The 46th National Narrow Gauge Convention will offer registered attendees the opportunity to participate in Operating Sessions on multiple home layouts that are located both on the way to and from our convention as well as locally during the convention. Many of these layouts have not only been featured in national model railroad magazines but also have participated in operating session events such as ProRail. If you are already interested in operations or you are looking to learn more about operations, we hope you will take advantage of these opportunities at our convention!
What is an Operating Session?
An operating session is where the layout host provides participants the opportunity to take on a specific role in operating their layout in a fashion that simulates the experience of actually working on the railroad. As on a real railroad, dispatchers, engineers, conductors and brakemen all perform various tasks in order to move people and freight in a realistic manner across the railroad. Each layout host utilizes a ‘system’ to coordinate and control train movements across their layout in a manner that reflects the actual operation of their railroad. Typical systems include; Timetable & Train Order (TT&TO), Car Cards & Waybills and Switch Lists. Operators of all experience levels are welcome!
Information About Our Operating Sessions and Schedule
As home layout operating sessions are added, basic layout information will be displayed on this page. A typical operating session can last 2 – 4 hours and individual participation may be limited as you desire. Detailed information including the maximum number of participants, the length of the session and how to register for a session, the operating session schedules and participating layout specific details will be available to registered attendees prior to the convention in WHOVA™.
Operating Sessions Hosted Before The Convention
Thunder Bay, Canada
For those traveling from the north to our convention, we offer the following inspirational home layouts that are offering operating sessions before our convention.
CN Rail Caramat Subdivision
Scale: HO
Era/Locale: Northwestern Ontario, Canada in the mid 1990s
Maximum number of operators supported: 6
This large double decker layout captures mainline railroading in the mid 1990’s. This 100% photo complete layout represents a portion of the Canadian National Railway transconental Route, focusing on the Caramat Subdivision in Northwestern Ontario Canada. The layout is built for operations, with operational CTC, a dispatcher and radio communications.
See more photos and details on the CN Rail Caramat Subdivision.
Rio Grande Southern – First District
Scale: HOn3
Era/Locale: 1942 Ridgway to Rico, Southwest Colorado
Maximum number of operators supported: 8
This well known double decked layout faithfully replicates the key towns between Ridgway and Rico, Colorado and also includes the Telluride branch to Pandora, Colorado. The layout is designed for operation and features a point-to-point design with trains running through each scene only once along its 200 foot mainline. The layout also features a high ratio of scenery to train which creates the feeling of being at the throttle of a goose or worn out tea kettle as it travels through the vastness of the San Juan Mountains.
See more photos and details on the Rio Grande Southern – First District.
Operating Sessions Hosted During The Convention
Home layout information will be posted here as they become available.
Operating Sessions Hosted After The Convention
Home layout information will be posted here as they become available.