Clearwater gets a team track

After a few operating sessions it became plain that the team track arrangement was not working out very well.  I decided to add the team track as a way of generating a more varied rolling stock mix on the layout and the siding to Adams Stave & Box Co. Seemed to be the logical location.

Team yrack original location
The original location of the team track

 

But as it turns out it turned into an operational nightmare.  Let me explain, Clearwater is the major switching town on the railway that contains the most industries.  All train movements are dictated by the time it takes to do the switching in Clearwater.  Eastbound trains were always delayed in Mosquito Flats waiting for the westbound train to finish its work.  In order to even out the switching I decided to add a team track spur at the station.

Team track new location
New location of the team track

 

I had an operating session this past Friday and the results were encouraging.  Relocating the team track resulted in fewer moves required to do the switching in Clearwater and made for a more efficient operating scheme.  While the eastbound trains still had to wait in Mosquito Flats, the wait was considerably shorter.

Here are a couple of construction pictures of the team track being added at the station.

 

The rails and ties removed at the switch location
The rails and ties removed at the switch location

 

The wood ties added, sanded and stained
The wood ties added, sanded and stained

 

The switch completed
The switch completed

 

The first cars on the team track
The first cars on the team track