Model RailroadingOperations 101:

Part 5 – Road Switching Problems

Fred Bock, MMR,Chief Dispatcher, M&Sw

&Tom Crosthwait

President, Mogollon & Southwestern RR

• #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.

[Rule 990]The Dispatcher

Train Crew Roles• Engineer:

– 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.

• Conductor-Brakeman– “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.

[Rule 920, Rule 800, 801, Rule 712]

Model Railroading

Whistle & Bell Signals• All aboaaaard!• Train is leaving

• Grade Crossing warning

• Approaching Station

• Approaching Station (last 200’)• Leaving Station (first 200’)• While Switching (sometimes)

• “TooooooooooooooooT”• “Toot-Toot” (two short)

• “Toooot-Toooot-Tut-Tooooooot”

• (last “toot” is extended until the loco passes over road crossing)

• “ToooooooooooooooooooT”

• (ends after loco is past the station or comes to a stop).

• 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.

[Rule 30]

MODEL RAILROAD

^

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. . .

Common Hand Signals• Back-up (reverse)

• Slowly (inching)• Controlled stop• Stop

• You are coupled up

• Go forward

• OK

• Highball (leave town)

- beckon toward self with circular motion. - fingers come together- hands come together- hold closed hand up.

- make closed fist, shake once.

- move open palm, fingers closed, up and down away from you.

- thumbs-up /or/ circle

- pull imaginary steam whistle twice (“Toot – Toot”)

[RULE 8]

MODEL RAILROAD

^

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).

[205]

[101]

[101]

[106]

[105]

[108]

[107][201]

AZS Interchange[202]

[101]

[103]

[101]

[203]

[104][102][102]

[204]

M&Sw Local Switching – MiamiTrailing Point Pickup

ZingerleBridge

Gila Lumber Co.

CutterFlourMill

San CarlosPacking Co.

BockPerlite

loading

bagginghouse

Team Track

“Ore House”(Crusher)

(to Payson)

(to Glob

e)

M&

SwS

FR

DP

FE

SP

BREX

FCP NdeM

TRAIN 121: Happy Jack TurnMiami:

<<Pick-up>>BREX 2334 Reefer San Carlos Packing

CB

&Q

Freight House

[205]

[101]

[101]

[106]

[105]

[108]

[107][201]

AZS Interchange[202]

[101]

[103]

[101]

[203]

[104][102][102]

[204]

M&Sw Local Switching – MiamiFacing Point Pickup

ZingerleBridge

Gila Lumber Co.

CutterFlourMill

San CarlosPacking Co.

BockPerlite

loading

bagginghouse

Team Track

“Ore House”(Crusher)

(to Payson)

(to Glob

e)

M&

SwS

FR

DP

FE

SP

BREX

FCP NdeM

TRAIN 121: Happy Jack TurnMiami:

<<Pick-up>>GN 33454 Box AZS Jct - Crusher

CB

&Q

Freight HouseGN

[205]

[101]

[101]

[106]

[105]

[108]

[107][201]

AZS Interchange[202]

[101]

[103]

[101]

[203]

[104][102][102]

[204]

M&Sw Local Switching – MiamiTrailing Point Set-Out

ZingerleBridge

Gila Lumber Co.

CutterFlourMill

San CarlosPacking Co.

BockPerlite

loading

bagginghouse

Team Track

“Ore House”(Crusher)

(to Payson)

(to Glob

e)

M&

SwS

FR

DP

FE

SP

BREX

FCP NdeM

TRAIN 121: Happy Jack TurnMiami:

<<Set-Out>>SP 139045 Box Gila Lumber Co.

CB

&Q

Freight House

[205]

[101]

[101]

[106]

[105]

[108]

[107][201]

AZS Interchange[202]

[101]

[103]

[101]

[203]

[104][102][102]

[204]

M&Sw Local Switching – MiamiMultiple Trailing Point Set-Out

ZingerleBridge

Gila Lumber Co.

CutterFlourMill

San CarlosPacking Co.

BockPerlite

loading

bagginghouse

Team Track

“Ore House”(Crusher)

(to Payson)

(to Glob

e)

M&

SwS

FR

DP

FE

SP

BREX

FCP NdeM

TRAIN 121: Happy Jack TurnMiami:

<<Set-Out>>SP 139045 Box Gila Lumber Co.PFE 78436 Reefer San Carlos Packing

CB

&Q

Freight House

[205]

[101]

[101]

[106]

[105]

[108]

[107][201]

AZS Interchange[202]

[101]

[103]

[101]

[203]

[104][102][102]

[204]

M&Sw Local Switching – MiamiFacing Point Set-Out

ZingerleBridge

Gila Lumber Co.

CutterFlourMill

San CarlosPacking Co.

BockPerlite

loading

bagginghouse

Team Track

“Ore House”(Crusher)

(to Payson)

(to Glob

e)

BREX

FCP NdeM

TRAIN 121: Happy Jack TurnMiami:

<<Set-Out>>SP 139045 Box Gila Lumber Co.

CB

&Q

Freight House

M&Sw SFRD PFE SP

RailOp Switching Manifest – Miami(a typical combination of moves)

• TRAIN 121: Happy Jack Turn• Miami:

» <<Pick-up>>– 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

Cars that left Globe on Train 121; your job is to set them out at the industries listed for Miami.

Train 121 is to pick these cars up in Miami.

Train 121 sets this car out on the AZS Interchange Track.

Train 121 picks these two cars up off the AZS Interchange Track.

[205]

[101]

[101]

[106]

[105]

[108]

[107][201]

AZS Interchange[202]

[101]

[103]

[101]

[203]

[104][102][102]

[204]

M&Sw Local Switching – Miami(typical combination of moves)

ZingerleBridge

Gila Lumber Co.

CutterFlourMill

San CarlosPacking Co.

BockPerlite

loading

bagginghouse

Team Track

“Ore House”(Crusher)

(to Payson)

(to Glob

e)

M&

SwS

FR

DP

FE

SP

BREX

FCP NdeM

TRAIN 121: Happy Jack TurnMiami:

<<Pick-up>>BREX 2334 Reefer San Carlos PackingCB&Q 2134 Cov.Hop. Bock Perlite

<<Set-Out>>SP 32861 Box Team TrackPFE 12345 Reefer San Carlos PackingSFRD 8923 Reefer San Carlos PackingArizona Southern Junction:

<<Pick-Up>>NdeM 4423 Flat AZS InterchangeFCP 23876 Box AZS Interchange

<<Set-Out>>M&Sw 798 Flat AZS Interchange

CB

&Q

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.

[205]

[101]

[101]

[106]

[105]

[108]

[107][201]

AZS Interchange[202]

[101]

[103]

[101]

[203]

[104][102][102]

[204]

FCP Interchange – AZS Junction

ZingerleBridge

Gila Lumber Co.

CutterFlourMill

San CarlosPacking Co.

BockPerlite

loading

bagginghouse

Team Track

“Ore House”(Crusher)

(to Payson)

(to Glob

e)

BREX

FCP NdeM

TRAIN -- FCP Extra 1401 North (FCP Exchange):

Arizona Southern Junction:<<Pick-Up>>

NdeM 4423 Flat AZS InterchangeFCP 23876 Box AZS Interchange

<<Set-Out>>ChP 12324 Box AZS InterchangePFE 569034 Reefer AZS InterchangeFCP 38973 Box AZS Interchange

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.

CB

&Q

Freight House

FCP FCPChP PFE FCP

[205]

[101]

[101]

[106]

[105]

[108]

[107][201]

AZS Interchange[202]

[101]

[103]

[101]

[203]

[104][102][102]

[204]

FCP Mixed Train – AZS Jct / Miami

ZingerleBridge

Gila Lumber Co.

CutterFlourMill

San CarlosPacking Co.

BockPerlite

loading

bagginghouse

Team Track

“Ore House”(Crusher)

(to Payson)

(to Glob

e)

BREX

FCP

NdeM

TRAIN -- FCP 1401 Mixto del Norte (FCP Mixed Train):

Arizona Southern Junction / Miami:<<Pick-Up>>

NdeM 4423 Flat Gila Lumber Co.FCP 23876 Box AZS Interchange

<<Set-Out>>ChP 12324 Box AZS InterchangePFE 569034 Reefer San Carlos PackingFCP 38973 Box AZS Interchange

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).

CB

&Q

Freight House

FCP FCPChP PFE FCPFCP-coach

[205]

[101]

[101]

[106]

[105]

[108]

[107][201]

AZS Interchange[202]

[101]

[103]

[101]

[203]

[104][102][102]

[204]

FCP Mixed Train – AZS Jct / Miami

ZingerleBridge

Gila Lumber Co.

CutterFlourMill

San CarlosPacking Co.

BockPerlite

loading

bagginghouse

Team Track

“Ore House”(Crusher)

(to Payson)

(to Glob

e)

M&

SwS

FR

DP

FE

SP

BREX

FCP

NdeM

TRAIN -- FCP 1401 Mixto del Norte (FCP Mixed Train Extra):

Arizona Southern Junction / Miami:<<Pick-Up>>

NdeM 4423 Flat Gila Lumber Co.FCP 23876 Box AZS Interchange

<<Set-Out>>ChP 12324 Box AZS InterchangePFE 569034 Reefer San Carlos PackingFCP 38973 Box AZS Interchange

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).

CB

&Q

Freight House

FCP FCPChP PFE FCPFCP-coach

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.

[401]

[401

]

[405]

[404][403]

[401]

[402][3

01][3

02][3

03]

The town of - Payson, AZ

[Helix]

Tunnel No. 3

Tunnel No. 2

Str

aw

be

rry

&H

ap

py

Ja

ck

Tunnel No. 1

Mia

mi

Team Track

ExpressTrack

Kohl Cattle Co.

KohlFeed

&Grain

MeanderMine

Switching Moves – Payson, AZ

[401]

[401

]

[405]

[404][403]

[401]

[402]

[301

][302

][303

]

[Helix]

Tunnel No. 3

Tunnel No. 2

Str

aw

be

rry

&H

ap

py

Ja

ck

Tunnel No. 1

Mia

mi

Team TrackExpressTrack

Kohl Cattle Co.

KohlFeed

&Grain

MeanderMine

M&

SwM

KT

PF

ESP

TRAIN – M&Sw No 125 – Payson Turn

Payson:

<<Pick-Up>>D&RG 4423 Stock Kohl Cattle Co.

<<Set-Out>>MKT 2324 Stock Kohl Cattle Co.M&Sw 434 Cov Hopr Kohl GrainSP 38973 Box Team Track

Special Instructions: After completing work in Payson Train No 125 returns via Miami to Globe as Train No 126.

D&

RG

RPO

[401]

[401

]

[405]

[404][403]

[401]

[402]

[301

]

[302

]

[303

]

[Helix]

Tunnel No. 3

Tunnel No. 2

Str

aw

be

rry

&H

ap

py

Ja

ck

Tunnel No. 1

Mia

mi

Team TrackExpressTrack

Kohl Cattle Co.

KohlFeed

&Grain

MeanderMine

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)

Payson:

<<Pick-Up>> (5) LD Ore Cars Meander Mine

Special Instructions: No 402 returns to Crusher at AZS Jct with LD Ore Cars from Happy Jack and Meander Mine.

D&

RG

RPO

MT

MT

MT

MT

MT

MT

MT

LD

LD

LD

LD

LD

THE ENDof

Model RailroadingOperations 101:

Part 5 – Road Switching Problems

MT

MT

MT

MT

MT

MT

MT

LD

LD

LD

LD

LD