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

Switchlist for Session 1:

Session 1d: Train 501 Local

Run Train #501 West from Jasper to Black Diamond. Switch Black Diamond.

The first step is to form the train in the Jasper Yard. Diesel locomotive #6700 is backing up to empty boxcar CN 524270 on the siding in front of the 36th St Warehouse.

Diesel #6700 reversing in front of 36th St Warehouse

Unit #6700 then reversed onto the siding in front of the Jasper Coaling Tower and picked up two empty gondola cars (MM 0002 & MM 0003). It then reversed onto another siding to pick up the caboose CN 74009.

Train #501 leaving Jasper

Train #501 then headed onto the mainline loop for one complete circuit before arriving at Black Diamond.

The switching at Black Diamond involved first setting out the caboose on an empty siding and then reversing onto the siding where gondola MM 0001 was waiting with a full load of coal. One this was coupled onto the train, the locomotive pulled ahead and them reversed onto the siding to pick up the caboose. It then headed west to Prairie Dog.

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

CN #6700 is reversing onto the siding to pick up gondola MM 0001

CN 6700 is now moving forward with the loaded hopper in tow

Train #501 is headed west toward Prairie Dog

At Prairie Dog the first step, as always, is to set out the caboose.

The caboose has been uncoupled and CN 6700 is moving forward.

The next step is to back up onto the coal ramp at Dusty Coal and Cartage and set out hopper MM 0001 with its load of coal.

Hopper MM 0001 is about to be uncoupled from the train

Now CN 6700 has to pick up empty boxcar CN 539027 at Hillside Lumber and empty reefer CN 210048 from Prairie Meats.

Reefer CN 210048 has just been picked up

CN 6700 is just pulling empty boxcar CN 539027 away from Hillside Lumber

Train #501 is now on its way to Queenston

There is some switching required at Queenston as well. The empty reefer needs to be set out at Swift Meats and an empty boxcar CN 526254 needs to be picked up from the Queenston Cartage company.

The caboose, and boxcar CN 539027, have just been set out on an empty siding

Empty reefer CN 210048 has been uncoupled at Swift Meats

CN 6700 is leaving Queenston Cartage with empty boxcar CN 526254

The last step is to pick up the caboose and boxcar that were left on the siding.

Coupling up the two cars that were left on the siding

Train 501 is continuing west to Coaldale

Train 501 finally arrives in Coaldale after a lengthy run from Jasper

The cars have all been dropped off in the Coaldale Yard.

Comment: There were a few problems during this session.

As noticed with Train 500, all of the three MM hopper cars have very loose trucks and they all appear to be very light. I want to have a closer look at these 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.

CN 539027 also derailed a few times. I am not sure if the problem lies with the trucks or the light weight, but I shall pull it from service until I have the problem solved.

I also want to check the coupler height on both CN 539027 as well as on the reefer CN 210048. At least one of them needs an adjustment.

The logic of the actual switching was easy. The actual complete run took almost 2 hours, but much of this was taken by stopping the train to take a photo at each key point. There was a tremendous feeling of satisfaction to have everything working according to the Ship It! schedule and switch list.