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Operating Sessions
At various times during the year, members conduct operating sessions on the HO-scale layout. Operating sessions are usually held on specified Thursday evenings. During operating sessions, members and invited guests operate the layout in a prototypical fashion. Individuals take on the roles of engineer, conductor, dispatcher, and other positions within the operation of a railroad. Engineers and other train operators are assigned to specific trains which either operate on a time schedule, or with specific switching assignments. All movement on the mainline is controlled by a dispatcher. With the exception of passenger trains and through-freights, all car movements are determined by car cards, which designate the specifically numbered car and its load or bill-of-lading. The time schedule is run against a fast clock, in which an entire day elapses in a shortened time period.
Operating sessions are a fascinating way to simulate real railroad operations. While the public is generally invited to observe operating sessions, they are not conducive for large groups of visitors since members must focus on their assigned tasks and are therefore not available to answer questions except when they are not actually operating trains. In addition, because operators need to move freely around the layout to perform switching operations, we need to keep aisles free.
Our next operating sessions will be held on:
None currently scheduled. Check back for upcoming dates.
Operating sessions begin promptly at 7:00pm and last until approximately 9:30pm.
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Information:
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Society of Model Engineers
David Cohn, Webmaster