Train Orders revisited.

Not a new idea as we have Train Orders for the ore train and coal train right now, but this is a different way to use them. This is also the ideal time to institute it with a new start up on the horizon. This would be somewhat like orders produced by programs like Shipit.
Sample train order
MAINLINE FREIGHT A                        A or card colour designates like consist list.
1 FLAT CAR, 1 STOCK CAR, 3 COVE'R HOPPER, 3 BOX CARS.              consist

VALLEYVIEW  ZORRA CEMENT WHAREHOUSE            Lcation & industry
SET OUT   2  BOX CARS      EMPTY
PICKUP     2 BOX CARS       BAGGED CEMENT

SPRINGBANK       TEAM TRACK
SET OUT    1 BOX CAR             BAGGED CEMENT
                    1 FLAT CAR           LOADED                                Has to be generic
PICKUP      1 BOX CAR             EMPTY
                    1 FLAT CAR            LOADED

LINCOLN      FREIGHT STATION
SET OUT     1 BOX CAR             BAGGED CEMENT
PICKUP       1 BOX CAR             HARDWARE
                       BUCKLEY MILLS                                       2ND INDUSTRY IN LINCOLN
SET OUT     3 COV HOPPER      GRAIN
PICKUP       3 COV HOPPER      EMPTY
                       STOCK YARD
SET OUT     1 STOCK CAR         CATTLE
PICKUP       1 STOCK CAR         EMPTY

JUTLAND     CORRAL
SET OUT      1 STOCK CAR        EMPTY
PICKUP        1 STOCK CAR        CATTLE

                          OVER ?                                        May have to add more to back side

What is the advantage of this over what we have now, you ask.
First, obviously you only have 1 card instead of several, to hold. Second the stops are listed in order, either top to bottom or bottom to top.Third because of the consist list, whoever makes up the train knows exactly what rolling stock is required.
Not so obvious. Before the train leaves a town, the consist can be checked, if incorrect, the TOWN STARTING LIST (to be made out when construction is complete), can be used to see where the missing or extra car should be, and corrections made. Now EVERYONE is responsible to keep everything correct, instead of 1 or 2 people. Switching is enhanced because you are now aware of what you are shipping and picking up and how commodities move around the layout instead of just swapping cars. The Friday crew could still make up and dismantle trains from the Wellington yard, as long as the swapping rules are followed. New cards can always be made.

Disadvantages, if an industry is moved several cards may have to be remade, but not unlike we have to do now. It would be nice if the open flat car and gondola loads could be standardized to have at least their LOADS identified, maybe 1 way would be the flat car in the Team Track in Lincoln is loaded with pipes and be replaced with a different load of pipes. We could also designate a load as machinery, which would allow for many types of machinery from a tractor to a large gear or transformer. Although oddball loads like say a transformer more complicated to fit into the train orders. There is a limitation as to how much information can be on a Train Order card.

Logistics. Using the above example we could make multiple train orders using this consist but change the switching, say the 2 BOXCARS switched at Zorra Cement could instead go to Bingham the Mover, the flat car for the Team Track could go to Allen Lumber, etc. Creating completely different switching lists. Cards with the same consist could be designated say A or the card could be a colour say red or yellow.
Then we make cards for 8 or more different consists, with cards of different  colours. We now have a minimum of 24 switching options, plus the ore and oil trains.

How does this play out? A train with a yellow consist card switching list, leaving Wellington would switch it's way to Elsewhere were it would be staged on an open track and the train order would be hung on the appropriate nail, as now done. A train leaving Elsewhere would switch it's way to Wellington and either be broken down in the yard or staged on an open track. The card would be hung on the appropriate nail or swapped with the next card of the same colour/consist. Defore dropping a train the consist should be verified against the Train Order,and corrected if necessary, keeping everything in order. This spreads the job of correcting switching errors to everyone not just a few, as a the information needed is right in front of the operator on a single card. JUST CHECK THE CONSIST LIST. Another check will be to verify the STARTING LOCATION LISTS posted at each town. If we end up running 2 man crews, this could also be done at each stop by 1 crew member, eventually covering every industry. Maybe a bit of over kill, but it would help everyone become more familiar on how our railroad works and why. This fundamental understanding will benifit all of us and help keep operation problems to a minimum, thus improving the enjoyment for everyone.