Bear Creek Yard. Yardmaster Guide 6/23/2015. Horace Fithers V4.0. Hints and tips for running the yard at Bear Creek

Transcription

1 Bear Creek Yard Yardmaster Guide 6/23/2015 Horace Fithers V4.0 Hints and tips for running the yard at Bear Creek

2 Bear Creek Yard yardmaster Guide Contents Bear Creek yard summary... 2 Block swaps at Bear Creek... 3 Suggested westward (left to right) block swapping at Bear Creek... 3 Suggested eastward (right to left) block swapping at Bear Creek... 3 Passenger trains at Bear Creek... 4 Building freight trains at Bear Creek... 4 Bear Creek Transfer... 5 Browning Turn (Brat)... 5 Junction City Turn (Junker)... 5 Roseburg Transfer (Rot)... 5 Eastward trains through Bear Creek... 6 Westward trains through Bear Creek... 7 First class trains... 8 Adding cars to trains... 8 Train length of eastward trains... 9 Summary... 9 Helpers Where to add a helper unit Empty car handling Handling empty car requests Finding suitable cars to fulfill an empty request Train id cards Hints and tips June 23, 2015 Page 1

3 Bear Creek Yard yardmaster guide Prior to February, 2015 South Jackson was the only classification yard on the BC&SJ. In March 2015 main yard duties were assumed by the larger and centrally located Bear Creek yard. Figure 1 BC&SJ track schematic The Bear Creek & South Jackson is a south facing layout. That is, when you are facing the layout you are looking south, with east on your left and west on your right. Bear Creek yard summary Bear Creek yard limits include: Bear Creek yard Winston Jct. The Junction City Turn and Browning Turn originate in Bear Creek. Other trains perform block swaps at Bear Creek and the traffic from the Siskiyou branch merges with mainline traffic at Bear Creek. As of June 2015, Bear Creek yard has two A/D (arrival / departure) tracks, a siding, six track classification yard, track, engine ready track, and main track (figure 2). June 23, 2015 Page 2

4 Bear Creek Yard yardmaster Guide Figure 2 Bear Creek yard throat (east is left, west is right) Block swaps at Bear Creek Suggested westward (left to right) block swapping at Bear Creek Bring westward trains into the yard on the siding (not the main!) and direct them to one of the two arrival/departure tracks through the east ladder. In a pinch the main can be used for block swaps. Have them drop their on pocket track 1 or 2, then pull ahead until the A/D ladder is cleared. Don t leave the siding fouled. Bring the switch engine down the A/D ladder, pull the setouts (which should be on the rear of the train) and deposit them on the other A/D track or one of the class tracks. Shove the block of pickups onto them. Have them back onto their, then depart. Suggested eastward (right to left) block swapping at Bear Creek Bring eastward trains into the yard at the west switch and have them pull onto one of the two arrival/departure tracks. Keep the A/D ladder clear. Cut off the motive power and pull forward into pocket track 1 or 2. Don t leave the siding fouled. Bring the switch engine down the A/D ladder, pull the setouts (which should be at the head of the train) and deposit them on the other A/D track or one of the class tracks. Shove the block of pickups for the train onto them. Have the road engine back onto their train, then depart. June 23, 2015 Page 3

5 Bear Creek Yard yardmaster guide With a bit of planning, Bear Creek should be able to: Handle two trains doing block swaps while a third passes on the main Handle a block swap on one A/D track, while building or breaking down another train on the other A/D track, while a third train passes on the mainline. Handle three block swapping trains using both A/D tracks and the main track. Handle a four train meet using the siding, both A/D tracks, and the main or some five train meets assuming two trains in the same direction on the mainline. Passenger trains at Bear Creek Passenger trains make their station stops on the main in front of the depot. Anticipate the arrival of passenger trains so the main track is clear for them. If No.20 or No.21 is making a station stop when No.100 (reefer express) arrives, route No.100 through on the siding. Building freight trains at Bear Creek Build trains on one of the Bear Creek A/D tracks. If possible use motive power to match an existing a train id card. The cut off time for adding cars to a train is one (1) fast hour prior to the departure time listed in the train lineup. Cars arriving after the cut off time go on tomorrow s train. The Browning and Junction City turns should be ready to go 1/2 fast hour prior to their departure time in the train lineup. Notify the dispatcher when these trains are ready. The following trains may be supplemented by extras not shown on the train line up sheet. The dispatcher will notify the yardmaster when this happens. June 23, 2015 Page 4

6 Bear Creek Yard yardmaster Guide Bear Creek Transfer This is an extra extra (not present in the train lineup). It is called when a significant block of cars for South Jackson builds up in Bear Creek. Runs to South Jackson Returns to Bear Creek Browning Turn (Brat) The Browning Turn services all Browning spur tracks and the Abner elevator track. It: Runs to Browning and switches all spurs On the return to Bear Creek it switches the Abner Elevator spur Blocking order when leaving Bear Creek: Browning cars (grouped by industry) Abner Elevator cars Junction City Turn (Junker) Runs to Junction City and switches all spurs Returns to Bear Creek. Blocking order when leaving Bear Creek: Junction City cars (grouped by industry) Roseburg Transfer (Rot) This train transfers cars between Roseburg (in Siskiyou staging) and Bear Creek yard. It originates in Roseburg, runs to Bear Creek where it drops all cars, reverses itself, picks up cars for Roseburg and Creek City, then returns to Roseburg. Take all cars from the Roseburg Transfer. Facilitate the Roseburg Transfer s run around (reverse) move Give the Roseburg transfer cars for Roseburg and Creek City. Do NOT give Coos Bay cars to the Roseburg Transfer. June 23, 2015 Page 5

7 Bear Creek Yard yardmaster guide Advise the dispatcher when the Roseburg Transfer is ready for clearance and orders. Blocking order for the return to Roseburg: Creek City block Roseburg block Eastward trains through Bear Creek Refer to the current train lineup and employee timetable to anticipate the arrival of eastward trains at Bear Creek. Be aware that an extra may be called that is not on the current train lineup. In this case the dispatcher should notify you to expect an additional train. Table 1 Eastward trains through Bear Creek train routing action 20 passenger local Salem to Pocatello Stops at depot 100 reefer express Salem to Pocatello No stops 110 express freight Salem to Pocatello Block swap 200 freight hauler Salem to Pocatello Block swap 202 freight hauler Salem to Pocatello Block swap Coos Bay Hauler East Salem to Coos Bay Block swap GN Passenger Extra East Salem to Pocatello Stops at depot Eastward trains that block swap generally have their setout block(s) at the head of their train. Expect two major blocks of shorts in eastward through trains at Bear Creek: one for Bear Creek and one for South Jackson. Table 2 Blocking of eastward trains 110, 200, and 202 at Bear Creek Arrival blocking Bear Creek shorts (BC, JC, BR) Siskiyou shorts (RO, CC, CB ) Toledo shorts (AB, AL, TO) South Jackson shorts (SJ, MB, OH) Deschutes shorts (RD, PV, DS) Pocatello longs (PO) Departure blocking South Jackson shorts (SJ, MB, OH) Deschutes shorts (RD, PV, DS ) Pocatello longs (PO) June 23, 2015 Page 6

8 Bear Creek Yard yardmaster Guide Table 3 Blocking of Coos Bay Hauler East at Bear Creek Arrival blocking Bear Creek shorts (BC, JC, BR) Siskiyou shorts (RO, CC, CB ) Toledo shorts (AB, AL, TO) Pocatello longs (PO) Coos Bay longs (CB) Departure blocking Coos Bay longs (CB) Westward trains through Bear Creek Refer to the current train lineup and employee timetable to anticipate the arrival of a train in your yard. However, be aware that an extra may be called that will not appear on the current train lineup. In this case the dispatcher should notify you to expect an incoming train. Table 4 Westward trains through Bear Creek train routing action 21 passenger local 111 express freight 201 freight hauler 203 freight hauler Coos Bay Hauler West GN Passenger Extra West Pocatello to Salem Pocatello to Salem Pocatello to Salem Pocatello to Salem Coos Bay to Salem Pocatello to Salem Stops at depot Block swap Block swap Block swap Block swap Stops at depot Westward trains that block swap at South Jackson should have their setout blocks at the rear of their train. Table 5 Blocking of westward trains 111, 201, and 203 at Bear Creek Arrival blocking Salem longs (SA) Bear Creek shorts (BC, JC, BR) Siskiyou shorts (RO, CB, CC ) Toledo shorts (AB, AL, TO) Departure blocking Salem longs (SA) June 23, 2015 Page 7

9 Bear Creek Yard yardmaster guide Table 6 Blocking of Coos Bay Hauler West at Bear Creek Arrival blocking Salem longs (SA) Bear Creek block (BC, JC, BR) South Jackson block (SJ, MB, OH) Deschutes block (RD, PV, DS) Pocatello longs (PO) Departure blocking Salem longs (SA) First class trains Under yard limits rules, all engines, second class, and extra trains must clear the times of first class trains in the yard. To help expedite first class trains through the Bear Creek yardmaster should check the current employee timetable to determine when these trains are expected. Expect three first class trains through Bear Creek each day. They are: 100 the Polar Bear reefer express east Salem to Pocatello. This is the hottest train on the railroad and should not be delayed for any reason. It does NOT stop at Bear Creek for a block swap. Ensure the main track is clear through the yard five minutes prior to the scheduled time of this train, UNLESS a passenger train is occupying the main in front of the depot in which case route 100 around on the siding. 110 Bear Creek express east Salem to Pocatello: block swaps at Bear Creek have the South Jackson and Pocatello block ready. 111 Bear Creek express west Pocatello to Salem: block swaps at Bear Creek have the Salem block ready. Adding cars to trains Each train originating or making a block swap has a train instruction sheet that lists the maximum length of that train. June 23, 2015 Page 8

10 Bear Creek Yard yardmaster Guide For example, trains 200 through 203 have maximum length of 30 cars (not including the ). Do not exceed this length when adding cars to a train. Train length of eastward trains Additionally, because of the 2.3% grade between Bear Creek and Oakhill, check the motive cards for the head end power of each eastward train (they should be in the train s car card deck behind the train id card). These list the number of cars that these motives can lift up the 2.8% grade from Mill Bend to Oakhill. Add 20% to this number for the pulling power on the 2.3% grade between Bear Creek and Oakhill. If the number of cars in a train departing Bear Creek eastward (toward Oakhill) exceeds the pulling power listed in the motive cards action must be taken. 1. Add a helper 2. Reduce tonnage 3. Double the hill discouraged Bear Creek & South Jackson management frowns on doubling the hill. This is a busy railroad and the additional time required for doubling will not work well with the timetable or train lineup. Determine when a helper will be needed as soon as possible and call for a helper crew promptly. If a helper crew is not available, reduce tonnage and have the train proceed without a helper. Summary Train length must not exceed either the maximum length (listed in the train instruction sheet), or for eastward trains, the maximum tonnage (specified by the motive cards in the car card deck). Trains departing Bear Creek westward do not need a helper. June 23, 2015 Page 9

11 Bear Creek Yard yardmaster guide Helpers Helpers may be required to boost heavy trains from Bear Creek up to Oakhill. The helper stationed at Bear Creek normally waits on the house track next to the depot (figure 2). Determine when a helper will be needed as soon as possible and immediately call for a helper crew. Helpers run from Bear Creek to Oakhill then return light to Bear Creek. Where to add a helper unit On the BC&SJ helpers are NOT allowed to push on occupied cars. Add helpers ahead of the, or for trains over 30 cars in length, use a midtrain helper located about 2/3rds of the way back from the head of the train. Empty car handling Some cars won t have waybills. These are being returned to their home roads via the destination printed on the car card: When empty return to XXXX All Bear Creek & South Jackson empties are routed to Bear Creek yard. Handling empty car requests A BC&SJ freight agent receives requests for empty cars from the industries served by the Bear Creek & South Jackson. These requests (waybills) are presented to the Bear Creek yardmaster and are kept in the leftmost car card rack pocket. The Bear Creek yardmaster needs to locate cars to fill these requests, then send them off to the requesting industry. Not all requesting industries are served directly from Bear Creek yard. June 23, 2015 Page 10

12 Bear Creek Yard yardmaster Guide Cars for an industry in South Jackson, Mill Bend, Oakhill, Redland, Prineville, or Deschutes should be blocked with any other South Jackson shorts and added to trains 200, 202, 110, or a Bear Creek transfer. Finding suitable cars to fulfill an empty request Use a BC&SJ empty when available. Otherwise look for a foreign, unwaybilled empty in the yard. Otherwise look for empties in passing trains Train id cards A crew picking up a train built in Bear Creek should receive a card deck with a car card for each car in the train matching, in order, the cars in their train. The top car card should be the first car, the bottom card should be the rearmost car. Each set of car cards must have a train id card filled out with the following: Train identification and train number: ie. BCHE 200 Train type and class: freight or passenger, class 1, 2, or extra Motive power: road, number, and type for each unit DCC address of motive or consist The motives specified by the train id card MUST match the s assigned to this train. Hints and tips Pay attention to the train line up and timetable so you know when to expect the trains passing through Bear Creek yard. Have the Browning Turn and Junction City turn ready 1/2 hour before departure. Classify cars asap after they arrive. NO cherry picking. Build and terminate trains on the arrival/departure tracks Keep the main and siding clear Determine when a helper is needed and call a crew ASAP. Keep an eye out for empty cars to fill empty car requests. June 23, 2015 Page 11