Hold for Orders

The Cape Ann now has an element of chance to throw (or, more accurately, roll) a wrench into operating sessions. Each interchange has a tower with two train order signals - one in each direction (Bachmann with operating LEDs added).  The toggle switches allow a yellow aspect for PROCEED and a red aspect for HOLD FOR ORDERS. At the beginning of the session all four train order signals are set to PROCEED. A die is rolled. A roll of 1-4 selects the corresponding train order signal to be set to HOLD FOR ORDERS. (A roll of 5 or 6 means no orders.) Now the die is rolled again to select the specific order. Here we rolled a 5. The die is placed adjacent to the signal with the 5 facing up. Referring to the adjacent card tells us the main line is out of service beginning at block 17. 

Train Order Signal 1, Tower ST northbound

1 Hotbox on last car. Flag as Bad Order, drop at KEN for RIP

2 Back to interchange track for additional load

3 KES main out of service in front of station. Use alternate track.

4 Back to interchange. Pick up dead loco in tow, for transfer N

5 Main out of service beginning at Block 17

6 Back to interchange. Pick up caboose for transfer N

Train Order Signal 2, Tower ST southbound

1 Interchange track out of service for 1 hour.

2 Back to KES, pickup express car.

3 Interchange track out of service for 1 hour.

4 Back to KES. Pick up dead loco in tow, for transfer S

5 Back to KES, minor RIP needed on loco

6 Hold for additional load coming from DAV

Train Order Signal 3, Tower PT northbound

1 Interchange track out of service for 1 hour.

2 Back to PAM, pick up additional load.

3 Interchange track out of service for 1 hour.

4 Back to PAM. Pick up dead loco in tow, for transfer N

5 Back to PAM, minor RIP needed on loco

6 Hold for additional load coming from DAV

Train Order Signal 4, Tower PT southbound

1 First car bad order, flag, set off at PAM for repair

2 Back to interchange track for additional load

3 PAM main out of service, use passing track

4 Back to interchange. Pick up dead loco in tow, for transfer S

5 PAM switch nearest tower out of service to siding, set for main only

6 Back to interchange. Pick up caboose for transfer S