The diagram:

Thanks

For posting the pic into the thread directly. I'm just learning to use this system.

Charles

"The issue is the flow of

"The issue is the flow of loaded cars outbound is towards the division yard off the bottom. So my thought was to add the siding that is dashed. This allows a southward-heading train to stop on the main before the switch, uncouple and head up the siding directly to the load track, grab the cars and head back to the train. This is typically handled by a road train and not a local.                                                                                                                                                It's easy to replicate the dropping of empties from the north being shoved towards the mill but way back when (from talking to train crews) they dropped of X cars and then took X cars. Somehow in the magic of old-time railroading, they accomplished all that with just an additional small siding back in town, no runaround."

   In the old days they could do things they can't do now due to rules changes and size of cuts involved. A feed mill back then might get one or two cars while now they might get 50.  For your situation I'd look at photos of similar installations in the time period you are modeling and see what was typical. Locality would play a big part too, if the mill is close to the yard they'd probably just go get the cars instead of making a road freight stop there. If there's a runaround close by they might back haul the cars up there then have the next southbound bring them south. They might find it easier to add a south switch to the main of they might add a runaround alongside the "loads" track to avoid having another mainline turnout? Lots of ways to go to solve the problem.....DaveB

@daveb - sorry for the hijack here.

I've noticed that several people on the forums like to quote text from the op like this:

"The issue is the flow of loaded cars outbound is towards the division yard off the bottom. So my thought was to add the siding that is dashed."

It would be really nice if you would use the QUOTE BLOCK feature so that it is easier to identify that the text is going to be a "re-read" of the OP. It makes it easier to sift thru the expanse of info in each thread.

It makes quotes like this:

now back to your regularly scheduled operations discussion