Today, for the second time, the ROCK (v.3.0) came to life. I had three friends Larry, Steve and Jeff in
attendance today plus myself.
The session started off with an explanation of the new Tab-on-Car
system and review of changes made since last time. Most of these consisted of scenery changes,
but there were some track changes (new crossover was added in East Ottawa
Yard as well as the addition of LaSalle (drop leaf) Yard). We also reviewed the new signals that are in
place. These are manually controlled by
the operators.
I reviewed operational changes.
The Utica Switcher (UTSW) is now based out of LaSalle Yard (formerly
based out of Ottawa Yard). It will
perform its work as normal otherwise.
The Ottawa Switcher (OTSW) is now based out of South Ottawa. It picks up the empty sand hoppers at Ottawa
Yard first thing and delivers to the plant.
It then gathers up all the other pickups, including weighing sand
hoppers and delivers to Ottawa Yard. At
Ottawa Yard, it will pick up the deliveries for today and return to the two
industries. From what I have read, this
closely matches the RI prototype.
Steve volunteered for the Ottawa Switcher job. Last time, I ran this job with two
people. This time, since I’m
shorthanded, plus the fact we have gone paperless with the Tab-on-Car
forwarding system, I decided to run with one.
We’ll see how that plays out.
Jeff signed up for the Ottawa Yardmaster position. Larry signed
up for the Utica Switcher job. I worked
the various other road freights (run from staging to Ottawa Yard and return) as
well as being the crazy foamer taking photos of the operations today.
The blue flags (blue LEDs) were used again today preventing crews
from switching industries as workers loaded the cars. Industries affected were Westclox, Ottawa
Silica Bagged Sand loading tracks and Libbey-Owens-Ford (LOF) Glass
loading. This keeps crews on their toes.
Today’s lineup:
- Ottawa Yard Job
o
on
duty at 6am – Assigned two GP18s #1343 and #1346
- Ottawa Switcher “Sand Job”
o
on
duty at 7am – Assigned two GP38-2s #4304 and #4303
- Utica Switcher “Chemical Job”
o
on
duty at 8am – Assigned two SD40-2s (big power!) #4798 and #4790.
- #13 Peoria Rocket
o
Departs
LaSalle Station at 8:10am – Assigned one GP18 #1333
- Bureau Switcher “Rock Job”
o
on
duty at 9:30am – Assigned two SD40-2s #4797 and #4785
- Soo Local
o
on
duty at 02:30pm – Assigned two GP35s #731 and #722
- CB&Q Local
o
on
duty at 11:10am- Assigned a single SD24 #506
The scales continued to work well during the session. Steve had three cars that were over tonnage on the Sand Job (OTSW) and Larry had two over tonnage on the Chemical Job (UTSW).
A recap of the session...
Jeff had no issues working the yard. He remained busy through out the day gathering up cars for the empty requests from Ottawa Silica, classifying last night's cars left by the Blue Island transfer train, inbound cars from the Bureau Switcher and SOO Line freight as well as multiple interactions with the Ottawa Switcher. This worked out well. Last time, Larry worked the job and had lull periods throughout the session. Having two inbound trains swapping blocks with the yard throughout the day worked out well. I will continue this practice. The only thing I might change is move up the time of the SOO freight.
Jeff did have an issue right at the start with cars derailing as he backed onto Track 5 in the yard. I took a look to find a point had broken free on the main turnout for the entire yard. Oh sadness! The track crew was called out and the point was repaired with the soldering iron. No other issues occurred with any of the trackwork.
The entire session ran faster today. I'm not surprised though. Going paperless was a big help toward improving operating times. We ran for 2 1/2 hours today, but it seemed longer than that. Looking at when I took my first photo, we actually got started around 10:20, ran for about 1 1/2 hours, broke for lunch, and then finished up. The fast clock started at 6:30am and completed at 4pm. I believe last time we ran until 7pm or so.
Steve worked the Ottawa Switcher (OTSW). It ran from 7am until 4pm (9 hours). Last session, it took nearly 12 hours and a crew going on the law to complete. Steve had trouble with one of his GP38-2s as it would stall on turnouts. We cleaned the track, but found it was just that locomotive acting up. Steve removed the loco from his consist and operated with one loco. He didn't report any other issues for the remainder of the session. The loco will be sent to Carrie Ave Shops to be checked out. Steve had only three cars that were over tonnage today. Not bad. Last time, Marcus and Jeff had quite a few that were over tonnage. It was nice that the crews didn't have to take time to physically record the weights. If a car was overweight, they simply added a red tab on top so they can identify the car to be set off to reduced. This saves a lot of time as well.
Steve altered from the plan a little bit. He started off the day in South Ottawa. He pulled up to the yard board and made his empties pickup for Ottawa Silica. Throughout the day, he made a total of three trips to the yard to swap cars that he picked up for cars that had arrived at the yard for delivery. I had outlined that only two trips would be made. It ended up working out well though. This reduced the mass chaos of cars everywhere that we had during the last op session. As Steve stated it provided for a challenging session, but not for an operating headache. This also kept Jeff as the yardmaster busy throughout the day. So, it was a two fold success. Steve also suggested that only one loco is needed for the local. Removing the shear number of cars needed to be moved around due to lack of storage space, I believe he is right. I'll make the appropriate motive power adjustments for the next op session.
Larry worked the Chemical Job (Utica Switcher). He worked from 8am until 2:30pm. He first had to wait on the Peoria Rocket as it rolls through right after he comes on duty. Once the passenger train cleared out, Larry worked the industries on Track 1 (Peru Power and PQ). He would clear up for various road trains that would traverse by on their way to and from Ottawa Yard. Larry had two cars that were over tonnage at Belrose Silica that had to be reduced. His work day went well with no reported issues.
I ran both the Bureau Switcher and Soo Line train. Both trains took about 1hr 15-30 minutes to run. Both trains set off and pick up cars at LaSalle yard and continue on to Ottawa. They drop off their entire train there and return with traffic classified by the yard. Both were pretty easy to run.
I ran the BN local as well. This one didn't have much to do other than swap loads at the yard as Steve had already made the pickup for the BN local. The train took about 1 1/2 hours to run, but a lot of that was waiting for clearance into the yard as well as avoiding the RI local that was working the north end of the Ottawa Silica plant at the time.
The newly added drop leaf yard worked well. I'm very pleased with the solution I agonized over for so long. It added a lot to the layout, but doesn't expand the layout into the living areas of the house between op sessions. This was a great success for which I'm very pleased.
In regards to the Tab-on-Car system, it performed flawlessly. I'm very pleased with how it worked. Crews had no issues identifying where cars should go or what work was required to be performed. The lack of fumbling with paperwork was a big plus as crews could focus on running their trains at prototypical speeds and enjoying their work. No doubt that we will keep this system in place. In regards to staging, it makes it a lot easier as well. I have already begun re-staging the layout. It is extremely easy to take a count of cars currently at each industry. I'll key in the numbers in the spreadsheet and have it generate the number of pickups and deliveries for the next session. Not having to record the individual reporting marks for each car and updating the spreadsheet with each car's location is a great plus. This was time consuming in the past. I can now get the layout up and running much quicker. All my friends agreed that the tab-on-car method was much easier and preferred. That was great news to hear.
Overall it was a great session. Everyone had a good time. We had one major issue with the broken turnout point, but everyone kept calm and we repaired quickly. The locomotive performance was a disappointment, but was quickly resolved. As with any railroad, you would encounter issues. It is all how you react to them on how your session will go. We are all pretty laid back and weren't phased much by them.
Photos from today's Op session:
Jeff working as Ottawa Yardmaster
Steve rolling into the yard (two blue/white GP38-2s) to pick up his empty car order for Ottawa Silica for today. Jeff waits on the yard lead for Steve to make his pickup.
Steve heading back to South Ottawa to spot his sand empties.
A little later, Steve weighing his first cut of sand hoppers.
Steve had three that were overweight. He contacted the plant manager (me) and set off the cars to be reduced. I set a timer on my phone for one fast hour. An old factory whistle blows when the cars have been reduced and can be moved.
This car is under the max weight of 263,000lbs.
The cut has been weighed and Steve slips down a through track between the plant buildings.
It's early in the morning, but sand is already moving on the ROCK.
At 8:08am (because I can see the fast clock in the background), the Peoria Rocket makes its station stop at Utica. Larry in the background is waiting for the passenger train to clear out so he can commence his work on the Chemical Job (UTSW).
The Peoria Rocket has a dome car on the rear today.
The Peoria Rocket about to slam the diamonds at the CB&Q Junction.
Jeff on the yard job pulling a cut up the yard lead.
Larry departing LaSalle yard working Peru Power first.
All smiles from Larry as he backs a cut of sand hoppers down into PQ.
Cars are strung out across town at Larry works the Chemical Job (UTSW)
Like any good local, two locos and cab buried with cars on both sides.
The Utica Switcher in front of the large Westclox plant.
The Bureau Switcher dropping off a cut of cars for tomorrow's Utica Switcher at LaSalle yard.
Otis constructed a new billboard sign along Water Street
I like this area where the road curves off to the left and the yard continues on.
Larry thinks there is room for another yard track there, but I think I'll pass.
The Bureau Switcher pulling out of LaSalle yard after making its drop off so it can return to its train.
Approach Diverging signal. The Utica Switcher is on Main 1 between the crossovers. The Bureau Switcher will take the crossovers around the Utica Switcher to access Ottawa Yard off Main 1.
The Bureau Switcher running around the Utica Switcher on Main 2.
The Bureau Switcher continues east while Larry inspects the train as it passes by.
A tank car spotted at PQ Track 3.
The Bureau Switcher curves around the PQ plant ready to enter Ottawa Yard.
After completing its work at Ottawa Yard, the Bureau Switcher is ready to head back west with 12 cars.
Larry shoving a cut of cars into PQ.
The Bureau Switcher crossing over from Main 2 to Main 1 at West Utica to pass the Utica Switcher working on Main 1.
The Bureau Switcher headed east by Westclox.
Ottawa Silica looking pretty empty. Loads have been pulled, but Steve hasn't spotted the empties yet.
Steve working the Sand Job (OTSW).
Me on the CB&Q Local waiting for clearance to back into the yard.
Larry weighing cars at Belrose Silica.
Doh! Over tonnage! Larry had two that were over tonnage that had to be set off and reduced by plant employees. The cars are typically spotted anywhere available while the hatches are opened to drop some sand between the rails.
Larry pulling his cut of cars through the scale.
Ding! Right on the money! Great job by the Belrose Silica employees.
Me on the CB&Q local. Steve backing up to the yard limit sign preparing to shove a cut of empty sand hoppers into the loading tracks on the north end of Ottawa Silica. Jeff working on the yard lead.
Steve shoving a cut of empties into the loading tracks at Ottawa Silica.
Things are looking better over in Utica. Two cars have been set off to have their loads reduced.
The CB&Q Local headed back north across the RI after making its pickup.
The Chemical Job (UTSW) preparing to crossover to Main 2 to make its delivery to Westclox.
My favorite car on the layout. My friend Allen custom weathered this car. I love it!
Me on the SOO Local ready to depart LaSalle local on Main 1 as Larry prepares to work Westclox on Main 2.
Larry making his pickup at Westclox.
The SOO Caboose by Putnam Street.
Since the mainline realignment, Larry now has more room to work Westclox from the west end. Previously that was impossible as the tracks ended shortly after the switch at the wall.
The SOO local about to take the signal at West Utica.
The SOO local rolling by the station in Utica at Mill Street.
The SOO local at Ottawa Yard had dropped off its cars and waiting for instructions from the Yardmaster.
Jeff had a commanding presence working the yard. He did an awesome job with the new Tab-on-Car system.
Jeff shoving my pickup to my locos on the west end of the yard.
The SOO local performing my brake test before heading back west.
PQ's business is looking up. Seven tank cars are spotted at the plant.
PQ
The SOO Local has received an approach signal indication on the yard dwarf signal.
The SOO local rounding the curve by PQ.
The SOO local headed west on Main 2 by the Chemical Job (UTSW) at Utica station.
The SOO local by Westclox.
My Yardmaster Jeff is a little OCD. I told him his OCD is rubbing off on me.
Jeff and Larry chatting as he finishes up his work on the Chemical Job (UTSW).
Ottawa Yard at the end of the session. Jeff was able to get rid of a lot of cars out of the yard. It was chock full at the beginning of the session.
