CC&WB aren’t the only options for operations. I have found it more tedious than I like. Another thing I’ve confirmed with ops is that I’m not a fan of paperwork. Luckily we had developed a layout with more a kind of unit train approach(in part just lucky as we modeled container ops a lot)–a big help and aids in understanding why the prototypes prefer them. We use more of a switch list approach developed with Excel. We operate using a clock which helps add excitement through the pressure we want to apply. In other words we can compress or extend time if we choose. We know approx how long it takes to run a certain train from point a to point b at an average speed, used that to plug into a freight matrix, etc to get started. It’s interesting to watch how an experienced operator can usually do the moves in about 1/2 to 1/3 of the time
Richard,I been rethinking my stand on CC/WBs.
When I was a brakeman all I carried was a switch list so,I asked myself why do I insisted carrying a handful of WB/CCs all these years when I know better?
Like all questions I won’t do away with my CC/WBs until I find a answer I will be happy with.
I have switch list forms available with my CC&WB so if the crews want to write switch lists using the CC&WB as waybills, they can. Less than 10% of the operators choose to use lists, 90% just use the CC&WB.
You might want to spend some time with JMRI Operations. Its free and pretty easy to set up. I was able to get a bare bones version of most of my operation running after about 8-12 hours of fiddling with it. It was head and shoulders above teh other switch list programs I had tried. Did I mention its free?
Brakie,
In my experience working on the prototype(road freight service), the conductor always had that large manilla envelope with the waybills in it. If we had ‘short’ work to perform, he would make out switch lists enroute. Now, working in a terminal that had lots of jobs working industry leads or short branch lines - The switch list was the only ‘paper’ most crews ever saw.
Dave mentioned JMRI-Operations. I have built this as well(and it took me about two weeks to understand/implement it). It works quite well, but there are some things I would like to see changed - All small ‘nit’ things. I have seen examples where the instructions/switch lists have been merged into really nice switch list documents - I am not there yet. I felt great when I was able to get my car card & waybill databases mail merged to print new car cards & waybills!
I started out in the late 60’s with the paper clip on a 4X6 post card. That did not last very long as the club was implementing a CC/WB system. They too used the large 4X6 cards and with 25 car trains, there was quite a ‘handful’ of ‘paper’ to manipulate. I eventually switched to the 2X4 ‘mini’ CC/WB system and my new(1987) payout had bill pockets made to fit this new size. Since my road freights were only about 12 cars long, the car cards were manageable. I still had the problem of operators placing the car cards next to the cars or using the layout to sort out their cars! A number of years ago I started looking at using vinyl baseball ‘sleeves’ - The pack of CC/WS’s got a lot slimmer and the sleeve protected the documents. The problem was that my bill pockets were too small. I finally ‘bit the bullet’ and made new pockets one nice summer day. Now, I am investigating converting to JMRI-Operations on the new layout I a
Train Modeler, I don’t know that changing the system I use, would change my opinion very much. Operation is operation and doing it alone is pretty one dimensional. Still, I am giving it a go and we shall see what we shall see!
I have been endeavoring to find other people who operate. I have been a member of a club; but, that clubs interest in model railroading was in being a tourist attraction. I live in a smaller, rural town in Northern Minnesota. There may be no other model railroaders in this town; or, the surrounding communities. I joined the OpSIG in hopes of finding where OpSIG folks might be operating and there really is nothing excepting the twin cities, 200 miles away. So, there in lies my problem.
Yes, since a started operations, I have noticed I need some specific types of cars to fit the operations I’m attempting to do. Like I said earlier, I have also removed cars which at this time, I don’'t really have a need for.
Here’s my view…If we only bought the cars we actually needed for our industries we would be better off but, we don’t…
My Achilles heel is boxcars especially those sharp looking IPD era short line boxcars.
I own way to many of those boxcars-around 225.[:$]
Jim,Thanks for the tip…I’ll look into a computerized switch list.
I had exactly the right number of cars for op sessions when I was modeling CSX. Now That I switched back to B&O circa 1971, I suddenly find myself with a bunch of rolling stock that’s way too modern: a few dozen Bethgons, double-stack container cars, and fully enclosed auto racks. Obviously I needed to get 1971-era replacements for each of these cars if I wanted to enjoy the same level of operating activity that I did with CSX. Of the remaining cars that were era-plausible, many of those were decorated for CSX so I had to re-paint and decal them for B&O or any road that existed back then.
Now I still need to write up CC’s and WB’s for each piece of new or repainted rolling stock. Every car has a purpose on my layout!
Brakie, I’m a box car nut, also; but, mine are 40 footers and yes, I may have more than I need. I can still see me “needing” more, too. I think I’m having fun with the idea that operations is at least good for determining that I need more cars!