Re: Train Orders versus Track Warrants
Author: Tom Veasey
Date: 09-04-2007 - 17:51
Track Warrants are issued directly to trains over radio. Train Orders were issued to personel in stations who then had to hand them up to passing trains. Track Warrants allowed railroads to eliminate countless line side stations needed to do this. Track Warrants have the advantage of being issued directly to train crews, reducing the number of hands (and potential errors) involved in handling them. Track Warrants allow the dispatcher to make changes more easy, with train orders, changes couldn't be made until all trains involved arrived at an open train order station so that all involved could be issued new orders. Train orders were a schedule based system and with the decline in train schedules, trains were run as "extras" and full fledged orders for all movements and meets were required making record keeping a challenge. Track Warrants can be issued as needed, often for short track segments, and readily changed. PC computer software keeps track of warrants and highlights conflicts and/or errors to avoid collisions. Warrants issued over the open radio allow other trains to hear what's going on and they better know what to expect, and as needed, can suggest to the dispatcher potential better moves to help train get over the road better and help every one get home sooner. Train Orders were issued by direct dictation, Track Warrants are copied on pre-printed forms and the person copying just checks boxes and fills in the blanks as instructed by the dispatcher. Railroads began phasing out train orders in the 1980's.
Hope this brief explanation helps answer your question. If you have a scanner, you can hear dispatchers issue warrants to trains, and Altamont Press timetables include a track warrant form so you can follow along. The Northern Pacific Historical Association at one time offered a recording a dispatcher by the name of Jim Fredrickson made of his shift and you can hear how train orders were issued, I don't know if the recording is still available or not.