TRAIN INFO
ID Code
Each train will have an ID code with eight characters like this: XXXXX-OT
O = origination location
T = termination location
O and T will usually be:
A = Albany (staging)
M = Montclaire (green passenger tracks)
Y = Yard (red freight tracks)
U = Utica (staging)
XXXXX = short name of the train.
The nature of a train and its starting/ending points are easily determined by knowing the ID code.
For example, the railfan train from Albany to Utica would have an ID code of RRFAN-AU.
A complete listing of trains and ID codes are shown below.
| TRAIN ID | Train Name |
|---|---|
| 20TH-AU | 20TH Century Limited |
| NEST-UA | New England States |
| INSTX-UA | Interstate Express |
| PACEM-AU | Pacemaker |
| COMM1-AU | Commuter #1 |
| COMM2-UA | Commuter #2 |
| COMM3-AM | Commuter #3 |
| COMM4-UM | Commuter #4 |
| COM5W-MM | Commuter #5 (Westbound) |
| COM6E-MM | Commuter #6 (Eastbound) |
| RRFAN-AU | Railfan Train |
| MLKCE-MM | Milk (cans) (Eastbound) |
| MILK-UA | Milk (bulk) |
| REEFR-UA | Reefer Hotshot |
| LOG-LGSM | Logging (skels) |
| LOG-ULG | Logging (supplies) |
| WORK-UA | Work Train (track repairs) |
| WRECK-UA | Wreck Train (accidents) |
| COAL-UA | Coal (loaded) |
| COAL-AU | Coal (empty) |
| CVRRF-UA | Catskill Valley RR (freight) |
| CVRRP-AU | Catskill Valley RR (passenger) |
| M&EX-AU | Mail & Express |
| ARMY1-AU | Army Train #1 (steam) |
| ARMY2-UA | Army Train #2 (diesel) |
| HIWID-UA | High Wide Train |
| CAN-UM | Canadian Pacific |
| CAN-MU | Canadian Pacific |
| TRANS-UA | Transfer Run |
| CIRCS-AU | Circus Train |
| MANFS-AU | Manifest Train #1 |
| MANFS-UA | Manifest Train #2 |
| LOC1W-YY | Local Train #1 (Westbound) |
| LOC2E-YY | Local Train #2 |
| LOC3W-YY | Local Train #3 |
| LOC4E-YY | Local Train #4 |
Note: Even numbered commuter and local trains are always Eastbound.
Lifespan of a Train (birth to death)
- Train is added to the schedule for a specific op session by the Session Architect.
- Train is assembled by the pre-op session set-up team or by yard switchers during op session.
- Yardmaster or Stagemaster informs Trainmaster when train is ready to depart.
- Trainmaster assigns road crew to train. Provides paperwork, throttle and briefing.
- Road crew reports to Yardmaster or Stagemaster and is directed to train.
- Conductor contacts Dispatcher for permission to depart yard.
- Dispatcher grants permission and changes departure signal from red to yellow.
- Yardmaster or Stagemaster aligns departure route turnouts.
- Road crew departs yard and begins trip adhering to Crew Order and signal indications.
- Road crew completes trip per the Crew Order.
- Road crew retires to the crew lounge. Awaits next assignment.
- Post op-session tear-down team disassembles train as verbally instructed (after op session concludes).
Note: Green & red indicates activity before and after the formal op session itself.
Miscellaneous
- Not all trains in the above listing will be operated during any one op session.
- The Session Architect decides which trains will be operated in “his” op session.
- Passenger engine movements (fueling, turning, to/from roundhouse, etc.) in a yard area will be done by the road engineer (not the hostler).
- All engine movements in a yard area are under the supervision of the Yardmaster or Stagemaster.