Operation

 Operating the layout

The unloading area is large concrete hardstanding for the local coal merchant, amongst others.  

The rules

• Only one locomotive 
• Only three wagons
• Magnetic auto-couplings 
• DCC turnouts

Hands free (mostly - thanks to a Kadee magnet hidden under each siding, in addition, a tiny 'off stage' area ‘A’ is sufficient to store two wagons 'off the track' when not in use.

  

Operationally there are just two things to do - either swap the loaded wagon, or swap the other wagon. The locomotive will be stabled in the kickback siding ‘A’ between moves, so operation always starts here before heading off stage to collect whichever is choosen from the 'hidden siding'. Swapping the stock over takes around 5 minutes. This sounds short to many of you I'm sure – but sufficient in between chatting to the punters. 

Move 1

Loco with wagon from 'A' to 'B' leave the wagon

Collect empty at 'C'

Move wagon at 'B' to 'C'

Move 2

Loco from 'A' to 'D' collect the van

Move wagon to 'A' 

The scenario is applicable to almost any scale or location, rather than a coal merchant, it could be an agricultural siding with sugar beet/potatoes, the only limiting factor is imagination.