I enjoyed a great day on the ROCK with great friends Marcus, Larry and Jeff.
The session consisted of 18 trains, 4 crew members operating from 4:15am to 10:30pm (4:1) fast time. We utilized a new method of self-crew management. Each visitor pulled a number and selected their desired train first. After that, we simply went down the list.
Marcus took Extra Pig West out of Chicago (the inaugural run). The train pulled from Chicago at 4:30am. The train went into emergency at Stockdale when it split in two due to a broken knuckle (track alignment issue). Further delays were reported in the ovalix where the first trailer on the train had the roof shaved off due to close clearances. Also, a foreign object in the track derailed several flat cars, further damaging three more trailers. The wrecked trailers were added back on to the train in Bureau by crane. Extra Pig West dropped their caboose in Davenport as the relieving crew is quite particular by providing their own upon departure. The ROCK delivered the train to the AT&SF in Kansas City stating they knew nothing regarding the damage.
Steven engineered Extra Freight West (XtrFW) from Chicago. It was clear sailing until Stockdale where he waited in the siding for both the #12 Peoria Rocket and #6 Quad Cities Rocket.
Larry engineered Extra Freight East (XtrFE) from West Davenport. He stopped in Davenport Yard to pick up and set off blocks of cars. While there, he met Extra Pig West that blew by on the way to Kansas City. XtrFE was held at Rock Island for the Quad Cities Rocket to pass. XtrFE was then held at Bureau to meet the CEO on XtrFW. There were some grumblings regarding XtrFW receiving preferential treatment. Larry had hopes for a clean shot into Chicago after the CEO past, but no such luck as he was held in Joliet for Jeff engineering the #13 Peoria Rocket making its mid-day run.
Marcus went on duty at 8:15 for the Extra Grain East out of Davenport Yard. As he started his work, Steven made it to town on the XtrFW. The timing was unfortunate for Marcus as XtrFW just setoff a large block of grain hoppers to be delivered. Possibly an omen of the challenges ahead for the day? XtrFW continued to the old yard to tie down his train. Unfortunately his conductor failed to read his bulletins indicating he needed to drop his power and caboose off at Davenport and yard his train. This opened up a can of worms as crews lit up the air waves discussing their newfound freedom to simply "forget" to do something as the CEO did. Human Resources will have their work cut out for them to correct this issue. XtrFW backed into the A/D track, setoff his power and caboose and yarded the train as ordered. A delay report was filed with administration.
At 9:23, Larry took control of the Stockdale Local departing from Chicago's Burr Oak Yard. It was a quick trip over to Joliet, IL. There, the crew spent a while thrashing about setting off and picking up cars. There was some grumblings on the design of the industrial trackage there. An evil grin formed on the CEO's face.
At 10:15, Jeff took on the Peoria Local out of Davenport. The Extra Grain East was still classifying cars when Jeff went on duty. There was some bickering between crews and also for the fact that the yard job hadn't done his duties in properly blocking the cars.
The Extra Grain East made it over to Rock Island. Again, the seemingly unassuming Rock Island town nabs another victim with its convoluted track configuration. Again, an evil grin forms from the CEO. Extra Grain East proceeded past Stockdale on to Joliet as the Stockdale Local was busy at work.
Steven was called out at 1:15pm on Extra Coal East. Both the Extra Grain East and Stockdale Locals had to clear up to let the coal drag slide by.
The Stockdale Local went down the N&W Meredosia Branch to work the Central Stone Co. This presented an opportunity for the Extra Grain West to slip into town. The crews from both locals worked together to turn the Stockdale Local and get him out of town.
Steven was called on duty for the #5 Quad Cities Rocket out of Chicago. Steven mistakenly read his timetable and blew out of Blue Island 10 minutes early. Weary businessmen yelled at the crew as they ran down the platform to no avail. Again, another source of ridicule from fellow crewman of the CEO's actions. Nominations for the Somebrero of Shame award have been filing it quite steadily!
#5 split the Stockdale Local and Extra Grain West as they worked at Stockdale. Larry engineered the late departing #11 Peoria Rocket, passing the Extra Grain West as it was busy at work in Stockdale.
At 6:15pm, a call was put into the dispatch from Extra Grain West requesting a relief crew. What? It was evident that Extra Grain West would not be able to complete its work before going on the (hours of service) law at 8:15pm. Steven was called in as relief crew to take the train over at Stockdale. It was another two hours before the train returned to Davenport Yard. Quite a day for the Extra Grain train working a total of 14 hours and two crews!
Jeff headed up the AT&SF Local which took cars from the interchange at Joliet up to the AT&SF North Yard. Larry engineered the CNW local out of Clinton, IA down to Davenport. Both made quick work of the locals without any problems.
The session ran very well. I'm quite impressed with the realism created through prototypical handling of the trains by crews. I was in utter shock to have a train go on the law. I have evidently done my job well creating a very challenging job! Although we had a shortage of locomotives and cabooses, we did what the real railroad would do by simply setting off cabooses, turning power at terminal points, etc. It all worked out really well!
Each crew member ran 4 to 5 trains:
Marcus: 1 Intermodal, 1 Freight, 1 Local, 1 Passenger
Larry: 1 Freight, 2 Locals, 1 Passenger
Jeff: 1 Freight, 2 Locals, 2 Passenger
Steven: 1 Coal, 1 Freight, 1 Local, 2 Passenger, 1 Relieved Grain Local
A special thanks to Larry, Marcus and Jeff for coming out to operate today. We all seemed to have a great time joking and laughing, but getting the job done.
Photos from the Op Session: https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=99836&id=1044869775&l=94f2dfb81e
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