Editing Dispatcher (section)

===Railroad dispatchers===
{{Main|Train dispatcher}}

A [[train dispatcher]] is employed by a railroad to direct and facilitate the movement of trains over an assigned territory, which is usually part, or all, of a railroad operating division. The dispatcher is also responsible for cost effective movement of trains and other on-track railroad equipment to optimize physical (trains) and human resource (crews) assets.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irtcanada.net/site/why/careers/rail_traffic_controller.htm |title=Career Choices – Rail Traffic Controller |publisher=irtcanada.net |access-date=18 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117004606/http://www.irtcanada.net/site/why/careers/rail_traffic_controller.htm |archive-date=17 January 2011 }}</ref>

[[File:PCPOST Crew Dispatcher.png|thumb|300px|A crew dispatcher keeping track of train crew assignments in [[Penn Central]]]]
A crew dispatcher is also employed by the railroad to keep track of train crews and their assignments.  The crew dispatcher is responsible for assigning train crew to trains based upon scheduled rosters, and also making real-time adjustments as necessary based on rail traffic conditions and delays.  The crew dispatcher is normally assisted by a crew caller whose responsibility is to telephone the train and engine crews to advise them of time to report for duty.  The crew dispatcher is also responsible for checking that each train and engine crew are properly qualified for their assignments and have had proper rest according to labour regulations.