In his On Operation column for the January 2018 issue of Model Railroader, Jerry Dziedzic describes dealing with train superiority and time-table-and-train-order (TT&TO) operation for model railroads. Jerry mentioned a train-superiority checklist developed by Mark Amfahr that greatly simplified TT&TO decision making for train crews during operating sessions on his railroad. Click on the link […]
Section: Model Railroad Operations
Track warrant form for your model railroad
Click on the image or link to download a PDF copy of a blank track warrant form. On many modern-era railroads, track warrants are used to move trains over the line. Jerry Dziedzic describes dispatching a model railroad with track warrants in the August 2017 Model Railroader. […]
Paper signal templates for your model railroad
On most operationally based model railroads, a working signal system seems to be on everyone’s wish list. In the April 2017 issue, model railroader Bruce Carpenter describes his novel approach to trying out a signal system using paper signal templates – the Human Model Railroad Interface. Click on the link below to download Bruce’s signal […]
How-to Library: Operate The Beer Line, Part 4 – The Snake Track Job
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page MRVP’s David Popp and Jenny Maaske are set to show you that realistic model railroad operation has never been easier to learn and enjoy! Using Model Railroader magazine’s all-new HO scale Beer Line layout extension as their “gameboard,” the two team up to […]
How-to Library: Operate The Beer Line, Part 5 – The Afternoon Beer Train
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page There’s just one more job to run on Model Railroader magazine’s all-new HO scale Beer Line layout extension. In this final episode of our operations mini-series, MRVP’s David Popp and MR’s Eric White walk you through the duties that come with running The […]
Model railroad switch list template
Click on the link to download the switch list template. In the article “A sectional urban switching district” by Bill Neale in Model Railroad Planning 2017, the author describes operating a layout at a model train show using a switch list designed in Microsoft Excel. […]
Operating sequence table for Mackenzieville Yard and Glendale Junction
Mackenzieville Yard & Glendale Junction is a compact N scale layout based on the Reading Co. in Pennsylvania during the early 1970s. The layout was featured in Model Railroad Planning 2017. Check out the operating sequence that the layout owner and builder Ian Mackenzie Wilson uses to run the railroad. […]
How-to Library: Operate The Beer Line, Part 1 – Getting ready for operations
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Are you ready to tackle realistic model operations on your layout? Follow this all-new MRVP mini-series and you will be! Over the course of five episodes, David Popp and the MR/MR Video Plus team will use the HO scale Beer Line project layout […]
How-to Library: Operate The Beer Line, Part 2 – Setting cars for the first session
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In the second stage of preparation for our operating session, David shows how to position cars and their paperwork at the industries and tracks on our HO scale Beer Line layout. Also in this video, David looks at the various jobs on the […]
How-to Library: Operate The Beer Line, Part 3 – The Morning Yard Job
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page David has completed preparations for the Beer Line HO scale operating session. Now it’s time to start the session into motion so you can watch and learn how the car movements on the railroad fit into specific job tasks. The first job you’ll […]
Winston-Salem Southbound Series: Preparation for Operation
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Now that work on the trackwork, scenery, structures, details, motive power and rolling stock is nearly complete on our Winston-Salem Southbound HO scale project layout, it’s time to try running it like a real railroad. But before a single axle turns, MRVP’s David […]
Model Railroad Operations: Caboose Operations
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page The extensive legacy of Contributing Editor Andy Sperandeo continues in his final episode of this series. In this MRVP exclusive video, he imparts information about the prototype, before demonstrating how to perform specific caboose movements on a model railroad of any size or […]