Saturday, July 9, 2011

Dream Big

So I've whipped up a tentative train schedule now that the layout is more or less complete. 


Train descriptions:

FIRST CLASS – FAST FREIGHTS
AJ-1/3  Alpha Jet fast freights originating at Allentown from west bound cars consolidated from the L&HR, CNJ, and Reading.  Interchanges to the WM at Lurgan, near Shippensburg, PA.  After being switched at Hagerstown westbound Alpha Jets would typically run through to Rook Yard near Pittsburgh, then on to Bellevue, Ohio for further classification.
On the layout, AJ 1 & 3 starts at east staging, entering the layout at North Junction.  At Ridgeley, set outs for local traffic and cars bound for other points on the railroad are made, and cars are picked up that are bound for the interchange with the N&W at Connellsville.


AJ-2/12:  Alpha Jet fast freights originating at Bellevue Yard on the N&W (former NKP) via Rook Yard, to Connellsville, Ridgeley, Hagerstown and Lurgan on the WM, destined for Rutherford Yard, and eastbound connections at Allentown (CNJ, L&HR, NH). 
On the layout, these trains originate in West Staging, entering the layout at Greenwood, proceeding east to Maryland Jct. then on to Ridgeley for classification to continue east to Lurgan.

GRAIN EXTRA(Seasonal) Eastbound grain from the Great Lakes and Midwest for shipment to Port Covington for storage and/or export.  Connection from NW at Connellsville, through train to Baltimore.  

On the layout, follows main around Ridgeley, pausing for a power change and fresh caboose.

SECOND CLASS – FAST FREIGHTS with Intermediate Switching
BT-1  Originates at Port Covington (Baltimore), westbound to Connellsville to P&LE (Dickerson Run) to Pittsburgh, Youngstown and Cleveland.  From there, it followed the Nickel Plate to Toledo, Ohio, its terminus. 
On the layout, BT-1 starts at east staging, entering the layout at North Junction.  At Ridgeley, set outs for local traffic and cars bound for other points on the railroad are made, and cars are picked up that are bound for the interchange with the P&LE at Connellsville.  The train may also do pick-ups and set-outs at Maryland Junction.  If volume permits, it may also pick up cars bound for the Laurel Valley, which would be set out at Rockwood Jct.

WM-6  Eastbound counterpart to BT-1, operating from Dickerson Run Yard on the P&LE through Connellsville and on to Baltimore via the East Sub. 
On the layout, the train originates out of West Staging, entering the layout at Greenwood.  It proceeds east on the Connellsville Sub as far as Maryland Junction, where it may do pick-ups and set-outs of traffic from the Thomas Sub.  Proceeding east, it enters Ridgeley Yard to be reblocked for the trip east to Baltimore, via North Jct. into East Staging.


NW-12  Technically East bound from Roanoke, Va to Hagerstown on the Norfolk and Western.  Primarily traffic bound for the northeast via the Reading at Lurgan, and timed to connect with AJ-12 at Hagerstown.  Also carried traffic to go through to the N&W connection at Connellsville as well. 
On the layout, the train originates in East Staging, entering via North Jct. and terminates at Ridgely Yard (a westbound move on the layout).

NW-11  Technically West bound from Hagerstown to Roanoke.  Reverse move to NW12, with connections from the Reading and other points via AJ-1. 
Originates at Ridgeley, then departs for East Staging via North Junction (eastbound move).

WEST BOUND GRAIN EXTRA (MT) (Seasonal)  Empty grain hoppers being returned to the Midwest via Connellsville and the N&W. 
On the layout:  Originates from East Staging.  May pause at Ridgeley for a power/caboose swap.

THIRD CLASS TRAINS – Local Freights and Traveling Switchers.
Luke Digger:  Originates at Ridgeley Yard.  Turn to Westvaco Mill at Luke and return.  Departs westbound, works at Luke, then returns eastbound via Williamsport Jct.   

Handles all Luke traffic that originates from the Main line via Ridgeley.

West Local:  Originates at Elkins and moves eastbound toward Ridgeley.  Switches Thomas, Shaw, and Cumberland, and provides pick-ups and set-outs at Luke, and transfers through traffic to Ridgeley for connections.  Typically carries wood chip loads from the west into Luke. 

East Local:  Originates at Ridgeley and works westbound toward Elkins.  Also switches Cumberland, Maryland Junction, Shaw and Thomas as needed.

Union Bridge Traveling Switcher:  Originates Ridgeley, operating eastbound to North Jct. and East Sub (staging.)  Switches NC industrial tracks and PC interchange as needed.  Return train (from East Staging to Ridgeley) uses the same symbol.

Elkins Mine Run:  Handles delivery of empty hoppers to mines along the Thomas Sub, pulling loads and staging them at Thomas if space permits, otherwise returning loads to Elkins.

Coal Extras
(Train Symbol = Road Number of Lead Unit)
Connellsville Sub: 
GREY TRAIN:  Eastbound. Originates at Somerset, PA on the Laurel Valley, also picks up at Blue Lick at Meyersdale (all off layout).  Consists of Laurel Valley and WM hoppers, usually with Laurel Valley power through to Ridgeley.

FAIRMONT EXTRA:  Eastbound.  Originates Fairmont, WV(B&O) via Bowest Jct. and the Connellsville line.  Consists of WM and B&O hoppers.  May include B&O power through to Ridgeley.

ELKINS EXTRA:  Eastbound.  Originates at Elkins, with coal from the WM’s local lines in WV, as well as cars from Thomas.  WM hoppers, WM power through to Ridgeley.

Eastbound from Ridgeley:
ALLENTOWN EXTRA:  Eastbound.  Originates Ridgeley, with cars bound for Bethlehem Steel at Allentown.  Usually includes cars from Fairmont.

PHILADELPHIA EXTRA:  Eastbound.  Originates Ridgeley, with cars bound for Philadelphia Power electric generation plants.  Soft coal from the Grey Train, WM and Laurel Valley


BALTIMORE EXTRA:    Eastbound.  Originates Ridgeley, with cars bound for Baltimore Gas and Electric generation plants.  Soft coal from the Grey Train, WM and Laurel Valley

PORT COVINGTON EXTRA:  Eastbound.  Originates Ridgeley, with cars bound for Port Covington for export.  All 55 and 66 ton cars due to limitations at the rotary dumper.  Cars from the Thomas Sub.

Westbound from Ridgeley: (loads)
PITTSBURGH EXTRA:  Westbound.  Originates Ridgeley, coal for US Steel and other manufacturers via Connellsville/PLE connection.  Small numbers of cars may be added to BT-1.   

Train also includes ore loads from Port Covington.

Westbound from Ridgeley: (MT)
FAIRMONT EXTRA:  Westbound.   Originates Allentown (East Staging) proceeds through to West Staging.

GREY EXTRA: Westbound:  Originates Philadelphia and Baltimore, combined at Ridgeley.  WM Power into Ridgeley, LRV power west to Rockwood Jct. (West Staging)

ELKINS EXTRA:  Westbound:  Originates Port Covington, Baltimore, Allentown etc.  Combined at Ridgeley with cars for Shaw, Thomas, Elkins and points beyond.  Also includes westbound ore movements bound for Pittsburgh.

I either need more staging, a bigger yard, a longer main line run, fewer trains or more freight cars...  The eyes might be a little bigger than the stomach, not sure yet!




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