Dispatcher

Dispatcher

Here longtime member Ed is wearing a headset to communicate with the engineers on the line. A large board is used by the dispatcher to keep track of the trains. Colored magnetic tags shaped like arrows are placed indicating train location and direction. Each module present on a given run session is identified by blue magnetic labels placed on the board. A two track mainline goes all the way out and back.

The layout is usually shaped like the letter “M.” The yard is down the center and is connected to both the inner and outer main line through a wye. The two outer legs of the “M” end in a loop which can return a train on either mainline track. A cross-over at the beginning of the loop enables a train to return on either track.