Getting Started in Operations

Presented by

Bob Weinheimer MMR

National Model Railroad Association Mid Central Region Convention

April 2012

What Do I Mean by Operations?

This is MY view, others may see things differently!

Operations means running the trains using rules, adapted as needed for model purposes, in much the same way done on the prototype

Specific trains run at a specific time based on a logical reason

What Do I Mean by Operations?

Cars, both freight and passenger, are moved between shipper and consignee with some sort of logical system

A credible fleet of cars is used reflecting the needs of shippers and logical connecting railroads

All this can happen on a freelanced or prototype based layout

Topics for Discussion

Layout setting Era Rolling stock Train schedules Car forwarding Train dispatching Staffing

The Global Picture

Few railroads operate without connections to other railroads

Where does you layout fit on a map of prototype railroads in the part of the world you are modeling?

Which railroads connect to your railroad?

The Global Picture Connections allow places for cars to go,

something like a large industry Connections allow the possibility of jointly

operated trains that feature connecting line power

Connections allow logical places for foreign line cars to come from or go to

On a freelance layout, do not be afraid to rewrite railroad history as needed to make operations work better

The Global PictureTo JulesburgTo Cheyenne

La Salle

Denver

Kansas Pacific, Rock Island

Jim Rollwage’sDenver Pacific

Modeled portion Denver to La Salle

The Global Picture

Union Pacific by Jim RollwageDenver Pacific line north from Denver to

transcontinental main lineModeled portion Denver to La Salle, COBeyond the basement connections to

eastward main line at Julesburg, CO, westward main line at Cheyenne, WY, eastward via Kansas Pacific and Rock Island from Denver

The Global PicturePittsburgh

CR, B&O, N&W, P&LE

Waynesburg, PA

Washington

PS Wheeling BranchFreelance N&W

Real N&WBridgeville

Whe

elin

g, W

VC

R, B

&O

, N&

W

The Global Picture

Pennsylvania SouthernPittsburgh to ChattanoogaModeled portion Pittsburgh to PA/WV

state lineOn layout, connects with CR, N&W,

P&LE, B&O, and MontourBeyond layout, connects with C&O,

N&W, B&O, G&G, CRR, L&N, SOU, possibly others

The Global Picture “Beyond the Basement” Staging yards

A source for trainsA destination for trainsCan be open or hidden, sceniced or not,

stub ended, double ended, or loops.

The Global Picture

Photo by Jim Rollwage

Setting What will your layout look like? Depends on layout location and concept

PS runs from urban Pittsburgh to rural area with heavy industry on the north end fading to mines and much less industry to the south

Denver Pacific is high western plains, few trees, lots of agriculture

Era What year is it on your layout? Era can dictate of rolling stock choices Era can dictate scenic elements such as

track arrangement and structure selection Era can dictate which industries may be

appropriate Era can help determine what dispatching

system is used

Rolling Stock

Once an era is established, try to avoid anachronisms such as truss rod boxcars running with double stack cars

1980 as an exampleLots of Incentive Per Diem, Railbox carsConrail cars in paint transitionGP-50s have arrived, no SD-50sNo SBD, CSX, NS

Rolling Stock

Fleet compositionMany home road carsFewer cars from direct connectionsEven fewer cars from secondary

connectionsPossible exceptions for unit trainsAppropriate car types to meet industry

needs

Rolling Stock – Car Types

Identify your car types. Most car forwarding systems use some

method for describing car types. AAR Mechanical Designations

Convenient two to four letter codes for describing cars.

Easily adapted to model railroads since most model cars already have the code on it.

Common AAR Mechanical Designations

XM – General boxcar XL – Boxcar equipped

with special loading devices

XP – Boxcar designated to haul a certain commodity

HM – Two bay hoppers HT – Hoppers with three

or more bays GB – Gondola with fixed

sides and ends GT – High side gondola

RP – Reefer RB and RBL – Insulated

boxcars LO – Covered hoppers LP – Pulpwood cars FM – General flatcars FC – Flatcars equipped to

handle containers or trailers

FA – Auto-racks FB – Bulk head flatcars

Train Schedules

Highly dependent on era and location Prototype passenger train schedules can be

used as a guide Freight trains can be scheduled or run as

needed PS schedule was developed using

mathematical models for car flow Denver Pacific uses UP timetables

Train Schedules

Train Procedure Manual

Descriptive list of each train and its functions.

Helps in developing the operating scheme. Helps others who visit your railroad know

which trains perform which tasks.

Train Procedure Manual

Car Forwarding

Many systems, all with their adherentsCar card and waybillCar tabsPrinted or handwritten switchlistCommercial software

Car Forwarding – Car Cards and Waybills Well documented in

the MR press. Most common method

used is Don McFall’s 4 cycle waybill system.

Easy to set up as it does not require any special equipment.

Cc&wb.jpg

Car Forwarding – Switchlists

Car Forwarding – Switchlists

ABOX 51000 WBG TEAM TRACK BAK GREENE COUNTY COOP BADX 1007AN 5517 WBG TEAM TRACK PS 15512BADX 1007 BAK GREENE COUNTY COOP SOU 35531BFGX 1033 WBG ARROW REFURBISHING WRWK 5055CCR 6139 WBG TEAM TRACK CR 766083 WBG TEAM TRACK WBG ARROW REFURBISHING BFGX 1033GATX 26995 WBG COMMERCIAL PROPANE NAHX 900056GATX 97325 WBG COMMERCIAL PROPANE UTLX 49376LN 109625 WBG TEAM TRACK MB 4030 WUN PENNSYLVANIA PRINTING WBG COMMERCIAL PROPANE GATX 26995NAHX 900056 WBG ARROW REFURBISHING GATX 97325PROX 29391 WBG COMMERCIAL PROPANE PROX 29391PS 15237 WUN PENNSYLVANIA PRINTINGPS 15512 BAK GREENE COUNTY COOP WBG TEAM TRACK ABOX 51000PS 15524 WUN PENNSYLVANIA PRINTING AN 5517PS 15547 WUN PENNSYLVANIA PRINTING CCR 6139PS 15572 WUN PENNSYLVANIA PRINTING CR 766083PS 15665 WBG TEAM TRACK LN 109625

PENNSYLVANIA SOUTHERN RAILROAD COMPANYWAYNESBURG TURN SWITCHLIST

Car Forwarding – Software

Commercial ProductsShip It!ProTrakRailOp

Open Source Products (free)JMRI

Folks can be very partial to their favorites Some see problems with all of these

Dispatching Systems Mother, may I?

Very informal, limited paperwork, simple Timetable and Train Order (TTTO)

Prototypical May be intimidating to new operators Steep learning curve for some

Track Warrants/Direct Train ControlPrototypical, easier than TTTO

Dispatching Systems

Centralized Traffic ControlRequires signals and detection equipmentCan be expensive to implementAllows high traffic levels

Combinations of all the above

Dispatching Systems

PS uses track warrant system

Denver Pacific uses TTTO

ORDER No.________________ DATE ______/ ______/ ______

TO C&E OF ENG _____________ AT _____________________

1 AFTER ARRIVAL OF ________________________________

2 ENG __________RUN EXTRA____________TO___________

3 EXTRA_________________MEET EXTRA________________AT____________. EXTRA ___________HOLD____________

4 EXTRA_________________MEET EXTRA________________AT____________. EXTRA ___________HOLD____________

5 EXTRA_________________MEET EXTRA________________AT____________. EXTRA ___________HOLD____________

6 _______________IS AHEAD____________TO____________

7 ENG__________WILL ASSIST__________TO____________

8 OTHER INFORMATION

COM:__________M DISPR__________ OPR_____________

PENNSYLVANIA SOUTHERN RAILROAD

Staffing Dispatcher

Authorizes train movements by writing orders, or warrants or by setting CTC signals

YardmasterClassifies inbound cars, builds trains

Train CrewOperate road trains, switch industries as

needed

Learn More

Observe the prototypeVisually from a safe locationRadio traffic via scanner or internet

Visit operating layouts, more than one if possibleWhat did you like about each?What did you dislike about each?

Decide what makes sense for you

Summary Fit your layout into the real world Define the layout era Develop a credible setting Write a train schedule Choose a dispatching system Develop a car forwarding system Observe layouts and the prototype Do all of this then operate and you will earn

the Chief Dispatcher certificate