Marshalling Rules

Passenger trains

Most passenger trains on KVHR are hauled by steam locomotives. (In 1955 very few trains were powered by diesel locomotives.) If marshalled in accordance with ‘The Trains’ list, no consideration needs to be given to weight or speed.

Goods trains

The sequence of marshalling is as follows:-

1. Allocate loads to available wagons
2. Where applicable, place loads into any open wagons.
3. Determine the destination of each wagon.
4. Marshal trains in accordance with these rules.

Load allocation

Loads are allocated as follows:-

1. Take the topmost goods load card and search the pouches of the available wagons for one that is of the required type. (e.g. if the goods load card specifies an ‘S’ wagon then the yardmaster must search the ‘Available Wagons’ pocket for an ‘S’ wagon.)
2. If a suitable wagon is found look at the front (‘Turn Over’ side) of the goods load card. If the destination on the card is the same as the yard, then turn the card over to the reverse side (‘Separate’ side). Slip the card into the pocket so that the destination is showing and place the pouch with its card in the appropriate destination pocket.
3. If a suitable wagon is not found return the goods load card to the same location that it came from in the ‘Available Loads’ pocket.
4. Repeat the process for each of the remaining goods load cards in the ‘Available Loads’ pocket ensuring that those cards that were unable to be allocated to a wagon are returned to the pile in the same order. (This ensures that the loads that have been waiting the longest get first priority when a suitable wagon does arrive.)

Arrangement of wagons

Bogie wagons (other than guards vans and match trucks) are to be marshalled ahead of any 4 wheel wagons.

A powder van (PV) must have an empty S wagon on either end.

All goods trains, other than a Mt Hope Mine train, are to have a guards van as the trailing vehicle.

Coupling Rules

On KVHR the following couplers are imagined:-

• All steam locomotives are imagined as fitted with link couplers.
• All diesel locomotives are fitted with transition couplers front and back.
• All passenger stock is fitted with link couplers.
• All goods wagons, except S wagons, are fitted with auto couplers.
• S wagons and guards vans are fitted with transition couplers, allowing them to link to both auto and link couplers.

A steam locomotive must have a ‘match truck’ between it and most goods wagons but may couple directly to a guards van or an S wagon. A match truck can be any S wagon. Diesel locomotives can couple directly to any wagon or van.

Weight Calculation

Yardmasters must calculate the weight of a train to ensure that it does not exceed the maximum load applicable to the locomotive assigned to the train. (See ‘Locomotive Loads and Speeds’ table.)

The Yardmaster must also determine if a bank engine will be required on southbound train and that if so, the weight of the train does not exceed the maximum load of the combined train and bank engines. If a bank engine is required, the Yardmaster is to advise the Driver.

Unmarshalling Goods Trains

When a train arrives at its terminus, the retiring Driver will place his Pocket in the ‘Arrivals’ pocket of the yard rack. This hands control of the train to the Yardmaster.

The Yardmaster (or a Driver or Shunter designated by him) then:-

1. Removes the wagons from the arrivals track and places them on an available goods siding.
2. Inspects the load card for each rollingstock card.

If the load card says ‘TURN OVER’ it is placed at the back of the ‘Loads waiting’ pocket in the yard rack and the rollingstock card is placed in the ‘Wagons available’ pocket.
If the load card says ‘SEPARATE’ it is placed at the back of the central storage point, a new card taken from the front. The new card is then placed at the back of the ‘Loads waiting’ pocket in the yard rack and the rollingstock card is placed in the ‘Wagons available’ pocket.