model railroad operations prepared by dick roberts, mmr my thoughts on the subject, presented with...

Model Railroad Model Railroad OperationsOperationsPrepared by Dick Roberts, MMRPrepared by Dick Roberts, MMR

My thoughts on the subject, presented with the My thoughts on the subject, presented with the assistance of all those operators who have gone before assistance of all those operators who have gone before

me and survived to tell about it…me and survived to tell about it…

or at least left a train sheet or at least left a train sheet

EduTRAIN™

This is an EduTRAIN™ Clinic

EduTRAIN™Copyright © 2014, National Model Railroad Association, Inc.

““Realistic operation” is nothing more than the use of Realistic operation” is nothing more than the use of models in a manner that compliments the realism and models in a manner that compliments the realism and

care that went into their construction.”care that went into their construction.”

(Tony Koester(Tony Koester-Realistic Model Railroad Operation-Realistic Model Railroad Operation))

EduTRAIN™

What Is It?What Is It?

SimulationSimulation of prototype practices of train movement of prototype practices of train movement

EduTRAIN™

What Is It?What Is It?

• Can include:Can include:• Switching operationsSwitching operations• Yard operationsYard operations• Train schedulesTrain schedules• DispatchingDispatching

• Any combination of theseAny combination of these

EduTRAIN™

Why Do It?Why Do It?

• It’s funIt’s fun• It’s challengingIt’s challenging• It tests the modeling workIt tests the modeling work• It makes the model railroad It makes the model railroad

come alivecome alive

EduTRAIN™

Common TermsCommon Terms

• Facing Point/Trailing PointFacing Point/Trailing Point• Run-aroundRun-around• Setout (Spot)Setout (Spot)

• Off spotOff spot• PickupPickup• Saw-bySaw-by• DoublingDoubling

EduTRAIN™

F.P. T.P.

Facing-point/Trailing-point turnoutFacing-point/Trailing-point turnout

W E

EB

1 2

EduTRAIN™

F.P.T.P.

Facing-point/Trailing-point turnoutFacing-point/Trailing-point turnout

W E

WB

1 2

EduTRAIN™

Run-aroundRun-aroundA movement to place the engine at the

opposite end of the train to shove cars into a facing point siding

EduTRAIN™

Run-aroundRun-around

EduTRAIN™

Run-aroundRun-around

Facing Point Switch

EduTRAIN™

Setout/PickupSetout/Pickup

Pickup

Setout

EduTRAIN™


EduTRAIN™


Setout

Pickup

EduTRAIN™


EduTRAIN™

Offspot


EduTRAIN™


EduTRAIN™

Setout

Pickup

Offspot


EduTRAIN™


Setout

Pickup

EduTRAIN™

Offspot

Saw-bySaw-by

EduTRAIN™

DoublingDoubling

Grade

Schematic Track Diagram

EduTRAIN™

DoublingDoubling

EduTRAIN™

Grade

Schematic Track Diagram

What is RequiredWhat is Required

• A A reliablyreliably operating model railroad operating model railroad

• A A systemsystem for train movement for train movement

EduTRAIN™

Reliable OperationReliable Operation (MR September 2006)(MR September 2006)

Solid benchworkSolid benchwork

Clean, smooth trackClean, smooth track

EduTRAIN™

Reliable OperationReliable Operation (MR September 2006)(MR September 2006)

Reliable locomotives and rolling stockReliable locomotives and rolling stock• Wheels gauged and cleanWheels gauged and clean• Coupler height and functionCoupler height and function• Properly weightedProperly weighted

Dependable electrical/control systemDependable electrical/control system

EduTRAIN™

A System for Train MovementA System for Train Movement(Basic Requirements)(Basic Requirements)

• Identify railroad’s customersIdentify railroad’s customers• Identify car types for customersIdentify car types for customers• Identify trains necessary to serve Identify trains necessary to serve

customerscustomers• Set routesSet routes• Schedule trainsSchedule trains• Assemble trainsAssemble trains

EduTRAIN™

A System for Car MovementA System for Car Movement

• Output can be:Output can be:• Hand-written ordersHand-written orders• Car card/waybillsCar card/waybills• Manifest/Switch listManifest/Switch list• Tab-on-carTab-on-car

• Manual or computer generatedManual or computer generated

EduTRAIN™

Identify Railroad’s CustomersIdentify Railroad’s Customers

• Depending on layout Depending on layout type/configuration:type/configuration:• On-line (within the layout)On-line (within the layout)• Off-line (through staging)Off-line (through staging)• Interchange (other railroads)Interchange (other railroads)• Reclassification (yard operations, Reclassification (yard operations,

re-assign cars, trains)re-assign cars, trains)

• Passengers (Are customers, too)Passengers (Are customers, too)

EduTRAIN™


• Types of cars neededTypes of cars needed• Consider:Consider:

Shipping to…Shipping to… Receiving from…Receiving from…

EduTRAIN™


A B

C

MAYBEVILLE

EduTRAIN™

Determine car types for CustomersDetermine car types for Customers

A-Box, Flat B-Tank, Box

C-Stock, Reefer

MAYBEVILLE

EduTRAIN™

Identify TrainsIdentify Trains

EduTRAIN™

Train Types by FunctionTrain Types by Function

Through (A to B, no stops)Through (A to B, no stops)

A B

EduTRAIN™


Local (A to B, serves customers on Local (A to B, serves customers on line)line)

AX Y

Z B

EduTRAIN™


Turn (A to B to A, serves customers on Turn (A to B to A, serves customers on line)line)

AX Y

ZB

EduTRAIN™


• Freight Freight • Manifest, Hotshot, mixedManifest, Hotshot, mixed

• Passenger (through, local, turn)Passenger (through, local, turn)• Transfer Transfer

(Special train; movement between (Special train; movement between yards, other railroads)yards, other railroads)

EduTRAIN™

Train Types by ClassTrain Types by Class

• ScheduledScheduled• Have priority by class and directionHave priority by class and direction• Have priority by timetableHave priority by timetable

• ExtraExtra• Priority determined by Priority determined by

dispatcher/superintendent but usually dispatcher/superintendent but usually lower than scheduled trainslower than scheduled trains

EduTRAIN™

Assemble trainsAssemble trains

• Determine maximum train length/# Determine maximum train length/# carscars

• Determine destination/directionDetermine destination/direction• Block (group) cars by Block (group) cars by

destination/directiondestination/direction• Assign engineAssign engine

EduTRAIN™

Schedule trainsSchedule trains

• Determine routesDetermine routes• Set frequency of pick-up/deliverySet frequency of pick-up/delivery• Set priority for trainsSet priority for trains• Coordinate movements to minimize Coordinate movements to minimize

conflicts (on the tracks and in the conflicts (on the tracks and in the aisles)aisles)

EduTRAIN™

Getting StartedGetting Started

• Create a schedule or train listCreate a schedule or train list• Gather a group of like-minded modelers Gather a group of like-minded modelers • Run trainsRun trains• Evaluate the session (usually done with Evaluate the session (usually done with

the stimulation of cookies and coffee)the stimulation of cookies and coffee)• Make changesMake changes• Run trainsRun trains• Repeat Repeat

EduTRAIN™

INPUT

TEST

EVAL

CHANGE

SCHEMECUSTOMERSCAR TYPESSCHEDULE

TRAINS

EduTRAIN™

Guest OperatorGuest Operator

1.1. It isn’t YOUR railroad, but treat it like it isIt isn’t YOUR railroad, but treat it like it is

2.2. Don’t “fix” things-let the host/hostess do itDon’t “fix” things-let the host/hostess do it

3.3. Look with your eyes, not your fingersLook with your eyes, not your fingers

Hint: Keeping your hands on the Hint: Keeping your hands on the throttle/uncoupling tool will helpthrottle/uncoupling tool will help

4.4. If something malfunctions-notify the If something malfunctions-notify the host/hostesshost/hostess

5.5. If you don’t understand how something works, If you don’t understand how something works, ASK!!!ASK!!!

6.6. Thank your host/hostessThank your host/hostess

EduTRAIN™

ResourcesResources

• Operations SIG-www.opsig.orgOperations SIG-www.opsig.org

http://jmri.orghttp://jmri.org

EduTRAIN™

Run Trains, It’s FunRun Trains, It’s Fun

EduTRAIN™

The End

EduTRAIN™

model railroad operations prepared by dick roberts, mmr my thoughts on the subject, presented with...

Documents

train sheet

car movementoutput

reassign cars

solid benchworkclean

cleancoupler height

dick roberts

layout typeconfiguration

reliable locomotives