The Little Rock Line

Allen H Dec 31, 2011

  1. Allen H

    Allen H TrainBoard Supporter

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    Saturday, August 10th is set for the next ops session!
    After remodeling the living room, I'm taking a quick break before starting in on the kitchen. I've been trying to get this session ready since May!

    Here's a few shots with things ready to roll, the rest can be seen on the blog.


    Southbound Manifests

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    Northbound Manifests

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    Yards goats and the local power at El Dorado

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    I'm gonna try to get some shots during the session this time.
     
    Joe Lovett likes this.
  2. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Those F units have definitely rolled off some miles.
     
  3. Philip H

    Philip H TrainBoard Member

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    Very nice. What's your current car forwarding scheme? I've done both switch lists and car card with timetable in the last two weeks - car cards definitely take more concentration.
     
  4. Allen H

    Allen H TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yes they have. I actually swapped the older analog chassis out not too long ago with newer DCC ready chassis.
    But they are still good solders with a lot miles left!


    Thanks Phlip!
    If you're bored or wanna put yourself to sleep here's a link to the blog page that explains the Wheel Report. The first 1/3 or so is nothing but rambling. There are also images of the print-outs for each session near the end.

    http://thelittlerockline.blogspot.com/2012/05/car-routing-on-little-rock-line.html

    I'm not sure if the Wheel Report is classified as a switch list or not, but it was built on MS Excel.

    Several years ago I was intrigued with computer generated lists like ShipIt! I've only dabbled with CC&WB a few times. Both of these I found to be kind of ridged, where as the Wheel Report tends to be very flexible. One thing I like about it is it doesn't flow from one session to another, so if something gets out of whack or a car gets shipped on the wrong train, the whole process doesn't get screwed up. Another plus, if a newbie becomes confused or feels intimidated or just wants to run the train, then the world does not come to a crumbling end.

    This may not be suited for those who like to run by the rule books, but it keeps everyone in our group happily running trains for the time being.

    I would like to try my hand sometime on a layout that has a CC&WB and see how it works. I've got a buddy near Denver who has and HO layout that uses the car forwarding system from JMRI. He's been very happy with it over his last system. Someday I might change to something different if and when I become bored with this one or if I see the light someday.


    Additional thoughts; One thing lacking with this wheel report is only gives you instructions as to what cars gets spotted. It leaves it up to the crew to decide which cars [if any] needs to be picked up. So the crew needs to do a little math in order to keep thier trains below a certain length to fit the sidings.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 23, 2013
  5. Allen H

    Allen H TrainBoard Supporter

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    Op session #6 was held on August 10th. To date it was smoothest running session yet.
    I just finished updating the blog.

    Here's a few teaser pics [sorry about the crappy iPhone pics];

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    The blog link
     
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  6. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Except for one smiling face, everyone looks so serious....
     
  7. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Probably the only one NOT under pressure running a train at the time....LOL
     
  8. Doug A.

    Doug A. TrainBoard Supporter

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    Lovin' this pic of some Katy power and PRB coal.

    Looks like the ops session was a success...hope everybody had fun.​
     
  9. Allen H

    Allen H TrainBoard Supporter

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    Now that you brought that up, never noticed it. lol
    I must have gotten lucky, most of the night we were all laughing and joking giving everyone a hard time.

    Actually nobody takes anything too serious during the session, but they all seem to have a good time.


    About the only ones that was feeling the pressure was Don and John. When the jobs were being chosen for the night and the El Dorado yard job came up for bid, Don spoke up and said "We can try this one", the look on Johns face was priceless. Don grabbed the paperwork and John took the throttle. On more than one occasion when I looked over or passed by, John had his hand on his head. If I could hear him think, I bet he was saying " OMG, what have you gotten us into"? LOL

    This is the third pic from the blog, you can see john in the background holding his hand to his head!
    This was only the second time Don joined us and the first time either one of them pulled this job. I must say they a very good job!


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    It took a lot of coaxing to even get Don to come over and play the first time. Last Oct was his first time and he told me a couple of days before that he was a little intimidated and was worried about screwing things up. After that session was over, the first thing he asked me was "When's the next session"? When I emailed everyone of this upcoming meet, Don was the first to reply saying he'd be there! LOL

    The El Dorado yard job is the by far the hardest of all the jobs on the Little Rock. Figuratively speaking, from the time the clock starts, you are kept busy shuffling cars in and out of the yard. You have four trains to service with outbound cars and receiving cars from them. You also have three trains to build and then break down for the two local turns and one for the W&OV. This past session I added a few cars that need to be delivered within the town of El Dorado as well.
    Although I've worked it many times while building the yard, I, myself have not pulled this job during a session.

    Thanks Doug!
    Yep, it was the best and smoothest one so far.
    Now I need to get cracking on some more scenery!
     
  10. Philip H

    Philip H TrainBoard Member

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    Allen,
    Looks like you guys had a great time. I love seeing pics of ops sessions on N scale layouts - it's about time we stepped out form the shadows and proved once and for all what the REAL operations oriented scale is. Plus your locomotive fleet loco fantastic as always.
     
  11. Allen H

    Allen H TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yes we did Philip! This was our 6th session and most of the guys who were there that night and regularly participate are finally getting the hang of the process and how things play out. Now instead of always answering questions, I'm getting a little more free time to take pics and actually run a few trains myself, lol.

    All of the guys who were there this last session with the exception of one, Calvin, has been regulars. This was Don's second session, and he has picked things up fairly well.


    So do I and I have to agree with you!

    Thank you for the kinds words, I appreciate it! :)
     
  12. GaryHinshaw

    GaryHinshaw TrainBoard Member

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    Congrats on another successful session Allen! I have been following with interest since I have scheduled my first session for next week. It's a bit nerve wracking to contemplate, especially since all of the crew are veterans of Mark Dance's awesome Columbia & Western. Wish me luck...

    -Gary
     
  13. Philip H

    Philip H TrainBoard Member

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    Gary,
    With your bullet proof track and control systems I know all will go well. Besides, Rocket Bob won't be there to run any passenger trains, so all will be good.

    Allen,
    Remind me again, what's your car routing system?
     
  14. Allen H

    Allen H TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks Gary! As Philip said, I doubt you will much trouble at all.

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    Wish I could be there! I would love to get a first hand look at your layout.
    IIRC, it's not going to be a full blown session, correct? Just running a few trains, but not really any car setouts?

    Like I was told; "Pictures or it didn't happen"
     
  15. Allen H

    Allen H TrainBoard Supporter

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  16. Allen H

    Allen H TrainBoard Supporter

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    Only about month late, but I got some videos together this weekend from the last ops session and posted them on the blog.
     
  17. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Enjoying seeing the SNCT box car behind that power on that first video. Soundtrack in #3 is great. :)
     
  18. ArtinCA

    ArtinCA TrainBoard Member

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    Looks good! Lots of good looking power there running as well.
     
  19. Allen H

    Allen H TrainBoard Supporter

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    I had a heck of a time trying to find one of those from MDC for years. Then one day I score three in one auction. :)
    one of the local rock stations here in town has a 10 at 10 special where they play 10 songs from a past year, Friday night they did a special session where they played 10 train songs and this was one of them, so I thought it was fitting.
    I also a big fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd and southern rock.
     
  20. Allen H

    Allen H TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks Art!
    This was the first session where I was able to have solid RI power running with the exception of detour trains.
     

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