Line-ups for operating, Part 2

A few years ago, I posted a description of the kinds of line-ups that I use for layout operating sessions, and explored several ways of letting local switch crews know of the expected arrival time of mainline trains. That post can be found here: https://modelingthesp.blogspot.com/2019/01/line-ups-for-operating.html . Looking back at that post, I can see I left an incomplete expression of usage.

But before going into a clearer statement of my layout usage, let me show the Southern Pacific form used for line-ups. This is a standard form introduced in 1947, later modified a few times, and the example below was filled out in 1972. Now that’s a form that was in use for quite a time! Though it is intended for track cars (or speeders), it could be useful for a variety of recipients. (You can click on the image to enlarge it if you wish.)

My own line-up at present is more complicated than what I showed in that previous post, and I show below an example of a current typical line-up, as always for 1953. As I have seen in the SP prototype, for both line-ups and train orders, sometimes warnings such as the presence of the Division Superintendent’s car, can be included. Crews at Shumala have to consult the timetable for times at that intermediate location between Guadalupe and San Luis Obispo.

This particular form also includes a “high-wide” movement westward, Extra 2575, as I showed in a recent post (you can see the background at: https://modelingthesp.blogspot.com/2025/03/operating-high-wide-loads.html ). Below is a photo of this train, operated at a distinctly slow speed, as such train normally were moved.

 Also noted in the line-up, as I pointed out, is the Superintendent’s official car, Coast, SP 119, attached to a passenger equipment extra. I described modeling that car awhile back, in a three-part series concluding with this post: https://modelingthesp.blogspot.com/2024/08/operating-sp-business-car-conclusion.html . Two different SP former employees I interviewed mentioned that no one took a chance on not performing perfectly when the Superintendent was around.

Some visitors have immediately asked, upon considering this topic, why a line-up is needed. The segment of Southern Pacific’s Coast Division main line that passes through my layout is at the town of Shumala, and is entirely within yard limits, on the visible part of that main line on the layout. That means, as many modelers know, that Rule 93 is in effect.

In the period that I model, the 1950s, individual railroad rule books differed in the exact language of many rules, even though the intent and rule number was consistent almost everywhere. In SP rule books, Rule 93 was modified from the 1943 rule book to the 1951 rule book, and further modified in 1955, so for exact language, one needs a specific choice of era. 

Since I model 1953, I use the 1951 language, which states that “Within yard limits, engines may use main track without train-order authority, clearing or protecting against first-class trains, and without flag protection against second- and inferior-class trains, extra trains, and engines.

“Second- and inferior-class trains, extra trains, and engines must move with caution on main track within yard limits, except where movements are controlled by block signal indication.”

This clearly places responsibility for cautious movement upon the mainline train if other than first class, and in most of my sessions, the mainline trains are second-class, third-class or extra. So what is the purpose of a line-up? It helps the yard crew know what to expect, even though any mainline train arriving during yard-engine use of the main track will simply have to wait.

So to sum up, I know from employee interviews that SP freight schedules in the steam era had almost the character of suggestions. It was not only routine but almost standard for them to run various amounts late. But it would be unusual to issue run-late orders to cover any discrepancy; the Coast was not busy enough to need that. That’s why, in my line-ups, I am assuming the dispatcher is just using the line-up to pass along what he knows.

Tony Thompson