The ARE focuses on operations, the simulation of movement of goods from shipper to destination. Our operations include yard classification moves that take a car from the arrival track in one part of the yard and classify it onto another track from which it will be taken to its destination. The ARE uses car cards to direct the movement of cars. There are cards for each car, engine, caboose, and identified train.

     During operations the dispatcher gives the engineer a set of cards held together with a spring clip. The Train Card tells the engineer the sequence of moves through towns and the switching operations to perform. The grades and siding lengths restrict ARE trains to seven cars, each of which is represented in the set of cards by a Freight Car Card. A Caboose Card completes the set. Some of the operating rules are concerned with how the car cards are used.

Local Freight Train Train X515 – Carnegie & Carol Gardens Turn	Train Cards specify the departure track, towns (stations) through which the train moves, and switching moves.  In order to increase the running time of a train, it may follow a convoluted path around the layout. The path may take advantage of the two reversing loops and pass through a town in both directions.	Freight Car Car: Tank Marks:    ARE 25407	Freight Car Cards specify the moves that a specific car makes. The moves were generated randomly. Our cards specify moves between industries and yards. The merchandise carried is not specified.
Locomotive Address: 50 ARE 501 GG-1	Locomotive Cards specify the type, reporting marks, and DCC address.	Caboose Seaboard Coast Line	Caboose Cards specify the reporting marks. Caboose cars aren't very interesting, but necessary.
	Working with car cards requires a place to put the cards when switching an industry or yard. See neat ideas for more information.		Operating night. Note control panel and boxes for car cards.

 

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