This guide will cover everything that a dispatcher should do between a train arriving and departing from the platform. It does not go into detail about different signs and signal types. For comprehensive descriptions of signals and signs, see Signs, Signals and the Signalling Guide.
Dispatch Baton
The dispatch baton is used to indicate to the driver when to close the doors of the train and depart from the platform. It should be used together with the whistle to audibly warn possible passengers of a danger.
| Keybind | Light Colour | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z | White | Close Doors | Station duties are complete. The train is clear to close doors.[1] |
| X | Green | Depart | Train is clear to depart.[1] |
| C | Red | Danger | Stop dispatching procedure immediately[2] |
| V | Disabled | N/A |
Guide
Stations Without Off Indicators
- Stand beside the rear half of the train, facing the driver.
- Send a TRTS (Train Ready To Start) and wait for the signal to become clear. Banner repeaters should be present if the line of sight to the signal is blocked.
- Once the signal is clear, blow your whistle. Then set your dispatch baton to white using Z.
- Wait a few seconds and blow your whistle again. Set your dispatch baton to green using X.
- Wait for the train to completely leave the platform before moving.
Stations With Off Indicators
- Stand next to the TDEU.
- Send a TRTS (Train Ready To Start), set the Platform Occupied Indicator, and wait for the signal to become clear. This should be indicated on the Off Indicator if you cannot see the signal directly.
- Once the signal is clear, blow your whistle and set the TDEU to CD (Close Doors).
- Wait a few seconds, then blow the whistle again. Set the TDEU to RA (Right Away).
- Wait for the train to depart.
- Turn off the Platform Occupied Indicator.
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Jennings, Ben. Comment on "The piece of plastic that keeps the rail network running." Railway Museum, 20 Nov. 2012, 4:14 p.m., blog.railwaymuseum.org.uk/the-piece-of-plastic-that-keeps-the-rail-network-running. Accessed 04 Mar. 2024Archived.
- ↑ Tingley, Greg. Comment on "The piece of plastic that keeps the rail network running." Railway Museum, 22 Nov. 2012, 10:06 a.m., blog.railwaymuseum.org.uk/the-piece-of-plastic-that-keeps-the-rail-network-running. Accessed 04 Mar. 2024Archived