E&P Train Order System Update

Work has gone quicker than I expected and most of the changes to the Train Order system have been made and tested.

The system now has three modes; Automatic, Semi-automatic and Manual which are selected by the dispatcher and can be changed at any time.

For Form 19 processing the easiest mode to use will be the Automatic mode but it also has the most limitations.  Using this mode will select the most likely correct form 19 wording without intervention from the operator. The semi-automatic mode is just like the current system and offers the most flexibility.  However this mode will require the operator to make decisions. And the manual mode is only for the most advanced dispatchers since it will require all manual entry.

Form Form A processing the automatic mode will go out and find any associated Form 19s and display them on the screen before printing.  In automatic mode this information can not be changed.  In semi-automatic mode the dispatcher can request the associated From 19s and then if desired they can be changed or they can be entered manually.  In manual mode the dispatcher must enter the associated Form 19s.

The final change made to the system was to correct a minor inconsistency that only showed up when the TO field on the Form 19 and the TO field on the Form A were different but resulted in the same train address.  Now you can use "Thorny Point Extra" in the TO field on the From 19 and then use "Extra" engine 43 at Thorny Point on the Form A and they will sync up.  Before they would not.

I still plan to add some help screens and some more help text to the controls.  All of which I don't expect to ever be read.  But they have been requested.

The next dispatcher should have a cake walk!