Operations Department

Enfield Local Part II –

For the first “meat and potatoes” installment of my discussion of operations on my modified loop, based on Enfield New Hampshire, I thought I would get some paperwork out of the way. Below is the timetable for local service on the section of the B&M Northern line modeled on my layout from White River Junction, in Vermont, to Enfield New Hampshire, which lies on the shores of Mascoma Lake, where I spent my early childhood. The timetable reflects regular freight service (EN-10 weekdays only) and two way, morning and evening, passenger service (Nos. 5 & 10 on weekdays and Nos. 25 & 35 on weekends).

Obviously extras aren’t reflected on the timetable and that is where we find ourselves today. Without staging, or the planned East Lebanon / Mascoma section, much of what occurs on the timetable cannot happen. I’m not lazy but my layout currently lacks adequate space to switch trains around and I am not about to muck about replacing EN-10 with a passenger train as needed. My solution to this dilemma is to operate a mixed train as an extra with a Train Order.  Below is a blank example of the train orders I use:

Completing the train order is relatively self-explanatory and straight forward. Drop-offs and pick-ups are hand written and the passenger combine must be worked around during switching moves.

Hopefully this information will be helpful, or maybe give you some ideas. My way of operating is not prototypical but it works for me. In the next installment I will walk you through how I complete a train order and stage a consist for the next day. If you have any questions feel free to ask in the comments.

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