Todd: As usual, your simple modeling is always a pleasure to view because it all "fits". It's probably due to your engineering background but the way your scenery (with cuts/fills and ditches) resembles actual terrain along with a good eye for color (things like buildings and rolling stock all seem to blend together) on your layout is very realistic. I also like the ways you use simple methods and inexpensive materials to enhance your layout like the simple but effective staging traverser, the photo of buildings for your back drop, and the simple trees. I guess the reason for all the superlatives, is that I spent a couple of hours last night reviewing your fast progress of about a year and all the wonderful detailed pictures, (of which there are several in my files for future reference and inspiration) you have shared on this website. Thanks for doing so to encourage the rest of us. You have the makings for a great layout article in either MR or RMC. Now a few comments about your operating plan. Overall, it looks very do able and a lot of fun. Are you planning on operating two coal trains each way from staging to Myersville, which appears to be a bit much for the production of the mines and washer, depending on train length and operating grades? Do one of the coal, through freights handle the "commercial" (other industry) cars ? When you operate the turn job from Myersville to Burt how do you run around the train in order to switch a facing point industry such as the coal mine there ? I am guessing you either run to Ellicott and use the siding there to run around your entire train while you switch that industry and then handle Burt on the way back to Myersville ? Or do you run around your train at Dixon using the siding there and shove with the caboose leading, down to Burt to switch the mine ? With the operation you have now, without a siding/run around track at Burt these are the only ways I can see that will allow you switch the facing point track at the mine there. As a side comment, I reaaly like the new LPG/Propane facilty at Burt. It similates the difference between the old and new structures...providing realistic age to your layout. Keep up the good work. Barry
Thanks, Barry, for your very kind words. I truly appreciate your generous encouragement and constructive advice. I count it an honor to be the recipient of such great support from fellow modelers like you. Indeed, my operational planning is a work in progress. It's all new territory for me. Without your help, I'd still be groping about in the dark. Now, on to the task at hand ... A single early morning train of empties (127 WB) will run from staging and terminate at Myersville. The crew will go off the clock, and the road power gets serviced. An assigned switcher will handle the morning yard job to block the newly arrived empties into local runs to the mines. Another loco will depart Myersville with the Ellicott turn. The crew will work the empties through the tipple at Ellicott before returning home with loads. Next, the yard switcher at Myersville will run the previous day's loads from the mines through the washer. These loads will be sitting in the Myersville yard each day when 127 WB arrives with new empties and they will leave town as 128 EB. The overall flow of the coal loads on the layout will be a 2 day process. During day 1, a new load will move from mine to Myersville yard. During day 2, that same load will run through the washer and be blocked for departure that evening in Train 128 EB. Therefore, there will be unwashed loads sitting overnight each night at Myersville. Still another loco will originate at Myersville for the Burt turn ... So far, I have run around the train at Dixon using the siding there and shoved with the caboose leading, down to Burt to switch the mine. That seems to work best for me right now. To keep the Myersville yard from getting jammed up with non-coal loads, I plan to service commercial customers with Train 55 WB / 56 EB. I can reblock cars as needed at Myersville and spot all cars with trailing point moves. I may drop an occasional commercial load or two at Myersville for inclusion in one of the mine turns. At the end of each day, the 127 WB crew will come back on duty, tie onto the train assembled by the evening yard job, and depart for staging as train 128 EB. I appreciate your patience as these details develop. Once again, I've never done this kind of planning before, so every decision is subject to careful scrutiny. It's great to have expert help. Thanks, Barry.
