I really like the idea of an operation forum. When I designed my layout (really two layouts connected by a helix) I knew I wanted to satisfy two criteria: lots of industrial switching and scenic stretches thru which I could could run mainline trains. The scenic part will be accomplished via the NYC Hudson and Electric divisions. Primarily operation on the NYC will consist of running the various name trains on schedule, per a 1952 schedule I have. There is east (Grand Central) and west staging. There will be east and west dispatchers(?) who will bring the trains from staging at appropriate times and send them on their way. I don't envision engineers for these trains, the dispatchers will simply send them to each other. If I had a lot of personnel available, I could assign each train an engineer, but it would not be all that interesting a run. Freight here will consist of the 60th St. yards, into which trains from the west staging would run. These would have engineers and run as extras under the suervision of the east end dispatcher. Also interchange with the JGL, supervised by the west end dispatcher. The only industry will be a GM plant. The NYC used to bring gondolas with auto frames from NJ to 60th St on carfloats, then run them north to the plant in Tarrytown. This is something I'd like to do. Also, on the west end I plan to use a 4-6-0 to bring milk cars from a branch to a siding on the main, where a Mohawk with a long milk train will stop to pick them up. On the return trip, empties will be dropped off.
On the JGL, operations will be more freight oriented. There is a small yard at the east end, with hidden staging east of it. From this staging will come traffic from basically any road I choose, as well as JGL trains. Interchange will be at the yard. From the west, JGL trains from Pa. will arrive, having travelled thru two towns loaded with industry.
Folk like Brakie and any others who can relate ways that the railroads would use to get freight cars to their destinations would be most helpful. At one town I thought to have a dedicated switcher. Blocks of cars going to that town would be dropped off by mainline freights, cars leaving the town could be added, and the mainline train continues to the yard, where crews will be changed. Meanwhile the local switcher can deliver the cars. The local switcher would run to the yard periodically for servicing. Or, the mainline train could just pass by the town and have those cars dropped at the yard, and a local turn could run them back to the town. There may be other options I don't know.
A factory producing auto engines on the JGL is a supplier for the GM plant on the NYC. A turn will pick up the car and bring it to the yard. At the yard, it will be placed with other cars going to the NYC and brought to the interchange. A NYC train will pick it up, bring it to the 60th St. yard, later it will be brought to the GM plant.
What I'd like to see discussed is how is this type operation handled with various systems and do I have to leave all equipment where it is between actual operating sessions? Inbetween sessions I want to be able to run trains, and not have to shuffle everything back prior to next operating session.
Sorry for the long ramble, I am only now getting to the point where some of the operations I discussed are possible. So far, operating has consisted of sequence schedules, that is, I start with trains in particular places. I make up a list of movements to be performed in sequence. Three or four operators (all I can get right now) just select the next train scheduled and do take it where indicated. This has been fun and is ok for now. With more track being laid and scenery construction starting to move along, time for more formal operations is not too far off.
Gary
