Model Railroad Operations Prepared by Dick Roberts, MMR My thoughts on the subject, presented with the assistance of all those operators who have gone.

Model Railroad Operations Prepared by Dick Roberts, MMR My thoughts on the subject, presented with the assistance of all those operators who have gone before me and survived to tell about it… or at least left a train sheet or at least left a train sheet EduTRAIN™

“Realistic operation” is nothing more than the use of models in a manner that compliments the realism and care that went into their construction.” (Tony Koester-Realistic Model Railroad Operation) EduTRAIN™

What Is It? Simulation of prototype practices of train movement EduTRAIN™

What Is It? Can include: Can include: Switching operationsSwitching operations Yard operationsYard operations Train schedulesTrain schedules DispatchingDispatching Any combination of these Any combination of these EduTRAIN™

Why Do It? It’s fun It’s fun It’s challenging It’s challenging It tests the modeling work It tests the modeling work It makes the model railroad come alive It makes the model railroad come alive EduTRAIN™

Common Terms Facing Point/Trailing Point Facing Point/Trailing Point Run-around Run-around Setout (Spot) Setout (Spot) Off spotOff spot Pickup Pickup Saw-by Saw-by Doubling Doubling EduTRAIN™

F.P. T.P. Facing-point/Trailing-point turnout W E EB 1 2 EduTRAIN™

F.P. T.P. Facing-point/Trailing-point turnout W E WB 1 2 EduTRAIN™

Run-around Run-around A movement to place the engine at the opposite end of the train to shove cars into a facing point siding EduTRAIN™

Run-around Run-around EduTRAIN™

Run-around Run-around Facing Point Switch EduTRAIN™

Setout/Pickup Pickup Setout EduTRAIN™

Setout/Pickup

Setout/Pickup Setout Pickup EduTRAIN™

Setout/Pickup Offspot

Setout/Pickup EduTRAIN™

Setout/Pickup Setout Pickup Offspot

Setout/Pickup EduTRAIN™

Setout/Pickup

Setout/Pickup Setout Pickup EduTRAIN™ Offspot

Saw-by EduTRAIN™

Saw-by

Doubling Grade Schematic Track Diagram EduTRAIN™

Doubling Grade Schematic Track Diagram

Doubling EduTRAIN™ Grade Schematic Track Diagram

What is Required A reliably operating model railroad A reliably operating model railroad A system for train movement A system for train movement EduTRAIN™

Reliable Operation (MR September 2006) Solid benchwork Clean, smooth track EduTRAIN™

Reliable Operation (MR September 2006) Reliable locomotives and rolling stock Wheels gauged and cleanWheels gauged and clean Coupler height and functionCoupler height and function Properly weightedProperly weighted Dependable electrical/control system EduTRAIN™

A System for Train Movement (Basic Requirements) Identify railroad’s customersIdentify railroad’s customers Identify car types for customersIdentify car types for customers Identify trains necessary to serve customersIdentify trains necessary to serve customers Set routesSet routes Schedule trainsSchedule trains Assemble trainsAssemble trains EduTRAIN™

A 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 generated Manual or computer generated EduTRAIN™

Identify Railroad’s Customers Depending on layout type/configuration: Depending on layout 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™

Identify Railroad’s Customers Types of cars needed Types of cars needed Consider:Consider: Shipping to… Shipping to… Receiving from… Receiving from… EduTRAIN™

Identify Railroad’s Customers A B C MAYBEVILLE EduTRAIN™

Determine car types for Customers A-Box, Flat B-Tank, Box C-Stock, Reefer MAYBEVILLE EduTRAIN™

Identify Trains EduTRAIN™

Train Types by Function Through (A to B, no stops) AB EduTRAIN™

Train Types by Function Local (A to B, serves customers on line) A XY Z B EduTRAIN™

Train Types by Function Turn (A to B to A, serves customers on line) A XY Z B EduTRAIN™

Train Types by Function Freight Freight Manifest, Hotshot, mixedManifest, Hotshot, mixed Passenger (through, local, turn) Passenger (through, local, turn) Transfer Transfer (Special train; movement between yards, other railroads) (Special train; movement between yards, other railroads) EduTRAIN™

Train Types by Class Scheduled Scheduled Have priority by class and directionHave priority by class and direction Have priority by timetableHave priority by timetable Extra Extra Priority determined by dispatcher/superintendent but usually lower than scheduled trainsPriority determined by dispatcher/superintendent but usually lower than scheduled trains EduTRAIN™

Assemble trains Determine maximum train length/# cars Determine maximum train length/# cars Determine destination/direction Determine destination/direction Block (group) cars by destination/direction Block (group) cars by destination/direction Assign engine Assign engine EduTRAIN™

Schedule trains Determine routes Determine routes Set frequency of pick-up/delivery Set frequency of pick-up/delivery Set priority for trains Set priority for trains Coordinate movements to minimize conflicts (on the tracks and in the aisles) Coordinate movements to minimize conflicts (on the tracks and in the aisles) EduTRAIN™

Getting Started Create a schedule or train list Create a schedule or train list Gather a group of like-minded modelers Gather a group of like-minded modelers Run trains Run trains Evaluate the session (usually done with the stimulation of cookies and coffee) Evaluate the session (usually done with the stimulation of cookies and coffee) Make changes Make changes Run trains Run trains Repeat Repeat EduTRAIN™

INPUT TEST EVAL CHANGE SCHEME CUSTOMERS CAR TYPES SCHEDULE TRAINS EduTRAIN™

Guest Operator 1.It isn’t YOUR railroad, but treat it like it is 2.Don’t “fix” things-let the host/hostess do it 3.Look with your eyes, not your fingers Hint: Keeping your hands on the throttle/uncoupling tool will help 4.If something malfunctions-notify the host/hostess 5.If you don’t understand how something works, ASK!!! 6.Thank your host/hostess EduTRAIN™

Resources Operations SIG-www.opsig.org Operations SIG-www.opsig.orghttp://jmri.org EduTRAIN™

Run Trains, It’s Fun Run Trains, It’s Fun EduTRAIN™

The End EduTRAIN™

Model Railroad Operations Prepared by Dick Roberts, MMR My thoughts on the subject, presented with the assistance of all those operators who have gone.

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "Model Railroad Operations Prepared by Dick Roberts, MMR My thoughts on the subject, presented with the assistance of all those operators who have gone."— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback

Log in

Auth with social network:

Model Railroad Operations Prepared by Dick Roberts, MMR My thoughts on the subject, presented with the assistance of all those operators who have gone.

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "Model Railroad Operations Prepared by Dick Roberts, MMR My thoughts on the subject, presented with the assistance of all those operators who have gone."— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback