Ben Weiner
Part 4. Operation schedule
The layout is intended to create visual interest from running trains. We prefer that there is no occasion when things are dead. To that end, it’s choreographed with each move detailed on a set of cards. The details really matter, and not all wrinkles have been ironed out. An operating conceit, forced on us by design constraints, is that there is single-line working in operation. Down trains must pick up a pilot at the block signal and may need to await an up service running wrong-line. Up trains must stop at the signal box to set down the pilot. That means many services draw to a halt, and some cross others, centre stage.
There is a lot for the operators to do. With great constraints on track length overall and per storage track we have to use the schedule to tell us exactly which train will end up where. There is no automation of operation, and we have, perhaps a bit too bravely, not made passive provision for it.