MR Freight Yards

[John]

Since the Code 55 came out, I use nothing but #7s in my yard throats / classification tracks .. #5s on industry and service tracks

[Day One]

I got the MR freight yards issue yesterday and read it this morning. Popp's article was exactly what I've been looking for in terms of good explanations of how the yard is utilized and the track layout. My own yard is similar but missing a few key ingredients that would help it's operation a bit. I'm conisidering adding a couple crossovers and trying to squeeze in a longer yard throat. I'll also be putting up some yard limit signs to help out the yard masters job. My issue with adding in track work now is that the yard is almost completely ballasted and I'm really don't want to rip it up and have to reballast all of it.

The issue was well worth the price!

[wm3798]

I'm re-laying my yard throat right now.  Mine is a temporary yard until another section of the railroad gets built, but I had ballasted it to keep the track stable (it's on a removable section in front of a window).
I used a dremel to cut the tracks where needed, and I'm just removing the old short radius turnouts.  I run a utility knife along the edge of the ties to break the bond of the ballast/glue concrete, then gently pry up the track.
Once the track that is being removed is gone, I go over the area with a 1" putty knife to scrape up the rest of the ballast.  The track that stays will get trimmed back so a rail joiner can be slid back, but otherwise remains in place and ballasted.

Don't undo what you don't have to undo!
Lee

[Pomperaugrr]

I liked the new MR supplement.  I also own the Andy Sparandino Yard Design book.  Both are useful resources.  The David Popp article was well done.

Eric

[asciibaron]

one of the best yard solution is to space out the trains on the layout.  no matter how many tracks are in the yard, you'll find that they are seem to fill up.  i recently operated an East Broad Top layout that worked well, even with a limited yard in the middle (Orbisonia) and 2 tracks for the yard at the north end (Mt. Union).  the key to the success was the deliberate spacing of trains along the main with set meets.  had my train not waited in the siding at Aughwick, i would have overwhelmed Mt. Union because there already were 2 trains in there working. 

a smooth yard makes the tasks easier, but that is not a magic bullet.  an efficient yard is one that is flexible in it's design that a number of methods can be used to perform the needed tasks.  once the yard is working well, focus attention on traffic management.  a double track main tends toward saturation because it's easy to fill up the railroad.  on small layouts, if you have traffic management issues, you are running too many trains - maybe just have a yard job, the local., and then have a through freight here and there as density allows.

just some things to consider.

-Steve

[Day One]

I spent some time putting together my operating scheme last night and I think I will leave my yard alone for right now. ( I like the way it looks and I don't really think I could fit in the tracks I want without MAJOR rework) 

Like asciibaron just said, I think I'll try to just run a few trains initially to see how it performs and then go from there. Right now I've got 2 small industrial switching areas (or towns) outside of the yard that would keep an operator each busy. Throw in a thru frieght and 1-2 interchange trains and I think that would make a good operating session for 3-4 people. Which is about the max this layout could handle anyways.

[wm3798]

More help on the way, Ed.


Since I cut all the #4's out of the throat, I have one I can use to put in a switch at the east end.  It will cross the turntable, but it's main purpose will be to pull cabooses from westbound trains.  Some power can go out that way, but the short switch will restrict 6 axles to go out the west end then back on the runaround.  It probably ain't prototype, but it's the best I can do with the real estate at hand.

Lee

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Good good good, and that answers my question about the extra track along the outside (ie, it won't fit). Is it that tight to the edge the whole way? I'd love to have a small siding at the west end of that runner for me to use to relay power to road crews instead of them having to fight their way across the mains. It's not imperative, but it'd be kinda useful.

Also, how about building a few crew change platforms, I'm tired of the engine crews trapsing mud through the office because they've had to de-train into drainage ditches...

[cv_acr]

Also, how about building a few crew change platforms, I'm tired of the engine crews trapsing mud through the office because they've had to de-train into drainage ditches...

Don't the engines have steps on both sides on your railway? 

[asciibaron]

More help on the way, Ed.

that's FUNNY.  a run around over the TT.  hahahahah

[wm3798]

That's it Steve... You're running a yard switcher for at least part of the session...  You'll be working for Ed.

Ed, there are four through tracks that are all train length that don't require a maneuver over the turntable.
With improved dispatching and another road crew available, you should always have a clear track to do a run-around.  The turntable shortcut will be handy for those broken down Conrail units that need to be limped to the repair shop by the shortest route possible. ;D

Those Bankruptcy Blue Rock units might find it useful as well...

Lee

[Bob Bufkin]

Plan a derail on the turntable and bring out the big hook to rerail it.  That'll mess up their switching.

[RockGp40]

Those Bankruptcy Blue Rock units might find it useful as well...

Lee

Easy there buster, or I'll break out my string of Kitty power....... ;D

[wm3798]

The yard throat reconstruction is well underway.  I've also identified how I can add a thru track for caboose servicing.  Film at 11.

Lee

[Mark5]

Plan a derail on the turntable and bring out the big hook to rerail it.  That'll mess up their switching.

Have the TT spinning and make switch crews "run the gauntlet" to cross it at the precisely correct moment.