Operation and maintenance
Anybody tried interchange between different era layouts?
A friend and I came up with this idea for interchanging cars between out railroads. It's based on the type of interchange some people have used (I don't know where it's documented) where they run an operating session and then notify the other person about what cars have been sent and what they are loaded with. I've heard of people exchanging actual cars, but I think it usually involves duplicate cars on each layout.
What did steam-era sawmill switchers do?
Hi, I was wondering if anyone has some information on the role of switching engines dedicated to switching at sawmills, particularly during the steam era. Even after switching to logging trucks supplying the sawmills with logs, several medium-sized sawmills on Vancouver Island, BC had a dedicated switching engine to deal with the lumber loading side of the mill.
Free rolling cars when switching?
Has anybody tried moving cars during an operating session using either gravity or momentum (REAL momentum, not electrical) instead of keeping them coupled to an engine? I'm talking about kicking cars, dropping them by, jerking them by (flying switches), or other similar operations. Kicking cars is a common practice on the prototype because it drastically speeds the switching. Dropping them by is a great way to get the cars on the other end of the engine without having to run around the train. Jerking them by is VERY discouraged these days, although I have seen
Reboxx Exxact Socket issue
Recently I discovered my truck tuner tool had grown legs and vanished. It was a geernic one I picked up at a train show, I don;t think it was the actual Reboxx one, but since the whole thing has gone missing (I always kept it in the zip baggie it came in) I don't have proof one way or the other.
Coupler picks and n scale
In a recent blog posting of mine, the issue was raised about whether it is a good (or even reasonable) idea to use a coupler pick with n scale equipment.
One side seems to say that the use of the coupler pick is just an invitation to derail the cars and promote the need to handle the cars to reset them on the track.
The other side seems to say that there is really no problem.
Another group (not really a side) is saying that magnets are a better approach all together.
method of operation.
I am currently trying to work out what method of operation to use on my layout that is still under construction. I am interested in some local switching and as I model the appalachian area of course coal operations. My layout is designed with the infrastructure to support these operations however I can't work out what system to use. I have considered the car card system but through a lack of knowledge I do not understand how to create appropriate demand from industries and how to use the system for mine operation.
How Did 1940s Industry (or R.R.) Switchers Use Runarounds?
Reading Lance Mindheim's Industrial Switching Primer for modern era.
I'm modeling mid 1940s and would like to know how use of a runaround
to get around the other end of the train was used.
The reasons Lance gives in his book for NOT using runaround tracks (passing sidings)
are time and cost related and would seem to make sense in earlier eras as well...BUT
labor was much cheaper then.
How much of this summary would apply to '40s era industrial switching?
Also would it vary for classification yards much?
"Real railroads go to great length to avoid runarounds.
Question about what to include from staging in CTC panel
I have a question regarding how I should design my CTC Panel (for JMRI). When I operate the layout, it will run in a Point-to-Point manner with six staging tracks on either end. In order to turn trains, I have a single reversing loop that is accessed directly for west staging, but east staging crosses over onto the west staging lead to access the reversing loop.
Consisting MTH PA/B/A units...some help please from a pro!
I have received my "PA" units A/B/A and wanted to consist them as a single "Advanced consist". I have used my NCE Pro Cab and have selected "124" as the advanced number. My lead unit is 6013, "B" unit as 6012 and trailing "A" unit as 6011. I have already built the consist as "124" and the trailing unit is running in "reverse mode". From here looking for answer here.
Rule 251 Technicolor
I would like to add some technicolor to the Rule 251 discussion. The GCOR rule (assuming it is the General Code currently being used by railroads) isn't 251 anymore its Rule 9.14 if somebody wants to look it up.
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