Great Northern Track Numbering

[greatNorth]

Thanks. I am building a layout inspired by the SF&N branch line and I have copies of their timetables from the historical society and they too identify yards by capacity. Most lines seem to work on direction of mainline I.e. North-South then number the yard tracks East or West out from the mainline. Many yards go on historical local names that the yard workers use. So far AT&SF had one of the most detailed system schemes.

[greatNorth]

Thanks. It is the way many roads number. Geographical depending on overall direction of mainline. Then numbered from there as you describe. Others and Santa Fe is a good example have a fairly detailed numbering scheme. Thanks again.

[wjstix]

The problem is that rail yards, with a few exceptions, tended to grow organically over time. GN's east-west mainline puts in a long passing siding in the middle of nowhere. In time, traffic warrants putting a yard there, so six yard tracks are put in north of the main, numbered 1-6 (south to north). Later, six more tracks are added south of the main, and numbered 7-12 north-south. A while later, track 2 is removed to make room for some reason (like adding diesel fuel storage tanks) so the tracks go 1-3-4-5-6 now.

[cuyama]

The Great Northern Railway Historical Society republishes many prototype documents, including track charts. I have used these a couple of times for client projects, but I don't recall a consistent numbering scheme from location to location. There are numbers on each yard track in some of the diagrams, but they are car capacities.

If you are not already a member, well worth the investment.

Byron

[wjstix]

I don't know that GN had a set standard of numbering tracks. Even if they did, it could change over time as a yard was expanded (or contracted).

[greatNorth]

Specifically freight yards, but many lines have schemes that cover the entire range.

[wjstix]

Do you mean how GN numbered freight yard tracks or ??

[greatNorth]

Does anyone know or know where I can find out the track numbering scheme used by Great Northern. I can find schemes for many fallen flags, but not GN.