I have read several of the posts here about the proper make up (order of the cars) for passenger trains....
Is there any rhyme or reason to the manner in which freight cars are arranged in a consist?
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Originally Posted by Hondo:
Is there any rhyme or reason to the manner in which freight cars are arranged in a consist?
Lots depends on what era you are trying to model. Generally; loads on the head end and empties on the rear, for starters.
Answer really depends on two factors.
1. If you consider a time frame in your modeling.
I run the fallen flags cars I observed in two or three decades.
2. Reefers and express type cars always went first in long haul freight back in the day.
Today there are modern unit trains in which I don't care to model or follow.
Yes, it has to do with the destination. For example, a local or peddler freight will have its cars assembled in the order that they will be dropped off.
Like Dennis said, destination was the primary driver. Suppose a train originates at Yard A and runs to Yard D with stops at Town B and Town C in between. Leaving Yard A, the train would have all cars for Town B directly behind the locomotive, cars for Town C behind those and cars for Yard D at the rear. Depending on your era, there might be special rules for specific types of cars (such as no hazardous materials cars within 2 cars of the locomotive or caboose).
