Local Switching Operations

Local Switching Operations Steve Prevette PNR Vice President Burnt Hills and Big Flats RR http://users.owt.com/prevette Prevette@owt.com

Scope • How to do switching on a model railroad • Common configurations of sidings • Considerations for track planning • Considerations for planning operating sessions

The Challenge • Operations should be FUN! • Too simple can be boring • Too complex can be a headache • Need to consider what is right for you, and for your operators • Realism (following prototype practices) can add to the fun

Why do we set out cars? • Passenger trains can load and unload without setting out or picking up cars. • Cases of freight cars loading and unloading on the main are rare in the prototype. • Toy trains have accessories for loading and unloading cattle, pipes, logs, milk cans while in the train.

Loading and Unloading • Fortunately for model railroads (and unfortunately for the prototype), loading and unloading of most cars takes time. • We can then have “fun” shifting and switching cars around, a cost the prototype would just as soon do without.

A simple siding Siding Mainline Turnout

A simple siding

Switching a simple siding“Trailing Point” The yellow boxcar is to be delivered to the siding for unloading Siding Mainline Turnout

Switching a simple siding Pull engine and car to be delivered ahead of turnout Siding Mainline Leave rest of train on mainline Turnout

Switching a simple siding Set the turnout for the siding, and back car into siding Mainline Turnout

Switching a simple siding Uncouple car, pull engine forward and set turnout back for the main Mainline Turnout

Switching a simple siding Couple up to the rest of the train, and proceed to next assignment. Mainline Turnout

Switching a simple siding Mainline Turnout

What happens if the train is going the other direction? The yellow boxcar is to be delivered to the siding for unloading Siding ? Mainline Turnout This is “Facing Point”

Options • Double end the siding • Add a run around track • Only switch this siding when the train is going the proper direction (left to right) • Push the car ahead of the locomotive from a previous location

A double ended siding Siding Mainline Turnout Turnout

Double ended siding • Can be switched from either direction • May be too easy • Can’t be used for other purposes (such as holding a train for a meet) without moving spotted cars • Takes twice as many turnouts, more length, siding must roughly parallel main

Adding a runaround • The runaround can serve multiple sidings • The runaround may also be used as a passing siding if there are no industries on it • If the main must be used as part of the runaround, switching time may be impacted due to need to get clearance from dispatcher.

With a runaround The yellow boxcar is to be delivered to the siding for unloading Siding Mainline Runaround

With a runaround Pull train into runaround Siding Mainline Runaround

With a runaround Uncouple from train, move engine forward onto main Siding Mainline Runaround

With a runaround Back engine around train on main Siding Mainline Runaround

With a runaround Move forward and couple onto back of train Siding Mainline Runaround

With a runaround Pull train with car to be delivered back onto the main Siding Mainline Runaround

With a runaround Push train towards siding Siding Mainline Runaround

With a runaround Push cars onto siding, and uncouple car to be delivered Siding Mainline Runaround

With a runaround Pull train with car to be delivered back onto the main Siding Mainline Runaround

With a runaround Push remainder of train back onto runaround and uncouple Siding Mainline Runaround

With a runaround Engine runs around remainder of train Siding Mainline Runaround

With a runaround Engine couples to remainder of train, and departs Siding Mainline Runaround

More than one car per siding • Multiple industries per siding? • May make the industry too small (the building is smaller than the boxcar it is loading) • Does add challenge for switching • One big industry per siding? • May look more realistic, especially if against a backdrop • May have multiple “spots”

More than one car per siding Multiple spots for loading cars

Operations Thoughts • Through trains are the money makers for the railroad and have priority (I’ve seen that backwards on some op sessions) • The local can get stuck for a long time as a parade of mainline trains go through town • It is no fun for the local crew to sit around endlessly waiting for a switching opportunity, only to clear up again five minutes later

Helping out the Local Crew • Add a separate runaround from the passing siding • Add a “lap siding” • Have one or both “tails” of the runaround off of the main

Runaround separate from Passing Siding Run around Main Passing Siding

Lap Siding A short runaround within a long passing siding shortens switching times and adds flexibility Mainline Runaround

Lap Siding Two long trains may also meet Mainline Runaround

Lap Siding Note – a long passing siding with a crossover is also a lap siding Mainline Runaround

The Switchback The length of this tail must be at least one engine plus one car long clear from the turnout Siding Siding Mainline

The Switchback These cars are to remain here when done Siding #2 Mainline The Yellow Car is to be delivered to Siding #2

The Switchback First, these cars must be moved out of the way Siding #2 Mainline

The Switchback Siding #2 Mainline

The Switchback Siding #2 Mainline Shove the two gray cars forward and leave on mainline

The Switchback Siding #2 Mainline Backup, uncouple rest of train

Local Switching Operations