Great operating session. It really brings the layout to life. I hope to see more of them. Your simplified switch lists/wheel reports without car numbers must make life a lot easier for you without taking away the fun for the crews. I like the "free" runs at the end of the session after the scheduled work has been completed as it gives me some more trains to watch. Please give a special shout out to the operator wearing the Northern Pacific sweatshirt. The NP is my favorite prototype as I lived in NP country during my high school (Lewiston, ID) and college (Pullman WA) years. For three years I had views of the NP's P&L (Spokane-Lewiston) line from my dorm windows at Washington State University (Go Cougs!). Maybe the two of you can "imagineer" some coal train with run-through NP power from mines in Montana passing through KC on the RI en route to power plants in the Midwest and Southwest.
Thank- You for showing and explaining your operating system. Your long car train runs is cool to watch. I like how you designed passing sidings long enough for the very long trains. Your explanation of the paper work has been very helpful as I design my system. Keep the Video's coming! !! Thanks
Very nicely done! You’ve picked a great subject to model. Rock Island had an very interesting fleet of diesels and you’ve captured the variety well. I’ve been considering modeling the Clay Line McFarland to Belleville set around 1949-54. Lots of possibilities, just a matter of finding the space.
Thank you, Johann, for watching the video and for your comments. Great idea to model McFarland to Belleville and the time period would allow steam and first generation diesel operations. Good luck to you with any future modeling plans. Mike
This looks like a fun ops session. Aside from the fact this is a beautiful model railroad, things just run so smoothly. Wished I didn't live 10+ hours away! Congrats on a fine accomplishment! John.
Hi John - The usual group of operators are really great people that have fun operating trains. Thanks so much for your loyal viewership and for your comments. Mike
I enjoyed watching your Op Session and by the looks of your crew, it looks like they had a great time also. Your explanation of the paperwork prior to the session was great to see and hear. Keep up the great progress on your layout. -Tony
Greetings Tony - I appreciate your comments and thank you for taking the time to watch. As you know, a good group of operators makes for a fun and successful operating session. Mike
Thanks for subscribing to my channel. I've been watching your videos for a while now and when I seen this one, I was surprised to see who one of your operators were! At the 10:27 mark you mentioned Marty and Wyatt working one train. Wyatt is a good friend of mine. He had mentioned he as was going to be running on an HO Rock Island layout at one time. I was surprised to see him while watching this video. LOL
Hi Allen - Well, I guess it really is a small world. Wyatt has operated a couple of times on my layout and is the force behind me acquiring a few SOO Line pieces of rolling stock. Thanks much for watching my videos and thanks for subscribing to my channel ........ I appreciate it. It's always nice to know that there is another Rock Island modeler out there. Mike
Well it sure seems so. Wyatt is the driving force behind more SOO equipment?? Say it isn't so? LOL I hope he's helping fund that SOO equipment??? LOL There are a few of us RI modelers. Please keep the videos coming!
Hi Douglas - The operating session was enjoyable and I look forward to hosting future sessions. Thank you very much for watching and for your comments. Mike
RImodeler79 Great video and the action was worth it. Really like the information on how you run your ops sessions. Enjoyed so much that I have subscribed to your channel and will be watching more of your videos. Thanks so much for sharing the experience. David Muse (Washington Terminal Co. Model Railroad)
Hi David - Thank you for checking out some of my videos and for subscribing to my channel ......... I appreciate it. I have subscribed to your channel, as well. Mike
Great video Mike! Very interesting to see a little bit of everything happening throughout the session. Also, I was once again impressed with how well-done your scenery is. You've really captured the look of the area. Outstanding! Nice to see a mutual friend there in Mr. McComas as well. :-) Joe
Hi Joe - I truly appreciate your kind comments. If you're ever in the DFW area it would be great to have you stop-by to operate. It was nice to hear from you .......... thanks for watching! Mike
Thank you Mike. I'd LOVE the opportunity to operate there! Although, I'd have to be careful that I didn't come away with the desire to backdate my layout. :-) That's a temptation every time I watch one of your videos! Beautiful work. Joe
Interesting operation session considering that the Rock island never had a dedicated intermodal and autoparts train on this line. Still nice to see the Rock Island being modeled.
I like this layout because the Rock Island is so rarely modeled. It's usually Union Pacific, Burlington Northern, Santa Fe, Norfolk Southern, etc. It's nice to see something new.
Hi Matthew - Thank you for watching and commenting. I just checked out your channel and subscribed. Sorry to hear about your Grandmother. Keep up the great work on your layout! Mike
Any chance you would share the instructions you give to your crews at the beginning of this video and the chart showing where the trains meet. I have already adopted the wheel report for my layout. Great idea. And thanks for pointing out the original Hediger MRM article. I would like to see if your instructions and train meet charts would also be suitable with adjustments for my layout. I have now watched about ten of your videos, very impressive layout!
Hi John: I'd be glad to send you the briefing instructions and train meet line chart. If you will let me know what your email address is, then I'll send the sheets to you. Thank you for watching and for your comments. Mike
@@rimodeler7963 Hello Mike, My email is dulongj@habitant.org. Thanks for sharing your forms with me. And may I ask, how long did it take you to build your layout?
Hello RImodeler79, Really enjoyed watching your Operating session, you run a lot of different trains. I want to get a Rock Island GP7 or GP9 in the Maroon or the red and yellow livery because i think they look really smart. Found a picture of a Ex Rio Grande GP7 or GP9 not quite sure which one, with just the name painted off and rock island just put there small logo on the front and the back of the loco. Thanks for Sharing!!!! - Tom
Hi Drake - I wish you could have joined us as well. Phil Hastings' side door Rock Island caboose provided many a night of good sleeping at Mid-Continent! Thanks for watching! Mike
@@itsjusttcarr Hi TC - I may have misunderstood your original question. The video covers my personal home Rock Island railroad layout which is located in Texas. Sorry for any confusion and thank you very much for watching and for your comment. Mike
I primarily used Woodland Scenics and Arizona Rock & Mineral Co. ballast on the layout. The mainline ballast is a blend of lighter colored Woodland Scenics ballast with Woodland Scenics cinders (all fine grained material). Thank you for watching the video. Mike
Hi Mike, Awesome, awesome, awesome! Thanks for posting the video of your operating session. Your operating session looks like a lot of fun, running long consists and multiple unit lash ups are a real bonus. Thanks also for showing your paperwork and explaining operating concepts. Long how do your typical operating sessions last? -Tom
Greetings Tom - Thanks so much for your comments. The operating sessions are planned for 3 hours, but usually last 3.5 hours (sometimes 4 hours). As long as everyone is having fun, then I'm good with that. Mike
That looks like so much fun. I'd love to do it! I think there is a modeling club here in the Quad Cities. One question, are your B unit locomotives powered or not? Just curious.
Great operating session. It really brings the layout to life. I hope to see more of them. Your simplified switch lists/wheel reports without car numbers must make life a lot easier for you without taking away the fun for the crews. I like the "free" runs at the end of the session after the scheduled work has been completed as it gives me some more trains to watch.
Please give a special shout out to the operator wearing the Northern Pacific sweatshirt. The NP is my favorite prototype as I lived in NP country during my high school (Lewiston, ID) and college (Pullman WA) years. For three years I had views of the NP's P&L (Spokane-Lewiston) line from my dorm windows at Washington State University (Go Cougs!). Maybe the two of you can "imagineer" some coal train with run-through NP power from mines in Montana passing through KC on the RI en route to power plants in the Midwest and Southwest.
Thank- You for showing and explaining your operating system. Your long car train runs is cool to watch. I like how you designed passing sidings long enough for the very long trains. Your explanation of the paper work has been very helpful as I design my system.
Keep the Video's coming! !!
Thanks
Hi Anthony - Thank you for your nice comments and for watching this video ........ I appreciate it. Mike
Very nicely done! You’ve picked a great subject to model. Rock Island had an very interesting fleet of diesels and you’ve captured the variety well. I’ve been considering modeling the Clay Line McFarland to Belleville set around 1949-54. Lots of possibilities, just a matter of finding the space.
Thank you, Johann, for watching the video and for your comments. Great idea to model McFarland to Belleville and the time period would allow steam and first generation diesel operations. Good luck to you with any future modeling plans. Mike
This looks like a fun ops session. Aside from the fact this is a beautiful model railroad, things just run so smoothly. Wished I didn't live 10+ hours away! Congrats on a fine accomplishment! John.
Hi John - The usual group of operators are really great people that have fun operating trains. Thanks so much for your loyal viewership and for your comments. Mike
Hope sessions are back up and running!
Looks like a lot of fun! I am just getting into operations so I appreciated your comments and seeing your forms.
Hi Gary - Thanks for checking out the video and I'm glad some of the information may be useful to you for future operating sessions. Mike
I enjoyed watching your Op Session and by the looks of your crew, it looks like they had a great time also. Your explanation of the paperwork prior to the session was great to see and hear. Keep up the great progress on your layout. -Tony
Greetings Tony - I appreciate your comments and thank you for taking the time to watch. As you know, a good group of operators makes for a fun and successful operating session. Mike
Corn Country Rails I have loved anything that has to do with train's and the mother Pacific and great northern railroads ever since I was 2 year's old
Very nicely done!! This sure looks like a great time and chomorodarie!!
Thank you for watching and for your comments. Mike
Thanks for subscribing to my channel. I've been watching your videos for a while now and when I seen this one, I was surprised to see who one of your operators were! At the 10:27 mark you mentioned Marty and Wyatt working one train. Wyatt is a good friend of mine. He had mentioned he as was going to be running on an HO Rock Island layout at one time. I was surprised to see him while watching this video. LOL
Hi Allen - Well, I guess it really is a small world. Wyatt has operated a couple of times on my layout and is the force behind me acquiring a few SOO Line pieces of rolling stock. Thanks much for watching my videos and thanks for subscribing to my channel ........ I appreciate it. It's always nice to know that there is another Rock Island modeler out there. Mike
Well it sure seems so. Wyatt is the driving force behind more SOO equipment?? Say it isn't so? LOL I hope he's helping fund that SOO equipment??? LOL There are a few of us RI modelers. Please keep the videos coming!
That was a great time Mike, thanks so much for hosting. The layout ran beautifully and the session was just pure fun!
Hi Dean - You did a great job of operating ......... my thanks to you. I very much appreciate your comments. Mike
Love the session! WHat a great layout you have sir! Thanks for sharing.
I really appreciate your comments. Thanks much for watching! Mike
Great operation
Great layout...
Fantastic work...
👏👏👏
Thank you, Luis, for your comments and for watching! Mike
Looked like everyone is enjoying themselves. Great video. Like the variety of engines at the end of the video.
Hello Todd - Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment. As always, I appreciate it! Mike
Sharp looking layout!! Love the E's and F's
Thanks very much for your comments and for watching! Mike
great session and very cool trains. enjoyed watching.
I appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment on the video. Thank you! Mike
great narration and view of the trains and layout!
Hi Billy - Thank you for taking the time to watch the video and I appreciate your comments. Mike
Fantastic operations video! Would love to see more of this on this fine pike!
I very much appreciate your comments. Thanks for watching. Mike
INTERESTING Operatations session. Looked like a lot of fun there.
Hi Douglas - The operating session was enjoyable and I look forward to hosting future sessions. Thank you very much for watching and for your comments. Mike
Wall color is amazing
RImodeler79 Great video and the action was worth it. Really like the information on how you run your ops sessions. Enjoyed so much that I have subscribed to your channel and will be watching more of your videos. Thanks so much for sharing the experience.
David Muse (Washington Terminal Co. Model Railroad)
Hi David - Thank you for checking out some of my videos and for subscribing to my channel ......... I appreciate it. I have subscribed to your channel, as well. Mike
Love watching this video your crew looks very busy keep up your great work thanks
Hi Stephane - I always appreciate you watching my videos and providing comments. Thank you very much. Mike
Great video Mike! Very interesting to see a little bit of everything happening throughout the session. Also, I was once again impressed with how well-done your scenery is. You've really captured the look of the area. Outstanding!
Nice to see a mutual friend there in Mr. McComas as well. :-)
Joe
Hi Joe - I truly appreciate your kind comments. If you're ever in the DFW area it would be great to have you stop-by to operate. It was nice to hear from you .......... thanks for watching! Mike
Thank you Mike. I'd LOVE the opportunity to operate there! Although, I'd have to be careful that I didn't come away with the desire to backdate my layout. :-) That's a temptation every time I watch one of your videos! Beautiful work. Joe
Interesting operation session considering that the Rock island never had a dedicated intermodal and autoparts train on this line. Still nice to see the Rock Island being modeled.
I like this layout because the Rock Island is so rarely modeled. It's usually Union Pacific, Burlington Northern, Santa Fe, Norfolk Southern, etc. It's nice to see something new.
Thank you, Steve, for watching and commenting. Mike
This is just the tastiest piece of RI ho scale ive ever seen
Hi yrunaked4 - I appreciate you taking the time to watch the video and thank you for your nice comment! Mike
I like watching the op sections on this layout
Hi Matthew - Thank you for watching and commenting. I just checked out your channel and subscribed. Sorry to hear about your Grandmother. Keep up the great work on your layout! Mike
Great operating session! Enjoyed it,
Glad you liked it ........ thank you for your comment and for watching. Mike
Great video
Thanks for watching, Eric! I appreciate your comment. Mike
Looks like a very fun session Mike!
Hi Thomas - We had a good time ..... these are a great bunch of guys that enjoy operating trains and having fun. Thanks for watching. Mike
Incredible!
Thank you for taking the time to watch and thanks for your comment. Mike
Any chance you would share the instructions you give to your crews at the beginning of this video and the chart showing where the trains meet. I have already adopted the wheel report for my layout. Great idea. And thanks for pointing out the original Hediger MRM article. I would like to see if your instructions and train meet charts would also be suitable with adjustments for my layout. I have now watched about ten of your videos, very impressive layout!
Hi John: I'd be glad to send you the briefing instructions and train meet line chart. If you will let me know what your email address is, then I'll send the sheets to you. Thank you for watching and for your comments. Mike
@@rimodeler7963 Hello Mike, My email is dulongj@habitant.org. Thanks for sharing your forms with me. And may I ask, how long did it take you to build your layout?
Hello RImodeler79, Really enjoyed watching your Operating session, you run a lot of different trains.
I want to get a Rock Island GP7 or GP9 in the Maroon or the red and yellow livery because i think they look really smart.
Found a picture of a Ex Rio Grande GP7 or GP9 not quite sure which one, with just the name painted off and rock island just put there small logo on the front and the back of the loco.
Thanks for Sharing!!!!
- Tom
Greetings Tom - Thank you for watching and for commenting, I appreciate it. Mike
Very nice, Thx for sharing.
Hi Joe - Thank you for taking the time to watch the video and I appreciate your comment. Mike
THANK YOU...for sharing. FANTASTIC!!
ELSDP-45 - You are always a loyal watcher. Thank you for your comments! Mike
Wish I'd have been there. That side door RI caboose looks familiar... Drake
Hi Drake - I wish you could have joined us as well. Phil Hastings' side door Rock Island caboose provided many a night of good sleeping at Mid-Continent! Thanks for watching! Mike
Top of the line!!
I appreciate your comment and thank you very much for watching! Mike
Rock Island is it in IL
Yes, Rock Island is one of the Quad Cities.
@@rimodeler7963 do they have website and do they allow people to join? and great video
@@itsjusttcarr Hi TC - I may have misunderstood your original question. The video covers my personal home Rock Island railroad layout which is located in Texas. Sorry for any confusion and thank you very much for watching and for your comment. Mike
What type of ballast did you use? Thanks!
I primarily used Woodland Scenics and Arizona Rock & Mineral Co. ballast on the layout. The mainline ballast is a blend of lighter colored Woodland Scenics ballast with Woodland Scenics cinders (all fine grained material). Thank you for watching the video. Mike
Awesome video. I subscribed to your channel.
Thanks for watching and for your comment. Thank you very much for subscribing .......... I appreciate that! Mike
Hi Mike, Awesome, awesome, awesome! Thanks for posting the video of your operating session. Your operating session looks like a lot of fun, running long consists and multiple unit lash ups are a real bonus. Thanks also for showing your paperwork and explaining operating concepts. Long how do your typical operating sessions last? -Tom
Greetings Tom - Thanks so much for your comments. The operating sessions are planned for 3 hours, but usually last 3.5 hours (sometimes 4 hours). As long as everyone is having fun, then I'm good with that. Mike
Haha my birthday is on the 10th so the layout is depicted 30 years before I was born
That looks like so much fun. I'd love to do it! I think there is a modeling club here in the Quad Cities. One question, are your B unit locomotives powered or not? Just curious.
Hi John - Yes, my B units are powered. All locomotives on my layout are powered and all have sound decoders. Thank you for watching! Mike