Comment: I now have a new operating session based on a set of Ship It! reports initially produced on January 6. The cars were all placed in their initial starting locations on January 6.

Session 1a: Train 100, which consisted of just the two diesel locomotives CN 6700 & CN 6708 left the Jasper Yard and took the inner reversing loop before continuing to Coaldale where they backed into Track 6 to pick up the consist for Train 101. I was a bit surprised to find the consist sitting in the Coaldale Yard instead of the Jasper Yard, but I ignored this for the time being.

I then realized that I should order my switchlist by the times that each train leaves its destination.

Thus the first train to be moving will be Train 601 a local freight that leaves the Coaldale Yard at 12:30 am. I began by using diesel switcher CN 7985 to form the consist for this train within the Coaldale Yard. While engaging in this activity I noticed a few engine stalls which required some track cleaning and adjusting of the underlying track ballast but I think I have this pretty well under control.

After placing 6 cars in the consist I then looked for a boxcar, CN 520502. It was not in the Coaldale Yard. I finally found it in Pine Ridge. Why? A further check of my switch list report indicated that it was initially placed at Pine Ridge but then was moved by Train 700 which was supposed to leave Jasper at 6:00 am, arriving in Pine Ridge at 9:00 am where it picked up CN 520502 and took it to the Coaldale Yard, arriving at 12:00 PM.

Something is wrong. Train 700 should be operating after Train 601, not before.

Okay, I see the problem. I should have Train 601 leaving at 0:30 am, not 12:30 am. Now to rerun the first session with this adjustment.

Comment: The switching in the Coaldale Yard was enjoyable. I am really enjoying these switching movements.

But I continue to have "minor" problems with some of the details (e.g. 12:30 am instead of 0:30 am).