[PRCo] Re: Run numbers

[James B. Holland]

John Swindler wrote:

> I recall it being referred to as a "block number."   It was a 
> sequential number for cars assigned to a route - usually based on the 
> order in which car left the barn. (first car out was block 1 second 
> car out was block 2.)    The 'block number' should stay the same while 
> the vehicle was on the street.
>
> The operator had his own 'run number' which referred to his pieces of 
> work.   Usually two pieces of work were put together to form an 
> operator's run, with the goal being to minimize premium pay.    That 
> is, make the operator's run as close to eight hours as possible.
>
> In Chicago, the numbers displayed in the front window were not the 
> vehicle's "block number", but the operator's "run number".
>
> John



Terminology can be confusing and Can Be / Is often used interchangeably.



TRAIN  --  identifies Vehicle Schedule and the term Train is even used 
with Trolley- and Motor-Coaches.

RUN  --  Schedule worked by Operator / Driver and may be Straight or Split.

What is displayed in the vehicle dash box is Property Choice  --  Driver 
Run Number in Shy-Town and Fritsco  --  Train Number in other places.

A   TRAIN   may contain One or More individual   RUNs.

I work   RUN_157/03-Jackson   (until September when I am making a 
change!)  which is Part of    TRAIN_301  which is the first  *-Bus-*  
out in the morning on the 3-Jackson and also happens to be the last one 
into the barn from the 3-Jackson.       Please Note that  ONLY  the last 
two digits of a  TRAIN  Number indicates sequencing from the barn - any 
numbers before these two indicate the line.       RUN_49 is the first to 
drive  TRAIN_301  who is relieved by  RUN_30  and I in turn relieve  
RUN_30  --  so three  RUNs  are included in  TRAIN_301.

The 30-Stockton also works from my barn and the first train out on the 
30-line is  TRAIN_3001!



BLOCK  --  Group of Runs chosen by an Operator / Driver, usually those 
with the lowest seniority.

((Seems possible that Block and Train may be used interchangeably on 
various properties.))


Some Runs work only 5-days, some 6-days, some all seven days but 
individual schedules vary according to the day  --  a Monday-Fri 
schedule will be the same but different from Sat and even Sun because of 
running times needed to complete a trip.       Operators / Drivers work 
5-days consecutively  (usually)  so the extra day(s) not worked by the 
Operator / Driver on the Run Pick are then assembled into  BLOCKs  of 
Runs to be picked.       These  BLOCKs  may have runs all on one line or 
all on different lines or any combination thereof.       And while the 
blocks try to keep working times similar on all working days, this is 
not always possible and it is possible to have some days and evenings 
mixed or evenings and Owls.       Extra runs available not assigned to 
Blocks are then Detailed by the Dispatcher on that day.



Examples:

Run_001 Works Monday Through Friday Only - Operator / Driver Run cut for 
this does same, no extra days.

Run_002 Works Monday Through Saturday, Driver works Monday Through 
Friday, Saturday is available for assembly into block.

Run_003 Works 7-Days, Driver works 5-days and has Sun-Mon off so Sun and 
Mon available for assembly into block.

Run_004 Works 7-Days, Driver works 5-days and has Tuesday-Wed off so 
these days available for assembly into block.


Block_001 consists of:    Run_002 on Sat, Run_003 on Sun-Mon, Run_004 on 
Tues-Wed and has Fri-Sat as Regular Day Off  (RDO.)



Jim__Holland


I__Like__Ike.......And__PCCs!!

down with pantographs ---- UP___WITH___TROLLEYPOLES!!!!!!!