About
This page contains instructions for operating both the Skowhegan & Athens and Riverside Yard. The first four sections are common to either, the final two sections are specific to the individual layouts.
Movement
To move the loco, and any connected stock, click on the left or right button [see below], either click once to move one 'space', or hold down to move further. Movement will only be allowed if there is free track available. Points
Click on the numbered button corresponding to the number of the point you wish to change. Note that the point must be free to change, if any piece of stock is across any part of the point it will not change and a warning message will appear.
Moving the loco, or any propelled stock, across an incorrectly set trailing point will automatically change that point.
Coupling
Coupling is automatic. Moving the loco, or pushing a car, into a stationery car will cause that car to be coupled. Although small to see the coupler image changes to show coupling has occurred.
Uncoupling
Cars may be uncoupled over any one of the four uncouplers [see image left]. Halt the train with the coupling to be split over the uncoupler and click the lettered uncoupler button. The coupler image will change from coupled to uncoupled. The car may be left by backing the loco away, or may be pushed without recoupling and left elsewhere (as per model magnetic couplings).
Note that for easier operation it is not necessary to have the coupling directly over the magnet, one 'click' either way will still uncouple.
Skowhegan & Athens - Operating as a switching puzzle
The challenge is to swap the three cars in the train with the three cars in the sidings in the minimum number of moves. To simplify this the three cars to be removed are all boxcar red (or as near as you get using MS paint), the cars to replace them with are other colours. Also the spot for each car has a coloured band alongside corresponding with the colour of the required car.
Each siding is 2 cars long. The loop is 2 cars long, the right hand end run round is one car long. All cars, and the loco, are the same length.
The challenge is complete when all 3 cars from the train are spotted correctly, and the 3 cars that were previously spotted are in the train ready to leave, with the loco at the head.
The move counter will automatically count each change of direction. Uncoupling will also additionally count as one change of direction, however if you miss the uncoupler or a point and have to shuffle back then that move will not be counted. Note that there is no automatic check to indicate when you have completed the puzzle.
| Replace boxcar |
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With reefer |
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| Replace tank car |
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With 3 dome tank car |
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| Replace flat car |
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With gondola |
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Riverside Yard - Operating as a switching puzzle
The challenge is to build a train of 5 selected cars in the correct sequence in the lower siding in the minimum number of moves.
The siding where the train is to be built is 5 cars long, the other two sidings are each 3 cars long. The headshunt is 3 cars + locomotive. All cars, and the loco, are the same length.
The challenge is complete when the 5 cars in the lower siding are spotted next to the marker of their colour. The other 3 cars may be in any positions on the other 2 sidings, but may not be blocking the headshunt.
The move counter developed for the Skowhegan & Athens puzzle has been added to this page although it is for guidance only - because this puzzle is randomly defined each challenge will be different and will require a different number of moves to complete.
The move counter will automatically count each change of direction. Uncoupling will also additionally count as one change of direction, however if you miss the uncoupler or a point and have to shuffle back then that move will not be counted. Note that there is no automatic check to indicate when you have completed the puzzle.
After you have completed a challenge you can press the 'New' button and a new random selection will be made.
The 8 cars used (2 boxcars, 2 gondolas, 2 tanks and 2 reefers) are different colours to simplify indicating where the 5 selected cars are to be spotted.
