Pacific & Eastern Railroad
Index to Operating Guides
Everything you need to know in order to operate the Pacific & Eastern as a railroad. This is a work in progress, and is subject to frequent updates. It's purpose is multifold:
- Reacquaint long time members to P&E Operations and to the changes which have occurred in evolving from a modular layout to a permanent railroad.
- Educate and inform newer members on how the P&E functions and replicates the operations of an actual railroad.
- Provide visitors with an introduction to P&E operations so that they may participate with an idea of what's going on.
- Provide a reference and forum for P&E Operations available to model railroads everywhere.
Special Notes to NMRA members attending the 2012 Siskiyou Summit PNR/PCR Convention: First of all, Welcome to the Rogue Valley! Members of the Rogue Valley Model Railroad Club are looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible and sharing our railroad modeling world with you. The Operating Guides below, while not absolutely "required" reading, are intended to introduce you to our Pacific & Eastern and help maximize your experience with us, whether as an operator or observer. We hope you'll take the time to read through them. Operating Sessions on the P&E are planned for Wednesday (May 2) and Friday (May 4) evenings. We expect sign-up sheets to be available at registration. We'll also be open on Saturday (May 5) as part of the Medford Railroad Park Open House. One of the features of the Pacific & Eastern is an authentic Automatic Block Signal system. Club Members Dave Spakousky, Ed Kleinman and Larry Tuttle teamed up to create a working block signal system which adheres to prototypical practices using JMRI with Bruce Chubb's detection hardware. Ed and Dave will give a clinic on this signal system, how it evolved and how it works on Saturday, May 5 at 11:00 AM. Following this presentation, the P&E will be open to convention visitors from 1:00 to 5:30 PM. Ed, Dave and Larry will be on hand to demonstrate the system, show off the hardware and answer questions. The P&E operates using FRS (Family Radio Service) two-way radios on channels 9, 10 and 11, with privacy code "20" on each frequency. While we have several "loaners," if you have a compatible radio and wish to bring it, that would help more of our guests be tuned in. About Bluetooth technology interference: The Pacific & Eastern uses the Digitrax DCC system that includes a UR-92 duplex radio transmitter. We have found that operators who try to use our duplex throttles with Bluetooth technology turned on have problems. Therefore, we ask that everyone in the clubhouse turn off any Bluetooth devices. Cell phones without Bluetooth are fine and even Bluetooth outside of the clubhouse has no adverse effects. Thank you for your consideration. For more information or questions about the Pacific & Eastern contact: Larry Tuttle |
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Topics (some of which will be included in the coming months) include:
- Interactive Track Diagrams
- A Glossary of railroad terms
- The Operating Scheme and Job Descriptions
- The Basics of Car Handling (Required Reading)
Waybills and Car Cards (Required Reading) - Operating Authority
- Track Warrant Control on the P&E (Required Reading)
- Modern Car Roster
- DCC Standards and Procedures
- Mile Posts, Stations and switch locations
- Operating Rules
- Motive Power including Rosters
Suggestions, additions, corrections and complaints are encouraged. Contact:
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