Model Railroading Operations 101: Part 5 – Road Switching Problems

Model Railroading Operations 101: Part 5 – Road Switching Problems Fred Bock, MMR, Chief Dispatcher, M&Sw & Tom Crosthwait President, Mogollon & Southwestern RR

The Dispatcher [Rule 990] #1: Keep trains on the main line from crashing into each other! #2: Keep trains from creating a traffic jam that ties up the railroad. #3: Keep traffic flowing smoothly #4: Give each train crew the “time and track” it needs to get it’s job done. On the M&Sw, it’s usual practice to have a dispatcher when there are 3 or more trains in mainline operation at the same time.

e Mod ding a o r l l Rai Engineer: Train Crew Roles Conductor-Brakeman – Operates the locomotive. – STAYS AHEAD OF HIS MOVING LOCOMOTIVE AT ALL TIMES! – Communicates only with conductor. – Keeps a keen eye on his loco and train. – Watches / listens for derailed cars or locos. [Rule 920, Rule 800, 801, Rule 712] – “Boss” of the train. – Directs the engineer on running the train. – Communicates with dispatcher, yardmaster, and other conductors. – Directs switching moves. – Throws turnouts. – Uncouples cars as needed. – Does roll-by inspections of other trains. [Rule 712, Rule 713] – Watches / listens for derailed cars or locomotives.

ILROA A R L MODE D Whistle & Bell Signals [Rule 30] All aboaaaard! Train is leaving “TooooooooooooooooT” “Toot-Toot” (two short) Grade Crossing warning “Toooot-Toooot-Tut-Tooooooot” (last “toot” is extended until the loco passes over road crossing) Approaching Station “ToooooooooooooooooooT” (ends after loco is past the station or comes to a stop). Approaching Station (last 200’) Leaving Station (first 200’) While Switching (sometimes) Bell should start ringing to warn people on the ground near the train before the train stops or before the train begins to move again.

Turnouts – Ground Throws Main route – usually straight Diverging route – usually curved Rule 104: Train crews are responsible for the position of turnouts used by them and members of their crew, except when control is remote. Turnouts must be properly lined after having been used.

Hand Signals for Switching With modern DCC sound systems, the noise in an operating session is high. Some operators have hearing problems. Implication: it’s better to use hand signals between conductor-brakeman and engineer than to try to talk above the noise of locomotives and other operators. Rule 7: hand signals must be given sufficiently in advance to permit compliance. . .

L RAI MODE D LROA Common Hand Signals Back-up (reverse) [RULE 8] Slowly (inching) Controlled stop Stop - beckon toward self with circular motion. - fingers come together - hands come together - hold closed hand up. You are coupled up - make closed fist, shake once. Go forward - move open palm, fingers closed, up and down away from you. OK Highball (leave town) - thumbs-up /or/ circle - pull imaginary steam whistle twice (“Toot – Toot”)

Basic Problems The first few switching problems are basic moves involving a single car: – – – – Trailing Point – pick-up Trailing Point – set-out Facing Point – pick-up (with run-around) Facing Point – set-out (with run-around) Note: the arriving train should take the siding before beginning any local switching. (This keeps the main track clear as much as possible for meets and passes).

M&Sw Local Switching – Miami Trailing Point Pickup San Carlos Packing Co. (to Payson) [103] [101] [101] [201] [202] FCP [205] NdeM [204] [203] Gila Lumber Co. BREX [101] [102] AZS Interchange Cutter Flour Mill [102] [104] [107] [105] [101] [108] Team Track Bock Perlite SFRD loading PFE Pick-up BREX 2334 Reefer San Carlos Packing bagging house CB&Q Miami: [106] SP “Ore House” (Crusher) TRAIN 121: Happy Jack Turn Freight House M&Sw (to Globe) Zingerle Bridge

M&Sw Local Switching – Miami Facing Point Pickup San Carlos Packing Co. (to Payson) [103] [101] [101] [201] [202] GN FCP [205] NdeM [204] [203] [102] [104] [105] [101] [108] Team Track [106] bagging house SP Bock Perlite SFRD loading PFE Pick-up AZS Jct - Crusher Freight House CB&Q Miami: Box BREX [107] “Ore House” (Crusher) TRAIN 121: Happy Jack Turn GN 33454 Gila Lumber Co. [101] [102] AZS Interchange Cutter Flour Mill M&Sw (to Globe) Zingerle Bridge

M&Sw Local Switching – Miami Trailing Point Set-Out San Carlos Packing Co. (to Payson) [103] [101] [101] [201] [202] FCP [205] NdeM [204] [203] [102] [104] [107] Team Track [105] [101] [106] bagging house SP Bock Perlite SFRD loading PFE Set-Out Gila Lumber Co. Freight House CB&Q Miami: Box BREX [108] “Ore House” (Crusher) TRAIN 121: Happy Jack Turn SP 139045 Gila Lumber Co. [101] [102] AZS Interchange Cutter Flour Mill M&Sw (to Globe) Zingerle Bridge

M&Sw Local Switching – Miami Multiple Trailing Point Set-Out San Carlos Packing Co. (to Payson) [103] [101] [101] [201] [202] FCP [205] NdeM [204] [203] [102] BREX [104] [107] [105] [101] [108] Team Track bagging house Bock Perlite SFRD loading PFE Set-Out Box Gila Lumber Co. Reefer San Carlos Packing [106] CB&Q Miami: Freight House SP “Ore House” (Crusher) TRAIN 121: Happy Jack Turn SP 139045 PFE 78436 Gila Lumber Co. [101] [102] AZS Interchange Cutter Flour Mill M&Sw (to Globe) Zingerle Bridge

M&Sw Local Switching – Miami Facing Point Set-Out San Carlos Packing Co. (to Payson) [103] M&Sw SFRD PFE SP [201] [202] FCP [205] NdeM [204] [203] [104] [107] Team Track [105] [101] Set-Out Gila Lumber Co. Freight House [106] bagging house Bock Perlite CB&Q Miami: Box [102] [108] “Ore House” (Crusher) TRAIN 121: Happy Jack Turn SP 139045 [101] [102] AZS Interchange Gila Lumber Co. BREX [101] [101] Cutter Flour Mill loading (to Globe) Zingerle Bridge

RailOp Switching Manifest – Miami (a typical combination of moves) TRAIN 121: Happy Jack Turn Miami: » Pick-up – BREX 2334 – CB&Q 2134 Reefer San Carlos Packing Cov.Hop. Bock Perlite Train 121 is to pick these cars up in Miami. » Set-Out – SP 32861 – PFE 12345 – SFRD 8923 Box Team Track Reefer San Carlos Packing Reefer San Carlos Packing Arizona Southern Junction: » Pick-Up – NdeM 4423 – FCP 23876 Flat Box AZS Interchange AZS Interchange » Set-Out – M&Sw 798 Flat AZS Interchange Cars that left Globe on Train 121; your job is to set them out at the industries listed for Miami. Train 121 picks these two cars up off the AZS Interchange Track. Train 121 sets this car out on the AZS Interchange Track.

M&Sw Local Switching – Miami (typical combination of moves) San Carlos Packing Co. (to Payson) [103] [101] [101] [201] [202] FCP [205] NdeM [204] [203] Gila Lumber Co. BREX [101] [102] AZS Interchange Cutter Flour Mill [102] [104] [107] [105] [101] [108] Team Track bagging house SFRD loading PFE Bock Perlite CB&Q M&Sw Zingerle Bridge (to Globe) BREX 2334 Reefer San Carlos Packing CB&Q 2134 Cov.Hop. Bock Perlite Set-Out SP 32861 Box Team Track PFE 12345 Reefer San Carlos Packing SFRD 8923 Reefer San Carlos Packing Arizona Southern Junction: Pick-Up NdeM 4423 Flat AZS Interchange FCP 23876 Box AZS Interchange Set-Out M&Sw 798 Flat AZS Interchange [106] SP “Ore House” TRAIN 121: Happy Jack Turn Miami: (Crusher) Pick-up Freight House

Interchange Movements The next several problems involve interchange movements from the Ferrocarril del Pacifico / Arizona Southern. The easiest problem is a swap of cars for the M&Sw from the FCP with cars going to the FCP from the M&Sw. “Local” trains in Mexico are often mixed trains – “mixtos”. – In addition to a caboose, a coach is carried for local passenger service. (In the USA, a coach or combine often serves as both caboose and passenger service). – In either case, the “passenger car” must be set-out adjacent to the depot while local switching is going on to accommodate safe discharge and boarding of passengers and their luggage. – The passenger car is tacked onto the end of the train when it departs for the next town.

FCP Interchange – AZS Junction San Carlos Packing Co. (to Payson) [103] [101] [101] [201] F CP ChP [202] FCP PFE FCP FCP [205] NdeM [204] [203] Gila Lumber Co. BREX [101] [102] AZS Interchange Cutter Flour Mill [102] [104] [107] [105] [101] [108] Team Track Pick-Up NdeM 4423 Flat AZS Interchange FCP 23876 Box AZS Interchange Set-Out ChP 12324 Box AZS Interchange PFE 569034 Reefer AZS Interchange FCP 38973 Box AZS Interchange bagging house Bock Perlite loading Zingerle Bridge (to Globe) Special Instructions: FCP X-1401 (South) returns to Nogales without turning locomotive. Locomotive FCP 1401 is an RS-11 and is equipped for bi-directional running. [106] CB&Q “Ore House” TRAIN -- FCP Extra 1401 North (FCP Exchange): (Crusher) Arizona Southern Junction: Freight House

FCP Mixed Train – AZS Jct / Miami San Carlos Packing Co. (to Payson) [103] [101] [101] [202] [201] h -coac FCP FCP ChP PFE FCP FCP [205] FCP [203] Gila Lumber Co. NdeM BREX [101] [102] AZS Interchange Cutter Flour Mill [102] [104] [107] [105] [101] [108] [204] Team Track Freight House TRAIN -- FCP 1401 Mixto del Norte (FCP Mixed Train): “Ore House” (Crusher) Arizona Southern Junction / Miami: Bock Perlite loading Zingerle Bridge (to Globe) Special Instructions: Leave FCP coach adjacent to Miami depot while switching. Train may use mainline trackage between Zingerle Bridge and Tunnel #1 subject to dispatcher approval. Coach return to Nogales with FCP 1401 Mixto del Sur (South). bagging house CB&Q Pick-Up NdeM 4423 Flat Gila Lumber Co. FCP 23876 Box AZS Interchange Set-Out ChP 12324 Box AZS Interchange PFE 569034 Reefer San Carlos Packing FCP 38973 Box AZS Interchange [106]

FCP Mixed Train – AZS Jct / Miami San Carlos Packing Co. (to Payson) [103] [101] [101] [202] [201] h -coac FCP FCP ChP PFE FCP FCP [205] FCP [203] Gila Lumber Co. NdeM BREX [101] [102] AZS Interchange Cutter Flour Mill [102] [104] [107] [105] [101] [108] [204] Team Track Freight House TRAIN -- FCP 1401 Mixto del Norte (FCP Mixed Train Extra): SFRD loading PFE M&Sw Zingerle Bridge (to Globe) Special Instructions: Leave FCP coach adjacent to Miami depot while switching. Mixto 1401 may use M&Sw mainline trackage between Zingerle Bridge and Tunnel #1 subject to dispatcher orders. Mixto 1401 takes siding to meet M&Sw No. 121 in Miami. FCP coach returns to Nogales with FCP 1401 Mixto del Sur (South). Bock Perlite CB&Q Pick-Up NdeM 4423 Flat Gila Lumber Co. FCP 23876 Box AZS Interchange Set-Out ChP 12324 Box AZS Interchange PFE 569034 Reefer San Carlos Packing FCP 38973 Box AZS Interchange bagging house SP “Ore House” (Crusher) Arizona Southern Junction / Miami: [106]

Switching Problems: Payson & Meander Mine Payson is midway between Globe and Ayers Junction, at the foot of the steep grade north to the top of the Mogollon Rim. Passenger trains usually make station stops at Payson. Occasionally they will set out or pick up an RPO or express car. Most freight service to Payson is by M&Sw way freights. The “Copper Queen” mines turn stops in Payson to set-out empty ore cars and pick up loads at nearby Meander Mine.

The town of - Payson, AZ [301] [303] Meander Mine [302] Strawberry & Happy Jack Miami Tunnel No. 1 [Helix] Tunnel No. 3 Kohl Feed & Grain [401] [401] Tunnel No. 2 [404] Tea Express Track [401] 5] [40 Kohl Cattle Co. [402] ra mT 3] [4 0 ck

Switching Moves – Payson, AZ [301] [302] PFE [303] MKT Strawberry & Happy Jack M&Sw Meander Mine Miami Tunnel No. 1 [Helix] SP TRAIN – M&Sw No 125 – Payson Turn Payson: Pick-Up D&RG 4423 Stock Cattle Co. Tunnel No. 3 Tunnel No. 2 [401] [401] Kohl Feed & Grain [404] Express Track RPO [401] ] 05 [4 G R D& Kohl Cattle Co. [402] T ea ra c T m 3] [40 k Set-Out MKT 2324 Stock Cattle Co. M&Sw 434 Cov Hopr SP 38973 Box Track Kohl Kohl Kohl Grain Team Special Instructions: After completing work in Payson Train No 125 returns via Miami to Globe as Train No 126.

[301] Tunnel No. 3 Tunnel No. 2 [401] [401] Kohl Feed & Grain Miami LD LD LD LD LD [303] Strawberry & Happy Jack Meander Mine [302] Tunnel No. 1 [Helix] MT MT MT MT MT MT MT Switching Moves – Copper Queen – Meander Mine (Payson), AZ TRAIN No 401 – Copper Queen (northbound) Payson: . Set-Out (4) MT Ore Cars Meander Mine Special Instructions: No 401 continues Northbound to Happy Jack with remaining MTs. No 401 returns to Payson Southbound as No 402 after completing work in Happy Jack. TRAIN No 402 – Copper Queen (southbound) [404] Express Track ck Payson: 3] [40 Pick-Up (5) LD Ore Cars Meander RPO [401] 5] [40RG D& Kohl Cattle Co. Tea ra mT [402] Mine Special Instructions: No 402 returns to Crusher at AZS Jct with LD Ore Cars from Happy Jack and Meander Mine.

THE END of Model Railroading Operations 101: Part 5 – Road Switching Problems

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