Running Session 8

2008.11.11 4:30 PM CN 6700 Session

Comment:The intent today was to create my first switching report for a small train that would leave the Coaldale Yard, pick up and set out a few cars at a couple of towns, and end up in the Jasper Yard.

Train: wayfreight between Coaldale and Jasper

Consist: CN 6700 - see switching list

Town: Coaldale

Locomotive: CN 6700

Road	No.	AAR	Setout	Pickup	Lading	Destination
CN	501417	XM		Coaldale Yard	empty	Queenston/Power Track 2
CN	461010	XM		Coaldale Yard	empty	Prairie Dog/Track 1
CN	123411	GB		Coaldale Yard	empty	Prairie Dog/Track 5
CN	74009	NE		Coaldale Yard		Jasper/Yard

Town: Queenston

Road	No.	AAR	Setout	Pickup	Lading	Destination
CN	500899	XM		Power Track 1	empty	Jasper
CN	501417	XM	Power Track 2

Town: Prairie Dog

Road	No.	AAR	Setout	Pickup	Lading	Destination
CN	123411	GB	Track 5
CN	461010	XM	Track 1

Town: Jasper

Road	No.	AAR	Setout	Pickup	Lading	Destination
CN	500899	XM	Jasper Yard			Jasper
CN	74009	NE	Jasper Yard

Route: Coaldale East - Wild Rose - Queenston - Prairie Dog - Lone Pine - Jasper

Comment:Overall, this was a successful test. I had no difficulty picking up and setting out the various cars in the appropriate locations. I did notice that the end around track in Queenston does not have enough length for both a car and a locomotive. That will only take a couple of minutes to fix.

While the route functioned in a realistic manner, the emphasis changed dramatically from running a train on the mainline to various switching maneuvers. One way to achieve a balance between these two activities would be to specify a number of outer mainline circuits for each route between towns.