This morning, I completed classifying some cars that arrived to Silvis late in the session. I then began the process of re-staging the layout. This part is interesting and fun. I use a random generator in Excel to determine what the pickups and drop-offs will be for the next session. Next session will see some heavy action with 83 pickups and 70 set outs across the layout.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Operating Session #10 - 03.23.13
Well boys and girls, operating session #10 is in the books. We ran a total of 14 trains (5 locals, 2 road locals (swapping blocks along the way), 5 freights, 1 passenger and 1 extra unit grain train).
We had four operators in attendance including myself. One operator was late arriving so I had to make a few changes to the schedule to start. In the future, I think I need to stick with five operators. There isn't enough people out on the road with only four operators. Those trains interrupting local operations is what makes it *really* interesting.
Marcus took the Ottawa Local job. This job works from 5am until 3pm shuffling sand around from mine to factory. Larry took control of Kelly Yard at Silvis. I had wondered if the job would have enough to do. I have no fears anymore. Kelly Yard is a busy place on the layout.
The session started at 4:30am. At 4:30am I departed on train #111 Chicago to Silvis Shorts. This train is a road local that drops/pick up blocks of cars at Joliet, Ottawa and LaSalle. The train was powered by two GP18s. I dropped seven at Joliet and picked up four. I dropped off five at Ottawa and picked up three. I picked up two at LaSalle and had a total of 12 when I arrived at Silvis. I tied up in Silvis at 6:18am taking my power to the shop for servicing.
At 6:25am, I boarded the unit extra grain train to Silvis powered by two SD40-2s. I was running heavy with 15 cars today. With no one out on the road and no passenger train this morning (annulled - passengers bussed to Chicago), it was a pretty uneventful trip. I tied up at Silvis at 7:52am. I did manage to take some photos of this train as we traveled across the route.
The next train out was Ben on the #113 Joliet local. The local was late starting, but Ben did an excellent job running it. It only works four industries, but does take time to switch. His train was powered by a single ALCO RS2. Ben tied up his train at 12:45pm (four fast hours later).
The LaSalle local was called out at 9:30am. I started the job early at 8:50am in an attempt to keep the freight trains on schedule. This was my first time running this local. I must say it was quite a chore! I asked who designed this? The guys got a chuckle out of the complaints from the CEO operating his own local train. They claimed that changes will be made to expedite the local for next time since the CEO operated it.
I started off with light power (two GP7s) out of Silvis up to LaSalle. Upon arrival, I reviewed my pickups, Chicago bound freight and drop offs required for the day. I had no work for for the Peru Power Plant today which made things easier. I worked Westclox picking up some Chicago bound cars. At the time, I didn't have anything to deliver to them. I then rode up to Utica. This is a more complex issue. I have a facing turnout switch at Belrose Silica and a trailing turnout switch into Philadelphia Quartz (PQ). There is a run around, but it's within the confines of PQ that is also occupied with sand hoppers. To perform any other run around maneuver, I would have to go back to LaSalle or up to Ottawa.
I'm required to take all Chicago-bound pickups to Ottawa to drop off (for pickup later by the road local #110 Silvis to Chicago Shorts train). I picked up the chemical traffic (dry and wet) from PQ and headed to Ottawa. At the time, I had no chemical cars to deliver.
Marcus operating at Ottawa made for an easy turn around. I pulled up on the main track, crossed over to the siding to run around my train. I picked up my block of eight cars or so and dropped about the same number off.
Now, for the hard part. I now have cars for the chemical track at PQ, but it's a facing switch coming back. I left part of my train on the mainline, pulled into the PQ plant, ran around my train shoving the sand hoppers out onto the main so I could deliver the dry and wet chemical empties. I took some of the empty sand hoppers from PQ down to Belrose Silica to swap with loads. I have found with this job, you will make about six or seven trips in and out of PQ. I couldn't imagine how stressful this would be dodging passenger and freight trains.
Speaking of such, I believe I'm going to bring back the Peoria Rockets next session. Shhh...I should probably keep that on the down low or nobody will sign up for the next session. LOL!
I finally finished my work over in Utica and rode back down to LaSalle. I tied up my train on the siding so I could run #1.
I departed on #1 Chicago to Tucumcari, NM freight at 10:00am on schedule. My train was pretty light today and powered by three GP40s. I passed by Ben working in Joliet. The train had clear sailing for the entire trip. The train was held at Rock Island as Silvis was quite busy. There was cars everywhere! Train #2 was being assembled and there was no room for #1. The dispatcher decided to hold the train at Rock Island vs. plugging the yard even more at Silvis. The train was delayed nearly two hours.
While #1 was tied down in Rock Island, I resumed work on the #118 LaSalle local. It was in the hole for an hour while I ran #1. I didn't have much work left as I simply needed to spot two cars at Westclox (trailing switch) and place the remaining pickups from PQ bound for Silvis on the LaSalle storage track. Once complete, I was instructed to take my power and caboose to Chicago. I ran light with no issues.
At 12:15pm, I took train #2 Tucumcari to Chicago freight from Silvis. We were running about thirty minutes late. We were powered by two SD40-2s. Once I pulled the train up to Rock Island. I switched hats and resumed operating #1. I pulled the train down to the Rock River bridge calling the yardmaster for permission into the yard. I pulled down to the siding, dropped my power and took it to the shop to have a traction motor replaced. I went off duty at 1:00pm.
At 2:00pm, Ben took on the Blue Island local. For a first-time operator, he did really well with the train. As usual though, the track arrangement did burn him at least once. His train was powered by the GP7s pair I was using on the LaSalle local.
At 2:30pm, I powered train #43 Chicago to Council Bluffs out of Burr Oak Yard. The train was powered by two GP7s and a GP38-2 all in the "Boom-Time" blue paint scheme. Other than meeting Ben working in Blue Island, I had clear sailing to Silvis. I marked off duty at 3:23pm.
Marcus completed his work at Ottawa at 3:30pm. He didn't have much rest before being called out on the #112 Rock Island local out of Silvis. He departed nearly an hour late due to some delays in Silvis plus a crew shortage. His power today was a sole older GP18 in the red/white stripe paint scheme.
There was a situation in Rock Island when Marcus was shoving his train back into the siding. A photo was captured below by a local railfan. The ROCK at its best. LOL
We had four operators in attendance including myself. One operator was late arriving so I had to make a few changes to the schedule to start. In the future, I think I need to stick with five operators. There isn't enough people out on the road with only four operators. Those trains interrupting local operations is what makes it *really* interesting.
Marcus took the Ottawa Local job. This job works from 5am until 3pm shuffling sand around from mine to factory. Larry took control of Kelly Yard at Silvis. I had wondered if the job would have enough to do. I have no fears anymore. Kelly Yard is a busy place on the layout.
The session started at 4:30am. At 4:30am I departed on train #111 Chicago to Silvis Shorts. This train is a road local that drops/pick up blocks of cars at Joliet, Ottawa and LaSalle. The train was powered by two GP18s. I dropped seven at Joliet and picked up four. I dropped off five at Ottawa and picked up three. I picked up two at LaSalle and had a total of 12 when I arrived at Silvis. I tied up in Silvis at 6:18am taking my power to the shop for servicing.
At 6:25am, I boarded the unit extra grain train to Silvis powered by two SD40-2s. I was running heavy with 15 cars today. With no one out on the road and no passenger train this morning (annulled - passengers bussed to Chicago), it was a pretty uneventful trip. I tied up at Silvis at 7:52am. I did manage to take some photos of this train as we traveled across the route.
Larry working hard at Silvis. He was bombarded with inbound freight early in the session.
The LaSalle local was called out at 9:30am. I started the job early at 8:50am in an attempt to keep the freight trains on schedule. This was my first time running this local. I must say it was quite a chore! I asked who designed this? The guys got a chuckle out of the complaints from the CEO operating his own local train. They claimed that changes will be made to expedite the local for next time since the CEO operated it.
I started off with light power (two GP7s) out of Silvis up to LaSalle. Upon arrival, I reviewed my pickups, Chicago bound freight and drop offs required for the day. I had no work for for the Peru Power Plant today which made things easier. I worked Westclox picking up some Chicago bound cars. At the time, I didn't have anything to deliver to them. I then rode up to Utica. This is a more complex issue. I have a facing turnout switch at Belrose Silica and a trailing turnout switch into Philadelphia Quartz (PQ). There is a run around, but it's within the confines of PQ that is also occupied with sand hoppers. To perform any other run around maneuver, I would have to go back to LaSalle or up to Ottawa.
I'm required to take all Chicago-bound pickups to Ottawa to drop off (for pickup later by the road local #110 Silvis to Chicago Shorts train). I picked up the chemical traffic (dry and wet) from PQ and headed to Ottawa. At the time, I had no chemical cars to deliver.
Marcus operating at Ottawa made for an easy turn around. I pulled up on the main track, crossed over to the siding to run around my train. I picked up my block of eight cars or so and dropped about the same number off.
Now, for the hard part. I now have cars for the chemical track at PQ, but it's a facing switch coming back. I left part of my train on the mainline, pulled into the PQ plant, ran around my train shoving the sand hoppers out onto the main so I could deliver the dry and wet chemical empties. I took some of the empty sand hoppers from PQ down to Belrose Silica to swap with loads. I have found with this job, you will make about six or seven trips in and out of PQ. I couldn't imagine how stressful this would be dodging passenger and freight trains.
Speaking of such, I believe I'm going to bring back the Peoria Rockets next session. Shhh...I should probably keep that on the down low or nobody will sign up for the next session. LOL!
I finally finished my work over in Utica and rode back down to LaSalle. I tied up my train on the siding so I could run #1.
I departed on #1 Chicago to Tucumcari, NM freight at 10:00am on schedule. My train was pretty light today and powered by three GP40s. I passed by Ben working in Joliet. The train had clear sailing for the entire trip. The train was held at Rock Island as Silvis was quite busy. There was cars everywhere! Train #2 was being assembled and there was no room for #1. The dispatcher decided to hold the train at Rock Island vs. plugging the yard even more at Silvis. The train was delayed nearly two hours.
While #1 was tied down in Rock Island, I resumed work on the #118 LaSalle local. It was in the hole for an hour while I ran #1. I didn't have much work left as I simply needed to spot two cars at Westclox (trailing switch) and place the remaining pickups from PQ bound for Silvis on the LaSalle storage track. Once complete, I was instructed to take my power and caboose to Chicago. I ran light with no issues.
At 12:15pm, I took train #2 Tucumcari to Chicago freight from Silvis. We were running about thirty minutes late. We were powered by two SD40-2s. Once I pulled the train up to Rock Island. I switched hats and resumed operating #1. I pulled the train down to the Rock River bridge calling the yardmaster for permission into the yard. I pulled down to the siding, dropped my power and took it to the shop to have a traction motor replaced. I went off duty at 1:00pm.
At 2:00pm, Ben took on the Blue Island local. For a first-time operator, he did really well with the train. As usual though, the track arrangement did burn him at least once. His train was powered by the GP7s pair I was using on the LaSalle local.
At 2:30pm, I powered train #43 Chicago to Council Bluffs out of Burr Oak Yard. The train was powered by two GP7s and a GP38-2 all in the "Boom-Time" blue paint scheme. Other than meeting Ben working in Blue Island, I had clear sailing to Silvis. I marked off duty at 3:23pm.
Marcus completed his work at Ottawa at 3:30pm. He didn't have much rest before being called out on the #112 Rock Island local out of Silvis. He departed nearly an hour late due to some delays in Silvis plus a crew shortage. His power today was a sole older GP18 in the red/white stripe paint scheme.
There was a situation in Rock Island when Marcus was shoving his train back into the siding. A photo was captured below by a local railfan. The ROCK at its best. LOL
At 5:30pm, the evening Quad Cities Rocket departed Chicago powered by two FP7As. The train encountered a three way meet at Bureau. Marcus had just arrived in Bureau to work, but realized he needed to duck down on to the Peoria Branch due to the scheduled meet between the Quad Cities Rocket and Ben on train #44 Council Bluffs to Chicago freight.
All made it past with no issues, but Marcus encountered issues after everyone cleared out. His sole GP18 wasn't enough power to shove the cars back off the Peoria Branch out onto the main so he could do his work. He ended up doubling the train to get it back off the branch line.
Trains #5 Quad Cities Rocket and #44 Chicago bound freight both arrived on time at their respective destinations.
At 7:15pm (about 45m late), Steven took the #111 Silvis to Chicago Shorts train from Kelly Yard. It's power today was a pair of GP18s. I picked up three cars at Bureau. In Ottawa, I picked up five cars and dropped off about the same number. Wait a minute. I was just thinking. I never picked up anything in Joliet! Good grief! The CEO screwed up! There was two cars in Joliet that needed to go to Chicago. Uggh...my bad!
Ben engineered the last train of the day #23 Chicago to Houston freight led by two U25Bs. He encountered Marcus in Bureau, but managed to get around him ok arriving in Silvis on time.
It was a good session, but definitely off with the train schedules due to the minimal crew size. We seemed to be plagued with more derailments this issue in places. They all occurred at various turnouts. I did notice the other day that it appeared that some of the turnouts in Ottawa actually closed up some. I'm wondering after ballasting if it created some issues. It's discouraging when we have derailments. I will work on adding weight to some cars. That seems to help a lot. I also need to check over the slide switch throws to make sure the turnout points are locking tight for each route.
Thanks to Larry, Marcus and Ben for coming out to operate.
Oh! In late breaking news, my layout video has made it to the pages of Model Railroader Magazine!! How exciting!! http://mrr.trains.com/en/Videos/User%20Videos/2013/03/The%20N%20scale%20Rock%20Island%20RR.aspx
Friday, March 22, 2013
Pre-Op Session Countdown 03.22.13
This morning, I installed a Micro Trains coupler on a new switcher locomotive for Kelly Yard. Evidently, it was way too early this morning to be messing with such small parts. It took forever to get it completed as I was growing ever more frustrated.
I test ran a few locomotive sets at low speeds across the layout.
Tomorrow is the big day. Op Session #10. I'm looking forward to it. I have fifteen trains scheduled for the session.
I have the urge to do more scenery before the op session, but that's out. I am hoping to get to meet my new cousin that is being born today. :-)
I test ran a few locomotive sets at low speeds across the layout.
Tomorrow is the big day. Op Session #10. I'm looking forward to it. I have fifteen trains scheduled for the session.
I have the urge to do more scenery before the op session, but that's out. I am hoping to get to meet my new cousin that is being born today. :-)
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Pre-Op Session Countdown 03.20.13
Late last night and this morning, I finally got around to adjusting the wheel width on some offending Atlas locomotives. This was mainly due to my getting upset after the consist derailed in earlier testing. I repaired four locomotives that were out of gauge.
Other than some housekeeping issues in the room, I believe I'm ready to operate! I will continue to test run power to give them a good workout before Saturday.
It has been three months since I operated last. It seems like a lifetime ago. Let's check back to see what has changed since the last session.
- After the Christmas holiday, finally got over my funk and returned to work on the layout.
- Annulled Train #57, added more unit grain traffic
- Revised waybills to include Return to Agent (Silvis) for grain hoppers. Yardmaster will act as agent.
- Ripped out the former Cement and Grain Elevator at Moline.
- Replaced the scene with a larger grain elevator and LP gas dealer, scenicked.
- Created about fifty super trees, planted.
- Planted about fifty more JTT trees.
- Scratchbuilt a conveyor building for the sand pit at Belrose Silica
- Scenicked the rural area between Joliet and Ottawa
- Installed lighting and canopy over Utica/LaSalle
- Installed the upper peninsula lighting.
- The Rock was filmed for YouTube.
- Scenicked the area along the Peoria Branch line
- Added new farmland at Bureau, scenicked
- Added fencing and scenery to Joliet
- Decalling in progress for the 6x Blue Route Rock Coal Hoppers
- Added a RIP Track at Ottawa, scenicked.
- Replaced over 130 Atlas/Athearn trucks/couplers with Micro Trains
- Replaced all Accumate couplers on locomotives with Micro Trains
- Updated the appearance of the car card system
- Finally repaired the Atlas locomotives that were out of gauge
- Ballasted many new areas including:
1) West Kelly Yard to East Kelly Yard Switch - Complete
2) East Kelly Yard Switch to Jarrett's Tunnel (2 1/2ft) -
3) Jarrett's Tunnel to East Rock Island - Complete
4) Farmer's Grain to West Bureau - Complete
5) West Bureau to Main Street (Bureau) (8ft) -
6) Peoria Branch (Washington Rd Crossing) to East Bureau Junction - Complete
7) East Bureau Junction to Utica - Complete
8) Utica to East Ottawa Bridge (18ft) - Complete
9) Utica to BN Crossing in Ottawa (12ft) -
10) BN Crossing in Ottawa to JD Tower (Joliet) - Complete
11) JD Tower to Burr Oak Yard (Chicago) (21ft)
12) All of Ottawa Yard - Complete
13) All of Joliet - Complete
I feel good about what was accomplished in three months. Some operators that haven't been over in a while will be surprised.
Other than some housekeeping issues in the room, I believe I'm ready to operate! I will continue to test run power to give them a good workout before Saturday.
It has been three months since I operated last. It seems like a lifetime ago. Let's check back to see what has changed since the last session.
- After the Christmas holiday, finally got over my funk and returned to work on the layout.
- Annulled Train #57, added more unit grain traffic
- Revised waybills to include Return to Agent (Silvis) for grain hoppers. Yardmaster will act as agent.
- Ripped out the former Cement and Grain Elevator at Moline.
- Replaced the scene with a larger grain elevator and LP gas dealer, scenicked.
- Created about fifty super trees, planted.
- Planted about fifty more JTT trees.
- Scratchbuilt a conveyor building for the sand pit at Belrose Silica
- Scenicked the rural area between Joliet and Ottawa
- Installed lighting and canopy over Utica/LaSalle
- Installed the upper peninsula lighting.
- The Rock was filmed for YouTube.
- Scenicked the area along the Peoria Branch line
- Added new farmland at Bureau, scenicked
- Added fencing and scenery to Joliet
- Decalling in progress for the 6x Blue Route Rock Coal Hoppers
- Added a RIP Track at Ottawa, scenicked.
- Replaced over 130 Atlas/Athearn trucks/couplers with Micro Trains
- Replaced all Accumate couplers on locomotives with Micro Trains
- Updated the appearance of the car card system
- Finally repaired the Atlas locomotives that were out of gauge
- Ballasted many new areas including:
1) West Kelly Yard to East Kelly Yard Switch - Complete
2) East Kelly Yard Switch to Jarrett's Tunnel (2 1/2ft) -
3) Jarrett's Tunnel to East Rock Island - Complete
4) Farmer's Grain to West Bureau - Complete
5) West Bureau to Main Street (Bureau) (8ft) -
6) Peoria Branch (Washington Rd Crossing) to East Bureau Junction - Complete
7) East Bureau Junction to Utica - Complete
8) Utica to East Ottawa Bridge (18ft) - Complete
9) Utica to BN Crossing in Ottawa (12ft) -
10) BN Crossing in Ottawa to JD Tower (Joliet) - Complete
11) JD Tower to Burr Oak Yard (Chicago) (21ft)
12) All of Ottawa Yard - Complete
13) All of Joliet - Complete
I feel good about what was accomplished in three months. Some operators that haven't been over in a while will be surprised.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Pre-Op Session Countdown 03.19.13
This morning I continued to clean wheels and test run the locomotives. After testing, I lined the locomotives up on the mainline until they can be moved to their proper location.
With such a rare event for all the active power to be out on display, the company photographer and local railfan Steven Geisler were out photographing the line-up.
With such a rare event for all the active power to be out on display, the company photographer and local railfan Steven Geisler were out photographing the line-up.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Pre-Op Session Countdown 03.18.13
Any pre-session progress I declared I might do weeks ago is completely out the window now. The railroad has taken a back seat to family in town. No complaints here as I have thoroughly enjoyed having family stay for a while. It has been some good times! I do believe I have developed Wii elbow from playing my cousins so much.
With that being said, I have been struggling to get even the basics done like cleaning track and locomotive wheels. I'll be getting ready for this Saturday's op session on the 11th hour. I have managed to clean almost all the track (started in Chicago and this morning just crossed the Rock River into East Moline).
I hope to take more pics during this session. I had a pretty good write-up last session. Hopefully, I can take some notes during the session to create a similar summary.
*Update:
I went back to work on the layout this evening. I managed to finish cleaning all the track. I also got a great start to cleaning the locomotive wheels. About ten locomotives are complete. I'm also "blowing the snot out of them" running them the length of the layout at full speed. Hopefully all this work will provide for a smooth operating experience Saturday.
*Update:
I went back to work on the layout this evening. I managed to finish cleaning all the track. I also got a great start to cleaning the locomotive wheels. About ten locomotives are complete. I'm also "blowing the snot out of them" running them the length of the layout at full speed. Hopefully all this work will provide for a smooth operating experience Saturday.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Progress Report 03.13.13 - Decalling Freight Cars
There hasn't been much progress on the layout lately as I have family in town. I did manage to get back onto decalling the six Rock Island coal hoppers. The process is slow. I have to be in the right mindset to work on decalling too.
Over the next week, I will work on cleaning locomotive wheels, cleaning track and such to prepare for the op session on the 23rd.
I will be one person short to operate, but I modified the schedule to have a few less trains. I believe it will work out ok.
Over the next week, I will work on cleaning locomotive wheels, cleaning track and such to prepare for the op session on the 23rd.
I will be one person short to operate, but I modified the schedule to have a few less trains. I believe it will work out ok.
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