to load/unload on a branch's mainline? I have a particular situation that would require such an occurance, but since there only a couple of trains a day up this branch, it makes no sense to move a bunch of buildings and add in a siding, if the loading can be accomplished while the train is at the far end of the line. The cars can simply be picked up on the return trip.

The caboose would be left at the station at (not yet named) and the conductor and brakeman would ride the engine to the end of the line, make setouts/pick ups, and then back down to get the caboose.

I use CC&WB for operations.  I have color coded blocking for my trains and I provide the yards/stations with blocking sheets so the operators know where the cars go in the trains.  I had been putting them flat on the fascia, but those could be hard to read, you had to step back to see them .  Taping or rubber cementing them to the fascia made it difficult to update or change them.

I've seen plenty of CTC panels, and sat in with dispatchers using computer screens.  What I haven't seen (as far as I can remember, anyway) is a dispatcher's desk from the train order days.  I know the operators would have a telegraph (later a telephone), and I'm guessing the dispatcher would as well, but what else?  Was there any sort of route map?  Just a dig desk with plenty of cubbyholes and slots/drawers for various bits of paperwork?  How did he keep track of which trains had authority on a given piece of track?