I have two A/D tracks between the mainline and yard. I would like to put a third on the other side of the mainline. This would make me have to pull cuts of cars across the mainline to the yard or other A/D track. would a situation like this ever occur on a real RR. Also I have a branchline that I could use for an A/D track in a pinch. Would a branchline ever be used to break up or park a train on. Thanks.
I don’t know what the rules are in real life, but in ops sessions I’ve been in anything within yard limits is fair game and under the control of the yard master in terms of making the yard function smoothly. I’ve worked with yards that have had a/d tracks on the other side of the main. I’ve seen trains where every track is full and the train had to sit and wait for a track to clear. Branch lines are fair game within yard limits in a pinch.
But since it is not a good idea to block the main or otherwise limit your functionality, and you have room outside the main for another A/D track, why not shift the main to where you propose the new A/d track and put the A/D inside the main?
I have never seen this on a mainline. On an industry branch yes. Main, no. A true mainline NEVER sits inside “yard limits”
I have seen mainlines with industry spurs on one side, and a yard on the other. But as a general rule, “No” Shifting cars takes time. Crossing the main would take up valuable time.
Yes. The engineer would call in and ask dispatch if it’s okay to foul the main. Although fouling the main is considered a big “no-no” unless absolutely necessary.
Technically, ONLY the main track is in yard limits. You can’t have yard limits on anything other than a main track. The yard tracks are operated under rules governing movement on tracks other than a main track, not yard limits.
But to the problem. Why not make the 3rd R&D track the main line and make the main line the 3rd R&D track. Problem solved. And its prototypical. If that won’t work call teh track on the other side of the main the "siding’ and use it to meet trains or to hold a train to switch. Lots of prototypes for that.
I thought someone might ask that question. The answer is my minimum radius on the main is 31" and if I put in this A/D track in, the first part will have a 26" to 28" radius around a corner and straighten out for another 10’ or so. I guess if I am using big steam I will have to not use this A/D track but one of the other two. I’ll need to put up a sign no 2-10-4s. Thanks.
Naptown Club gas one like this. Although plans are underway to re-arrange the yard. It does make operations fun though, ducking an weaving with the switcher, the passenger, a merging branchline, and, oh, by the way, it goes from atwo track main to a single tracker there as well.
Why not embargo that track to certain classes of steam? The NYC did. Something over a half century ago, I found a spur leading to a lumber yard some distance from the main. Adjacent to the mainline turnout (double track, no siding) was a black-on-yellow sign that advised, “The following classes of locomotives are forbidden to enter this spur:”… everything from Niagaras down to heavier Mikes, including all variants of the Hudson, probably 90% of the total steam roster.
About a hundred yards short of the lumber yard was another sign, “No locomotives beyond this point.” The rails beyond the transition bars were well-worn 60#/yd, and the ties looked just as old as the rail.
On my home layout, all JNR locomotives are embargoed from the TTT - not because of ownership, but because they can’t take the curves.