Prototype Information
I have not seen any Yard Operation instruction on any railroad historical society web sites. The only documentation I have seen regarding yard operations I found on the New Britain Station (New Haven Railroad blog. The Arranged Train Service (Symbol Freight) books lists all
passenger trains, scheduled freights, extra freights, and locals entering,
departing, or passing through the yard. It includes blocking instructions,
maximum train lengths (where applicable), Public Timetable times, and a
guaranteed connection listing. It also lists any power restrictions for trains.
Modeling Information
Jeffrey Warner on his website http://www.pamodelrailroads.com/jwarner had a document called the PRR/RDG/WM South Central Region.
The WWSL
The WWSL has two yards, the Demaine Yard located in Montesano, Wash and Coal Yard located in Coal Grove, Wash. The Demaine Yard has a Yardmaster in control of switching operations, Coal Yard is switched by road switchers under general rules established by the Demaine Yardmaster.
Rather than create an Arranged Train Service (Symbol Freight) book for the WWSL, I have created a document called Yard Operations Instructions to assist the Yardmaster in his assigned duties.
The Instructions are printed below. WWSL management has published the Instructions in a pamphlet sized book for crew use.
Yard Operations Instructions
No. 2
Effective 12:01 AM, EASTERN STANDARD TIME,
Wednesday, June 13, 1954
FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF EMPLOYEES ONLY
Section 1 -- Yard operations
1.0 Overview
The yardmaster shall control all track use and train movement within yard limits. No train shall move without the yardmaster's expressed permission.
1.1 Yard Limits
The yardmaster controls all trackage between yard limit signs. These signs are located trackside or overhead on signal bridges. The yard limit signs align with a signal to provide a specific visual definition of the place where transition occurs from the yardmaster's territory to the dispatcher's territory. Yard limit signs are white and V shaped.
1.2 Headroom
Headroom is permission to occupy a dispatcher-controlled track beyond yard limits that a train may temporarily need in order to perform its yard work. "Taking headroom", means that a train departs the yard to occupy the dispatcher controlled track and then reverses direction to re-enter the yard and vacate the dispatcher controlled track. Follow all rules and signaling devices on the occupied dispatcher controlled track.
Before you move a train out of yard limits, obtain permission from the dispatcher for "headroom" on the desired track (it is necessary to specify which track you want permission to occupy). When the train vacates the dispatcher controlled track, notify the dispatcher that you "release headroom" for the specified track. If you need to make multiple moves, ask for permission to "hold headroom" on the desired track. When you vacate the dispatcher controlled track for the FINAL TIME, notify the dispatcher that you "release headroom" for the specified track.
1.3 Yard Track Usage
The yardmaster can use any track under his control for any purpose at any time. There may be suggestions for track usage posted at a yard, but they are just suggestions.
1.4 Early departure of trains
When the yardmaster has a train made up ahead of schedule AND that train has the maximum allowed number of cars, the yardmaster may call the dispatcher and request a crew for that train. The dispatcher will make an effort to provide a crew at his earliest opportunity. This may or may not be the next available crew, depending upon other conditions on the railroad.
1.5 Additional assistanceA yardmaster may, at any time and for any reason, ask the dispatcher for temporary help for his yard. The dispatcher will assign a road crew to serve as a yard crew until the yardmaster releases them back to the dispatcher for road crew service. This crew may do for drill work, hostler duties, paperwork assistance or local switching. The superintendent shall approve other uses before the yardmaster requests a crew.
Section 2 – Essential Paperwork
2.0 Overview
The following essential paperwork assists each yardmaster in doing his job.
2.1 Scheduled Train Service (Symbol Freight). Train Program (see 2.3.7 Train List) for the list of all scheduled trains operating on the WWSL.
NOTE: A maximum train length of “No limit” means a train may take all available cars for the listed blocking. In addition, “DS limit” means to ask the dispatcher for the car limit of the train. You may ask the dispatcher for this limit IN ADVANCE of the actual departure time of the train for planning purposes.
2.2 Wall Charts (Blocking Charts)
Blocking Charts, displayed on the wall behind or above each yard, contain the blocking instructions for trains. Rather than list all trains that have a certain blocking, they list a type of blocking for a series of trains. The Train Program (see section 2.1) will tell you which blocking series to use for each train that departs your yard. Some locals require that that you further block cars by industry. The Blocking Chart also shows this specific industry-by-industry blocking. If industry level blocking instructions are not on the Blocking Chart for a certain series, then you are NOT required to do industry level blocking for that train.
Section 3 -- Train composition
3.0 Overview
The yardmaster shall be responsible for all trains, passenger and freight within the yard limits. Wall charts posted above all yards show all arriving, departing and run-through trains for that yard.
3.1 Passenger Operations
When a passenger train needs to pass through your area or stop at a station in your area, give it precedence to ensuring timely passage. Passenger trains shall not move within yard limits without yardmaster permission. A copy of the Passenger Public Timetable is included on the yard’s clipboard.
3.2 Freight Operations
3.2.1 Precedence
The Train Program (see section 2.1) lists a suggested order for the trains to depart. Run all trains listed on the “Scheduled Freights” section of the Train Program before the end of the trick (even if they are not at capacity). EXCEPTIONS to the suggested order may be made at the yardmaster's discretion (or superintendent's direction), especially if an arriving train is blocking a mainline track or contains cars needed to make a connection with another train. You may also make an exception if a departing train is not at capacity and the yard has unclassified cars that you can EASILY and QUICKLY place on the train. Do NOT hold a train to ensure that every unclassified car in the yard for those destinations make the train ("cherry picking") unless you are ensuring a guaranteed connection, or the Train Program or Superintendent specifically instructs you to do so.
3.2.2 Maximum train size
All trains going to staging have an authorized maximum number of cars (EXCLUDING LOCOS AND CABOOSE/) upon departure from your yard. To obtain this number, ask the dispatcher. Do not allow a train to depart your yard with more than the maximum number of cars. It MAY be necessary to remove cars from a train if the train contains more cars than allowed when leaving your yard. This rule applies even if the cars are for the correct destination.
3.2.3 Caboose usage
All trains, other than ones doing drill moves, shall have a caboose attached. A local train (one that does not take more than one mainline signal) may attach the caboose next to the locomotive. Road trains shall attach the caboose at the end of the train.
3.2.4 Blocking cars
Determine the proper sequence of car blocks for each train by referring to the Train Program (see section 2.1) and the Blocking Charts (see section 2.3).
3.2.5 Road trains
Form cars into blocks based upon the location stated in the color coded “VIA” line of the waybill. Take all cars for the first listed location block before adding cars for the next listed location block. Continue adding cars to a train for each successively listed location block until the train reaches the maximum number of cars for that train or the yard no longer has cars for the specified destinations.
3.2.6 Local trains
If cars with multiple “TO” destinations depart on the same train, form cars into blocks based upon the destination stated in the color coded “TO” destination line of the waybill. The wall charts will specify which cars you shall block by industry name within "TO" destinations and in what order. If the wall chart does not specify industry blocking, then, you do not need to blocked cars by industry.
3.2.7 Hazardous cars
Notations on car cards specifically identify hazardous cars. There are two types of hazardous cars:
- Cars containing shiftable loads not constrained by bulkheads
- Cars containing dangerous cargo or the residue of dangerous cargo
For crew protection, place at least one idler car between any hazardous car and the locomotive or /caboose. Use any other non-hazardous car in the train as an idler. For short local trains that do not have enough cars to provide protection, use any available extra empty car as the idler.
3.2.8 High and Wide carsBlue car cards identify cars used for moving High and Wide loads. When inserting High and Wide loads into a train, also place an idler car, usually an empty flat car, at each end of the High and Wide car. If more than one High and Wide car is in the same train, one idler car between two loaded High and Wide cars can serve as both the trailing idler for one load and the leading idler for the next load. When forming a local train scheduled to pick up a High and Wide load, place two idler cars into that train for each High and Wide load that the train is to pick up. Classify returned idler cars as you would any other car arriving at the yard.
3.2.9 LCL cars
Cars designated as LCL have an LCL insert behind a green waybill. Give precedence to LCL cars over non-LCL cars for the SAME destination. Make every effort to ensure that these cars arrive in a timely fashion. When removing cars from a freight train due to the maximum size being exceeded (see section 3.2.2), do NOT remove LCL cars.
Section 4 -- Yard specific rules
4.0 Overview
The following rules apply ONLY to the Demaine yard.
4.1.0 Communications
Talk directly to the Dispatcher. You do not need a radio headset for this position.
4.1.1 Track Usage
Because of the varying numbers of cars for each destination throughout the session and the limited number of tracks, there is no suggested track usage for this yard. You can and will need to use any track for different purposes throughout the session. It is prudent to verify the car count for all incoming trains so that you can pre‑positioned a yard switcher to move behind the train if the train will not fit into the arrival yard proper.
4.1.2 Catenary
Catenary exists ONLY on the two arrival tracks, the crossovers at DEY, the electric storage tracks, and the arrival tail track. Catenary does NOT exist on the diesel servicing tracks, steam tracks, or yard classification tracks. You may NOT run electric locomotives (without a diesel/steam locomotive to push/pull them) at any location without catenary.
4.1.3 Service Tracks
You are responsible for servicing oil and sand for the yard. Use switcher(s), not road power, to service these areas. You may ask the Dispatcher for a road crew to do servicing if you do not have time. Switcher(s) should be used, not road power, to service these areas.
4.1.4 Classification Yard Track Map
The yardmaster MAY block freight yard ladders at his discretion.
Do NOT block road crossings for extended periods.
The DemaineYardmaster controls track from the signal at BR, through Montesano to the signal at Chehelis River.
4.2. Power Assignments
.4.2.1 Road power for Local trains
Some switchers are specifically identified as “yard switchers”. The other switchers are “local switchers”. Do NOT assign "yard switchers" to any departing train. The Train Program (see paragraph 2.1) may list other power requirements for individual trains.
4.2.2 All other road power
You may assign all other appropriate power to any train. The Train Program (see paragraph 2.1) may list other power requirements for individual trains.
4.2.3 Electric Locomotives
You may use Electric Locomotives ONLY on trains that run on the northern Division.
Do NOT assign any locomotives designated as "yard switchers" to any departing train. You may assign all other appropriate power to any train. The Train Program (see paragraph 2.1) may list other power requirements for individual trains.
4.3 Caboose Usage
Cabooses are specified for local use only. You may use these on all locals,
4.4 Yard Crewed Locals
The yardmaster is responsible for running some local trains when the Train Program schedules them for the current trick.
4.5 Passenger Trains
The passenger station at the north end of the yard is the WWSL Montesano Station. The engine crews will retrieve these cars from the coach yard and place them on the station track.
For passenger cars used for excursions on WWSL trackage, the Demaine Yardmaster must retrieve these cars from the coach yard and place them on the station track. Do not start to drill passenger trains until at least 10 minutes after their arrival. Ensure that all excursion trains are placed ready for their crews at least 20 minutes prior to scheduled departure times.
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