WM Western Lines Engineering Report

[seusscaboose]

that's what I'm talkin' about!

[wm3798]

More classifying... Goddam I have a lot of freight cars   But we're getting there.

[wm3798]

Having read Gary's discussion of available floor space, crew size etc., and also having spent the last few evenings giving the yard a workout, I'm re-thinking my crew size and available jobs.  Last time we got to a minimum of 6.  Let's see how it slices down now.

Yard - can function with a single operator.
Dispatcher - can double as yard clerk and/or a road crew.
Road crew - to handle traffic in and out of staging
Local crew - can handle Thomas Sub, paper mill, or North Junction.

This will suffice to keep traffic flowing at a reasonable pace, prevent the short main line from getting jammed up, and give the yard plenty of time to work the trains coming and going.

A fifth operator can be utilized to pump a little more life into the Thomas Sub, working the coal mines and Elkins.
A sixth operator can be posted at the paper mill, which will actually be an important component in keeping things flowing through Maryland Junction.'

So we can get away with four, have more fun at 5, and be fully staffed at 6.

[seusscaboose]

Dispatcher - can double as yard clerk and/or a road crew.

have you considered having the dispatcher be a dedicated position?  that way troubleshooting (answering questions), paperwork (planned and extra trains) and other gremlins could be addressed?

EP

[wm3798]

Yeah, but until I'm comfortable that everyone's familiar with running in and out of west staging, I'll have a throttle at the ready to take over at least that part of the trip.  Sort of like a qualified pilot bringing a ship into port

I'm sure as familiarity increases, I'll be able to let go a little more.  That being said, I still want to run trains now and again!!

lee

[John]

That being said, I still want to run trains now and again!!

lee

yea .. after everyone is done and gone .. you get to restage every thing

[wm3798]

I think I've only got two "regular" trains left to card, then I'll start on the massive hopper fleet.

Does anyone have any thoughts on car routing for coal hoppers efficiently?  I mean, block waybills, that sort of thing?  I've got some ideas I'm kicking around, but nothing's really becoming obvious.

With a fleet of over 100 cars and a multitude of possible destinations on and off the layout, the idea of thumbing through train loads of cards is going to be mind numbing.

Lee

[John]

Mine blocks - run them as unit trains - just put the cards together with a rubber band ...

[wm3798]

That would work in some circumstances, such as the Laurel Valley cars coming down from Rockwood and getting combined with WM coal for the trip to Port Covington.

Other blocks would head to various steel mills, power plants, and of course, the several on-line users...

I'll tease it out a little and see where it takes me.

Lee

[wm3798]

Ran a legit local last night and switched the paper mill for the first time in eons.  Added a rack to aid the operator there with card sorting, and thinking about how I might be able to install click pen switch mechanisms in the mill complex.  Giant caboose throws and chubby fingers have taken their toll on some of the scenery in there.

The sorting and tagging of coal hoppers will commence shortly.

Lee

[Philip H]

Perhaps you, Eric, and I can sort mine blocks in a couple of weeks.

[seusscaboose]

not sure how prototypical you are going....   do you have a scale track somewhere???

[mcjaco]

Mine blocks - run them as unit trains - just put the cards together with a rubber band ...

My buddy runs his coal trains (19 cars) as one "unit."  They all get sent different places on and off the visable layout, but he decided that one card for each 19 car chunk was easier to handle for the crews, and easier on his printer.    

[eric220]

Perhaps you, Eric, and I can sort mine blocks in a couple of weeks.

I'm down.

[wm3798]

Last night I pulled the first coal train into the yard.  I had already blocked a few hoppers for the locals, so it's starting to come into focus a little.  But I'll be breaking things down a little further.  Here's the breakdown I've come up with so far:

Coal Extras
(Train Symbol = Road Number of Lead Unit)
Connellsville Sub: 
GREY TRAIN:  Eastbound. Originates at Somerset, PA on the Laurel Valley, also picks up at Blue Lick at Meyersdale (all off layout).  Consists of Laurel Valley and WM hoppers, usually with Laurel Valley power through to Ridgeley.

FAIRMONT EXTRA:  Eastbound.  Originates Fairmont, WV(B&O) via Bowest Jct. and the Connellsville line.  Consists of WM and B&O hoppers.  May include B&O power through to Ridgeley.

ELKINS EXTRA:  Eastbound.  Originates at Elkins, with coal from the WM’s local lines in WV, as well as cars from Thomas.  WM hoppers, WM power through to Ridgeley.

Eastbound from Ridgeley:
ALLENTOWN EXTRA:  Eastbound.  Originates Ridgeley, with cars bound for Bethlehem Steel at Allentown.  Usually includes cars from Fairmont.

PHILADELPHIA EXTRA:  Eastbound.  Originates Ridgeley, with cars bound for Philadelphia Power electric generation plants.  Soft coal from the Grey Train, WM and Laurel Valley

BALTIMORE EXTRA:    Eastbound.  Originates Ridgeley, with cars bound for Baltimore Gas and Electric generation plants.  Soft coal from the Grey Train, WM and Laurel Valley

PORT COVINGTON EXTRA:  Eastbound.  Originates Ridgeley, with cars bound for Port Covington for export.  All 55 and 66 ton cars due to limitations at the rotary dumper.  Cars from the Thomas Sub.

Westbound from Ridgeley: (loads)
PITTSBURGH EXTRA:  Westbound.  Originates Ridgeley, coal for US Steel and other manufacturers via Connellsville/PLE connection.  Small numbers of cars may be added to BT-1.  Train also includes ore loads from Port Covington.

Westbound from Ridgeley: (MT)
FAIRMONT EXTRA:  Westbound.   Originates Allentown (East Staging) proceeds through to West Staging.

GREY EXTRA: Westbound:  Originates Philadelphia and Baltimore, combined at Ridgeley.  WM Power into Ridgeley, LRV power west to Rockwood Jct. (West Staging)

ELKINS EXTRA:  Westbound:  Originates Port Covington, Baltimore, Allentown etc.  Combined at Ridgeley with cars for Shaw, Thomas, Elkins and points beyond.  Also includes westbound ore movements bound for Pittsburgh.

Obviously, all that blocking could occupy the yard for an entire session, so I'll have to winnow it down a bit.  Also, if blocks of cars can be condensed to say 5-6 car units, then some of the movements could be tacked onto other trains, such as the Allentown cars can go with an Alpha Jet bound for Lurgan.  It will take some time to get it all straight.  One thought might be to set up an entire session based on only coal movements, but that might get dull...