05-30-2010, 08:42 AM
Hi Steve,
I enjoyed reading both of your articles. Do you use a switch list form like this? <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://pc.smellycat.com/docs/ops/switchlist.jpg">http://pc.smellycat.com/docs/ops/switchlist.jpg</a><!-- m --> If you posted one I might have missed it. I devised a simplified version of the Pen Central form I linked to and use it to run my operations. I skip the blocking of the train prior to leaving the yard by using the old 0-5-0 switching method to set up the train. Then I back it into a hidden track so it "leaves the yard" and comes on the scene. Once it is visibly on the layout I use the switch list to guide the various pulls and set outs. I've thought about adding "situations" to make things interesting but haven't done that yet. I generate the "customer orders" by shuffling a deck of file cards I made, two for each industry with one card indicating the need for set outs and the other for pulls. I determine the length of trains by whim and decide how many cards to put in the deck to shuffle. I enjoy hearing about other people's clever operation schemes. Thanks for sharing yours!
Ralph
I enjoyed reading both of your articles. Do you use a switch list form like this? <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://pc.smellycat.com/docs/ops/switchlist.jpg">http://pc.smellycat.com/docs/ops/switchlist.jpg</a><!-- m --> If you posted one I might have missed it. I devised a simplified version of the Pen Central form I linked to and use it to run my operations. I skip the blocking of the train prior to leaving the yard by using the old 0-5-0 switching method to set up the train. Then I back it into a hidden track so it "leaves the yard" and comes on the scene. Once it is visibly on the layout I use the switch list to guide the various pulls and set outs. I've thought about adding "situations" to make things interesting but haven't done that yet. I generate the "customer orders" by shuffling a deck of file cards I made, two for each industry with one card indicating the need for set outs and the other for pulls. I determine the length of trains by whim and decide how many cards to put in the deck to shuffle. I enjoy hearing about other people's clever operation schemes. Thanks for sharing yours!
Ralph