operating – Notes on Designing, Building, and Operating Model Railroads

October action!

What a whirlwind month this has been! I hosted an operating session, participated in two op sessions as part of a Railroad Prototype Modeler (RPM) event, and attended another RPM. Along the way, several models were completed.

August 2026 Op Session

After a few quiet summer months, my HO scale B&O Wheeling Freight Terminal sprung back into action for an operating session on late August. Charles and Val came by to move the freight.

The Minster Branch – Update 7

Dave Campbell has shared another chapter in his new layout progress. Here he is with the latest.

With Saint Marys, the first of three towns on the NKP’s Minster Branch, sort of complete, I couldn’t resist the temptation to host my first op session. I know….I’ve been advised to finish a scene before moving on, but the temptation proved to be too much. Besides, the weather is starting to heat up and it’s either now or wait until Fall.

RPM Valley Forge summary

Wow, what a weekend! The 2026 RPM Valley Forge event in Malvern, Pennsylvania was great fun. It had been about six months since the last railroad prototype modeler (RPM) meet I attended. I needed to recharge my hobby inspiration.

December 2025 Op Session

I closed out the year hosting an operating session on the HO scale B&O Wheeling Freight Terminal. Crews worked hard to move the inbound freight to awaiting customers and pull the outbound cars.