Model Railroading Operations 101: Part 1 – Basic Switching Moves Tom Crosthwait President, Mogollon & Southwestern RR & Fred Bock, MMR, Chief Dispatcher,

Model RailroadingOperations 101:

Part 1 – Basic Switching Moves

Tom CrosthwaitPresident, Mogollon & Southwestern RR

&

Fred Bock, MMR,Chief Dispatcher, M&Sw

Trinity River InterchangeRelated Clinics:

• Lee Johnson: “Planning for Operations”• planning a new layout for operations• modifying an existing layout for operations

• Tom Browning: “CADrail Layout Design Software”

• Chris Atkins: “Beginning Operations with RailOp”• Chris Atkins: “Advanced Operations with RailOp”

• How RailOp works, and the advantages of computerized car forwarding & scheduling.

What is “operations”?

• “Fun Running” (sometimes called “’round and ‘round”) is running a locomotive and cars over a layout for the fun of watching the trains go.

• Most model railroaders, even expert model builders, are “fun runners” (source: Kalmbach Pub. Co.).

• • “Operations” is simulating (in miniature) the

day-to-day activities of real railroads -- picking up freight, assembling trains, delivering cars to consignees, sorting arriving freight cars by their future destinations, returning empty cars.

Famous model railroad operators

• Frank Ellison – 1940’s & ’50s– Delta Lines, O-scale

• John Allen – 1950’s & ’60s– Gorre & Daphited, HO / HOn3

• Whit Towers – 1950’s – 1980s– Alturas & Lone Pine, HO scale

• W. Allen McClelland – 1960’s - present – Virginia & Ohio, HO scale

• Bruce Chubb – 1950’s – present– Sunset Valley Lines, HO scale

• Gil Freitag – 1960’s – present– Stony Creek & Western, HO/HOn3

• David Barrow – 1960’s – present– Cat Mountain & Santa Fe, HO

A typical freight train

LocomotiveCaboose

Freight Cars

Normal direction of travel(front)

• A “train”:– Has a locomotive at the front end.– May have 0, 1 or more cars behind.– Displays “markers” at the end of the train

• Historically: marker lamps were on the caboose• Today: a “FRED” is mounted on the last car.

Marker Lamps

(“flashing rear-end-device”)

What is a “Spur”?

• A spur is a track where cars are set out

and left for a while

for either loading or unloading of freight.

REMEMBER:

(The “mantra of the hour”)

Spurs

Trailing Point Spur(the turnout points are

behind the locomotive)

Facing Point Spur(the turnout points are

in front of the locomotive)

Spurs

Facing Point Switchback Spur

(the turnout points connected to the mainline are in front of the locomotive;

a car will be dropped off from behind the locomotive)

(car will be set-out here)

Spurs

Trailing Point Switchback Spur

(the turnout points connected to the mainline are in front of the locomotive;

a car will be dropped off from the front of the locomotive)

(car will be set-out here)

Spurs

“Double-Ended” Spur(There is a set of turnout points behind and ahead of the locomotive.)

(Normally used for setting-out cars to be unloaded or loaded)

Repeat

REMEMBER:

(The “mantra of the hour”)

Spurs and Sidings

This is a passing siding.

This is adouble-ended

spur.

(This westbound train has taken the siding to meet an oncoming eastbound train).

Note: This is a meet between two trains.

(The freight car isbeing unloaded)

[Rule S-89]

Spurs and Sidings

This is a passing siding.

This is adouble-ended

spur.

(This slower eastbound train has taken the siding so that it may be passed by a faster train behind).

Note: This is a pass between two trains.

[Rule S-89]

Spurs and Sidings

• A spur is a track on which cars are left for loading, unloading, or (sometimes) storage.

• A siding is a track which is used by one train to meet or pass another.

• Normally, cars to be loaded or unloaded are NOT left on sidings . . . sidings are kept clear.

• An empty double-ended spur may be used as a temporary or emergency passing siding.

Repeat

REMEMBER:

(The “mantra of the hour”)

Hand Signals for Switching

• With modern DCC sound systems, the noise in an operating session is high.

• Some operators have hearing problems.

• Implication: it’s better to use hand signals between conductor-brakeman and engineer than to try to talk above the noise of locomotives and other operators.

[Rule 7]:Hand signals must be given sufficiently in advance to permit compliance. . .

Common Hand Signals• Back-up (reverse)

• Slowly (inching)• Controlled stop• Stop

• You are coupled up

• Go forward

• OK

• Highball (leave town)

- beckon toward self with circular motion. - fingers come together- hands come together- hold closed hand up.

- make closed fist, shake once.

- move open palm, fingers closed, up and down away from you.

- thumbs-up /or/ circle

- pull imaginary steam whistle twice (“Toot – Toot”)

[Rule 8]

Model Railroading

Using the M&Sw’s throttles• Keep the antenna vertical.• Don’t touch the antenna.• Hold the case in your left hand*• . . . at least 1’ from your body.

• Rotate the speed control knob with your right hand. *[use two hands]

• Rotate GENTLY – it breaks.

• Don’t MASH down on the keys; be GENTLE – they break.

• Turn Throttle “OFF” when done.

USE TWO (2) HANDS!

• Hold the throttle case in your left hand*

• Rotate the speed control knob with your right hand.

Turnouts – Ground Throws

Main route – usually straight

Diverging route – usually curved

HAND SIGNAL:

“Throw Turnout” -- Tap top of head with hand several times; point at turnout to be thrown.

Turnouts – Ground Throws

Main route – usually straight

Diverging route – usually curved

Rule 104: Train crews are responsible for the position of turnouts used by them and members of their crew, except when control is remote.

Turnouts must be properly lined (to the main track) after having been used.

Uncoupling – HO Kadees

• Electro-magnetic – above or under the ties» Safest for uncoupling on mainline or passing sidings

• Permanent magnet – above or under the ties.» Works OK for most spurs – single or double-ended

• Manual using an uncoupling “pic” between knuckles.

» Any place you can easily reach with one hand

• Manual using a “pic” to separate glad hands with slack between couplers.

» Especially for passenger cars with diaphragms.

• Manual – grasping cars by hand.» CAUTION – can damage car details, especially steps.

Kadee Uncoupling Pic

Kadee Product #241 – “Uncoupling tool and spring pic”

Pointed end for uncoupling #118 SF“Shelf Couplers”

Flat end for uncouplingstandard Kadee couplers.

Using the “pic”

To manual uncouple the #118 coupler with the pointed end of the #241 "Dual Tool“:

First, push the cars together where the coupler knuckles compress against each other (put slack between the coupler knuckles);

Then, insert the pointed end against the "outside" of the hooked tip of the knuckle as illustrated (the knuckle is the moving part of the coupler head). As the point slips into the coupler it will push the knuckle past the hook of the opposing knuckle.

(It helps to gently twist the “pic” clockwise about 1/8th of a turn).

To assist the uncoupling you can push the knuckle tip outward with the point, when the knuckle tips are past each other you can now separate the uncoupled cars.

Rix Magnetic UncouplerThe Rix Uncoupling Tool is Designed to work with the Kadee® style Couplers.

Place the Rix Uncoupling Tool down between the cars until the magnets rest against the rails,

Push one of the cars towards the other and the two magnets will cause the couplers to release.

Trailing point spur – set-out

(freight house)

Trailing point spur – set-out

(freight house)

Our task:Set this boxcar out . . . In front of the freight house.

Trailing point spur – set-out

(freight house)

#1: Uncouple boxcar from train

Trailing point spur – set-out

(freight house)

#2: Pull ahead of turnout points (clear)

Trailing point spur – set-out

(freight house)

#3: Throw turnout to spur

Trailing point spur – set-out

(freight house)

#4: Reverse; back up until boxcar is in front of freight house.

Trailing point spur – set-out

(freight house)

#5: Uncouple boxcar.

Trailing point spur – set-out

(freight house)

#6: Locomotive pulls forward past turnout

Trailing point spur – set-out

(freight house)

#7: Throw turnout back to mainline

Trailing point spur – set-out

(freight house)

#8: Locomotive backs up and couples to train.

Trailing point spur – set-out

(freight house)

#9: Train leaves town.

Replay

Facing point spur – set-out

(freight house)

This is where we want the refrigerator car

to be set out.

This move is not possible without a run-around move first.

(This requires a double-ended siding or spur nearby).

Facing point spur – set-out

(freight house)

#1: Uncouple caboose

Facing point spur – set-out

(freight house)

#2: Pull forward; uncouple reefer

Facing point spur – set-out

(freight house)

#3: pull forward;throw turnout.

Facing point spur – set-out

(freight house)

#4: Run around reefer

Facing point spur – set-out

(freight house)

#5: Push trainclear of facing pointrun-around sidingturnout.

Facing point spur – set-out

(freight house)

Facing point spur – set-out

(freight house)

#6: Throw turnout;uncouple locomotivefrom rest of train.

Facing point spur – set-out

(freight house)

#7: Go forward; grab reefer.

Facing point spur – set-out

(freight house)

#8: Throw turnout;push reefer into spur.

Facing point spur – set-out

(freight house)

#9: Uncouple reefer

Facing point spur – set-out

(freight house)

#10: Back onto main.

Facing point spur – set-out

(freight house)

#11: Throw turnoutsfor main line.

Facing point spur – set-out

(freight house)

#12: Couple onto train.

Facing point spur – set-out

(freight house)

#13: Pull out of town

Replay

Other run-around situations

(freight house)

(distant industry)

(end of branch line)(branch line)

(spur off siding) (nearby spur off main)

Some special-purpose spurs

• Industry spur: a “normal” spur–serves 1 or more industries

• Interchange track: used by two RRs to exchange cars

• Team track: used by off-line customers with no spur.

• House track: used by station agent for LCL, express, mail.

• RIP track: stores cars needing light repairs.

• Locomotive pocket: temporary storage for a locomotive.

• Caboose track: stores cabooses ready for service.

(“repair-in-place”)

Happy Jack (major mining district)

Mine Spur

Chemical Track (spur)

Freight Track (spur)

Main Track #1

Siding Track #2

Drill Track #3

House Track

(double-ended spur)

Example: typical Texas town

AT&

SF

SPPublic Team Track

EndUnloading

Ramp

Main Line

Passing Siding

House Track

SP-AT&SF

Interchange Track

Main Track

Texas Hwy 92

SP

N

Local In

dustry T

racks

Fort Clarke, Texas

El Paso

San Antonio

Ayer’s Junction & ATSF Interchange

ATSFInterchange

(double-ended spur)

Industry/ Team Track

(spur)

ATSF NW to Flagstaff

M&Sw South to Globe

Tk 1

Tk 2

Tk 3

Ayers Junction

ATSFInterchange

Track #3(double-ended spur)

M&Sw Main & Utility

RunaroundTrack #2

Ayers Jct Siding

Track #1

House Track(spur)

CVLCo Runaround

Industry/ Team Track (spur)

Caboose Run-Around Move

• If you reach the end of the line, and have to return back to the terminal the way you came, then you must do a caboose run-around.

• (Or, push your caboose and train backwards all the way back!! Not good!).

• Objective: swap the locomotive(s) and caboose to the opposite ends of the train.

• So that: the caboose (with its marker lamps) is at the end of the train on the return trip.

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#1: Uncouple locomotives

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#2: Pull forward toclear turnout points.

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#3: Throw turnout points

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#4: Run onto run-around track

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#5: Line turnout to main track

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#6: Run-around entire train

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#7: Throw turnout

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#8: Grab caboose.

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#9: Uncouple caboosefrom rest of train

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#10: Pull caboose clearof turnout points.

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#11: Throw turnout points.

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#12: Push caboose onto run-around track clear of main

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#13: Uncouple caboose

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#14: Pull forward to clear points

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#15: Throw turnout

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#16: Pick up train

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#17: Pull forward past points

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#18: Pull forward past points

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#19: Throw points; reverse; pick up caboose

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#20: Pull forward clear of points; line turnout to main track.

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#21: Depart out of town back down the branch.

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

Replay

Trailing point Pick-ups

Trailing Point Pickups – two versions

• Some cars should be entrained (positioned) at the FRONT of a train:– cars that will be set out at towns sometime later

during the remainder of the trip.– heavy cars – loaded hoppers, ore cars– stock cars – far ahead of caboose – smell!!– – behind locomotive – fast set-out– chemical tank cars – far ahead of caboose

– loads that can shift – not next to loco or caboose

Trailing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#1: Train arrives – stop behind turnout.

(our task: pick-up theboxcar located at thefreight house).

Trailing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#2: Locomotive uncouples and runs forward past points.

Trailing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#3: Throw turnout to spur.

Trailing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#4: Locomotive backs up into spur

Trailing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#5: Couple onto boxcar.

Trailing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#6: Pull forward onto main clear of turnout

Trailing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#7: Throw turnout to main line.

Trailing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#8: Back up and couple to train.

Trailing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#9: Train pulls out of town.

Replay

Alternative Pick-Up Moves

• In some cases, the cars that are picked up should be entrained at the REAR of the train, just ahead of the caboose.

• Cars that should be on REAR of train:– cars returning all the way to final destination

(not scheduled to be set out).– lightweight cars of all types– empty cars: flats, hoppers, ore cars– fragile cars: wooden flats, boxcars, ore cars

[See “Special Instructions, M&Sw Timetable #4]

Trailing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#1: Train arrives – stop caboose behind turnout.

(our task: pick-up theboxcar located at thefreight house).

ALTERNATIVE PICK-UP MOVES

Trailing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#2. Uncouple caboose.

ALTERNATIVE PICK-UP MOVES

Trailing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#3. Train moves forward to clear the turnout;caboose stays behind.

ALTERNATIVE PICK-UP MOVES

Trailing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#4: Throw turnout into spur

ALTERNATIVE PICK-UP MOVES

Trailing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#5: Back train up into spurand couple onto boxcar.

ALTERNATIVE PICK-UP MOVES

Trailing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#6: Pull train out of spur clear of turnout.

ALTERNATIVE PICK-UP MOVES

Trailing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#7: Throw turnout to main line

ALTERNATIVE PICK-UP MOVES

Trailing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#8: Back-up and couple to caboose.

ALTERNATIVE PICK-UP MOVES

Trailing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#9: Depart out of town.

ALTERNATIVE PICK-UP MOVES

Replay

Facing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

[Facing point pick-ups require a runaround track nearby]

Facing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#1: Uncouple locomotive

Facing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#2: Pull locomotive forward to spur

Facing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#3: Throw turnout to spur

Facing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#4: Pull into spur to couple onto car.

Facing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#4: Pull into spur to couple onto car.

Facing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#4: Pull into spur to couple onto car.

Facing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#5: Pull car back onto main.

Facing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#5: Pull car back onto main.

Facing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#6: Throw turnout to main;uncouple locomotive.

Facing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#7: Run around car.

Facing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#7: Run around car.

Facing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#7: Run around car.

Facing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#7: Run around car.

Facing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#7: Run around car.

Facing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#7: Run around car.

Facing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#7: Run around car.

Facing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#7: Run around car.

Facing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#7: Run around car.

Facing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#7: Run around car.

Facing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#8: Couple car to train.

Facing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#8: Couple car to train.

Facing point spur – pick-up

(freight house)

#9: Leave town.

Replay

Interchange – end of branch

(freight house)

(end ofbranch)

Objectives: (1) Pick up cars on interchange track (2) Drop off the cars in the train on interchange. (3) Run-around train (4) Return back to terminal.:

(connecting railroad)

Interchange/run-around track

Interchange – end of branch

(freight house)

(end ofbranch)

(freight house)

Interchange – end of branch

(freight house)

(end ofbranch)uncouple train

from locomotives

Interchange – end of branch

(freight house)

(end ofbranch)

throw turnout

Interchange – end of branch

(freight house)

(end ofbranch)

throw turnout

uncouple caboose

Interchange – end of branch

(freight house)

(end ofbranch)

(leave turnout clear)

Interchange – end of branch

(freight house)

Replay

(leave turnout clear)

Ayer’s Junction & ATSF Interchange

REVIEW

Ayer’s Junction & ATSF Interchange

[2] Is this a train?

Reason?

[1] Is this a train?

Reason?

Ayer’s Junction & ATSF Interchange

[4] Spur or siding

Reason?

[3] Spur or siding?

Reason?

ATSF NW to Flagstaff

M&Sw South to Globe

Ayer’s Junction & ATSF Interchange

ATSF NW to Flagstaff

M&Sw South to Globe

Tk 1 is a . . .

Tk 2 is a . . .

Tk 3 is a . . .

Ayer’s Junction & ATSF Interchange

[6] Facing point or trailing point move?(ATSF Interchange)

Reason?

[5] Facing point or

trailing point move?

Reason?

ATSF NW to Flagstaff

M&Sw South to Globe

Tk 1

Tk 2

Tk 3

Ayers Junction

[6] Facing point or trailing point?

(ATSF Interchange Track #3)

Track #2

Track #1House Track(spur)

Industry/ Team Track (spur)

Ayers Junction

[6] Facing point or trailing point? Why?

(ATSF Interchange Track #3)

Track #2

Track #1House Track [7] Facing or Trailing point?

Why?

Industry/ Team Track (spur)

Ayers Junction

(ATSF Interchange Track #3)(double-ended spur)

M&Sw Main & Utility

RunaroundTrack #2

Ayers Jct Siding

Track #1

House Track(spur)

CVLCo Runaround

Industry/ Team Track (spur)

End of Part 1(to be continued)

Alternative Caboose Run-Around

• This is an alternative set of moves for a caboose run-around.

• It takes longer than the method shown earlier.

• It is safer to use with long trains where it is undesirable to back the train thru the points of a thrown turnout.

Caboose Run-Around Move

• If you reach the end of the line, and have to return back to the terminal the way you came, then you must do a caboose run-around.

• (Or, push your caboose and train backwards all the way back!! Not good!).

• Objective: swap the locomotive(s) and caboose to the opposite ends of the train.

• So that: the caboose (with its marker lamps) is at the end of the train on the return trip.

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#1: Uncouple locomotives

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#1: Uncouple locomotives

#2: Pull forward toclear turnout points.

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#3: Throw turnout points

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#4: Run-around entire train

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#5: Throw turnout

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#6: Grab caboose.

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#7: Uncouple caboosefrom rest of train

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#8: Pull caboose clearof turnout points.

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#9: Throw turnout points.

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#10: Push caboose around train

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#11: Push caboose past turnout points.

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#12: Uncouple caboose.

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#13: Pull clear; throw points.

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#14: Run around rest of train until clear of points.

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#15: Throw points; couple up to rest of train

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#16: Back up; couple onto caboose

Caboose Run-Around

(freight house)

#17: Depart out of town back down branch

Replay

Example: typical junction

AT&

SF

SP

Public Team Track

Passing Siding

House Track

Main Track

Texas Hwy 92

SP

N

Fort Clarke, Texas

EndUnloading

Ramp SP-AT&SFInterchange Track

Local In

dustry T

racks

El PasoSan Antonio

(End of Presentation; turn off projector}