Comment:This is a continuation of my Session 1 activities. During the previous session I completed the operating run for Train 601, the first train on the daily timetable. I now picked up the switching list for the second train, Train 200 (the Black Zephyr) which will be travelling East from Black Diamond to Coaldale.

Session 1e: This is a unit train, with no switching, carrying a load of No. 1 coal from the Mercoal Mines in Black Diamond to Coaldale.

The switching list indicates the locomotive for this train, but fails to identify a caboose. I have added CN 78213 (caboose) to the end of the consist. All 6 3-bay hopper cars are loaded and sitting on the two departure tracks at Mercoal Mines.

Locomotive CN 8414 ( 0-6-0 steam ) pulling

• CN 324701 (loaded with No 1 coal)
• CN 324606 (loaded with No 1 coal)
• CN 324525 (loaded with No 1 coal)
• CN 324522 (loaded with No 1 coal)
• CN 324500 (loaded with No 1 coal)
• CN 324488 (loaded with No 1 coal)
• CN 78213 caboose.

The train left on time at 03:00 hours and arrived in Coaldale at 10:00 hours.

The train pulled into track #6 in the Coaldale yard and the locomotive uncoupled and then did an end-around on track #5.

Comment:

There were a couple of momentary stalls within the Black Diamond yard but the track has now been cleaned.

There were also a coouple of momentary stalls on the first couple of loops around the outer mainline, but I cleaned the track in those areas and that seemed to solve the problem.

The train then ran smoothly, carrying out 6 loops in a clockwise direction (east), with the cab throttle set at 10. The sound for this locomotive is incredible!

Train 200 (unit coal train) on outer mainline

Train 200 passing Coaldale

Train 200 going over Oldman River

Train 200 behind Black Diamond

Steam locomotive CN 8414 uncoupled from coal cars in Coaldale Yard

I have run the Ship It! program and added the information to include caboose CN 78213 to the consist for this train (and for train 201 which is the return train). I also noticed that the reporting marks for caboose 77942 should be GTW instead of CN. This has been changed.

I am pleased with the procedure of running a certain number of loops on the outer mainline track to simulate the travelling between towns.

However there is a problem at the beginning and ending of each train. This involves the fact that the yards are quite congested and there is a need for substantial switching to create the appropriate consist for the next train to leave. I am going to ignore this for the moment and use my 5-finger switcher to get things ready for the next train. But in the back of my mind I am wondering about actually carrying out these operations with a switcher such as CN 7985 (a SW-4 diesel switcher). This would add lot of extra switching, but then again, is that not what I want to do?

I previously ran Train 100 (Super Continental passenger train) from Jasper to Coaldale so I am not going to repeat that run. To summarize so far, I have run 3 trains successfully:

• Train 601 Local general freight from Coaldale to Jasper (west bound)
  • switching in Queenston, Prairie Dog, and Black Diamond
• Train 200 Black Zephyr unit coal train from Black Diamond to Coaldale (east bound)
• Train 100 Super Continental passenger train from Jasper to Coaldale (east bound)

The next train will be Train 700 the Distillery Row Local from Jasper to Coaldale (east bound).