01-29-2010, 08:26 PM
It's possible to model yard operations without the entirety of a space-hogging yard. Mainline trains can exchange blocks of cars, called block-swapping, at remote locations and sidings anywhere on the railroad. This can introduce more switching on a layout where the mainline run is already too quick.
A few years ago CSX used to haul auto parts from Chicago to Louisville but no trains directly served those two cities. The parts would leave Chicago on train Q501 and travel east to Deshler, Ohio where they'd take a right hand turn and head south for Lima. There the cars would be set out in the yard for train Q241 to pick up and take to Louisville. This arrangement was required because train Q501 did not continue all the way to Louisville, instead terminating in Cincinnati. Train Q241 came from Walbridge, Ohio and after changing crews in Cincinnati continued on with the auto parts to Louisville. When CSX introduced remote yard jobs in Lima productivity declined and the yard became less efficient. Lacking sufficient yard space to make the auto parts set out and pick up in Lima the chore was moved to the south sidings in Deshler. South of Deshler on the Cincinnati mainline are two passing sidings, one on each side of the mainline. With sufficient capacity for the dispatcher to arrange meets one siding was used for a few hours each evening to hold auto parts cars. Train Q501 would leave the cars on the passing siding in Deshler and continue on to Cincinnati without working in Lima. Train Q241 would then pick up the cars a few hours later and continue on to Cincinnati and eventually Louisville.
This could effectively be modeled on a model railroad with any passing siding or even a surplus spur. It adds operational interest for train crews who might otherwise just run around the layout without doing any work. It can also create more work for the dispatcher who has a siding out-of-service for meets account of cars being held in it.
A few years ago CSX used to haul auto parts from Chicago to Louisville but no trains directly served those two cities. The parts would leave Chicago on train Q501 and travel east to Deshler, Ohio where they'd take a right hand turn and head south for Lima. There the cars would be set out in the yard for train Q241 to pick up and take to Louisville. This arrangement was required because train Q501 did not continue all the way to Louisville, instead terminating in Cincinnati. Train Q241 came from Walbridge, Ohio and after changing crews in Cincinnati continued on with the auto parts to Louisville. When CSX introduced remote yard jobs in Lima productivity declined and the yard became less efficient. Lacking sufficient yard space to make the auto parts set out and pick up in Lima the chore was moved to the south sidings in Deshler. South of Deshler on the Cincinnati mainline are two passing sidings, one on each side of the mainline. With sufficient capacity for the dispatcher to arrange meets one siding was used for a few hours each evening to hold auto parts cars. Train Q501 would leave the cars on the passing siding in Deshler and continue on to Cincinnati without working in Lima. Train Q241 would then pick up the cars a few hours later and continue on to Cincinnati and eventually Louisville.
This could effectively be modeled on a model railroad with any passing siding or even a surplus spur. It adds operational interest for train crews who might otherwise just run around the layout without doing any work. It can also create more work for the dispatcher who has a siding out-of-service for meets account of cars being held in it.