Burnt Hills and Big Flats Railroad Employee Training

MAYFIELD YARDMASTER

Railroad Yardmaster Duties Railroad yardmasters are responsible for overseeing the operations of a rail yard and assigning duties to workers. These duties may include placing and pulling cars, switching inbound or outbound traffic, reviewing train schedules, moving cars, performing inspections and making repairs. Yardmasters make sure that all cargo and railcars safely reach their intended destinations in a timely fashion. http://education-portal.com/articles/Railroad_Yardmaster_Job_Description_Duties_and_Requirements.html

Tulsa, OK Frisco Yard Office http://www.loc.gov/pictures/resource/fsa.8d44978/

Mayfield Yardmaster Duties

• Supervise employees assigned to the yard

• Supervise engine crews and train crews within yard limits

• Coordinate with Mayfield Operators to:

– Ensure scheduled trains depart on schedule

– Request clearance & orders for outbound trains 10 minutes prior to estimated departure time

– Keep dispatcher apprised of any delays

Mayfield Yard Overview • Division Point for Scranton Division

• 15 tracks wide, 200 car capacity

• Greater than 400 cars sorted per day into 40 trains

NYOW Mayfield Yard Office

NYOW Mayfield Yard Office

NYOW Mayfield Yard

MAIN YARD

COAL YARD

ENGINE TERMINAL CAR SHOPS

Lackawanna River

BH&BF Mayfield Yard

COAL YARD MAIN YARD

ENGINE TERMINAL

Old D&H Main

Lackawanna River

CAR SHOPS

SD Tower

YARD OVERVIEW

North to Sidney

Engine Terminal

South to Scranton Car Shops

Caboose

E-L Crossing

Team and TOFC

Main Yard

Coal Yard

Main Track

SD Tower

Traffic Flow

North to Sidney

Engine Terminal

South to Scranton Car Shops

Caboose

E-L Crossing

Team and TOFC

Main Yard

Coal Yard

Main Yard Main Yard Outbound

Coal Yard Inbound

Main Yard Inbound

Coal Yard Outbound

SD Tower

Yard Limits – Rule 93 • RULE 93: Yard limits will be indicated by yard limit signs

and in the timetable or by train order. Within yard limits the main track may be used, clearing first class trains when due to leave the last station where time is shown. Protection against second and third class trains, extra trains and engines is not required. In Non-ABS territory, in case of failure to clear the time of first class trains, protection must be provided as prescribed by Rule 99. Second and third class trains, extra trains and engines must move within yard limits at restricted speed unless the main track is known to be clear.

• See http://www.pcrnmra.org/conv2012/handouts/allAboutYardLimits.pdf

Rule 93 – BH&BF Conditions

• This is “Non-ABS Territory”

• ALL arriving second class trains and extra trains terminate at Mayfield per the current operations plan

• If a train must stop with any part outside of Yard Limits, or a train cannot clear a First Class Train within Yard Limits, a flagman must be posted per Rule 99

Yard Limits

North to Sidney

Engine Terminal

South to Scranton Car Shops

Caboose

E-L Crossing

Team and TOFC

Main Yard

Coal Yard

“Main Track” – First Class trains may use Main Track as authorized by Schedule and Train Order to pass through Mayfield

Yard Limit

Yard Limit

SD Tower

North to Sidney

Engine Terminal

South to Scranton Car Shops

Caboose

E-L Crossing

Team and TOFC

Main Yard

Coal Yard

Interlocking Signals at SD Tower

SD Tower is an Interlocking with an Erie Lackawanna mine branch. The setting for the interlocking is controlled by the Tower Operator. This interlocking is within yard limits, but does not convey information beyond the crossing itself.

SD Tower

Note: There is a repeater red light on the backdrop for

the Southward (exit) signal.

Remote Control Turnouts

North to Sidney

Engine Terminal

South to Scranton Car Shops

Caboose

E-L Crossing

Team and TOFC

Main Yard

Coal Yard

Buzzers sound if the throat turnout(s) are in the wrong position,

MAYFIELD YARD EMPLOYEES

• The following employees are supervised by the Yardmaster:

– Main Yard Switcher

– Coal Yard Switcher

– Hostler

• The Yardmaster coordinates actions with the Dispatcher through the Mayfield Operators. Mayfield Operators are supervised by the Dispatcher.

Main Yard Switcher Duties

• Classify cars in the Main Yard

• Co-ordinate with Hostler (if assigned) for engine terminal movements

• Transfer cabooses and Coal Yard cars to Coal Yard via Main Track (while remaining clear of First Class Trains)

• Service the Car Shops (Silver “S” tacks)

• Transfer cars to Hostler to service the Engine Terminal (Silver “E” tacks)

Main Yard – Northbound Traffic Brown, White, Black to Coal Yard

TOFC

Team Coal Lead

Through Track

Caboose Track Inbound

Engines

Back Track

Shops Outbound Engines

North

COAL YARD

SN

OU

E

S

T

Coal Yard Switcher Duties • Classify cars in the Coal Yard

• Transfer cabooses and Main Yard cars to Main Yard via the Main Track (while remaining clear of First Class Trains)

• Service the Team Track/ TOFC (Silver “T” tacks)

• Ensure TOFC cars properly spotted for loading:

Coal Yard – Southbound Traffic

To Main Yard North

Silver, Pink, Red , Yellow, Blue, Green to Main Yard

BLACK LV to Lehigh Valley Coxton Yard

BROWN to Scranton and Central of NJ

South

WHITE to Mason and Big Flats Local

BLACK EL to EL Through

LV

EL

E, S

Hostler Duties (Union Rules)

http://www.utugca.org/CD/Hostler/MofA_Hostlers_(4-27-79B).pdf

Inside / Outside Hostling Brown, White, Black to Coal Yard

TOFC

Team Coal Lead

Through Track

Caboose Track Inbound

Engines

Back Track

Shops Outbound Engines

North

COAL YARD

SN

OU

E

S

T

INSIDE OUTSIDE

Mayfield Hostler Duties

• Make Inside Engine Movements

• Make Outside Engine Movements as directed by Yardmaster

• Pickup and deliver cars for Engine Terminal (Silver “E” tacks)

Light Engine Movements

• Generally the Hostler will perform engine movements after arrival of a train and prior to departure of a train

• If a Hostler is not assigned, the Yardmaster or Main Yard Crew will perform these moves

• If needed, the Yardmaster may direct a road crew to make movements between the train and inbound and outbound engine ready tracks

Operators • The SD interlocking

is controlled by the SD/CP/CJ Operator.

• This operator provides train orders to crews.

• Northward traffic receives train orders from the Dispatcher via the Operator in the Yard Office.

YARD OPERATIONS

• Scranton Division Overview

• The Schedule

• First and Second Class Trains

• Train Makeup and Sequence

• Big Flats Mine Run details

• Caboose Assignments

Burnt Hills and Big Flats R.R.

NORTHERN DIVISION

Norwich

GX Tow er

Sidney Yard Delaware

Sidney & Hudson

S Unadilla

Burnt Hills Delhi

Branch

Cadosia

Starlight

Pleasant Mount

Northw est Jct (NB)

Northwest Carbondale

Branch

Mayfield

Yards

SD Tow er

Mason Capouse Jct (CP)

Capouse Branch

Cayuga Jct (CJ) Scranton

Big Flats (CNJ)

Hampden Yard

Sibley Jct

Coxton Taylor Yard (E-L)

Yard (LV)

SCRANTON DIVISION

Franklin (Edison #3 Pow er)

S

Y

Y

S

S

S

S

Y

Y

N

O

R

T

H

Y

Y

Y

S

Y

Y

S

S

S

S

Y

Y

N

O

R

T

H

Y

Y

Y

Scranton Division Mayfield organizes traffic from anthracite breakers and three interchanges (LV, EL, CNJ) into traffic heading north to upstate New York (BH&BF), New England and Canada (via Delaware & Hudson)

Similarly, southbound traffic is empty coal hoppers to breakers, and deliveries to the CNJ, LV, EL.

Scranton Division

Timetable No. 13 Milepost

95 93 81 87 15 17 14 16 84 88 94 92

Cars DAILY DAILY DAILY DAILY DAILY DAILY STATIONS DAILY DAILY DAILY DAILY DAILY DAILY

15 9:30 11:00 7:05 12:01 -- -- DN -R Sidney YL 94.7 -- -- A 4:35 3:45 2:50 11:50

PM AM AM AM -- -- South Unadilla 91.7 -- -- AM PM PM PM

PM PM Franklin 83.8 PM PM

16 9:36 11:06 7:11 12:07 1:30 5:00 DN Burnt Hills 73.5 A 1:04 A 4:19 4:29 3:39 2:44 11:44 P, Y

9 9:38 11:08 7:13 12:09 1:32 5:02 DN Cadosia 54.0 1:02 4:17 4:27 3:37 2:42 11:42

16 9:40 11:10 7:15 12:11 1:49 5:19 D Starlight 48.0 1:00 4:15 4:25 3:35 2:40 11:40 P

2:06 5:36 Pleasant Mount 33.7 12:43 3:58 P

PM AM AM AM PM PM DN Northwest Jct 20.3 PM PM AM PM PM PM

16 9:43 11:13 7:18 12:14 2:07 5:37 Carbondale 16.9 12:27 3:42 4:22 3:32 2:37 11:37

16 A 9:50 A 11:20 7:45 12:41 2:14 5:44 DN-R Mayfield YL 14.5 12:20 3:35 4:15 3:25 2:30 11:30 TF

PM AM AM AM PM PM Mason 5.7 PM PM AM PM PM PM

-- -- 7:47 12:43 2:16 5:46 DN Capouse Jct 5.3 12:18 3:33 3:53 3:03 -- --

12 -- -- -- -- -- -- Scranton 0.0 -- -- -- -- -- --

Capouse Branch

Timetable No. 13 Milepost

81 87 15 17 14 16 84 88

Cars DAILY DAILY DAILY DAILY STATIONS DAILY DAILY DAILY DAILY

7:47 12:43 2:16 5:46 DN Capouse Jct 19.6 12:18 3:33 3:53 3:03

AM AM PM PM DN-R Cayuga Jct 11.3 PM PM AM PM

12 -- -- A 2:19 A 5:49 Big Flats YL 11.2 12:15 3:30 -- --

A 7:50 A 12:46 -- -- Sibley Jct 7.8 -- -- 3:50 3:00

SECOND CLASS

Burnt Hills and Big Flats

NORTHWARD

SOUTHWARD NORTHWARD

Siding

Length

SOUTHWARD

SECOND CLASSFIRST CLASSFIRST CLASSSECOND CLASS

SECOND CLASS FIRST CLASSSiding

Length

FIRST CLASS

BH&BF Train Schedule

6 TRAINS From North

6 TRAINS Northward

4 TRAINS Southward

4 TRAINS From South

BH&BF Passenger Trains

14, 15,

16, 17

• Passenger fan trips Taylor Yard (E-L) to

Burnt Hills and return

• Pass through Mayfield Yard as First Class trains with no action in the yard, two round trips per day

BH&BF First Class Freight Trains

• 84 & 87 (D&H/LV run through)

– Northbound drop in Main Yard, picks up Blue DH

– Southbound drop in Coal Yard, picks up Black LV

• 81 & 88 (LV run through)

– Northbound drop in Main Yard, picks up Green S

– Southbound drop in Coal Yard, picks up Black LV

Second Class Freights • 93 and 94 Utica – Mayfield Through Trains

• 92 and 95 Syracuse – Mayfield Through Trains

• Originate and terminate in Mayfield Yard

Train Makeup

• The Yardmaster should ensure that trains are “ready to depart” prior to their call time / schedule time unless delay is coordinated with Dispatcher

• Delays should be reported to the appropriate Operator (northward vs. southward)

• Inform appropriate operators 10 minutes prior to expected departure time

• Hazardous material cars (Tank Cars) should be placed at least two cars from engine or caboose if train 5 cars or longer

Classifying Cars • The key to timely classification

of cars is to focus on breaking down trains, not building trains.

• Classify an entire cut of cars, don’t pick out individual cars needed for the next train. – See http://www.layoutvision.com/id20.html

• Close out addition of cars to an outbound train 20 minutes prior to its call time.

Declaration of “Ready to Depart” • “Ready to Depart” implies the train has

– Locomotive(s) coupled to

– Cars coupled to

– Caboose

– Completed “Air Test” (move train to take out slack checking that all couplers are made up)

– Road Crew present and has control of Locomotive(s)

– Train may move out to the Yard Office or SD Tower if train does not have orders but not beyond

Train Makeup

• The Yardmaster has a sequence of trains expected to be run listing

• Coal Yard and Main Yard receive listings specific to their duties

6:45 AM BH Local Main X 32 N 32 32, 20 90 class Departs Northward 12

7:00 AM D&H Thru North Main X DH611 N 11DH611,22,

DH803 D&H Departs Northward DH 16

7:30 AM BF Mine Run Main X 14 N 99 Terminates

8:00 AMMU-94

(2nd Class)Main No. 94 7 7, 4 130 Departs Northward N, U 12

8:15 AM LV Transfer Main X LV292 N 28 Drop Cars in Main Yd

8:25 AM LV Transfer Coal X LV283 S 28 Departs Southward LV 12

8:25 AMSM-95

(2nd Class)Coal No. 95 17 Terminates

Call Time /

Schedule

Train

Description Yard Train No.

Loco

DCC

Outbound

Loco(s)

Outbound

Caboose Instructions

Outbd

Tacks

Max No.

of Cars

• Call Time (black) is estimated time of action. Note: Arrival times of locals may vary widely

• Schedule Time (red) is departure time from the Yard. Scheduled trains may not depart Mayfield in advance of scheduled departure

6:45 AM BH Local Main X 32 N 32 32, 20 90 class Departs Northward 12

7:00 AM D&H Thru North Main X DH611 N 11DH611,22,

DH803 D&H Departs Northward DH 16

7:30 AM BF Mine Run Main X 14 N 99 Terminates

8:00 AMMU-94

(2nd Class)Main No. 94 7 7, 4 130 Departs Northward N, U 12

8:15 AM LV Transfer Main X LV292 N 28 Drop Cars in Main Yd

8:25 AM LV Transfer Coal X LV283 S 28 Departs Southward LV 12

8:25 AMSM-95

(2nd Class)Coal No. 95 17 Terminates

Call Time /

Schedule

Train

Description Yard Train No.

Loco

DCC

Outbound

Loco(s)

Outbound

Caboose Instructions

Outbd

Tacks

Max No.

of Cars

Call Time /

Schedule

Train

Description Yard Train No.

Loco

DCC

Outbound

Loco(s)

Outbound

Caboose Instructions

Outbd

Tacks

Max No.

of Cars

6:45 AM BH Local Main X 32 N 32 32, 20 90 class Departs Northward 12

7:00 AM D&H Thru North Main X DH611 N 11DH611,22,

DH803 D&H Departs Northward DH 16

7:30 AM BF Mine Run Main X 14 N 99 Terminates

8:00 AMMU-94

(2nd Class)Main No. 94 7 7, 4 130 Departs Northward N, U 12

8:15 AM LV Transfer Main X LV292 N 28 Drop Cars in Main Yd

8:25 AM LV Transfer Coal X LV283 S 28 Departs Southward LV 12

8:25 AMSM-95

(2nd Class)Coal No. 95 17 Terminates

• The Train Description contains the operations dept name. This IS NOT the name the dispatcher will use

• The Yard column lists which yard is affected

• The Train No. is the Dispatcher’s name for the train

Call Time /

Schedule

Train

Description Yard Train No.

Loco

DCC

Outbound

Loco(s)

Outbound

Caboose Instructions

Outbd

Tacks

Max No.

of Cars

6:45 AM BH Local Main X 32 N 32 32, 20 90 class Departs Northward 12

7:00 AM D&H Thru North Main X DH611 N 11DH611,22,

DH803 D&H Departs Northward DH 16

7:30 AM BF Mine Run Main X 14 N 99 Terminates

8:00 AMMU-94

(2nd Class)Main No. 94 7 7, 4 130 Departs Northward N, U 12

8:15 AM LV Transfer Main X LV292 N 28 Drop Cars in Main Yd

8:25 AM LV Transfer Coal X LV283 S 28 Departs Southward LV 12

8:25 AMSM-95

(2nd Class)Coal No. 95 17 Terminates

• The Loco DCC column lists the DCC channel for the loco(s)

• If a fresh loco is needed, it is listed in the Outbound Loco(s) column

• If the column is blank, no locomotive is needed

Call Time /

Schedule

Train

Description Yard Train No.

Loco

DCC

Outbound

Loco(s)

Outbound

Caboose Instructions

Outbd

Tacks

Max No.

of Cars

6:45 AM BH Local Main X 32 N 32 32, 20 90 class Departs Northward 12

7:00 AM D&H Thru North Main X DH611 N 11DH611,22,

DH803 D&H Departs Northward DH 16

7:30 AM BF Mine Run Main X 14 N 99 Terminates

8:00 AMMU-94

(2nd Class)Main No. 94 7 7, 4 130 Departs Northward N, U 12

8:15 AM LV Transfer Main X LV292 N 28 Drop Cars in Main Yd

8:25 AM LV Transfer Coal X LV283 S 28 Departs Southward LV 12

8:25 AMSM-95

(2nd Class)Coal No. 95 17 Terminates

• Caboose class tells what caboose (if any) is needed from the caboose track

• 90 class = short wood caboose (90-99) • 100 class = long wood caboose (100-119) • 130 class = steel caboose (130-149)

Call Time /

Schedule

Train

Description Yard Train No.

Loco

DCC

Outbound

Loco(s)

Outbound

Caboose Instructions

Outbd

Tacks

Max No.

of Cars

6:45 AM BH Local Main X 32 N 32 32, 20 90 class Departs Northward 12

7:00 AM D&H Thru North Main X DH611 N 11DH611,22,

DH803 D&H Departs Northward DH 16

7:30 AM BF Mine Run Main X 14 N 99 Terminates

8:00 AMMU-94

(2nd Class)Main No. 94 7 7, 4 130 Departs Northward N, U 12

8:15 AM LV Transfer Main X LV292 N 28 Drop Cars in Main Yd

8:25 AM LV Transfer Coal X LV283 S 28 Departs Southward LV 12

8:25 AMSM-95

(2nd Class)Coal No. 95 17 Terminates

• Instructions tells what action the train is taking • Outbound tacks are the tacks allowed on the

train

• Max number of cars is train length limit when departing the yard

Caboose Assignments

• BH&BF trains, even if using DERECO or leased power, will use BH&BF cabooses

• LV, D&H, EL transfer runs will use non-BH&BF cabooses

• Follow the yard instruction sheet – 90 class usually are short-haul locals

– 100 class longer-haul locals

– 130 class through trains

• Cabooses do not need to be turned

BH&BF Cabooses 90 Class 100 Class 130 Class

Southern Mine Run

• The Southern Mine Run is run as needed between Mayfield, Big Flats, and Scranton

• Yard sheets do have call times of 3:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 3:30 PM, and 9:30 PM for the train

• When the train returns from each run, the Yardmaster needs to decide if there are sufficient cars in the Coal Yard for a Big Flats or Scranton run

Southern Mine Run

• The Mine Run leaves the Coal Yard with either (but not both) White Tacks or Brown Tacks

• Train length limit is always 12 cars

• Dispatcher needs to be notified when runs are needed to Big Flats or Scranton in order to get train orders

• Once the Coal Yard is sufficiently emptied of White and Brown Tacks, terminate the Mine Run in Mayfield

COMMUNICATION & CONTROL

• It is assumed there are sufficient short-range radios and “talk back speakers” to allow for verbal communications between the Yardmaster, Yard Crews, and Train Crews.

Turnout Controls

• Most turnouts are controlled manually

• Yard crews are expected to throw switches

• North approach switch is thrown by train crews

• Three turnouts on the south approach and one on the north approach are controlled remotely

South Approach Turnout Controls • South Approach switches are controlled by

pushbuttons in two locations

• Latching relays are activated by pushbuttons

• Green LED shows position of throat

• Buzzer sounds if throat not aligned to Main Yd Coal Yard Controls Main Yard Controls

North Approach Turnout Controls • Toggle switch on fascia near turnout

• Since turnout is far from yard operators, generally switch is thrown by road crews

• Normal position is “Enter Coal Yard”

• Buzzer sounds when not in Normal Position.

CONCLUSION

• This information is provided to improve realism of operations, ease of operations, and FUN!