Operator's Primer

COMPASS - Being a folded dogbone, the SNR's "west" is not always to the left.  So the first rule of thumb is that rivers and lakes are at higher elevations than oceans, therefore, "West is up!".   

ORDERS - Operation is driven by a modified Form 19 that describes the job and work rules.  The dispatcher controls the sequence of trains and meets, based on the timetable and his own whim.  When you're ready for the next job, just pick the next order off the stack - there's a clipboard in front of Claymoor near the door.  Call the dispatcher to mark up, and he'll get you moving at the right time.  Operators just need to follow the train order steps, and obtain clearance from the dispatcher before any mainline moves, including 

• before departing, 
• when cleared up, 
• reporting a completed meet, 
• before opening up to begin switching, and 
• when entering or leaving staging. 

SWITCHES - Switches, for now, are all controlled locally, so you'll need to check your routing, and please close up when you leave a town.  

PHONES - Communication is via a PBX phone system - handsets are located on or below the fascia at control points, mimicking the era's train order locations and call boxes on line poles.  Press the "flame" button on the handset to dial the dispatcher.  

Keep in mind it's 1952 - this is not radio or a party line; you are placing an actual person-to-person phone call via the PBX.  So if the dispatcher is busy, just wait and try again.  Please keep an ear on the phone at your reported location if you're standing by, or where instructed.  Same as if you were using a call box on the road - the DS has no other way to reach you.   And, should a phone near you ring, please answer it, as yep - the DS is trying to locate a crew.  

THROTTLES - Layout control is NCE with wireless throttles (Cab06r).  NCE and Tsunami specifics are on the back of each throttle.  Cords are located at each jack in the fascia, should you have a battery emergency, and fresh batteries are by the door.   

SOUND - All locomotives are sound-equipped, and are tuned for slower running.  Everyone's invited to take advantage of the sound dimension and follow prototype warning practices too:

• use the bell in congested areas, past platforms, and when shoving a cut blind; 
• whistle for crossings at W posts; 
• two shorts to acknowledge meets;
• two shorts when departing or starting a cut, and three backing up;  and 
• one long when approaching platforms and tunnel portals.

CROSSINGS - Several of the crossings are equipped with detectors and flashers, and an added challenge is trying to keep the crossings clear whenever possible, while switching or waiting in the hole.  There is no scale law enforcement present, but the extra dimension adds realism and fun. 

SWITCHLIST - To keep it interesting, almost everything switches something.  Local freights and mail trains use a computer-generated switchlist, with random car assignments based on preferred car types, origins, and commodities for each customer.  The rule there is "Not Listed Goes", meaning if a car is not on a location's wheel report, it is an outbound and should return with you to the yard.  Wheel reports are posted at each switching district.  The switchlist allows two sessions for a car to get to its destination, so every inbound on the list may not be present, and/or, a  location may be overloaded.  That is OK - the ebb and flow is by design.  

One more thing - mine run coal is not on the switchlist!  The rule there is simply "Loads = Empties", meaning, when you're picking up and setting out, just match the number of cars already there.  Any questions, just ask.     

The main thing on the SNR, is to relax and enjoy - we keep it laid back, and everyone is there to help.