Model Railroad Operations: Using bell and whistle sounds

locomotive on a model railroad layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page The command control sound effects offered on many new locomotive models are far more than just “cool” features. As Model Railroader magazine’s contributing editor Andy Sperandeo demonstrates in this video, the bell and whistle sounds can be used in a prototypical manner to […]

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Model Railroad Operations: Trailing and facing point moves

Andy Sperandeo standing at the MR&T HO scale model railroad layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Model Railroader magazine’s contributing editor Andy Sperandeo shows how to make trailing and facing point switching maneuvers on a layout of any size or scale. Viewers get to see and hear Andy talking through the steps, as he operates a diesel locomotive on […]

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Model Railroad Operations: Helper Service

train on the MR&T HO scale model railroad layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Andy Sperandeo, a contributing editor for Model Railroader magazine, is back with another helpful model railroad operations tip. This time Andy uses the MR&T HO scale layout to demonstrate how a helper (or “pusher”) diesel locomotive assists a heavy train over a stiff […]

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Model Railroad Operations: Six tips for better operations

HO scale model train traveling down the tracks on a layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In this MRVP exclusive video, Contributing Editor Andy Sperandeo uses MR magazine’s HO scale layout to demonstrate six helpful tips aimed at making you a better crew member during your next layout operating session. Coming from an “old head” like Andy, who’s operated […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 40 – Layout operation

David Popp show’s you that it really is possible to perform prototypical operations on a layout as simple as our Olympia Logging Co. On30 display. Follow along as he first explains the scheme, makes the essential preparations, and then demonstrates how fun and easy it is to get the layout working like a real railroad […]

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Model Railroad Operations: Hand Signals

Piece of paper with instructions for hand signals

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Contributing Editor Andy Sperandeo returns to Model Railroader magazine’s HO scale layout to share proper model railroad operating techniques for our cameras. In this MRVP exclusive video, he recruits Cody Grivno to demonstrate how to use hand signals, a topic addressed in Andy’s […]

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Simplify operation with train sequence lists

ThehybridsequencelistsJohnPrykeusesonhisHOscaleNewHavenCapeCodbranchspecifytheswitchingworktobedoneandprovideauthorityfortrainstomovebetweenstations

The hybrid sequence lists John Pryke uses on his HO scale New Haven Cape Cod branch specify the switching work to be done and provide authority for trains to move between stations. Here the Boston yard operator is placing outbound waybills and the train’s sequence list into the train pouch. Most modelers build their first […]

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Timetable-and-train-order dispatching

MECHANICS

St. Croix train sheet Train dispatching under timetable- and-train-order authority is partly a science and partly an art, and it takes a certain amount of knowledge and experience to do it well. When you first want to try your hand, though, just the mechanics of dealing with train sheets and order books can seem like […]

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Switching instructions for Mat Thompson’s Swift meat packing plant

MatThompsonsSwiftmeatpackingplantshipsandreceivesenoughfreightcartraffictowarrantafulltimededicatedswitchjobonhisHOscaleOregonCoastRR

Mat Thompson’s Swift meat-packing plant ships and receives enough freight car traffic to warrant a full-time dedicated switch job on his HO scale Oregon Coast RR. Refrigerator cars Inbound iced reefers to the cooling track Cooled reefers to plant Track 1 doors for loading Outbound loaded reefers Stockcars Inbound loaded 40- foot and 50-foot cars […]

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Basic Operation: Running the River Job

freight waybill

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Learn the basics of switchlists, car cards, station numbers and more as David Popp and Ben Lake take you with them to work the River Job. This is a local freight that works the industries along the Naugatuck River on David’s N scale […]

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