NASG Dispatch Articles: Operations

2018 #5 September

41

James Ingram

A "Steam Up" is a two-day, weekend, event, where American Flyer fanatics convene to frantically set up a fairly complex temporary layout, operate it,
and then tear it down. Includes a couple of photos of this year's event.

2019 #6 November

11

David Heine

The operating barge system from Frank Titman's Spiral Hill Railroad layout was saved and then reinstalled on Bert Mahr's Conrail & Eastern Railroad. Includes many photos of the barge in action, and fully describes the move and integration of the layout section.

1990 #3 June

5

Don Thompson

Using paint markers to mark the axles of cars using the resistors' marking bands scheme to help identify the owner of the car. Useful in large group settings and during operating settings.

2008 #3 June

20

Brooks Stover

Brooks Stover, Gaylord Gill, and Dave Held each had their layouts open for an operating session at each layout over a Friday and Saturday in April 2008 to local S-scale modelers and a group from Minnesota. Includes several photos of the layouts and the group of operators.

1997 #2 April

5

Jeff Madden

Even if your home layout is not yet finished, it can be successfully operated as long as the track work is ready.

2002 #1 February

5

Jeff Madden

The hobby of model railroading is a game, the author proposes.

2010 #3 June

20

Sam Powell

This article covers why you might want to hold operating sessions, what you need to have to do operations, and detailed planning to bring it all about.

1994 #2 April

14

Russ Mobley

Having operated on some of the most well-known layouts around the country that are known for their operating sessions, the author describes how he got into operations on his own layout. Includes a track plan of his 12'x37' layout, and cards he uses for his operating sessions.

2011 #1 February

10

Sam Powell

Sam discusses what operations are, why people like operating session or don't like them, handling stress preparing for a session, car-card system, and how to start the first session.

2011 #2 April

19

Dan Vandermause

How can we quickly communicate to guest operators of our layouts where the layout is located and what its purpose is? This article covers many ways to accomplish that.

2012 #3 June

10

Sam Powell

The author shares what it was like preparing for, and holding, the first operating session on his layout.

2023 #6 November

9

Dick Karnes

The author describes how he does way freight operations on his layout.

2019 #6 November

7

Brooks Stover

The author's grandkids came by and had a blast operating their grandpa's new, under-construction layout. This also was the layout's first "operating session".

2017 #1 January

15

Brooks Stover

The author shares his insights after having had 50 operating sessions on this home layout. Includes several photos of the layout, as well as a track plan.

2001 #3 June

11

Marvin Layman

How mail was transferred between cars and local stations, and how that can be simulated with an A.F. #718 or 918 operating mail car.

2017 #1 January

11

Jeff Madden

At the 2016 NASG Convention, there were official operating sessions held for the first time at one of the annual Conventions. The author was able to attend two such sessions, and describes his experiences.