That CSX tool for looking up car types is really cool. Second you mentioned it, I started looking up autoracks we see here in Dartmouth. Fun stuff. Thanks!
Thanks! Glad it helps. For older cars that are no longer active or have been restenciled and renumbered you can still determine what the code is on the Railinc website. I’d refer back to my earlier video on where to look it up.
Thanks! The MP15DC is actually a former GATX Leasing unit that was acquired by the SC in 2012 as part of a group. Since the paint job was still in great shape the SC simply patched it out and renumbered and relettered it.
Excellent video Tim! I especially enjoy watching your videos involving the paperwork you create. I've tried to recreate several of your forms from your videos with some pretty good success. I was wondering if you use "Templates" for all of your paperwork? A basic document with all of the Headers and things entered when you open it up. A "loose", if you will, type of document that's sort of a "fill in the blanks" kind of thing. It can be used over and over, making your paperwork consistent and less time consuming to create. I've used this video to create a Google Docs "Gadsden Yard Track Inventory Switchlist Template". It has the Main Header and Track Headers for each Track already in place when you open it. It also uses TABs to move to the correct Track Header Column Position to enter your car data, just by pressing the TAB key. Templates make your work easier. Thanks Again for a Great video... and.. I like how you Operate!
Thanks! The answer is yes! And I’ll address it on the next few videos. Once you create the template then it is just a matter of changing the car numbers and the date on the forms. On a side note, I only use the Track Inventory Switchlist for my main yard at Gadsden. All other areas just use the Switchlist Worksheet. On the other hand, I use the Industry Work Order for all of my Local Routes and that will be the subject of the next video. Stay tuned!
Thanks for the continuous layout updates Tim. Your video's are very informative and helpful. I got a curious question that I seemed to miss regarding the use of the black gator board sub base. Fill me in with why, purpose and material size that you use. Thx again -Alex "The EL Guy"
Thanks! Glad to help. The helix is a kit that is offered by Trackside Scenery. The offer them in various sizes depending on your situation. I use their backdrops and figured this would be a lot easier than building one out of wood.
Realistic to the prototype, sure. But this session seemed to be 80% prep, then 20% operations. Can you save the doc format so you don't create from scratch each time? As a car-card guy, track inventory is the stack of cards in a slot, in track order. and the waybill tells me which yard track a car goes to. But accurate paperwork seems to be "meat & potatoes" to you and very satisfying. By the way, how long is the yard lead track now? Partway up the helix?
Yes, I’ll show how to update the document in upcoming video. The first one was about how to design it from scratch. Car cards and waybills are very popular for model railroaders but not prototypical. In reality back when the conductor would keep a stack of waybills on the caboose, he wouldn’t sort through them while he was on the ground switching cars. Instead he filled out a switchlist from the information that was on the waybills. He would then work off the switchlist to sort the cars. In the yard, the yard master or clerk would be the one handling the waybills. They would make out the switch lists for the conductors to use. It is very similar to the switch list I have that you could actually use in conjunction with your car cards and waybills. You can fill out the form prior to performing the work. It is a great way to see the entire track inventory listed in order versus spreading out a stack of waybills to determine how many cars are in a block versus single car moves. But to each his own. What works for me is not necessarily for everyone. I understand that completely. My yard lead extends into the inside loop of the helix. I plan on running a test train going up the helix on the July Update but I can tell you that the lead is very long and would easily handle 60 cars or more. Stay tuned!
Outstanding video best I have seen on the topic of operations. Let just say it makes sense. You commented on AAR UMLER Where do I find AAR numbers? Curious. Have you ever did a history of your railroad?
another nice vid tim... thanks for showing that google doc stuff, i'll be using that for sure... also a few questions... first, the cars on track 3, what is their status as they first land in the yard... i was thinking maybe constructive placement but that's for when a car can't be spotted at a customer due to the customers actions, so that doesn't really fit... second, how much time can those newly arrived cars dwell in the yard before storage fees are assessed... i've read 96 hours on CP rails accessorial charges page... last, my old employer U.P. uses the terms "run through dwell" and "terminal dwell" to describe the two types of dwell for railcars... does NS also use those terms... and keep up the nice work, that was some decent switching... too bad we can't figure out a way to kick those HO scale cars... now that would be cool to see
Thanks! On NS it is referred to as terminal dwell time and it really depends on what stage of the car’s trip plan it is in. For example, if the car hasn’t made it to its destination serving yard, but rather an intermediate yard, then it is waiting on a connection to depart on a different train. There’s no charge to a shipper for terminal delay due to a car not making its connection. That’s the RRs fault. And that can also play into not assessing charges at the terminal destination car if a car is delayed in route and doesn’t arrive according to the original trip plan given to the customer. Think of it as a credit. Railroads strive to classify inbound arriving cars within 12 hours of arrival. Although I will often work a switcher that can even classify an inbound cut of cars that just arrived before the thru freight has departed after making their pickup. I have also seen cars sit in a track for two days without getting touched due to the extreme volume of inbounds and lack of seasoned conductors that can efficiently switch cars.
Really depends on the location. Most of my dealings are yards that are north to south but I know of some that would be east to west so the eastern most car would be line one on the paperwork. I’m sure other railroaders would give different examples. INIT stands for initials and is the reporting mark on the car.
