Comment: This is a continuation of Session 1 involving Train 601. This continuation began with Train 601 sitting just outside of Prairie Dog, waiting to enter the town. The train entered Prairie Dog on time at 03:00 where it carried out some switching before continuing on the inner mainline loop to arrive at Pine Ridge where more switching was conducted. The train in now ready to continue on to Black Dimond.

Note: sw3-1 refers to switch 3 in the closed (straight through) position, sw3-2 means switch 3 in the open (turn) position. Blue refers to a change in the position of the switch.

Session 1c:

1:00 PM

• Train 601, a local freight, was powered by CN 7985: an RS-3 diesel locomotive.
  
  
  • Train 601 arrived at Prairie Dog at 03:00 am
  • CN 7847 dropped the consist on the inner mainline before entering Prairie Dog.
  • CN 7847 moved fwd (sw31-1, sw32-1, sw33-1)
  • CN 7847 rev (sw32-2), picked up boxcar CN 475822 [empty] from Hillside Lumber.
    
    
  • CN 7847 fwd (sw32-2, sw33-1, sw34-1, sw35-2)
  • CN 7847 rev (sw35-2, sw34-2, sw38-1), setting out CN 475822 at the Alberta Wheat Pool elevator.
    
    
  • CN 7847 fwd (sw38-1, sw34-2)
  • CN 7847 rev (sw34-1, sw33-1, sw32-1, sw31-1), pick up boxcar CN 539027 [load of clothing] from Train 601 consist. This boxcar had been previously picked up in Queenston at Queenston Cartage.
    
    
  • CN 7847 fwd (sw31-1, sw32-1, sw33-1, sw34-1 sw35-2, sw 23-2)
  • CN 7847 rev (sw23-2, sw35-1, sw36-1) drop off CN 539027 [clothing] at Prairie Dog station.
    
    
  • CN 7847 fwd (sw36-1, sw35-1, sw23-2)
  • CN 7847 rev (sw23-2, sw35-2, sw34-1, sw33-2) pick up hopper CCX 002 [empty] from Dusty Coal & Cartage
    
    
  • CN 7847 fwd (sw33-2, sw34-1)
  • CN 7847 rev (sw33-1, sw32-1, sw31-1) connect to Train 601 consist
    
    
  • CN 7847 fwd on inner mainline (sw30-1, sw22-2, sw23-1, sw24-2, sw25-1, sw26-1,sw27-1, sw28-1, sw29-1).
  • Train 601 used a speed setting of 6 on the first pass and a setting of 8 on the second pass.
    • On the second pass CN 607539 uncoupled from the train while on the north end curve. A maintenance crew was dispatched and determined that the coupler was too high. This was quickly adjusted and train 601 continued on its way, completing 3 more circuits at a speed of 8.
      
      
  • Train 601 arrived at Pine Ridge siding. (sw24-1, sw28-2). Uncoupled behind boxcar CN 524270 [clothing]. This boxcar had also been previously picked up in Queenston at Queenston Cartage.
  • CN 7847 fwd (sw28-2, sw29-1)
  • CN 7847 rev (sw29-1, sw28-1, sw27-1, sw26-2) set out CN 524270 [clothing] at Big Pine Lumber.
  • CN 7847 fwd (sw26-2, sw27-1, sw28-1, sw29-1)
  • CN 7847 rev (sw29-1, sw28-2) onto Pine Ridge siding, rejoining the consist for Train 601.
  • sw24-2 was relined for the mainline before Train 601 prepared to pull out, heading for Black Diamond.
    

3:00 PM

Comment: Another very satisfying session. The cars are running smoothly, the track is clean and there are no interruptions. The switching is a lot of fun.

I did make a small adjustment to the coupler height on one boxcar but this was the only maintenance.

I have determined that I need 4 new AAA 1.2 rechargeable batteries in my handheld controller. The current batteries do not hold a charge for more than a few minutes. There is always something to attend to.