Not all trains are created equal. One of the main purposes behind model railroad operations is to emulate the real thing, and in order to do that we must look at the different types of trains.
It’s important to note that with advancements in technology, we as modelers can simulate nearly all aspects of prototypical operation. Some things will appeal to you, and others won’t.
These trains have different purposes, and therefore move differently. You can choose which work best for your layout, and operate accordingly.
Freight Trains
Local freight. Also called way freights, peddlers, patrols, and drills. For most modelers, this is where the heart of the action is. Local freights switched towns along the main line. Their role is to pick up and set out cars to minimize delays to through and fast freights. Local freight trains usually had second-class timetable status. In other words, if a passenger train, through, or fast freight train was coming, the local had to get out of the way.
Through freight. Cars are usually moved from one yard to the next in through freight. If dropping off at the next yard on the line, cars were blocked as “propers” and “throughs” for points beyond. “Hot cars” would be placed at the front of the train for quick set-outs, and usually contained perishable or high priority items. This ensured speedy transit of important merchandise.
Fast freight. Some trains are blocked at their point of origin containing only a few cars and swiftly moved to their destination as quickly as possible. Unnecessary switching or delays in yards should be avoided with fast freight trains, as they usually carried perishables or reefer cars that had been iced.
Symbol freight. These trains are simply fast freight trains that have been given image-enhancing names by the railroad as a marketing device in competitive environments. It sounds more impressive to tell a potential customer that their cargo will be shipped on the Blue Blur or the Citrus Express than just routed on train #117.
Mine runs. Trains with this designation were basically local freight that serviced mining branches. They would swap empties for loads and also occasionally carried LCL (less-than-carload) freight of supplies to the mines.
Turn. If there was a high volume of traffic with a nearby interchange or major customer, the railroad may operate a “turn” to that point. The train heads out from the yard to the destination, sets out/picks up cars, then immediately returns to its point of origin.
Extras. Trains not listed on the published timetable operated as work or freight extras. These trains were required to carry white flags or run classification lights to alert other trains of its status.
Passenger Trains
More often than not, passenger trains lost money. However, they were instrumental in marketing the railroad’s more profitable freight services. Passenger trains were usually operated similarly to local freights that stopped in each town. On lines where customers or stations were few and far between, the railroad might mix passenger cars with freight trains. Shortlines especially were notorious for this practice.
Passenger trains were almost always given names, like Santa Fe’s Super Chief.
