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CN (and VIA) and CP both had their own classification systems for diesel locomotives as well. CP's were based on type and HP (eg. DRF-30 for an SD40 - Diesel, Road Freight 3000 HP) CN's were based on builder, type, horsepower and a subletter indicating which batch or order. VIA also uses...

Just because something's illegal doesn't mean it can't be done. :p:twisted: "May be done" is a whole other matter... :rolleyes:

Which one? There were more than two. :p AFAIK, yes, CN did have their GP7/9s set up with the long hood end as "front". As an aside, the Algoma Central had all their GP7s as short hood being the front end; in 1979 they had four of their GPs completely rebuilt by CN in Winnipeg (after having...

kutler: OK, I think we weren't really talking about the same thing there. The original discussion in this thread talked of using dwarf signals to display the direction of switches in the yard proper which certainly wouldn't be done in prototype practice. I guess I was far too broad in my...

Because yard limits gives you permission to use the main track, and under CTC you need specific permission from the dispatcher to work that block. And it's common for a train to ask for a light from the dispatcher if they need extra headroom to pass that signal. Here's the text of the CROR...

Any engine can lead long hood forward or short hood forward regardless of what direction is actually the front on the locomotive. CN's "big alcos" (MLWs) definately did not have the long hood set up as the front of the engine. When it is stated that a particular engine is set up for long hood...

I'm surprised how difficult a concept this seems to be. It's not based on "put a single gallon of fuel in and see what happens." Fill up the tanks on the locomotive and tractor. Give them both some stuff to pull. The locomotive will pull a heck of a lot more a lot farther, and even when you...

You can always use real time instead of a fast clock. Your switching and your passenger train will take the same amount of time to run whether using a fast clock or "slow" clock. Fast clocks are handy for larger layouts because they allow you to simulate an actually 12-24 hour schedule with...

This only applies with automatic block signals. (From Romford (jct between lines to Ottawa/Montreal and Toronto) to Sudbury in the 1970s was directional ABS (each track signalled in one direction only) and the signals went right into yard limits. According to a footnote in CP's timetable, you...

That's really not the same thing as signalled yard tracks. The branchline has that short piece which is CTC controlled along with the adjoining crossovers on the mainlines. On either side it's all uncontrolled, and as per the original discussion in this there are no switches at all in the yards...

Any pictures I can find of CP GP7s, GP9s and RS18s (even from as early as the 1950s) these engines are all painted as short hood forward. RS10s and RS3s were long hood forward.

Obviously if they're _only_ trying to move a single ton of freight that doesn't work, but consider that a train can move several thousand tons of cargo several hundred miles on a few thousand gallons of fuel. Take the total amount of fuel, divided by the tonnage moved, and that gets you an...

Look into ESU/Loksound. Their sound decoders are completely customizable. Or you need to get one that has the correct sounds in it from the start.

Not particularly, none of the tracks appear to have any purpose.

kutler: Yep, Romford is under construction and will feature the transfer tracks. Because it's still in progress and only has a temporary switch arrangement there at the moment (the proper junction trackwork is being built this summer) we have up to now been transferring this traffic at Sudbury...

The focal point of my club's layout (Welcome to the Waterloo Region Model Railway Club) is the yard at Sudbury. Sudbury yard was not a division point yard, but supported the branchline to Sault Ste. Marie as well as all of the industry in the Sudbury basin (forestry, a couple paper mills and...

Probably some repeats in here, but here goes. As I just mentioned in my last post, in my club's experience we can run 40+ car trains with 3-4 engines, including up a helix (grade & curve). Probably a good idea. The best thing is to plan for and install the signal system as you go. We're...

FWIW, at my club we run average 30-40 car trains on our mainline. All cars have free-wheeling metal wheels and are weighted to NMRA standards. Pretty much all cars have added weight to get them to the recommended weight and everything has to pass certain standards before it goes into service on...

In your space you'll be building a smaller terminal; if you're doing transition era, just include a roundhouse and steam servicing facilities (coal tower, ash pits, water, sand) and add diesel fuel tanks and fueling stands on one of the approach tracks to the turntable. If you have any other...

Seattle, eh? That's a bit of a hike to visit the WMRC club mentioned. You'd be closer if you lived in Florida! :)