Operations
Prototype Shortline Switching
As I was reading the April 2019 MRH Running Extra, I noticed that one of the articles mentioned that the modern age is almost all unit trains and there's no/very few switching opportunities. As a former conductor for a short line, I'd like to give a detailed description of what a typical day is like in the modern (2011-2013) age. The area I used to work (company names omitted) was an industrial park that was about 3 miles wide (east-west) and 5 miles (north-south).
ProtoThrottle with Black Faceplate ...Almost Gone!
If you've been holding out, waiting to get a ProtoThrottle with the Special Edition black faceplate, now is the time! The four we currently have in stock are the last ones remaining:
Time Table Planner
I have added a downloadable copy of my timetable planner MS Excel spreadsheet to my web page.
If you want to create your own timetable, you can enter a start time for each train, the running time between stations and the dwell time at each station and the spreadsheet will automatically generate a schedule.
Entry grid:
Time Grid:
H&H Ship Photos
The Hagley Museum and Library has recently digitized some of the photos from the Harlan & Hollingsworth collection, H&H was a ship (and passenger car) builder in Wilmington, DE and was served by the P&R/RDG, PRR and B&O. It later became part of Bethlehem Steel Shipbuilding.
The collection has numerous pictures (an other info) on ships and barges of all kinds built by H&H.
Elk Grove Village IL - Rail Service
Thought some might be interested in the rail layout here in Elk Grove Village. This is the home of the nation's largest industrial park and it is serviced by CP Rail/Soo from the Bensenville Yard, former Milwaukee Rd. It is interesting to note that only one runaround is available in this complex! Primary cars spotted here seem to be tank cars! This industrial park owes part of its value to its location next to O'Hare Airport.
Staging Yard Ideas
I’ve been struggling with fitting staging and a return loop in a small area so thought I’d throw this out for everyone’s comments or ideas.
What have you done? What would you do?
imagination stagnation: paper mill or no?
I’m having another round of imagination stagnation!
Years ago I built a small switching layout with the Walthers Superior Paper buildings. Operations were simply runnning cars from a small staging yard to their appropriate spots in the mill. Quite enjoyable!
Oof! our disruptions are caused by tripping on the power cord.
Oof!
But Amtrak isn't quite that simple. The ultimate OP session disruption.
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