Alan, watching your layout and its progress makes me wonder sometimes if it isn't a lot more fun to have a small layout that poses interesting challenges for switching. Great job! M
Was fun to run that train, but those photos so up some flaws in my locos, I really must get the headlights sorted on both of them!
Alan, The pictures are great. I really enjoyed looking at them. Thank you for posting them. I hope my garage layout looks as good one of these days! Dale
It is interesting for me how after so many years I am finding it nice to see the old "Cascade" green. Memories of those old Geeps soldiering on. Kept alive in modeling such as these efforts.
I am hoping to add a couple of ATSF blue and yellow units to my roster if I can find reasonably priced ones.
The switching layout is looking great. And I am curious to find out how you are enjoying the operation on it; as I am ogling all my USA outline equipment in N scale and thinking it's time for another crack at building a layout. I had started this discussion about small switching layout design, but not many people responded. Was just looking at your layout and reading all your posts again and you do answer some of my questions. Now I am eyeing what you've built and pondering the design a bit. http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine...witching-for-a-small-layout-to-be-interesting
Not had much time to operate so far as I am still busy adding industries and details (and it is a bit cold in the garage in winter!). But I am loving the operation, just one train arriving and collecting and delivering cars to the various spots takes quite a long time, as it requires some cars to be removed to spot another behind, then the first car placed back where it was. The different industries will have different frequency of switching, some being done each train, some every other train, some every third train, etc. I like to get the first train ready for departing with the remade train, but before it leaves another arrives and is switched after the first train leaves. More than enough to keep me very happy. Even better when son Matt comes and lends a hand.
Hi Alan, im curious, I'm trying to do the same with my switching layout. When you are operating, how do you decide what traffic is coming in to be switched? Do you have a Method to choose what cars are switched out to go back into the world. thank you, dale
Cars for incoming trains are more or less randon, but some cars are included which I know are needed at an industry. Some industries are busier than others so need switching at different intervals. Some industries are therefore switched every train, some evry other train, some every third train, etc. Grain cars are usually brought in on a transfer move six cars at a time. Loder track can hold three cars and the track alongside three. These are exchanged for loading over time. But if the farmers co-op needs switching, the siding alongside the grain elevator needs to be clear, likewise the gondola used for scrap at the metal shop is only filled gradually, so only needs collecting occasionally - but it does have to be moved to give access to the reefer/insulated boxcar loading bay which is switched every train. So plenty to keep me busy! Through trains from South Lewistown (son Matthew's layout) and Great Falls (usually BN trains) also call to collect or deliver cars. Matt's locomotives and cars add variety to my layout. Also some transfer runs between our two layouts bring Montana Central locomotives to Andersley. All-in-all, a very pleasant way to spend a hour or three!
Thanks for the explanation. I'm working that way on mine. I currently have 4 industries to switch, lumber wholesaler, grain, steel fabricator and warehouse for boxcars. I've limited my inbound interchange trains to loco, 6 cars and the way car. i made up a pair of dice marker for grain, coil steel, boxcar, gondola, special car. I roll 3 times and use them to make up an inbound train. Usually I will switch out what is there when a new car comes in. It certainly give variety and some surprises. I write the switch list in the order they come up on a roll it does give variety. The BNSF brings the train in from the small staging track and I'd dropped off and the Port Railroad takes over at the inbound siding. i appreciate hearing about the outbound movement and how you decide which of the existing cars stay on the layout one more turn. I will start working on that. thank you again for your explanation. dale
After the recent operating session with Matt's BN locos., the AW "borrowed" the GP30. Here it is working with one of AW's Alcos to spot a caboose at the car shop for coupler attention.
I was down at the local farm supplies in Andersley when I spotted this S1 dinosaur leased from the MC, I guess the AW must be power short at the moment.
Hey Alan, 2 prime movers to shove a caboose? Just how anemic are those AW RS's? You better hang on to that Cascade Greet! :cute:
