Operations: Let's Get Started

The Carolina Southern Division of the National Model Railroad Association is hosting its second annual operations weekend October 15-17, 2010.  The event will feature a number of operating model railroads in the Piedmont area of North Carolina, and you are invited to help bring them to life. 

So what are operations you ask?  We define operations as 'taking control of trains and simulating the way the big boys run them'.  Layout owners prepare their layouts prior to operating sessions so an operating crew can turn their model railroad layouts into scale representations of  the real thing. 

If you have an interest in learning model railroad operations or participating with others who have experience, this event is for you.  You do not need to be an expert at model railroad operations in order to participate.  Come to learn or come to help others learn.  Come to have a good time.  Model railroad operations are fun and do not need to be intimidating.

This is a great event to get you started into operations or to build your experience with new layouts.  It is a perfect transition to larger Operations Special Interest Group operating events that are hosted nationwide. The layouts in the event are generally focused on operations and may or may not have completed scenery.  For operators, the primary thrill is in seeing the mechanics of the railroad coming together.

We are in the process of building a schedule of layouts to operate during the weekend.  The intent is to have several operating layouts available each of the three days with participants assigned to layouts based on their preference and schedule availability.  Operators would typically run on two layouts per day.

For more information about this event, please contact David Ward at DBWRailway@gmail.com.

Let's highball!

Update 8-23-10 !!!!!

Many model railroaders have experience operating at various layouts in our area. The railroads listed for this event are all Digitrax DCC systems. Operators need to be aware that they need to bring a Digitrax Throttle with them to operate. If you do not have a Digitrax throttle, please contact the layout owner directly to see if a throttle is available.
The second item that many railroads are using these days are FRS radios for communications.
Not all railroads require them. I will post more detailed information about who does and who doesn't require radios. Those that will require radios expect that those who purchase FRS radios will have some type of ear piece to go along with the radio. More information about this will be forth coming.

Photography! Before you begin to take pictures of the layouts you are visiting, please ask for permission from the railroad owner.

The railroads that will be operating through the lunch hour on Saturday, October 16th will have snacks and drinks available.

This event is open to all model railroaders regardless of scale or NMRA status. You need not be a member to join us in this event. However, we would like you to join the NMRA!!

To learn more about the Operations Special Interest Group, please check out http://www.opsig.org/

To learn more about the NMRA, please check out http://www.nmra.org/nmrastore/index.html

To learn more about Digitrax, check out http://www.digitrax.com/

To learn more about FRS radios, check out http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?guideID=1072288099473&type=page&id=cat12077  There are several places to purchase these type radios.