Operation and maintenance
Running a staging area
Model railroads that get 'operated' (and that term is open to several definitions) often have a staging area (or multiple areas). I think of staging in one of two ways:
a) A place to store trains that aren't in active use
b) A place that represents the portion of the railroad network that is not actually modeled.
Communication equipment
While watching my Op Session Live DVD's I noticed that communication between operators and the dispatcher was with a wireless system, can someone describe that particular system, and I would be interested in hearing about what other systems are available and the pros and cons of each. I am in the process of designing my model railroad and have started to build a small section (9' x 3') to develope my techniques for roadbed, track laying, scenery, and electronics.
Track Cleaning Consists
In the ever present battle against the dirt that accumlates on rails and wheels I find I seem to be losing ground. In particular I bought one of the TTX (Tony's) Clean Machines. These are brass tank cars with a brass plate that 'floats' underneath the car. The bottom of the plate is wrapped with a piece of corduroy fabric.
The operator fills the car with the solvent of their choice (in my case isoprophryl alcohol) and adjusts the rate at which the solvent is allowed to drip onto the corduroy. Then the car is pulled/pushed around the layout.
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