25 Oct, 2011   Summary

The Dunbar & Wausaukee Railroad (D&W) had a very profitable day as a handful of new employees were trained along with a few old heads.  All traffic was moved as planned with no major mishaps. A total of 6 employees ran 2 locals and 5 through freights plus switching in both yards.  One train was annulled due to lack of traffic.

During the employee training session, the new car card & waybill system was introduced and explained along with the basic rules for operating on mainline and yard tracks.  For the main, a simplified system of Track Warrants was used, with the dispatcher writing them and handing them to the conductors. In the future,  the conductors will write their own while receiving the instructions verbally over the radio. Within Yard Limits, the Yard Masters coordinated all train movements.  A brief tour of the system given along  with an explanation of the daily operation scheme.   Then the diesels were fired up. 

Unfortunately a system wide limitation was discovered.  Only 4 trains can be run a time due to the PowerCab with Smart Booster control system being used.  D&W management is budgeting for an upgrade in the near future.

Call Board for the session was as follows………
Dispatcher:  Slacker (Old Head)
Channing Yard Master:  Geezer (Trainee)
Green Bay Yard Master:  Shooter (Trainee)
Pembine Local:  Southern Dave (Old Head)
Coleman Local:  Teach (Trainee)
Through Freights:  Freddy Bear (Trainee)

At the end of the day a debriefing session was held.  D&W management has already made improvements to the railroad and operating system based on a input from the trainees.

The call board for the next session will be posted soon. I hope everyone gets a chance to mark up!

CD Heili
President  – D&W RR