This time to do something a little different, the session commenced with a short clinic on the virtues and possibilities of JMRI interfaced into model railroads. This was run by Martyn Jenkins. Everybody seemed to enjoy the clinic and my thanks goes to Martyn for having the show and tell.
After the clinic we had our usual Ops briefing and then commenced operations. It was a very HOT and humid Queensland day so I tip my hat to everybody for putting up with the warmth of the two sheds with minimal complaints. It must be the free beer I supply that keeps everybody happy!!!
The following personnel were at the ops session:
Darren Starkey, Jeff Grenfell, Trev Phillips, Martyn Jenkins, Steve Ord, Clive Collins, Malcolm Jenkins, Roger Henery, Anthony Palmer, Nev Ward, Matthew Batzloff, and Peter Pennycuick, James Costello.
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| The first thru train of the day. An eastbound empty coal train |
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| Malcolm and Peter are working the boardman local whilst Mathew and Nev are negotisting the switching of the first BNSF Manifest train at Boardman |
We started the ops session just after 1:30pm. I had a dispatcher, Yardley yard master and engineer, crews for Manifests, through trains and a couple of locals to get proceedings happening. Oh and yours truly was the trouble shooter and Operations manager.
Paperwork was issue and off we went.
I have to say that this was probably the smoothest operations session I've had... So all the hard work that has gone on under the layout, planning the session and setting up pre session has paid off. The only real dramas during the session was 2 rail connections that caused some derailments and JMRI listening to the layout but not talking to the layout!
Rest easy guys, I've already fixed the rail alignment issue and the next session they will not be an issue. 
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| Malcolm is working out his next move by reviewing the Manifest for the Local |
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| T2 is taking it all in whilst Jeff is assessing the next Yardley switcher moves |
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| Steve and Martyn have arrived at Yardley with the WB Manifest. They will all be busy switching for a bit |
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| Steve is the Conductor of the Westbound Manifest. Its just crossed Joso Trestle here |
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| The Eastbound Manifest has made its way from Portland - Boardman - Wallula - Joso. It is now ascending the grade 1.3% grade to summit |
As the session progresses the dispatcher has his hands full for short periods making sure the traffic flows across the layout. Darren Starkey the dispatcher for the night did a great job. Further - Yardley yard has to work. If it gets plugged then the rest of the division comes to a standstill. Fortunately Jeff and T2 did an awesome job of keeping traffic flowing....Great work guys!
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| Yardley Yard |
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| Another shot of the WB Manifest |
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| Roger the dodger!!! Our resident "all things" adviser |
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| Malcolm and Peter have turnd their attention to the Wallula Local |
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| Just West of the EB Manifest a UP reefer train is high-balling through Wallula |
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| Soon after the EB manifest has crossed Joso The premier train on the layout, The Export Potash train crosses Joso trestel |
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| And rounds the curve along the Snake River |
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| UP Potash negotiating the spiral. This is a 62 car train and needs special Management |
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| Meanwhile back at Cheney we have a z-train making its way westwards towards Portland |
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| Another EB manifest heading East across Joso |
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| Matthew is working out his switching moves for Yardley Yard |
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| East Staging towards the end of the session |
Thanks to all the participants on Saturday night. I had a great time and by the looks at the smiles on your faces when you left you enjoyed ......the Pizza.
Already looking forward to the next session.
Sounds like a great day was had by all.
ReplyDeleteRod.