How would you handle this?

[JSMR]

So you can see in the image, I need to pick up the empty centerbeam on the left side. Behind the reefer on my consist there is a hopper with 14 hoppers behind that one. Not a long train (17 cars) but I wondered about the options I have to keep it simple and relative realistic.

1. Reverse the whole consist into the siding and hang the empty centerbeam (cb) on the back and head back to home base. But I wondered if a small siding like this would handle extra weight and lots of cars backing into it?

2. Stop where I am, uncouple and pick the cb up. Simple. But I am also leaving the rest of the train on the main line. Which is ok if I have time and no other trains are approaching. But I feel uneasy about doing so.

3. Pull into the passing siding. Take it to the far end, tie it down, uncouple and blast back on the main line, pick up the cb, blast back, couple to the rest of the train and head back. Main consist is off the main line but I'm also using now both tracks. And takes longer.

4. Who cares and just go option 1 and be done with it lol.

Conundrum time.

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[ChandlerBranchRailfan]

Either 1 or 2.
2 is the better candidate, I've seen crews do that.

[cfriedri]

Depends on if you're a Class I or a Shortline railroader haha

17 cars is a lot to hold onto when you're picking up a single car from a stub-ended track. Has been done many times but requires the engineer to have a good hold on the train and picking up with 17 cars tends to go more slowly especially when it's just one car to pick up. Class I would pick up wherever is most convenient - probably tie one hand brake on the consist, cut away with the locomotive, and then grab the car and return. Shortline would likely grab the car according to blocks in their train i.e., pair the car up with another car headed to the same destination. Either one would likely keep the train on the main because you'll have to tie up traffic either way to pick up the car from the customer. I wouldn't bother with the siding at all.

[eric]

Option 2, but pull up closer to the siding switch so that the conductor doesn't have to walk as far.

[JSMR]

I thought 2 was the best option hence stopping where I did (and was going to not make my 'conductor' walk to far ) , but went option 3 to see if it was a reasonable move. It probably took 3 times longer than it should've.

[oper190]

I would also say that your Work order, or Dispatch would dictate to some degree what options you have. Say it's busy main, might not want it tied up with you cars sitting on it. So dispatch or your work order could well tell you what you are to do. Perhaps that car needs to be cut somewhere in the middle of your consist as per Post 3

I've run activities where you are told not to tie up the main, but if it's your own activity, do what you want and feel best with.
Edit - Your option 3 only makes sense if it is a really busy main. Your consist is on the passing siding leaving the main open, and you are only on the main for a short period of time getting back to the siding. Then you might then have to wait for traffic to clear before regaining the main and picking up you consist. Again I'd think dispatch would have a lot to say about that as to who they give the main to.

[frliss]

I agree that Option 1 is probably the best choice under normal circumstances. However, if the small siding cannot support the weight of the train, then backing all the cars into it is forbidden, no exceptions. In that situation, Option 3 becomes the best and most practical move. Remember, when you’re moving light engines on the main, you’re doing so with the dispatcher’s permission.

As for Option 2, it does run counter to something I heard years ago from a Conrail engineer. The unofficial eleventh commandment of railroading: “Thou shalt not foul the main.”

Fred

[JSMR]

AH some good insight. Thanks everyone. I guess I kinda made the right move then. Since it was my own activity I could do what I wanted. I didn't have any AI trains so all tracks clear. But still feel uneasy about leaving stuff on the main. Even in a sim/game. Took longer but maybe it means I get paid more.