Two crews are typically called for the Orchard yard job. These crews assist through trains with set-outs and pick-ups, build originating trains such as the locals and outbound transfers, and break down terminating trains. Currently, the Orchard yard job crews do not make up locals "in real time" to minimize the time pressure. These locals are pre-built as part of the set up process for the session. Orchard crews do build outbound transfers and haulers as needed and are encouraged to begin blocking "tomorrow’s" Chico, Sambone, and Los Molinos locals if they have time. The two crew members assigned to the Orchard yard job will need to organize themselves for maximum efficiency. Assigning the Arrival/Departure tracks to one switcher working the west end of the yard and assigning the classification tracks to the other switcher at the east end of the yard is one, but this is just a serving suggestion. Your mileage may vary. Don’t blame the author if it doesn’t work out.

Although exact procedures will vary based on traffic flows, here are the typical tasks of the yard job divided into work with through and terminating traffic vs. originating traffic. These tasks are listed in rough chronological order for a typical session.

Through and inbound trains

• Break down inbound Sacramento Northern transfer (SNI)
• Retrieve "hot blocks" from SN transfer
• Set out westbound "hot blocks" on A/D tracks (Orchard 1-4) for Valley "Super C" (VSC)
• Set out eastbound reefer "hot blocks" on A/D tracks for Sierra Fruit Express (SFX)
• Assist Eastbound Pick-Up (EPU) with drop off of Chico / Sambone blocks
• Assist EPU with pick up of EB blocks
• Assist VSC with drop off of Chico / Sambone / Los Molinos / Red Bluff blocks and with pick up of WB "hot" blocks
• Assist SFX with pick up of EB reefer block
• Assist Westbound Pick-Up (WPU) with drop off of Chico / Sambone / Los Molinos / Red Bluff blocks and with pick up of WB "long" blocks
• Assist "The Woodie" (WDE) with drop off of Chico / Sambone / Los Molinos / Red Bluff blocks
• Assist WDE with pick up of EB "hot blocks"
• Break down inbound transfer from SP (SPI)
• Break down returning locals
• Break down Redding Hauler (as needed)

Trains originating in Orchard Yard

• Push Sambone Local (SBL) to A/D tracks when called, add caboose
• Push Los Molinos Local (LML) to A/D tracks when called, add caboose
• Push Chico Local (CHL) to A/D tracks when called, add caboose
• Make up Sacramento Northern and Southern Pacific outbound transfers (SNO; SPO)
• Make up tomorrow’s LML, SBL, CHL
• As needed, build haulers to clear yards of "long traffic"
• EB Orchard to Stockton (EOH)
• WB Orchard to Stern (WOH)
• Redding Hauler (RDH) [Caboose + Engine only]

Currently we build three types of trains in the Orchard Yard: locals; outbound transfers; and haulers. The transfers and haulers do not have specific blocking, all the cars are headed in the same off-layout direction and we assume they will be classified in another yard elsewhere. The locals are blocked specifically before each session to expedite switching and this blocking must be maintained by the yard job if cars are added to pre-blocked locals during the session before their departure. These rules should also be used if the yard crew has time to make up "tomorrow’s" (the next session’s) locals.

Blocking instructions are shown below, listed left-to-right from the "back" of the train to the front. Since all of the locals are "westbound" out of Orchard, the caboose will be on the yard crews’ left hand side.

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