I have an operational scheme for this layout:
8 cars are placed in the yard (5 on the long siding, 3 on one of the short sidings, and a caboose on the caboose track).
A typical manifest:
1) Red Boxcar
2) Green Boxcar
3) Covered Hopper
4) Open Hopper
5) Blue Reefer
6) White Reefer
7) Black Tank Car
8) Yellow Tank Car
(this can change with different cars placed on the track)
a 5 car train is generated by rolling an 8-sided die 5 times, rerolling any duplicates. This must be assembled on the 5 car track. Once assembled, each car is given one of the destinations:
1) Docks
2) Factory
3) Local Businesses
4) Truck Transfer
5) Power Plant
6) Interchange.
and the caboose is attached.
An assembled train makes one loop through the track, then makes its deliveries to each industry as needed, delivering the cars in order starting from the car next to the caboose. The Engine and caboose make another loop, then visit each of the 6 locations in order, reassembling the train in the new order. Another full loop is made, then the train backs into the yard, dropping the caboose off then placing the 5 car train in the 5-car siding. the engine is then parked at the far end of the yard lead, and it is ready to run again.
opinions on the plan?
8 cars are placed in the yard (5 on the long siding, 3 on one of the short sidings, and a caboose on the caboose track).
A typical manifest:
1) Red Boxcar
2) Green Boxcar
3) Covered Hopper
4) Open Hopper
5) Blue Reefer
6) White Reefer
7) Black Tank Car
8) Yellow Tank Car
(this can change with different cars placed on the track)
a 5 car train is generated by rolling an 8-sided die 5 times, rerolling any duplicates. This must be assembled on the 5 car track. Once assembled, each car is given one of the destinations:
1) Docks
2) Factory
3) Local Businesses
4) Truck Transfer
5) Power Plant
6) Interchange.
and the caboose is attached.
An assembled train makes one loop through the track, then makes its deliveries to each industry as needed, delivering the cars in order starting from the car next to the caboose. The Engine and caboose make another loop, then visit each of the 6 locations in order, reassembling the train in the new order. Another full loop is made, then the train backs into the yard, dropping the caboose off then placing the 5 car train in the 5-car siding. the engine is then parked at the far end of the yard lead, and it is ready to run again.
opinions on the plan?