One thing that has been constant since the early days of railroading is that a dispatcher controls the flow of traffic between interlockings. An interlocking is simply an intersection or union of two or more tracks. An interlocking is more than a section of railroad with multiple trac...

When we operate a model railroad, we try to simulate the operations of the prototype as much as possible. The “as much as possible” is dependent upon the tastes of the individual operators who gather to run a railroad. This will impact on the amount of paperwork and other ...

Last time I discussed freight operations and hinted at passenger operations. This time I am writing about the passenger operations. Passenger trains operated on a regular schedule (as opposed to steam runs which are popular today) can be of three types. There are commuter trains, whic...

In my first column, I wrote that railroads are in the business of making money by moving freight and passengers (which can be thought of as a type of freight with certain requirements concerning movement). The manner in which the freight is originated and terminated uses a train known...

As I was driving down the road the other day, I was thinking about what I would write in this space. I was having a hard time thinking of a topic that I could write about. At that moment I realized this was a “problem,” and my mind wandered to the thought of some of the operational pr...

One of the most important aspects of operation is that it requires research in order to operate in a prototypical manner. This theme will be repeated, often! In order to operate well, the prototype must be studied. Once the era is determined, look at the railroad that you are either m...

In order to operate well, a number of important factors must be considered. These factors, which I have borrowed from Allen McClelland, set the stage for your railroad, flavor the pike and exert influence over decisions concerning the railroad. Consider these factors when planning a m...

Some people believe that operation is not any fun and fear the “complexities” that they believe are inherent in it. However, I believe that these sentiments are false and fears unwarranted. In fact, based on the clinics I have attended and given, I find many people interested in proto...