Comment: This was my third effort at following the switchlist created by Ship It! software.

Switchlist for Session 1:

Session 1c: Train 500 Local

Run Train #500 East from Black Diamond to Jasper. Switch Jasper.

I left Black Diamond with 2 loaded hoppers and headed out on to the inner mainline. After one loop around the peninsula I headed on toward Jasper.

Train #500 headed east on the outer mainline after taking the inner mainline loop.

Train #500 approaching Jasper

The switching at Jasper involved taking the loop around the townsite and then reversing into the Jasper Yard to drop off the caboose on a siding.

CN 6700 completing the loop around the Jasper townsite

The caboose has been setout and the loco is now moving forward

CN 6700 backs into the Jasper Coaling Tower sideing and sets out the 2 loaded hoppers.

The 2 hoppers have been setout and the loco is moving forward

This completes the schedule for Train #500.

The second half of Ship It!'s session 1 involves Train #501 travelling from Jasper back to Coaldale.

Comment: There were two problems during this session.

The locomotive kept shorting out as it entered the first switch on the inner mainline peninsula. It appears to be due to the wheels on the rear truck not tracking properly as it enters the switch. I am still not sure that I have corrected the problem (was it due to the wheels not being properly set on the track initially, or is there a problem with the switch not being level?). Note: I finally noticed that the problem appeared to be caused by a poor connection between two sections of track about four sections before the switch. This has been fixed and the locomotive now seems to go over the switch without difficulty.

Both of the hopper cars have very loose trucks and both cars appear to be very light. I want to have a closer look at these two cars and see if I can improve their tracking ability. I am sure they can use some extra weight which should help the wheels stay on the track.

The logic of the actual switching was easy. I am beginning to think that the overall layout design is quite good.