05-03-2010, 08:16 PM
Galen, sorry for not commenting earlier. Please continue posting your thoughts and layout progress pics, because people ARE interested. Most of the long layout threads go through "reply" dry spells. Look at Charlie's and my buildng threads. Sometimes we post stuff and no-one replies. While it can be dissappointing and discouraging, as if nobody really cares, don't ever think that. The folks at Big Blue DO care. Just keep posting!
Now... concerning the absence of the run-arounds. I agree with your thinking that a tiny town with just a few spurs may not have one. This can lead to some operational interest. There are shortlines which operate by the following theme: The local freight is an "out and back in a day" kind of thing. As an example, say we have a shortline that starts at location WEST, goes to MIDDLE, and then ends at EAST where it turns around and comes back through MIDDLE and then ends its job at WEST. (WEST has a run-around, MIDDLE does not have a run-around, and EAST does have a run-around)
On the way out, when they arrive at MIDDLE which has no run-around, they do the set-outs and pick-ups at only the trailing point spurs. Now, the cars going to facing point spurs can be handled in one of two ways. Ideally, they are dropped off at any unused spurs or empty spots on the trailing point spurs. The other option is to take the cars with them on the trip to EAST. The train continues on its morning run making its way to the EAST turn-around destination were there is a run-around. The train makes whatever set-outs and pick-ups there which are needed at EAST, on both trailing and facing spurs by way of the run-around. Once done at EAST, the train heads back to MIDDLE where it does all the spurs which are now trailing point spurs. Any cars from EAST that need to be set out at MIDDLE facing points will be left there to set out the following morning when the train is again heading east.
Does any of that make sense? Alternatively, two trains can do the same as above. The one heading east does its trailing points and leaves cars for facing points. When the train headed west comes through, it completes the set-outs. Kind of a "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" kind of thing.
Disclaimer: I am not an authority on railroad operations. I just heard about this somewhere.
Now... concerning the absence of the run-arounds. I agree with your thinking that a tiny town with just a few spurs may not have one. This can lead to some operational interest. There are shortlines which operate by the following theme: The local freight is an "out and back in a day" kind of thing. As an example, say we have a shortline that starts at location WEST, goes to MIDDLE, and then ends at EAST where it turns around and comes back through MIDDLE and then ends its job at WEST. (WEST has a run-around, MIDDLE does not have a run-around, and EAST does have a run-around)
On the way out, when they arrive at MIDDLE which has no run-around, they do the set-outs and pick-ups at only the trailing point spurs. Now, the cars going to facing point spurs can be handled in one of two ways. Ideally, they are dropped off at any unused spurs or empty spots on the trailing point spurs. The other option is to take the cars with them on the trip to EAST. The train continues on its morning run making its way to the EAST turn-around destination were there is a run-around. The train makes whatever set-outs and pick-ups there which are needed at EAST, on both trailing and facing spurs by way of the run-around. Once done at EAST, the train heads back to MIDDLE where it does all the spurs which are now trailing point spurs. Any cars from EAST that need to be set out at MIDDLE facing points will be left there to set out the following morning when the train is again heading east.
Does any of that make sense? Alternatively, two trains can do the same as above. The one heading east does its trailing points and leaves cars for facing points. When the train headed west comes through, it completes the set-outs. Kind of a "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" kind of thing.
Disclaimer: I am not an authority on railroad operations. I just heard about this somewhere.
Three Foot Rule In Effect At All Times