By Len Cocoucchio

Checking Design: Harry Vince, Alberta South day dispatcher (foregroun), Ray Lift, carpenter Ogden Shops, and Tex Tychon, senior radio techinican go over plans for the construction of two new dispaterh's consoles. The three men were responsible for design and construction of the new console above.

"Human engineering is an important part of any new system," says Tex Tychon, Calgary-based senior radio technician. "As we studied placement of the new point-to-train components it became obvious the current dispatcher's console simply wasn't adequate."

With Harry Vince, Alberta South day dispatcher, Mr. Tychon conceived the design. Once completed, the plans were taken to Ray Luft, carpenter at Ogden Shops, who carried out the actual construction.

"Our main concern in designing the new console was to meet the needs of the dispatcher for ease of operation of the new communications system while allowing for sensible placement of component parts," says Mr. Tychon.

When completed, the point-to-train system will provide a communications network for the railway on its line running from Crowsnest, B.C., to Medicine Hat, Alberta. The system will provide a link between operators of company radios and Alberta Government Telephones for ground line transmission to the dispatcher in Calgary who can then switch the caller to a direct phone link with divisional officers, such as divisional engineers and the superintendent. The newly designed console has been well-received. Two more are in the final planning stages, and are intended for the Alberta North and Calgary Division dispatchers.