GLW Jobs
You will note that there are 10 jobs listed and the call is for 8 operators. When you read through, I believe you will see how this works.
HAMMOND YARDMASTER
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This job involves intense classifying & flat switching and coordination of traffic entering and leaving the yard. This is the pivotal job on the GLW. At least 12 trains will arrive, leave, or pass through the yard during the session, and you will need to handle exchanging cards with them as well as classifying the incoming cars. The good news is that you have an assistant to help with the duties.
HAMMOND ASSISTANT YARDMASTER
Works with the Hammond Yardmaster to coordinate the general movement of traffic on the GLW layout. The primary Yardmaster can have the assistant do whatever is needed, but typically the assistant would be responsible for directing traffic in and out of the yard, flip turnouts at the far end when needed, etc., so the primary Yardmaster can focus on the yard classifying & switching. This position will most likely be filled by a PCMRC club member to assist a visiting operator who selects the Hammond Yardmaster job.
BRC ("CLEARING") YARD
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This is an intense classifying & switching job, but is largely an independent operation (you run your own interchange trains in and out of the yard, and there is no outside traffic running through). You will be responsible for classifying cars for 5 interchange trains (plus Calumet City & Hammond destinations), running the interchange trains in/out of the yard, running 2 BRC turns to Hammond Yard, and exchanging cars with the Calumet City yard as needed.
BLUE ISLAND
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This is a large industry switching job, with no "end" -- cars will be swapped with the Hammond Yardmaster on an ad-hoc basis, usually 3 or 4 times in the session, for continuous switching to industries. This is probably the most challenging industry job on the layout. It covers a lot more track than what is shown on the web site. There is a lot of traffic controlled by this job: all of the industries in Blue Island (the track shown in the track plan on the web site) plus the GLW marine operations (car float), the industries behind Hammond yard and the GLW maintenance facility.
ROCKFORD TURN
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This is a medium-sized industry switching job, running as a single "turn" from Hammond Yard. Usually the first train out of Hammond, The Rockford Turn runs to Rockford, works the industries in the Rockford town and the CNW interchange track and returns to Hammond. This job involves switching a lot of industries and has a few run-around puzzles.
If time allows and there is additional inbound traffic from Hammond Yard, an “extra” turn may be run to Rockford. Frequently the South Bend turn is also run by the operator from Rockford, if he gets done quickly.
AURORA
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This job usually takes all of the operating session, as it revolves around three trains which run as separate turns to/from Hammond, with local switching in Aurora for each one -- The CB&Q turn, the Grain Freight, and the Aurora Turn. The switching required in town is minimal for two of them, and there may be some free time during the session between trains. The switching will involve run-around puzzles, in addition to the obvious engine run-around needed because it's a "turn"
CALUMET CITY
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This is a large industrial switching job with its own classification yard available. One or two runs to Hammond Yard will be needed to exchange cars, plus ad-hoc exchanges with Clearing Yard and an incoming turn from Carbondale. It involves a variety of double-ended switching puzzles, run-arounds, and ad-hoc exchanges with Clearing Yard. It can typically take the entire session, with extra unswitched cars left over at the end.
CARBONDALE
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This job has minimal in-town switching, but makes 3 separate runs from Carbondale to other destinations to swap cars, with some stops/exchanges with Hammond Yard. If things run smoothly, you will likely be asked to run another mainline train or two in the meantime or when Carbondale is done. There is oven some "down time" due to delays in getting your runs through Hammond Yard due to traffic.
SOUTH BEND
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This is a quick and simple industrial switching job. You will likely be asked to run another mainline train or two prior to running this job and/or after it's done, so if you prefer running mainline trains to doing industry switching, this is the best job to choose.
MAINLINE TRAINS
There are several through freights that originate in staging and serve the Hammond Yard. They tend to run as requested by the Hammond Yardmaster, and are typically done by the South Bend and Carbondale operators to help them fill their time, rather than as a completely separate job. If desired, there are two passenger trains (a full service and an RDC plus coach) that can be added to the mix for more interest and a greater challenge.
General Notes:
When switching, be aware of cars that are destined for another location within your area -- not all cars "on spot" will be "outbound".
If the mainline track runs through the town you're switching, you should keep the mainline track clear as much as possible, and may be asked to clear it when a through train runs.
Off Spot -- often there will be "Off Spot" cars that did not get spotted yet, due to the space constraints at an industry. These should be spotted first, before any new incoming cars are spotted. If you have more cars for an industry that it can hold (pay attention to the diagrams for the maximum cars allowed), then those should be marked as "Off Spot" using the placeholder cards.