"Tuning" the railroad

Ken Heyl is in Missouri this week, and first on our agenda (with snow outside) is the "tuning" of the railroad. We spent the morning with that task, and few do it better than Ken Heyl. In this photo, the Burlington with a short coal train is headed up the ramp to the helix, and ultimately to the upper level. The UP-led mixed freight coming down the ramp has just left the helix; on the lower level is the Peabody coal train with CSX power on the front. These two trains are headed for Heyl Junction, an interlocking plant on the opposite side of the room, and the "tower operator" is going to have some decisions to make regarding which train to send where. The buildings in the photo are from the late Dean Freytag's well-known railroad, and are placed simply for the picture. This area will become Attica (Ind.-my hometown) Yard before the end of the week.