Category Description: Various topics on model railroad and prototype operations.
A Commodity-based Card Operation System
Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-04 pg. 76 Scale: Author: Jim Vail
Jim describes the car card system that is similar to the prototype; i.e. delivering empties to a requester and picking up loaded cars based on the content of the car. This applies to one car, multiple cars, or a complete train.
A Day on the Burlington Northern Selkirk Division
N Scale Railroading 2003-07/08 pg. 30 Scale: N Author: Brian Morgan
A pictorial and descriptive narrative on a typical operating session on Brian Morgan layout. Includes track plan. There is also a sidebar and his operating system. The article on page 62 of the same issue has Brian describing how he took digital photos and archived the operating session.
ABCs of Switching Cars
Model Railroader 1987-10 pg. 108 Scale: (none) Author: Jim Kelly
This introductory article discusses what switching is, how to uncouple cars, and how to deal with trailing point and facing point turnouts
Automated Interchange
Model Railroader 2006-09 pg. 62 Scale: (none) Author: Tony Koester
Using hidden staging to automatically move a train forward delivering new cars once a set number of cars have been removed from the interchange track. It magically appears like the real foreign railroad delivered new cars.
Balanced Locomotive Roster for Operations on the Panhandle
The Keystone Modeler 72 Winter 2010 pg. 17 Scale: Author: Bill Neale
The author describes how he decides which engine is to be assigned to a particular train. He models the PRR Panhandle in 1939, so all of his engines are steam. The article is accompanied by a large number of photos of his layout.
Evolution of an Operational Railroad
Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-11 pg. 42 Scale: N Author: Kent Williams
The author describes how his 9' x 26' N-scale layout is operated, the changes he had to make to improve for operations, and the lessons he had to learn.
Fine Scale Operations: Jersey Western Style
Model Railroading 2000-11/12 pg. 62 Scale: Author: Jim Mansfield
Describes how to mimic the real world operations of a switcher crew, such as the diesel's control stand, applying brakes, and performing maintenance tasks simulated with a Digitrax throttle and Digitrax equipped engines.
Great Operation: Expert Advice
Model Railroader 2006-09 pg. 46 Scale: (none) Author: David Popp
Techniques the Model Railroader staff employs to maintain great operations. Covers smooth roadbed, trackplanning, wiring, coupler standards, leveling benchwork, keeping freight car rolling smoothly, planning for access, ballasting turnouts, and tuning commercial turnouts.
It's More Than Horsepower
Model Railroader 1978-11 pg. 135 Scale: Author: Rick Tipton
The author describes how he created a "tonnage chart" where a certain number of engines are needed to pull a certain number of cars. The quantity and type of engines used in the consists are based on scaled-down prototype engines' performance numbers. He then bases the information on what kind of terrain the engines would be battling. It is an interesting way of adding to the realism of model railroad operations.
Locomotive Sounds Add Fin and Realism to Operation
Model Railroader 2010-12 pg. 46 Scale: Author: Andy Sperandeo
Whistle and horn signals are described, so that the reader and program and operate his or her trains in a realistic fashion. It also describes when to use the bell, and how different sounds relate to whether the engine is a steam or diesel locomotive.
Making a Case for Operation
NASG Dispatch 2010-06 pg. 20 Scale: Author: Sam Powell
This article covers why you might want to hold operating sessions, what you need to have to do operations, and detailed planning to bring it all about.
Model Railroad Power Control Center
Model Railroader 1989-09 pg. 100 Scale: (none) Author: Dan Holbrook
The article covers how the author built a magnetic tag display to visually show the distribution of motive power during an operating session.
Moving Freight and Making Names
Model Railroader 2005-02 pg. 40 Scale: (none) Author: David Popp
The article introduces the concept of operations and how to get started in it. It covers mapping your railroad, industrial analysis, starting with a switch list, car cards and waybills, and boxes and shelves in which to store these car cards and waybills.
Operation Rules on the HO Scale Salt Lake Southern
Model Railroader 2005-12 pg. 94 Scale: (none) Author: Gary Petersen
The author describes how he accomplishes operations on his layout. He has continuous staging so that trains can be re-used during a session, or have many sessions back-to-back.
Operations 202
Railroad Model Craftsman 2005-03 pg. 85 Scale: (none) Author: Bill Kaufman
This is the second installment on operations and deals with how to get the cars to the right places and move trains so they don't run into each other.
Operations on the Francisco & Colorado
Railroad Model Craftsman 2006-01 pg. 78 Scale: (none) Author: Bill Kaufman
The author describes how he got into operations. Includes photos of his layout, and a trackplan of the 12' by 12' HO-scale layout.
Portage Potpourri
Model Railroader 1991-01 pg. 141 Scale: (none) Author: Gordon Odegard
An interesting switching puzzle, with the solution on the next page.
Prototype Paperwork for a Small Layout
Model Railroader 2004-09 pg. 58 Scale: (none) Author: Bob Madison
Creating paperwork for a small L-shaped switching layout and a small oval layout with three spurs.
Prototypical Waybills for Car Card Operation
Railroad Model Craftsman 2009-12 pg. 71 Scale: Author: Anthony Thompson
The author builds on articles that have described the car card system in detail. It describes an alternative waybill, which address some shortcomings in the other systems. Includes prototype and model waybills, as well as many photos of rolling stock movements on the author's layout.
Realistic Locomotive Assignments
Model Railroader 1996-10 pg. 112 Scale: HO Author: Bill Gruber
The author followed prototype practices for operating his layout (featured in the August 1994 issue of Model Railroader). The article covers the research he did and has many photos of his layout.
Sequence Timetables Made Easy
Model Railroader 2002-10 pg. 60 Scale: (none) Author: John Pryke
Operate without watching the clock.
Simple Prototype Operations On a Small Layout
Model Railroading 2005-02 pg. 24 Scale: (none) Author: David Butts
Describes how the author "added" operations to a small 6' x 13' HO-scale layout. He established a list of industries that need to be serviced by the rails and determined the flow of traffic. Based on that he developed a train schedule. He describes the Freight Car Card Forwarding System by Micro Mark and the wooden boxes he made to hold those cards.
Still Snowing at Summit
Model Railroader 1994-12 pg. 118 Scale: HOn3 Author: Bob Hayden
The author presents a switching puzzle on his layout.
The Basics of Operation
Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-08 pg. 90 Scale: (none) Author: (none)
Detailed article on how to do operations: framework for operations, car destinations, waybills, basic switching, traffic control, timetables and train orders, CTC, track warrants, profit and loss.
The Case for Continuous Restaging
Model Railroader 1999-11 pg. 139 Scale: (none) Author: James EuDaly
Thoughts related to continuous restaging of complete trains.
Three Cars for Upper Kennebecport
Model Railroader 1985-12 pg. 132 Scale: (none) Author: Bob Hayden
A small switching puzzle (solution is offered on page 180).
Traffic and Freight Cars on the Cardinal System
Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-11 pg. 85 Scale: Author: Jack Brown
In this article the author describes a number of industries and how they affect traffic flow on a layout. Industries covered are steel, scrap, brick, team track, and wood. Several prototype and model photos accompany the article.
What's an Agent-operator and Do I Really Need One to Run My Layout?
Railroad Model Craftsman 2005-09 pg. 81 Scale: (none) Author: Jim Providenza
Adding jobs for these types of operators to your operating session adds another level of authenticity to your session - imitating what was done in years past.
What's the Rush?
Railroad Model Craftsman 2006-12 pg. 70 Scale: (none) Author: Trevor Marshall
The article covers ideas the author has implemented on his layout to make operating sessions last longer and be more fun, even though the layout may be small. He discusses two-person crews, having operators create their switch lists, developing traffic and schedules, implementing switch locks, manual uncoupling, slowing down the fast clock, enforcing top speeds via DCC decoders, and adding sound.