Switch list/car order

I have been toying with the idea of using a switch list or car order system. I was wondering how the engineer carry's the list/cards around with him as runs the train?

 

Switch list would be easier to carry than bundle of cards. Make up switch list before leaving yard and/or turnaround point for an out-and-back turn. If not a one-person operation, have engineer run train while conductor/brakeman handles switch list.

 

Well I have a small short line, and no more then 3 people at a operating session. So I have crew sizes of 1. I thought of post switch lists at 4 points around the layout room. But I like the car card order system, but then a gin switch list is nice to. I'm just considering what's best for my railroading situation.

 

I would agree with the other response, do what works for you. Either make up card boxes at every location or use clothes pins to clip cards to the side of the layout. I've seen pictures of all kinds of set ups.

 

When I worked on the SBVR, we used Track Warrants for all train movements. Usually being the only train on the railroad, that was easy.

When it came to switch lists/car orders, we got a list of cars from CSX that were at the interchange. Conductor or brakeman would confirm the car numbers on the list to what was in the yard. On a typical day, we pulled the cars straight out and made the 40-mile run to the feed mill. On the trip, the Conductor or Brakeman would record all of the cars on a "Conductor's Report" and mark each car we pulled in accordance to what we did with it during the day:

For Example, if we pulled a covered hopper with corn say,... CSXT 255318. It was spotted at the feed mill we would mark the car with "S". If the car was left on the run-around below the mill, it would be marked with "W" for Wheeled, not spotted. If cars at the mill needed to be respotted, we wrote those cars on the list as well and marked them "R". It was for billing purposes so the railroad could bill by day cars spotted, cars wheeled and cars respotted.... there was a price for everything (I don't know anything about the billing, so don't ask).

If we hauled cars back to CSXT interchange, we marked cars "I" for Interchange. The RR superintendent or roadmaster would notifiy CSX that the cars were ready for pickup.

Occasionally, there would be additional cars than what were on the list. (CSX D721 delivered to the interchange once a day, sometimes the switch list from CSX wouldn't be updated for a couple hours after delivery.) Experience would tell the conductor or brakeman that a car you might recognize (pool cars) or a car with/without compressed truck springs will tell you a lot. In 2 years I was there we never pulled a car that was not for us. (Regardless of the incompentence of the CSX crew from time to time).

Anyhow, I'm getting OT. For a prototypical operation you would theoretically have a conductor follow you who would handle the switches and give you the instructions (remember, the Conductor is the boss, not the engineer) and manage the paperwork. Personally, when I operate, I prefer to run by myself regardless of whose layout.

I'm going to use a TT&TO system on my Chicopee Road, I'm currently debating car cards or switch lists. The car cards I have seem to be easier to handle than a clipboard and switch list, but I think I would have a easier time managing a list I can check off than 25 cards I might drop and get out of order, or lay down and forget.

 

OTOH, I know nothing, well not much, about switch lists, etc., but I do have a link to tariffs for BB, a local railroad: http://buckinghambranch.com/freightservices/tariffs.htm

I have no idea whether the amounts are typical, but I'm sure the services are.

 

I like both systems. However I'm considering the car card system. I was thinking of using the color of the day system. Each card has the car info on the top of the card. Then there several switch moves or destinations on the front and back. Each distain has a colored bar above it. So if its a red day you look on the car card and look under the red bar and you know where the car is going. A color wheel with a clock hand, arm shows the color of the day.

But as pointed out by GP30, cards can be left here and there or even dropped as the engineer is working. This is what makes the switch list look so nice. But then you have to run to the computer every operating session to print lists as with the car cards you just spin the color wheel to get color of the day.

Now I did have an idea of a plastic pocket on a lanyard ( like an ID badge ) or one that had an ID badge clip on it. The engineer would ether ware it like an ID lanyard or clip it to his shirt or jeans.

I guess the period of the layout has some influence. I'm running 1940-1950's steam.

My layout is an indoor G scale with two levels. The isles are not vary wide, but do have wide spots. So more then 3 people at an operating session and it gets crowded quickly. Besides with there trains on the move we run out of railroad kind of quick. The main line run is 150 foot but then to its G scale.

 

I suggest car cards and way bills. Then the train crew has the option of using the cards or using the cards to write out their own switchlist.
Many folks use carpenter aprons to hold the cards, pencils, throttles, maybe a flashlight.

 

Don't know if this will help, but here is the URL to a thread about getting ready for my first operating night from the Railwire forum: http://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=33039.msg377111#msg377111
"Getting ready for operations - Preparing for the first session." I was fortunate to get a lot of advice from several experienced operators (62 replies).

 

Thanks, great info here!

 

I like the lanyard idea. I already planned on using binder clips with the train number on it. (One of my train numbers will be QSLAQJ) I can then take a binder clip with my waybills/car cards and hang that from the lanyard.


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Sounds like a great idea.