Keith Stamper - On3 model train layout

This short video shows some of my friends operating a portion of my model railroad. We use a computer program called JMRI Operations Pro to generate realistic train manifests. The idea is to move the railroad cars around on the layout as the real railroads did. There are multiple industries on the layout located at various places. Trains are moved from one location to another and cars are picked up or dropped off as per the manifest. Operating a model railroad that is built to resemble the real thing makes for an interesting afternoon. We never run trains around aimlessly like toys. Some model railroads are built specifically to run trains around around and these are merely display layouts for viewers to see trains run by. Operating is more challenging and a lot of fun. A typical operating session on my model railroad requires two operators per train. One runs the locomotive (the engineer) and the other does the paperwork (the conductor). Some of my friends prefer to carry out both tasks. That is, running the locomotive and also doing the paper work which entails picking up and dropping off the right cars at various places as noted on the manifest. While all this is going on, I act as dispatcher and keep track of things on the computer. As trains are completed, I update the computer which in turn generates a new train. The paperwork is then printed for the "crew" to run another train. Usually the crews manage to run two trains in either direction in one operating session of about 3-4 hours. Trains run in both directions on the layout (East and West) and must past one another at sidings along the layout which also makes for more fun.