How to Block And/Or Switch A Local

[seusscaboose]

Be careful with that one... @Ed Kapuscinski likes to run a yard to keep trains moving through.  What happens once they leave the yard isn't any of his concern!  His usual advice to dispatch is "Fu%k 'em!!

Lee

Ask me how i know this is true 

[mu26aeh]

The CSX local that runs on our subdivision blocks their trains front to back.  First set off is up front, 2nd set off 2nd block, so on and so forth.  I'm not sure how common the methodology is with this run though, as it does no customer work in either direction.  It only drops off interchange traffic or blocks of cars that 2 other locals take care of.

[Missaberoad]

Another thought, there's probably as many ways to do anything at the railroad as there are railroaders.

Everyone approaches moves or builds differently.
Some guys are more efficient then others.
Some guys are God awful and switch like old people (insert Full Metal Jacket reference)

The era you work in can also determine how you do things.

We were able to work alot more efficiently back when we weren't concerned about stretching every joint, were able to leave cars on air rather then tying down every cut, and were able to kick and drop cars wherever we want.

It's definitely a different world now then it was even 5 or 10 years ago.

[cv_acr]

If possible, try to find a place to leave the caboose, rather than moving it with every switching move.  The conductor will thank you!

Not only that, but you may need to have a different type of authority or put out flagging protection in order to have the tail end of the train back up.

If your train is operating under a (directional) TT schedule, running order or track warrant, and there is NOT yard limits at the station, it can do a pick up or set out on a trailing spur or yard track, but can't back up. (As long as the tail end of the train isn't going backwards.)

Only a work order/clearance allowing bi-directional movement within a defined limit allows backing movements on a main track outside of something like yard limits.

Of course you can go anything under flag protection but that's a TT/TO thing only pretty much.

[johnb]

I operate on Rick Watson's Exeter Branch that is set in the mid 1960's, the locals are set up as a 17 car train, the longest siding is about 15 cars. The cars are not blocked, you have to block it yourself and there are 2 trains that you switch. If the train was properly blocked the three hour switching session would be completed in about an hour or so.

When I get The Playa Desnuda set up, I plan to have properly blocked and not trains, depending on how long I want to switch.

https://azdesertops.com/layouts/southern-pacific-exeter-branch/

[OldEastRR]

To the guy with only a single car runaround track.... yipes! I have an industrial area with only one way in/out, two spurs facing one way, two spurs facing the other, one runaround tail track leads to an interchange set-out, the other to another industry (two more turnouts opposite to each other) and an industry spot on the runaround track. All but one spur are max 2-car spots, not always switched the same time. Only one spur is long enough to park two cars out of the way. My original runaround held 3 units -- after my first very long switching session I rearranged track so the runaround is now half the length of the whole trackage area. I've yet to switch the new set-up.
The Exeter Branch qualifies as a bowl of spaghetti layout. Sounds like train blocking is scrambled eggs.