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David Parks The Western Maryland and B&O in 1953 Cumberland, Maryland. The layout is single layer in a 1200 sq. ft. room with Mole staging. There is a detailed backdrop, rough scenery base, and a few bridges and structures. The B&O includes the junction of the Pittsburgh and Cumberland Divisions and part of the West End Sub. The Western Maryland includes the junction in Cumberland, along with parts of the Thomas and Connellsville Subs. Each railroad is operated independently of the other, except for interchanges and minor trackage rights. Both railroads are “bridge” lines with an abundance of thru manifest traffic. Coal is the local focus. Both railroads have a Dispatcher, Stage Manager and Coal Manager. The Coal Manager works with the Dispatcher to regulate coal loads and empty hopper traffic. An operating session focuses on one railroad with the other sometimes offering moving scenery. The WM is single track with many on-line mines and uses timetable and train orders. Only a single passenger train is scheduled. Most station operator positions are unmanned and the train crews communicate with the dispatcher. WM local activity is dominated by local coal mines The B&O is double track main with “Current of Traffic” rules using B&O 9 aspect Color Position Lights (CPL) signals. Four Tower Operators control interlocking sections. They use computer touch-screens to manipulate switches and signals with pseudo Standard Signal graphics. The B&O has many named passenger trains and some passenger switching in Cumberland. B&O coal mines are off- line. Operations center on the Keyser coal switching yard and a small manifest yard. Digitrax DCC is used for control. Stage routing is controlled via computer screens. Car forwarding uses car cards and waybills for manifest freights. Coal and empty hoppers use multi-car coal orders. Communications is via a 1950’s era 14 station multi-line phone system. The clock is real time. Disclaimer: There is a lot of high tech stuff that often breaks down during operations. Revised 11/19/2008 |