This Dispatcher Rides Trains

[Anonymous]

Hello All [:D]

This week I will be taking several road trips on trains to actually see the territory I dispatch. In order to become the best dispatcher I can be I would like fellow RR's to chime in with concerns or comments on what they'd like their dispatchers to do better or at least pay more attention to. Many things come to mind, but I'd like to hear it from the horse's mouth so to speak. [;)]

Nathan

[Rodney Beck]

Nathan wise choice on BNSF

[Rodney Beck]

Nathan wise choice on BNSF we have dispatchers that have no idea how the line is, for example in CTC one wanted me to clear up at a place without an electric switch lock I told them I can not clear up their the dispatcher called the RFE and told him I was being combative and had to have a chat I told him what they wanted me to do and the RFE called that dispatcher and told them that his engineer was in the right. The next case I was running a train that started the trip with enough HPT but in route I started getting a hard wheel slip which took (2) traction motors out of the rear motor, instead of getting a runnning start at the hill I had to do ti from a dead start and stalled I toned up the dispatcher and told them we were stalled on the hill and the dispatcher said we have a hill on that line. Me being an engineer I do what the signals and dispatchers tell me to do so Nathan get a look at the lines you dispatch it will inprove the crew and dispatcher realationship.

Rodney

[mackb4]

I've asked the Asst.Supts.,and left messages on our suggestion hotline for the dispatchers to ride trains on our territorty with no answer [:(!] ! I know there's alot to being a dispatcher, and frankly I wounldn't have the job.Being an engineer and listening to what I have to ,and answer to what I also have to is enough [|(] ! But with new dispatchers on the district they have a bad habit of sticking use to meet trains for to long and in the worst of places.This currently is a district of single track tunnels and lots of crossing,and we normally run long trains (180-250+).Iknow it's also got to be a challenge to have distpatchers come out in ride trains,but is that hard[?] I commend you and your fellow dispatchers for riding trains and to the smart person who has you to do so.[8D]

[rrnut282]

While not a railroader, I would recommend talking to the crews and finding out which dispatcher they like best and why. Then, if they like him/her for the right reason, emulate them using your own style.

Also listen to the conversations between crews and dispatchers and maintainers. Listen to how things are said more than what words are spoken. More communication takes place by HOW it is said than WHAT is said.

[PNWRMNM]

Nathan,

I believe that frequency of dispatchers riding trains is down in part because of the centralization of dispatching that chacterizes the industry. The company could require some number of trips per year but they would be expensive in travel and double labor cost (you and your relief).

I do not know what the carriers are doing about this as a matter of policy. Does anyone??

Mac

[samfp1943]

Anything that you can do to improve your knowledge and ability to better do your job is a plus, for those you work with, and your employer..Good Luck.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

A few years back, I remember a newly hired or promoted Metra dispatcher making familiarization runs on my particular line (Southwest service). I talked with him briefly before our departure time and he believed that knowing the physical characteristics of the lines he dispatched would aid him in his work.

[Jack_S]

A good idea. I have never worked for a RR, but I have run into an analogous situation. My hobby, from 1963 to 1993 was working as an Auto Racing official and track worker. For many years I held a National Observer's license from the Sports Car Club of America.

(Yes, almost all the people who make up the track worker crews at motor racing events are unpaid volunteers. Some get a part of their expenses covered, but that is all.)

I started in the NYC city area with a local group that required student drivers to work several events as flaggers or communicators as a part of their training for a racing license. We had very few problems with drivers misinterpreting or ignoring the flags. Or with doing certain stupid moves that endanger eveeyone involved.

When I moved to SoCal in 1977 I started working with the local SCCA region. Several times it was suggested that student drivers be required to work races. These suggestions were turned down every time. I will state that we had many more problems with the drivers in SoCal than in the Northeast. Likewise, the best drivers, from the workers standpoint, were those who were also track workers when they were not racing.

In a Formula Ford race at Riverside in the 1980s, I saw one car blow its engine in Turn 2, steer away from the racing line, exit onto the dirt, and coast up behind the fence near a flag station. He got out of the car, secured it, and walked over to the flag station. Observing that they were shorthanded, he joined their crew and flagged the rest of the race until the tow came for his car at the end. Naturally, he was a flagger when not racing his car.

Jack

[eolafan]

"Walk a mile in my shoes"

[Anonymous]

The main reason I'm probably able to ride is because I have not marked up yet. Also, the group before me marked up too soon and several were definitely not ready to be dispatching yet. So, management has been a little more careful with my group. I also have the advantage of working at a "regional" dispatching office instead of a centralized one. My office dispatches the former Conrail territory between Erie, PA and East St. Louis, IL. I know my employer plans on breaking up the centralized office in JAX, but nobody knows when that will happen. I know that Indy will get the AT and CR desks. I think CR controls the Columbus line between Willard and Columbus and AT controls the New Castle Sub?
Everyone, thanks for your advice and I'll definitely be all ears and eyes while I'm riding.

[mackb4]

I don't see how or why a multi-million dollar corporation would see it time consuming or see it as a money issue when it comes to safety,rather the opposite.I know alot of our dispatchers on the Pocahontas Division are qualified on several desks(districts) and don't see why they couldn't allow a moving around to let the dispatchers ride.Nathan do you feel your getting a picture of the route in your mind now your riding the rails you will be dispatching?And don't you see this as a big tool to aid you in your job?

[Anonymous]

If I get any good pictures in Terre Haute this week, I'll let you know which trains. If you were on 'em, I'll send you copies. So far, it's been clouds, clouds, and MORE clouds. I did get one shot accepted yesterday, but didn't have the scanner on, so don't know which train it was:
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=123165

[FThunder11]

Not only will it be fun, but you will see Trains, not just tell them what to do!

[JoeKoh]

any chance you'll come up on the galletea line?matt and i would come over to bowling green and wave!
stay safe
joe

[Anonymous]

Mack,

That's why I've been wanting to ride trains over my territory so I can see all these places I tell trains to hold at. And you better believe it will be a very helpful tool. There's a lot of sidings that are west of Terre Haute and most have crossings through them, so I'd like to see what size trains can fit where if I have to hold them for a long time. I also need to see the lay of the land including grades, curves, etc. It should be a fun trip and I'll get to meet a few crews that I've been talking to over the radio. I'm sure in my early days my initials "NDS" will stand for: New Dispatcher Sucks and a few other good ones.

[Anonymous]

Bret,

I can't give you specifics due to 911 and the safety of the crews, etc. But, I can tell you I'll be on something going through your area middle to late morning tomorrow. I wasn't working at the time but I'd guess something like a Q377.

[Anonymous]

Joe,

Chances are slim I'll be on the route in the near future. I'll probably be posting on the Indy terminal job next.

[JoeKoh]

nathan
well good luck on your trip.I also know there was switch around the crossing with the willard sub line that was giving csx problems not too long ago.
stay safe
Joe

[Anonymous]

"NDS,"
No sweat. I'll just let you know what trains, if any (*** weather!) I get this week. You can let me know after the fact if any are of interest to you. I'm on days this week, so my opportunities will be limited.

Also, if you decide you want pictures of any of the diamonds, crossovers, or whatever from this area, let me know. I know your fam rides will help a lot, but a digital picture of a particular area sure don't cost nuthin!

[Anonymous]

Bret, I'd appreciate any and all pics you have of that type. You can send me via email.

[mvlandsw]

Let the crews know what you are planning. It's discouraging and a waste of fuel to get a train up to 50 or 60 mph only to have to stop for a meet in a few miles. If you give the crew a little of the "big picture" things can run more smoothly.

[mloik]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Jack_S


In a Formula Ford race at Riverside in the 1980s, I saw one car blow its engine in Turn 2, steer away from the racing line, exit onto the dirt, and coast up behind the fence near a flag station. He got out of the car, secured it, and walked over to the flag station. Observing that they were shorthanded, he joined their crew and flagged the rest of the race until the tow came for his car at the end. Naturally, he was a flagger when not racing his car.

Jack

Hey Jack,

Off topic, but when I was a student at UCLA in the '80s I went to a few races at Riverside. Great track, and I was sad to see it (literally) bulldozed into suburban ticky-tack housing developments.

Michael

[PigFarmer1]

It amazes me that all you have gotten are responses about how you should work with your train crews. As a MoW guy I would like to remind you that we need to get through to you too. Don't forget about the people who are trying to maintain the tracks in your territory. Try to get them the time they need to do their work. Don't make them wait 2-3 hours to get five minutes of track time. Thanks and good luck.

[MP173]

Nate and pigfarmer:

I dont see how you guys can co-exist. The pressures to move the trains must be great....and then you have all the work to do.

I listen in on the scanner and it is interesting to hear how the MOW crews can get work done with all the trains running, particularly on the single line trackage.

Nate, hope things are going well for you.

ed

[Anonymous]

Nathan....Were you on the road Thursday? I shot the L111, Q131, Y101, Z/V580, and the Q332. None of the shots are great, but I thought you could have been on the 111, 131, or 332.
I'll get some pics out to you relatively soon. Today is PERFECT for photography, but I've got parents coming into town, and a birthday party for my almost-6-yr-old. At least it's an off week for the Colts, so I'm not missing them. I should have some decent pics for you by the end of next week.

[PigFarmer1]

Well, some days we don't get a whole lot done. We know it's not the dispatcher's fault. They have their job to do too. It drives us nuts, but what can you do??? We complain a lot.[:D][}:)]

[Anonymous]

TELL SPANKY I SAID HI - HAHAHAHA

-4 Desks over

[Anonymous]

I HOPE TO GOD THEY DONT PUT SPANKY ON 2ND SHIFT.....

BOY WILL HE BE IN A WORLD OF HELL...

WE ALL READY TOLD CLETE TO EASE HIM INTO 2ND SHIFT....

---WE JUST LOVE NEW DISPATCHERS!!!

---ALL WE NEED NOW IS A NICKNAME FOR YOU!!!

[Anonymous]

csx-dispatcher,

LOL, I can't believe you call him spanky! That's great, but be careful he's really sensitive about that. I felt bad about telling that story, but I just couldn't resist. Bring on the nicknames, just make sure it's a good one! Talking to the crews, they already had a good one for me NDS = No *** Sense.

Bret,
I rode the L111 on Wednesday morning and the Q108 late that night, so I came through before you got out there.

It was truly nice to see the territory I dispatch and get to talk to both the crews and M&W forces. I invited both to share their frustrations with me about the dispatching, and they did just that. I also got to experience some questionable dispatching from the crews point of view while I was riding this past week. Being on duty for 15 hours on a local brought me back to the days of being a conductor, and honestly, I don't miss them at all.
I met with the M&W roadmaster and Roselake, IL and he spoke to me at length about the frustrations his workforce experiences on a daily basis. Communication, is the number one tool a dispatcher has and it is note being used to its full potential. The M&W folks have asked us not to tease them with the possiblity of time on the track if we know it's not going to happen. I've been told to be honest and tell them I can't get them out for hours and then they can go do work in a yard or something. And I know all to well that slow orders won't disappear unless the M&W are out there to fix them. It truly is a balancing act being a train dispatcher, trying to allow work on the track as well as getting trains across the railroad in an efficient manner. And with UPS peak season starting there is absolutely no leeway in holding up intermodal traffic for anything. But,
I can only try my best and hope for the most.