Proto Switching Puzzle/Question

slynch Jun 24, 2001

  1. slynch

    slynch E-Mail Bounces

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  2. yankinoz

    yankinoz TrainBoard Member

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    KEWL! I love switching puzzles - am I correct in my assumption that the loco is three car lengths? I assume normal rules like you have to stop to couple and uncouple - is this correct? I have not looked at your 50+ move page as I want to try my own ideas first [​IMG]

    PS - how big is the runaround track at A and C?

    And who left that box car on the main :eek:

    [ 24 June 2001: Message edited by: yankinoz ]
     
  3. yankinoz

    yankinoz TrainBoard Member

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    I did it in 45 on the train ride to work this morning. I reckon I can get that closer to 40 or below with a little creativity [​IMG] I can also take of two moves if you can tell me that the two empty hoppers and the two boxes at the lumber yard are already coupled together.

    Should we move this to the Pit?
     
  4. slynch

    slynch E-Mail Bounces

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    yankinoz: The runaround in real life can handle 20+ 40' boxcars. The engine length is not a problem then either. Oyster bay is stub end of line of this LIRR branch. So the boxcar on main was spotted by the freight house for a load of LCL stuff.

    Yes the cars are coupled on the sidings as requested. Just bump them together counts as one move!

    So far 35 moves submitted. Anyone with proto or modeling time to do this? Thanks guys.
    Best,
    Stevelynch
    www.NyandW.com
     
  5. yankinoz

    yankinoz TrainBoard Member

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    Sooo - since this is the end of the line - I need to have my caboose on the west end of my choo-choo... hmmmm that might actually make things easier. I'll let ya know after my train ride home. :D
     
  6. yankinoz

    yankinoz TrainBoard Member

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    31 moves and my train is ready to head out the way it came. - I think I might be able to shave a few off yet.

    But - to answer your question on how long would this take in real life. That's hard to say.

    Bruce Chubb sights an informal study John Allen did on prototype switching and he figures that most of the prototype time is spent coupling and uncoupling, connecting air hoses, and walking to on end of the train or another. On average John reckoned about 10 minutes per move was about average - that means my 31 move solution would take over 5 hours.

    But - the way I did it is probably not they way the prototype would. I gave no attention to where brakemen would be standing to uncouple cars or throw switches. I also ignored if there were any caboose movement restrictions (at one point I am pushing 5 cars in front of the caboose – I’m not sure if that’s legal)

    In real life, these are things that are thought about – times when five short moves could be faster than the 1 super clever move you can come up with when you think about it for a while.
     
  7. StickyMonk

    StickyMonk TrainBoard Member

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    <font color="336633">I have moved this to the Pit as its proberly the best place for it [​IMG]</font>
     

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