Job Descriptions

Operating Personnel

Movement Director

The Movement Director sits with the Dispatcher and maintains the Movement of Trains, assigns crews to trains, and coordinates with the dispatchers. Specific duties include:

• Calls for crews for trains, based on scheduled departure times. Records crew assignment on Movement of Trains sheet.
• Annuls trains due to crew shortages, motive power issues, or other issues.
• Pulls train packet from rack, noting staging track. Completes Form 19, noting the staging track, and places into train packet; forwards to crew. Advises appropriate dispatcher that train has been assigned, as well as which staging track it will depart from.
• Upon termination of train, receives train packet back from crew and places into rack. Form 19 is removed and filed.
• Monitors radio traffic and records o/s reports on Movement of Trains sheet.

Dispatcher

The Dispatcher sits with the Movement Director and controls routes and signals via a computerized CTC display in order to forward trains across their assigned territory in a timely manner.

Main Line Freight Engineer (multiple)

Numerous main line freight engineer assignments are available as trains are readied and personnel allow.

Main Line Passenger Engineer (multiple)

Numerous main line passenger engineer assignments are available as trains are readied and personnel allow. Passenger train engineers perform their own switching and engine rotations at Harrisburg (if applicable). Passenger train engineers also take on the role of STATE and HARRIS tower operators, aligning routes within the station plant and reporting movements to the Dispatcher.

Cresson Operator

This position may prove to be one of the more popular. The Cresson Operator sits in a "pulpit" on top of Helix Three, right next to the Cresson engine facility. From there they have a commanding view of all activity on the eastern slope! Their job, however, is to operate all of the branch coal trains in and out of the Cresson yard. This includes loaded coal trains coming east out of the Cresson yard onto the main line, east to BF, and onto the New Portage Secondary (where they loop back to the Cresson yard), as well as empty hopper trains on the inverse of the route. Also, southbound loaded coal trains out of the Irvona Branch heading into the Cresson yard (where they loop back to the Irvona Branch), as well as empty hopper trains on the inverse of the route. They run as many trains as they desire during a session, interacting with the dispatcher only for movements between MO and BF on the main line.

Local Engineer (multiple)

Several local engineer assignments are available for switching assignments in various areas.

One of the more challenging assignments is the full-time position of Harrisburg East Local. This engineer sits within the property of the Harrisburg Gas Company (a hole in the benchwork). He is responsible for switching at industries east of the passenger station, the Railway Express Agency, and the Freight Station. He may also be requested to assist in switching passenger equipment east of the station.

Helper Engineer (multiple)

Helper engineer assignments are available on the East Slope. Experienced Main Line engineer operators may opt to run their own helpers.

Non-Operating Personnel

General Manager

The General Manager is responsible for all aspects of traffic through the region and is the supervisor to all employees within the region.

Wire Train

Those on the wire train have invested their time and talents in the installation and maintenance of the railroad's electrical services (DCC power supply, command bus, accessories, all electronics).

Track Gang

Track Gang personnel have invested their time and talents in the construction of benchwork and laying of track.

Groundskeepers

Groundskeepers have invested their time and talents in the area of scenery.