dehusmanIronically on the prototype, the coal trains would be the least likely trains to operate on a schedule due to the nature of the coal business and the local train would be one of the most likely trains to have a schedule because it would probably the only over the road train that had a scheduled crew.
I agree. The only reason the coal train is scheduled is because it serves a power plant, three times weekly - no trains, no electricity. The other trains run at usual times, and I probably will put the passenger trains on schedules, too - makes sense if we want to maintain ridership (although the Bee - a diesel electric doodlebug, is currently the only conveyance that actually carries any LPBs:
My hometown prototype supposedly ran all freight trains as extras, even though some of them were "named" and ran on a regular day- and time-basis. I don't know enough about prototype operations to understand why that was the set-up, but it seemed to work.On my layout, other than the coal train and passenger operations, the freights are mostly locals, doing switching along the way. There are passing tracks in every town, and it seems to me that track warrants would probably be the best way to operate things. Operation is DC (one-train-in-motion at-a-time) and I am the sole operator. If I run a through train - usually from one staging yard to another - everything else working along that part of the line goes in the hole until it's passed. A typical "day" might have 1-3 locals in each direction on each portion of the layout (three subdivisions modelled), perhaps a coal train (loaded or returning empties), and maybe one through train. Some light passenger service would be sprinkled in there, too, although any of the locals could be a mixed train. I envision that typical "day" would take a month or perhaps two of fairly active operation to be completed.
I'm sure that as the rest of the layout develops (benchwork just in on a partial second level) operations will sort themselves out - I may find that my intentions are too grand or that they simply won't work as planned. I think, though, that the layout will eventually present the opportunities which will prove most workable - after all, I have been winging it since I built the room...no written plan, and certainly no track plan, although I do have an idea of what it should look like and how it will be run. I'm still havin' fun.
Wayne
doctorwayne The only truly heavy trains are coal drags, and they're also the only regularly scheduled freight trains, supplying a power plant. All other trains run as extras, albeit mostly at regular times. Since most are required to switch the towns through which they pass, it would be difficult to maintain a strict schedule.
The only truly heavy trains are coal drags, and they're also the only regularly scheduled freight trains, supplying a power plant. All other trains run as extras, albeit mostly at regular times. Since most are required to switch the towns through which they pass, it would be difficult to maintain a strict schedule.
Ironically on the prototype, the coal trains would be the least likely trains to operate on a schedule due to the nature of the coal business and the local train would be one of the most likely trains to have a schedule because it would probably the only over the road train that had a scheduled crew.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
Sounds like great realism railroading on your layout. If that is a photo of the layout I think you have recreated my home town in central Alberta. So close that I bet I could find me in the picture heading across the tracks to meet my father at the grain elevator.
Happy modelling!
Thanks for the information on JMRI - probably a bit too technical for my steam-era and DC controlled railroading.
Yeah, the numbers are for HO...the caboose is pretty close to the NMRA numbers, as are most cars. The heavier ones mostly involve live loads of coal (usually Black Beauty blasting medium) or scrap (real scrap, mostly metal). I do have some homemade faux loads for flatcars and gondolas, but most of them already weigh 6 or 7oz. empty - useful when they're the first car in a long or heavy train.The only truly heavy trains are coal drags, and they're also the only regularly scheduled freight trains, supplying a power plant. All other trains run as extras, albeit mostly at regular times. Since most are required to switch the towns through which they pass, it would be difficult to maintain a strict schedule. I'm guessing that full operation will be on track warrants, or something similar - not too concerned about it though, as I'm the sole operator, and plan to run the trains sequentially once all of the track is in place. A secondary line in the late '30s:
My goodness. That is not HO scale is it? The NMRA rating for a normal boxcar (six inches coupler to coupler) is 4 ounces.
An HO caboose typically would be 3.75 ounces or so.
http://www.nmra.org/beginner/weight
Check out the entire JMRI open source free system here.
http://jmri.sourceforge.net/
Is this JMRI system a computer-based system of tonnage ratings and train assigments? I determine tonnage ratings by using a test train of known weight, then run it behind various locos and combinations of locos to determine ratings for each. Because much of the layout is on grades and curves (mostly simultaneously), the tests are conducted on such track.Most locos (all steam) can move the test train on straight and level track, but most cannot move it around 34" radius curves and none alone can move it on the 2.5% grades, also on multiple curves.I remove test cars as required until a locomotive can move the remaining cars through the entire test area, then arbitrarily assign a tonnage rating based on the results.The test cars weigh 8oz. apiece, except for the 4oz. caboose, and the entire train, not including loco(s) weighs 100oz. The 13 car train is what fits into passing sidings, although these are 34' hoppers. Normal trains are made up of a random mix of these, 36', 40', and 50' cars, and the number of cars is usually adjusted accordingly, taking both trailing weight and train length into account.
Most open cars, when loaded, carry "live" loads similar to the 8oz. used in the test train, while most other cars are roughly within NMRA recommended practices.
Normal train lengths range from a single combine to about 20 cars, although most fall in the 6-12 car range. I have, though, run trains in excess of 70 cars, and (not the same train) more than 20lbs.
I also have the same pull meter, although I find that its ratings bear little direct relationship to a loco's capability when car weights and rolling qualities are are all over the map. Still, the testing procedure is enjoyable and the results seem to show that my arbitrarily assigned ratings are fairly accurate.
Took some time testing the draw weight of various locos called up by JMRI Ops for this weekend's mixed freight. I like to let the program select cars and locos randomly at times....keeps them in rotation by calling upon those with low useage numbers.
First, this EMD SW8 demonstrator just barely gave up pulling the 24 car train around the curve. Turns out it has a respectable draw weight of 1.4 oz. The train required 1.5 or so around the bend.
So the switcher chosen to handle the classification duties was quite up to the task...even hauling the entire train out onto the mainline.
The consist of 4 axle units called up by JMRI Ops for the train into town were more than adequate. Each of the Baby Trainmasters was capable of 1.9 oz. of draw weight and each on its own was sufficient to haul the entire train around all the curves on the way to their destinations.
But for a margin of error, or if one unit should need to be shut down, the three H16-44s together hauled a terrific 5.9 oz. out on the track.
Enough to pull the train effortlessly up the four degree Horrible Hill.
But I suppose the single most powerful loco is UP 6926 which does, actually, also have the best single drawing power of 4 oz. This, the program has chosen, to take the train out between locations on the mainline.
Other stuff I have been doing this summer......picking up natural gas tankers on Ebay. Got 8 nice ones for an average of $7.81 each. Three needed steel wheels so that is another $12.00 but still a good haul.
These are the others I picked up.
And finally, I found a nicely detailed City Classics service station kit on eBay. I like this one for the best detail. Those are a stack of oil cans between the pumps, blue dot Gulf labels on silver cans. Added a few weathered vehicles and tucked it in a space on the layout. Derelict cars behind new/old board fence. Actually, I got the Miller Billboard first, but had nowhere near a road to put it at ground level, so went looking for the service station kit.