Real Rail Operations ??

I have setup a few scenarios on the route I bought and "modified". However, they each seem contrived and artificial and worthy of erasure. Is there any reference to "real" rail operations I could use to setup some more believable sessions/scenarios?

Currently I am just running one session that simply takes cars from a larger railroad, places them in the route's railyard. A "local" engine takes them and loads with coal. Places them on the yard's delivery track and notifies the other railroad to come and get them. I am not really sure this is close to reality and I am wasting my time.

This might help.
Search | ModelRailroaderVideoPlus.com (trains.com)

Yes, sort of overwhelming. I was very impressed how they cull out selected cars from crowded short length tracks. Pull away the unwanted to expose the wanted and store the unwanted someplace. Also keep track of the unwanted so, if needed, you can put them back in the original position. Rather like a board game.
Thanks....