Any kind of train can run on one of this track plan's two main lines in an endless loop. I want to formulate a concept of operations that utilizes as many of my locomotives and rolling stock as possible. Though this is a BNSF layout, I have locomotives from all the Class I railroads.
Concept of Operations (listed most common to least common)
1. Amtrak trains that use the mainlines to stop at Dewarville station. KATO Superliner Is that (mostly) replicate prototypical consists of the California Zephyr and Southwest Chief running in loops and then stopping at some point at the station. Modeling the Illinois Zephyr is trickier. There are no Horizon cars available in N scale though the IZ apparently does run with Superliners at certain times of the year.
Power: KATO P42DCs.
2. BNSF Railway intermodal trains. A major feature of this track plan is the intermodal yard. Intermodal trains of KATO Maxi-I and Maxi-IV well cars and/or BLMA spine cars can either run in loops on the mainline to represent run-throughs or trains can run loops and then end at the yard where cars can be switched into the yard. Conversely, road switchers can build an intermodal train and hand it off to the ES44s to take it on its way.
Power: FVM ES44DC/C4/ACs.
3. BNSF Railway grain unit trains. Unit trains of covered hoppers either as run-throughs on the mainlines or diverging to the ADM grain hopper complex. Conversely, power can travel to the ADM complex to retrieve covered hoppers. Could diverge to Dewarville Yard.
Power: KATO C44-9Ws or FVM ES44DCs.
4. METRA Commutes. A similar operation to #1, commute trains inbound to or outbound from Chicago run on the mainlines and at some point stop at Dewarville station.
Power: KATO MP36PH-3S.
5. Illinois Railway sand train. The Illinois Railway shortline uses trackage rights to bring a sand train off the mainline into Dewarville Yard's REA tracks; conversely, IR power arrives at the yard to retrieve the two-bay covered hoppers and take it back onto the mainline.
Power: IMRC SD45T-2 and Atlas SD50.
6. Union Pacific intermodal trains. Similar to #2 but with UP power using trackage rights.
Power; KATO C45ACCTE/AC4400CW/SD70ACe or FVM C45ACCTEs
7. Union Pacific grain unit trains. Similar to #3 but with UP power using trackage rights.
Power: KATO C45ACCTE/AC4400CW/SD70ACe or FVM C45ACCTEs.
8. Canadian Pacific grain unit trains. Similar to #3 but with CPR power using trackage rights.
Power: KATO AC4400CW/ES44AC or FVM ES44ACs.
9. Canadian National grain unit trains. Similar to #3 but with CN power using trackage rights.
Power: FVM ES44DC or Atlas C40-8 and SD60.
10. BNSF oil trains. Running on the mainline as run-throughs to represent Bakken oil fields traffic. Could diverge to the Dewarville Yard REA tracks.
Power: Any combination of KATO or FVM BNSF six-axle locomotives.
11. Iowa Interstate biodiesel trains. Running on the mainline and possibly diverging to the ADM facility tracks.
Power: FVM ES44ACs.
12. BNSF autoracks. Running on the mainline as run-throughs or possibly diverging to Dewarville Yard.
Power: KATO C44-9Ws or FVM ES44DCs.
13. Union Pacific autoracks. Similar to #12 but with UP power using trackage rights. Prototype would likely be rerouted trains due to congestion, derailments, or weather issues on UP tracks.
Power: KATO C45ACCTE/AC4400CW/SD70ACe or FVM C45ACCTEs.
14. Kansas City Southern autoracks. Similar to #12 but with KCS/KCSM power.Prototype would likely be rerouted trains due to congestion, derailments, or weather issues on KCS tracks. Trains would be heading to or from Mexico.
Power: TBD
15. Canadian National autoracks. Similar to #12 but with CN power.Prototype would likely be rerouted trains due to congestion, derailments, or weather issues on CN tracks. Trains would be heading to or from Mexico.
16. CSX intermodal/oil run-through trains. Intermodal or Bakken oilfield BNSF trains with CSX run-through power.
Power: KATO CSX/BNSF ES44ACs/SD70ACes.
17. Norfolk Southern intermodal/oil run-through trains. Intermodal or Bakken oilfield BNSF trains with NS run-through power.
Power: KATO NS SD70M/SD70ACes and/or BNSF C44-9Ws or ES44ACs/SD70ACes or FVM NS ES44ACs/BNSF ES44DCs/C4s/ACs.
18. BNSF executive trains. Executive train specials consisting of two sleepers, one great dome, and a business car running on the mainlines or diverging into the Dewarville Yard REA tracks.
Power: Any KATO or FVM BNSF six-axle locomotive(s).
19. BNSF mixed freights. Various freight cars taken to or from the Dewarville Yard REA tracks to the mainlines.
Power: KATO C44-9Ws or Atlas GP units.
20. BNSF coal trains. Lower operational priority due to the current downturn in coal traffic. Unit train of KATO coal gondolas as run-throughs on the mainline.
Power: KATO ES44ACs/SD70ACes or FVM ES44ACs.
21. Illinois Railway Museum specials. IRM's preserved CB&Q E5A pulling various historic rolling stock for railfan specials running on mainlines to stop at Dewarville Station.
Power: KATO E5A.
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