Greetings All,
September 2024 Layout Operations Part 3
Finale
Welcome back to the closing segment of this exploratory series of model train layout operations. As a reminder the focus of this series of op session is based on the baseball strategy above. Get the rolling stock and trains on the layout, move them as needed to their intended industry or interchange and them get them moving back off layout and into their boxes (staging) so other rolling stock and locomotives can be added to the operations on a recurring basis.
Beginning on September 12, 2024 I embarked on and documented a series of model railroad operations to focus on train sequences and cycling rolling stock and motive power on and off the layout. The goal is to improve the overall operational continuity of the layout by determining what works well, what needs improvement, what needs to be discarded, what could be added and what should be added.
Days 5 thru 12
September 16 thru 27, 2024
Day 5
Mainline Cleanup
Day 5 started out with some clean up work to clear the mainlines of Train NH-2 and SK-9 that were dispatched to Cedar Hill and Selkirk in day 4. The two consists included forty five (45) freight cars and eight (8) locomotives that were cycled off the layout to their respective boxes to await their next calls to operations duty.
Freight Yard Status
This was followed by some admin work checking the freight yard status of the four on layout freight yards.
Terminal Yard: 48 freight cars, 6 passenger cars
B&O 16th Street Yard: 4 freight cars
Bedford Park Yard: 2 freight cars
EBRR North Side Yard: 25 freight cars
Total: 73 freight cars and 6 passenger cars
Transfer Runs to Clear Yard Space
Our first trains of the day were Train EC-1and EB-2 to clear yard space in both Terminal Yard and the Empire Belt's North Side Yard and deliver the interchange traffic needed to keep the operations moving along.
Train EC-1
Terminal Yard to North Side Yard
The EC-1 powered by four GP20s brings sixteen (16) freight cars of interchange traffic to North Side Yard.
Train EB-2
North Side Yard - Terminal Yard
In a dispatcher scheduled meet three EBRR GP18s with twenty one (21) freight cars of interchange traffic for Terminal Yard meets and passes Train EC-1 at Bedford.
Days six and seven were spent focusing on local service.
Day 8
September 21, 2024
Ford Auto Service Train / FAST 50
Selkirk - Terminal Yard
Hot shot train FAST 50 from Selkirk heads into Terminal Yard with auto parts and TOFC traffic. The Four EMDs power the train up the 2.5% grade into the Terminal Yard tunnel.
The FAST-50 is one of the hottest trains to run on the layout consisting of auto parts and high priority TOFC traffic. The FAST-50 often has run thru pool power from the SSW, UP or ATSF.
Fast Forward to Day 12
September 27, 2024
Last Op of the Month
Day 12 ops consisted of the Bedford Turn handing freight traffic to and from Bedford industries, two thru trains to Selkirk and recrewing a transfer run from North Side Yard that had died on the law at Bedford on day 11.
Train Extra 1862
Terminal Yard - Selkirk
Extra 1862 powered by five F7As took eighteen cars (18) from Terminal Yard to Selkirk. Motive power and freight cars were cycled off layout and back into their respective boxes.
Empire Belt Train EB-2
North Side Yard - Terminal Yard
The EB-2 powered by three GP18s outlawed on the Bedford Secondary on day 11 due to yard congestion at Terminal Yard and was recrewed this day to complete its journey with twenty two (22) freight cars of interchange traffic.
Train BT-27 / BT28
The Bedford Turn
Terminal Yard - Bedford - Terminal Yard
The BT-27 powered by RS2s 5229-0503-9932 delivered seven (7) freight cars to Bedford based industries, The BT-28 returned to Terminal Yard with ten (10) freight cars.
Train SK-9
Terminal Yard - Selkirk
The SK-9 powered by four GP20s brought twenty six (26) freight cars to Selkirk. Motive power and freight cars were cycled off the layout and back into their respective boxes.
End of September Layout Operations
The 12 days of ops came to an end on September 27, 2024. On this day forty four (44) freight cars were cycled off the layout along with nine (9) locomotives in two trains.
Summary
Total Locomotives Used This Op Series: 44
Total Freight Cars Cycled Off Layout in Trains: 157
The remainder of locomotives on the layout were removed via the 0-5-0 switcher and as of this writing new locomotives are being readied for the October Operations Series.
Lessons Learned
The documenting of each days movements is a big improvement in the planning and execution of the layout operations. I plan to continue doing this going forward as it made managing the freight cars and locomotives much easier.
Using Available Resources
When I began working on fine tuning the layout operations I turned to a valuable resource who regularly holds operating session on his home layout, the renowned Atlantic Pacific Railroad and is a visiting engineer on other operations based layouts. Ongoing communications and consultations with 1:1 Sir Neal provided both insight and inspiration to better organize the train movements on the layout with simplified and specific instructions for each train. That is currently in the works. Thank you very much Sir Neal!!!
Streamlining The Operations
In October the plan is to streamline the layout operations using some simplified paperwork known as the Rockford Card which I experimented with in March of 2023. This will be a basic check the box listing of each train to be run in a specific sequence.
Compilation of the September Ops Trains
Thanks for reading and watching!!!
See you soon!!!
More great trains with multi unit consists some with cool pooled power! You moved a lot of freight cars and used a sizeable roster to accomplish your experimental ops and we enjoyed every bit of i! Whoo hoo! Five F units on the head end of EC-1. Loved it! Best wishes on your continuing effort to organize car movements. I remember the Rockford Card approach which seemed pretty user friendly. Neal's experience hosting and setting up operating sessions for visitors to his layout would be a great resource!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ralph!! Glad you enjoyed the series!!
Delete