The best dispatchers anticipate train movements far in advance - and as a result are probably pretty good at playing Tetris! "I've got an eastbound here, a track out of service there, and a westbound coming as well? How to fit them all onto just one mainline? And what about the train coming in off the UP?" Plus, along with figuring out all these moves (which also involves lining switches and clearing signals), the dispatcher also has to communicate with the various trains via radio, handle phone calls, coordinate movements with connecting railroad's dispatchers, and distribute the paperwork for any number of track warrants, track and time for maintenance of way crews, general track bulletins, track assignments, train turns, weather reports and forms listing various trains' crew members, consists and manifests. And all while keeping an eye on, in this case, 12 computer monitors! (Only half are shown in this photograph.) A good dispatcher (and this guy is one!) is much appreciated by train crews, as he or she can get them to their home terminal on time, so that they can get some much-needed rest and family time. Photographed on railroad property with permission.
