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Tim, #1. I assume you mean track time. Track time is really a self explanatory term. It means the time you as a train, mofw gang, hi-rail or whatever has on a stretch of track. Is that what you mean? #2. By a master clock, there is a clock for each time zone governed by that dispatch center and dispatchers go by local time. Sometimes, in areas near time zone changes, one area may be in the dispatch time zone and the community in another. This is covered by timetable rule. #3. Train crew still must have a watch calibrated to the local time. The rules have changed over the years from "railroad approved" to "reliable" watches. When I first started, we were required to have a pocket watch that was not stem set. Usually these were Hamilton or Waltham and they said "railroad approved". They had white faces with black numbers with not only the five-minute numerals, but also minute listed. They were in white or yellow gold cases. Today, a genuine railroad Hamilton in good condition will sell in excess of $600. I have my grandfather's Hamilton. There was even a railroad jeweler whose job it was to maintain the watches in good working order. If I remember correctly, there was an allowable variance of less than a minute, but I don't remember the time period. From there we went to wrist watches, the battery powered with only a few makers of "railroad approved". From there, more watch makers joined the market. My current watch a battery Seiko showing as "railroad approved". Incidently, myh grandfather's Hamilton runs as well as the Seiko. We were all required to purchase and maintain our own watches at the railroad jeweler. #4. What you know now as Easter, Central, Mountain and Pacific time zones were created by the railroads as a standard for calculating train meets and scheduling. Before that was established, time was a hodge-podge of different times, sometimes earlier, sometimes later than the neighboring community. This was tremendously confusing and led to calamities. I think all you questions are covered. Let's see what the others say. Regards and have a safe day. gdc
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