Train order operation

Train order operation was a system that required minimum human overhead in an era before widespread use of technology-based automation.

To this day, many short lines, heritage railways, and railroad museums continue to use Train Order operation.

Timetable and train order operation was widely used on North American railroads that had a single main track with periodic passing sidings.

On single track rail lines, the timetable specifies (explicitly or implicitly) the points at which two trains would meet and pass.

These orders would override the established timetable priorities and provide trains with explicit instructions on how to run.

The ability for a single dispatcher to issue train orders was enabled by the invention of the electric telegraph in the 1840s.

[3] With the advent of radio communications, timetable and train order operation began to fall out of favor as DTC and CTC became more common on major carriers.

CTC enabled dispatchers to set up meets remotely and allowed trains to proceed entirely on signal indication.

[5] In isolated areas, train order stations may be required where there are no towns, to facilitate smooth operation.

Some train-order signals had three positions: Train orders were issued by the dispatcher responsible for the portion of railroad concerned.

As each operator correctly repeated the order, the dispatcher would give a complete time, along with the initials of the designated railroad official for that territory.