First Ops-session: After-action Notes

Train instructions for two crews

After hosting a first "ops-session" last month, I've been thinking about whether the 4th Subdivision is really ready for more than just fun-for-one operations. My observations of having two crews work the railroad can be broken down into three sets of learnings. Big picture, I made some overall or overarching observations. I also noted some details to be worked out that can be broken down into specific "needs" and "bad order" items.

The first, and perhaps most important overarching observation, was that although space was tight, more than just a couple of folks fit in the train attic; two crews of two, an observer, and myself as dispatcher all managed to navigate around each other. The next consideration was whether the existing layout has enough work to split the sequence operations for one crew into two and/or whether sequence operations is the best way to go with two crews. While everyone claimed to have fun, I noticed a couple of issues.

Potential Nooksack track plan

With the two-crew sequence operations, the Greenrock Turn Extra needed more work to do. Once Nooksack is operational, the second crew will have more action with that train than just dropping cars at the passing siding. Working Nooksack with its cannery and lumber mill will potentially even out the work levels between the two crews. Also, when the second crew was running passenger trains, the first crew didn't know when to clear the main without the addition of a timetable or fast clock. With the layout in yard limits, sequence operations worked fine until the addition of first class passenger trains. Until some form of clock is introduced, it will be up to the dispatcher to be the clock! Another issue for the second crew was the amount of fiddle work that needed to be done in the east staging with  two trains turning there. The east staging was not really adequate for that task and comprises one of the so-called "needs" that I noted.

New label cards for unbuilt industries

Having people over to run trains meant that they were not familiar with the railroad, resulting in a "duh" moment for me for what should have been an obvious need. Many of the industries did not yet have buildings or signage. With a car card suggesting delivery to Beise Box Company, but only my knowing where Beise Box Co. was located, the car forwarding system fell apart. A relatively easy solution was to create labels as place holders for the various industries, which has since been completed. I noticed two other  labeling issues. One was the need for East/West directional signage of some kind. The other was to more consistently add an indication of where a car enters or leaves the layout (Lake Terrell Yard or NP Interchange) on the "Via" line of the waybills.

Disturbing end to east staging

As mentioned earlier, this trial run pointed out the inadequacies of the east staging module. With trains needing to be turned here, the addition of my Atlas turntable and/or some kind of cassette would eliminate the need to pick up and re-rail rolling stock. Additional length would also be useful. Again, as with an earlier visit, visitors found the tracks leading into an abyss at the end of staging tracks nerve-racking. At the very least an end plate should be added.

Finally, several "needs" that I was already aware of should be addressed before operation becomes a regular occurrence. Safety issues around the attic trapdoor and stairs and convenience issues of holders for picks, pencils, and clipboards and/or shelves for dealing with paperwork are all still issues.

Uneven gap in upper rail at trestle

Beyond these ongoing issues around additions or needs to be considered, several specific "bad order" items were discovered during this initial trial. With my doodle bug "in the shop" for sound decoder installation, the passenger train for this session was   made up of an assortment of not fully vetted rolling stock. The coupler height of the coach car in this consist definitely needed to be checked and adjusted. Several insulating gaps in the track-work were observed to be uneven and causing issues. The gap seen in the photo at the trestle will be corrected with the completion of scenery in this area. A temporary fix would be prudent though. A similar uneven gap was noted on the south staging track in the east staging area. To improve my track-work and prevent future issues, I should add styrene fillers after cutting gaps with my Dremel tool, a step that I have been skipping.

While adding the Nooksack section would substantially improve multiple-crew sequence operations possibilities, operating with more than one crew can continue before that addition to the 4th Subdivision. Possibly simplifying the multi-crew train instructions, clarifying and defining the role of the dispatcher, and taking care of some of the issues described in this after-action report would allow for smoother sequence operations. While I have the lumber on hand and just ordered track and turnouts in the last few days, I want to achieve more "completeness" on the existing portion of the layout before starting the new section.