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Layout Operation

It was difficult to maintain prototypical operation without a layout of this size.  Given all the options, I decided that I would try to maintain fidelity with the Chaffee branch, and modify other operational aspects to suit that.

Mainline Operations (single operator)

Made up trains are sent out to the coal siding where they drop off empties and pick up loads. 

The coal train operates as follows (the switching maneuvers are not particularly prototypical) :

1) The train (hauling empties) heads out towards chaffee.  It heads through the tunnel at MY Tower.

2) The locomotive uncouples from the empties just before the chaffee siding switch.

3) The locomotive continues along the mainline, just past the trailing switch for the siding

4) The locomotive backs into the siding and couples with the loaded hoppers.

5) With loaded hoppers coupled, the locomotive continues to back down the siding until it is able to use the last loaded hopper to couple with the empties on the mainline

6) The empties are pulled forward into the siding and uncoupled from the loads on the western side of the curved mid-point switch.

7) The train heads back to the terminal and yard.

The mainline train also serves Chaffee Station (just a waiting shed), and Cumberland Station.  Obviously a different train would be used :-)

Shay Operations (single operator)

The shay locomotive takes the empties up to the two mines where it exchanges them for loads. Here's how the Shay operations work :

1) The shay (facing downhill) heads down hill to the Chaffee siding to pick up empties

2) The shay couples with several empties (prototype is 11, but it will be 4 max here)

3) The shay drops half of the empties off at the Trout siding (prototype can carry 6 up through the switchback, but it will be 2 here)

4) The shay heads up (backwards) to the switchback.

5) The shay, now pushing the empties from behind, heads up to the mines

6) The shay drops off the empties at one of the mines, and picks up loaded hoppers.  Or, I might simply have loads I can plop into the empties when they are spotted at the mine.  TBD.

7) The shay, now with loaded hoppers, heads downhill backwards with the loaded hoppers on the uphill side and goes into the switchback.

8) The shay drops off the hoppers at the Trout siding below the Vindex switchback. 

9) If the Trout siding is full, the shay runs around to the downhill side, couples with the loaded hoppers and heads down to the Chaffee siding.

10) The shay moves forward into the "empties" (western) side.  Once the hoppers clear the switch, it backs them into the "loaded" side and uncouples them.

11) The shay moves forward and couples with empties as in step #2 above.

Yard Operations (one operator)

The yard has a decent amount of operation in an of itself.  Trains can be assembled and broken down, of course, but there are also several "industries" including the pump house, the overnight house and two other TBD, as well as the coal dumper for the coal tower and the ash hoist.

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