!OST #14_rev - O scale trains

Photo 2 is a view to thewest from just above thecrossovers to the freightarrival and passengerstaging tracks. Aneastbound Buckeyepassenger train exits thedepot onto the passengermain as a Buckeye Coaldrag approaches theupper freight yard. Notethe use of differentballast, tie spacing andrail size to distinguish themains from the adjoiningarrival and staging tracks.The passenger loco is aWeaver FA.south are assembled at the division point and moved to Ashtabulathroughout the session. As each train arrives, it exchangesits loaded hoppers for empties and returns to the division pointwhere the hoppers will be moved to their originating roads.The coal drags are run as extras.The yard design permits several of these separate operationsto proceed simultaneously so that a large volume of traffic canbe handled without blocking the mains. For example, a coaldrag might be being switched at the Upper Freight Yard whilethe yard drill is sorting freight cars at the Lower Freight Yard. Atthe same time, a local passenger train arriving from the eastmight be crossing over to the passenger main at the AH tower.As the local enters the depot, a through passenger train fromthe west might be departing the passenger station on the passengermain. At the east end, a steam engine might be coaledand turned at the engine facility for its next assignment. Needlessto say, this is a busy time for Buckeye operators, even asthe yard easily absorbs the action. The attached photos showtrain movements at various points in the yard. Perhaps a linearyard could smooth out your operations as well. .◆(Photo 6 can be seen on page 8)Photo 3 is a view of theupper freight yard lookingeast. During the operatingsession, these hoppersarrived from the east(south) and wereexchanged for empties.The loaded hoppers willbe moved to the coal portovernight, dumped andreturned to the sidingsempty and ready forremoval at the nextoperating session. Thelocomotive is an AtlasSW-9 in Buckeye freightlivery.6• O Scale Trains - May/June ’04