Comment: This was a continuation of Session 1. Train 700, the Distillery Row Local was sitting on the Pine Ridge siding as the day began.

Session 1d:

Diesel locomotive CN 1706 set out an empty boxcar (GTW 516134) and a loaded tank car (CN 99009) [gasoline] at Big Pine Lumber. The tank car was part of the consist that was picked up at the Husky Refinery in Distillery Row earlier in the day. The locomotive then picked up two loaded boxcars: CN 475822 [lumber] and CN 485338 [lumber]. These are destined for the Coaldale Yard.

Train 700 then left the Pine Ridge siding and entered the outer mainline reversing loop and then onto the outer mainline heading east (counterclockwise). The mainline trip between towns involved one loop at a speed of 8 and two loops at a speed of 10. The train then entered the inner mainline and slowed to a stop at the entrance to Queenston.

The locomotive uncoupled from the consist and set out one empty boxcar (CN 242705) at Queenston Cartage and picked up 3 boxcars from the same location: CN 552942 [office supplies], CN 473966 [office supplies] and CN 59900 [empty].

Comment: I am beginning to develop a sense of how to create a sequence of switching moves. The key is to be comfortable with moving groups of cars in order to carry out a move for one car at the end of the group.

The layout itself is working well. There have been NO engine stalls during all of the switching, which is usually carried out at very slow speeds.

Session 1e:

Diesel locomotive CN 1706, a GP-7, left Queenston heading east and entered the outer mainline where it completed 4 circuits before stopping at the entrance to Wild Rose. The locomotive set out 2 loaded cars: CN 520502, a boxcar loaded with grain at the main terminal for Alberta Pool, and AT & SF 100801, a tank car loaded with with fuel oil at Coop Fuel.

The train then pulled into the Coaldale Yard where CN 1706 dropped the consist on Track #9 and then parked itself on Track 2.

Comment: This was a very successful run. There was a lot of switching which was combined with a lot of mainline running, which led to an enjoyable series of activities. It took 5 distinct operating sessions to complete the route for this one train.

I am developing a sense of appropriate routes that combine most mainline activity with the train travelling in the proper direction (clockwise for east bound trains, counterclockwise for west bound trains).

The decision to not take detailed notes during the activity is a good one. I can now focus on the running of the trains.