Prototype ops question

[PMW]

I apologize if this isn't the right place to post this. My railroad is far enough along now that I'm using JMRI Operations and I have a question about how the prototype works;

I always study the switch list and block the cars (with first cars to be set out closest to the engine, car(s) to be set out at next destination behind the first block etc...) then put the new arrangement back on the staging track and consider it ready to leave staging. Is this prototypical? Is there a circumstance when I should not block at all?

I would like to learn more about how (or when) the prototype blocks cars.

Thanks!

 

[Rico]

I recall cars to be dropped being sorted from the rear forward at times, I believe it was so they didn’t have to uncouple the whole train, drop the air, set brakes, etc.
Of course these were shorter trains so not so much walking, and if the engineer liked you he’d back the train to pick you up.

 

[dave1905]

Two different concepts. One is station order, the other is "blocking". Station order is when you put the cars in a local in the order the train will come to the stations along the route. If the stations are Anna-Bess-Cloy-Dora-Eve and the train runs from Anna to Eve then the train would be blocked CAB-Eve-Dora-Cloy-Bess-Anna-ENG.

For what you are probably doing, modeling local operation, that is correct.

If its a through freight then the cars are "blocked" in groups according to how they are going to be handled. That is a block is a group of cars that will be handled together from a yard, industry or interchange to another yard, industry or interchange. For example on the old UP virtually every major yard made a "N Platte" block. NONE of the cars went to N Platte itself. Its in the middle of nowhere, but every car was switched there. The inbound trains would bring "N Plattes", they would be switched into new blocks and leave N Platte yard in different blocks going to the next yard or destination, Council Bluffs, Fremonts, Kansas City's, Portlands, Salt Lakes, Los Angeles, Green Rivers, Denvers, etc.. Blocks in through freights may or may not be in the order they will be set out or where they are going.

 

[PMW]

Thanks, guys. I've learned quite a bit already!

 

[PMW]

I thought about making a new thread for my next prototype ops question but I'm likely to have many so maybe just stick with one thread?

Great replies to my first question and if anyone else would still like to comment that would be great... I love trying to make my railroad operate like the real thing (to the best of my ability anyway). Brings me to my next question;

On an industry with 2 tracks, can tank cars be unloaded from the track farthest from the building (underground pipes beneath the other track and to the building I guess)?

The product in the cars I'm pretty sure is non hazardous and unloaded from the bottom but this is just the result of a beginner's google searches


Any info would be great. Thanks!

Paul

 

[Rico]

Short answer, yes!
I’ve seen piping both under the track and over the track.
In one instance temporarily across the track but I don’t think that’s is a common practice.

 

[PMW]

That's good. I was probably going to do it anyway but I'm glad it's at least somewhat realistic!

 

[trailrider]

Hmm...interesting. Crude oil into a refinery? Molasass into ???? Brine for an ice plant? All sorts of possibilities there.

 

[PMW]

Hmm...interesting. Crude oil into a refinery? Molasass into ???? Brine for an ice plant? All sorts of possibilities there.

It's the Walthers Magic Pan Bakery but I'm thinking of renaming it C.A. Foods. Hoppers will bring flour and tank cars will bring vegetable oil and corn syrup. Since it has the trackside overhead door I'll send the occasional boxcar with something...packaging materials maybe?

 

[cv_acr]

It's the Walthers Magic Pan Bakery but I'm thinking of renaming it C.A. Foods. Hoppers will bring flour and tank cars will bring vegetable oil and corn syrup. Since it has the trackside overhead door I'll send the occasional boxcar with something...packaging materials maybe?

Bagged sugar?

I can't see plastic wrap in sufficient volume.

 

[PMW]

Bagged sugar?

I can't see plastic wrap in sufficient volume.

Good point. Your idea makes more sense

 

[santafewillie]

It's the Walthers Magic Pan Bakery but I'm thinking of renaming it C.A. Foods. Hoppers will bring flour and tank cars will bring vegetable oil and corn syrup. Since it has the trackside overhead door I'll send the occasional boxcar with something...packaging materials maybe?

I use mine as a large food processor, I expanded it with the optional wall sections. The overhead doors are used to ship bulk boxed product to distributors by boxcar. Incoming vegetable oil, flour, sugar and salt. I added a large storage tank for the vegetable oil. Pipes go under the track.

 

[dave1905]

Not plastic wrap, boxes. Cardboard packaging, cardboard boxes to put the packaged goods in. Plastic racks for bread products. Pallets for large shipments.

35 years ago I remember we ran a special move from the yard up to a warehouse north of the yard to deliver a boxcar loaded with Burger King French fry holders. I've also served plants that made cardboard for milk cartons, and food grade paper bags.

 

[PMW]

Thanks. I was thinking only a very occasional boxcar but seems like I have the option to send more if I want

 

[NCRC5315]

You could also have hopper cars go out out with broken cookies.