I’m looking at a DVD right now and they are talking about the D&RGW 364 train, 525 train and so on. Is this the train numbers of the whole train, the number I can find in a time table for example? Can someone please explain this for me and point me to a time table for the D&RGW where I can see this. This must be a importent part if we are talking about realistic operating sessions, or am I completely wrong?
Most likely 364 or 525 is the train symbol. It usually has nothing to do with the number of cars.
Nice shots Jonathon on rail images
Mike
Yes it seems like the trains symbols. Look at this page, lots of train symbols:
http://www.carrtracks.com/drgw.htm
But what is a train symbol then? Can you please explain that in a simple way.
The cab number, or road number, on a loco has nothing to do with the train number. Every train, just like every passenger flight, has a designation number that pertains to a job/contract, or a routine run that is dispatched under contract. So, loco 255 might pull train #224 between Pleasantville and Smokey Holler on Wednesdays. Train 224 is a lumber mill dispatch. I have made this up, of course, but you get the idea.
These train symbols and number are both specific to the D&RGW and to a particular time on the Rio Grande. Depending on what era you plan to model, they may either be relevant or something entirely different. I do not know enough to really help with this. There was a recent discussion of this subject on the Rio Grande Yahoo list and that’s where you’ll find the expertise on it.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Not to intrude on electroloves thread, but thanks Mike.[8D]