested in, and picking up a copy of "Realistic Model RR Operation" by Kalmbach. It explains all of this much more clearly than I do!