I heard the dispatcher talking to an "X" train today... the first time I have ever heard that on the CSX line... It turned out to be a light engine move! X090-01 headed north out of Rocky Mount today with 6 locos! Harold
The units were: CSX 7651, CSX 7850, HLCX 6315, HLCX 6090, CSX 8847, and CSX 8831. I will try and post a photo. Harold
CSX will use the X prefix to train identies in a number of situations. Light Engine moves are X numbers less than 100. X numbers are used for totally EXTRA freight movement, when the normal Q, S, and L versions of the train identity have already been used or when situations warrent train operations that are not a part of normal operations. During the Katrina operations emergency a number of X profiles were being used for traffic that was rerouted around New Orleans.
"Q" is the symbol for a CSX Quality (HA!) train, "S" is for a second section, and "L" is for an alternate schedule. "R" is usually used for reroutes so the Katrina trains must've been considered extras for some reason.
R's are reroutes of existing schedules than maintain the same end points. ie. Q410 operates Waycross to Selkirk via the I-95 corridor, when R410 is operated, it also operates Waycross to Selkirk, but will use the Cumberland-New Castle-Ashtabula-Buffalo rerouting to get there. The X trains during Katrina had no resembelence to scheduled trains. They were blocked in Waycross and Hamlet and normally operated via the Memphis & Brimingham Gateways for destinations on the BNSF and UP, who correspondingly blocked their traffic for Hamlet and Waycross and gave CSX trains at those Gateways which were X trains to Hamlet and Waycross. While the makeup of freight trains may seem haphazard to those who just watch them pass....each scheduled train has it's own specific traffic to handle on a recurring basis in order to provide service to specific customers.
I heard something today I hadn't heard in a long time up here in Holland MI - "X500 east clear Hudsonville" - a CP extra with a Red Barn in the consist! http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/500/PB052825a.jpg
A, B, C, D, F, H, J, M, O are regional local prefixes. E for empty coal trains. G for grain. I for independent jobs like flagmen at a work site. K for bulk commodity other than coal or grain. P for passenger and circus trains. N, T, U, V for coal. Z for (most) foreign road trains and detours. Y for yard jobs. Lower W for work trains, middle W for coal, upper W for special trains (high/wides, shutdown cars).
I had heard that CSX might change its symbols to be more reflective of the routes, like some Western roads... anyone else hear this?
The computer shows alternate train names. If these are to be official, I don't know. For example, I just got off Q24905. It's alternate name is AJESNBS1:A (auto) JES (Jessup Md) NBS (New Boston Mi) 1 (1st section). I will probably get Q39607 today, MTOSWIE1: M (merchandise) TOS (Toledo/Stanley or Toledo/Switcher) WIE (Willard Eastbound) 1 (1st section).
Interesting....since the computer database Rick referred to has been upgraded to show parallel entries, "they" may be testing the new system for glitches before converting to the new names permanently. The codes that Rick mentioned make alot of sense to me as a retired computer nerd. A computerized scheduling and/or dispatching system could use the Type, Origin, Destination, Plan (accounting?) entries to schedule, route, and prioritize each train automatically. This is just a guess, but I've seen this kind of database organization many times over the past 20 years in many different applications. Rick, please keep us updated on this new system, it looks like it will make following CSX operations much easier.
There is a screen that is for train information. You enter the train ID, and it gives you the "name" of the train, and its intended schedule. It also shows engines (if known), loads, empties, weight, length and ETD number (if known) and current crew, amongst other things. As the train progresses, the schedule updates to show times by specific points and if it is ahead or behind schedule. Planning changes are also shown on this screen. This screen has always been available, just some of the "names" have been changed. Some train "names" are the same as the symbol. Others might say "UPS" or "curfew plan" as the name.
That would make interesting reading. Though I'm sure that the database is well secured from outside access, at least I hope so....!
Technically, I'm not even allowed to disclose information contained in the CSX computer system, so I may have to shoot you for what I've said already.:zip:
Actually I was hoping for a jealous husband instead of an engineer. Oh well, can't win'em all........:sad: :teeth:
