RAILforum: Websites for the still learning railfan?

This is topic Websites for the still learning railfan? in forum Amtrak at RAILforum.

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Posted by EmpireBuilder (Member # 2036) on :

I realise this question of mine will not really be relating to Amtrak, but I couldn't figure out if there was a more appropriate place among the forums to ask this question.

Is there a good website out there that explains the logistics of coordinating a railroad schedule? Things such as where a train might travel during the course of a day, how often train cars might be added or subtracted from a train during its journey, how many trains might pass a certain single line stretch during the course of the day and all that goes into getting the different trains to pull off in a siding and.....well this is kind of hard to explain.

Like I said I know this doesn't fit into the Amtrak scheme of things but I didn't know where else to ask it. If someone could either direct to a website where I could learn this or direct me to where I could ask where someone might know about this sort of thing I'd really appreciate it.

Posted by Kairho (Member # 1567) on :

I found a terrific book at the California State RR Museum last year which address all sorts of operations questions. VERY highly recommended.

The Railroad: What It Is, What IT Does by John H. Armstrong. 0-911382-04-6

Posted by The Chief (Member # 2172) on :

Try up.com for tips on how to coordinate traffic and run a RR!
Ha!

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Posted by Eric (Member # 674) on :

Kairho wrote:
"I found a terrific book at the California State RR Museum last year which address all sorts of operations questions. VERY highly recommended.
The Railroad: What It Is, What It Does by John H. Armstrong. 0-911382-04-6"
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I purchased this book recently as well for several railroad operations courses I'll be taking at a Sacramento college (with Mr. Armstrong as the instructor), and it is definitely great for technical info on the railroad. It uses mostly RR lingo, and contains a glossary. The info presented is at an introductory level, but it will provide a great insight into many things that the average railfan might not know.