Virtual Waybills
Summary
A freight car forwarding system is neccessay for most prototypical operating schemes. This clinic will show how the author uses spreadsheet based virtual waybills to create yard lists and switch lists for operating sessions.
Description
Over the years there have been many lively discussions on car cards vs. switch lists vs. thumbtacks vs. other systems for freight car forwarding. Some modellers have come to the conclusion that the most realistic and functional system is to combine waybills with switch lists where appropriate. After participating in operating sessions utilizing both waybills and switch lists the author became convinced that this was the way to go for his railway. While setting the system up he realized that there was no need to print physical waybills if the crews were to be provided with switch lists and yard lists. The clinic will show how waybills were created on a spreadsheet, how shipments are matched with cars and the paperwork that is printed out in order to operate the railway.
About Cal
Cal’s father purchased an Athearn Mountaineer Train Set for his first Christmas. This led to a 4×8 layout in the basement followed by a series of ever larger more complex layouts in the family’s basement. While attending the University of Saskatchewan he became involved in the Saskatoon Model Railroad Club and began a new layout project at that time in his parent’s basement. One apartment and three houses later he is now working on his sixth layout which represents branchlines in northern Saskatchewan. He is a long time member of the Layout Design Special Interest Group, where he is a Board Member and the Operations Special Interest Group. He is also on the Board of the Saskatchewan Railroad Historical Association owners and operators of the Saskatchewan Railway Museum.
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Photo credit Trevor Marshall
Photo credit Gordon DesBrisay