After several years of neglect I plan to do some updates as well as additional construction on my layout come spring. One thing I’m considering is a track configuration change at what will most likely be the busiest location on the line, the mine at Rockhill. Shown as it exists in the photo below, the three sidings to the right service the coal loading facility (still under construction) and the two at the left are to allow temporary storage of loads or empties during switching plus the second track from the left will also be used for boney loading. Note that the lead to this area comes off the main which will mean the main will be blocked frequently during switching operations. Of course as long as the passing siding is kept clear any through train could use it instead of the main but where’s the fun in that ?
I don’t remember exactly what evil thoughts I had at the time about this location as it was built a half dozen years ago but my current thoughts are to remove the lead switch from the main and install it on the passing siding and put a diamond approximately where the lead switch is currently located. While the main would still be blocked at times during switching operations it could be cleared fairly quickly for through trains. It would also give me the opportunity to build a diamond, one bit of track work I have never done.
As an FYI all switching will be done by road crews using the road engine. A typical scenario will be an arriving train of empties which will be swapped for an equal number of loads, ideally with the empties being placed under the loader. One last little kicker, the empty train will always be Northbound (coming towards you in the photos) so the lead is a facing point switch. I would be interested in any comments as to whether this in reality makes things easier or more difficult for the road crew or if its just a wash. I will most likely do it any way As I think it will just looks cooler !