Dispatcher Displays

We use two display monitors to dispatch the Keystone Division of the Reading & Chesapeake Railroad. The display provides a West to East point to point track plan (more or less!), starting from the upper left across the 2nd display and then continuing on the lower left. While trains can begin on departure tracks in either the Philadelphia Yard or the Reading Yard, trains can also originate in the West Staging yard. Trains crossing the Titusville Interchange from points further west will enter West Staging before being dispatched across the Keystone tracks. Additional Staging and Interchanges are contemplated.

Click on a dispatch screen below to zoom in on details.

The two pole switches control the turnout having the corresponding number assignment. While a switch change is pending, the start indicator flashes. Pressing the Code button implements the pending change. Sound effect from prototype turnout moves accompany realistic slow motion changes.

All mainlines are single track and bi-directional. The three pole switches manage signal direction flow at the turnout. The traffic flow direction (yellow arrow) changes to remind the dispatcher of intended flows that are implemented through signal aspect changes.

There are eight Mainline crossovers on the layout currently. The Dispatcher needs added control to manage signal interlocking for crossovers. For crossovers we add a signal control for each of the tracks as shown here.. Each control manages the signals on its associated track and turnout(s).