Operations sessions will be conducted on the TCMR layout on Thursday evening May 8, 2025 and Friday May 9, 2025. Thursday’s session will be 7:00 to 10:00ish PM and Friday’s session will be 7:00 to 10:00 PM. The TCMR building will be open 1 hour prior to each session for those who wish to take some time becoming familiar with the layout. Attendance will be on a first-come, first-served basis based on registration date. Please indicate on your registration form that you wish to participate. The layout can accommodate 20 operators if two-man crews are used on the freights.
Operation sessions require 4 yardmasters with the remaining 12 attendees working a passenger run, thru freights and locals. Layout control utilizes the NCE DCC system. Communication with the dispatcher is done using a phone intercom system with phone handsets placed around the layout. Car routing is accomplished using JMRI Operations PRO switchlists and manifest. The only first-class train during the session is a passenger train. All other trains run as extras, although they do have assigned start times. All positions, with the exception of the dispatcher, will be assigned using a random draw for job selection order. To aid the job selection process, information on each train will be provided in the registration package.
TCMR members will be available during session times to answer questions.