Creating a realistic model
timetable
Modeling real railroads and what they do
A
lmost since the first model railroad layouts, modelers
have created timetables as part of the visual, as well
as the operational, environment of the layout. Why
do I say “visual?” Al Kalmbach, writing a column as “Boomer
Pete” in 1940, called some parts of his timetable “typographic
scenery,” and that is one aspect I want to touch on here. But of
course there is much more to it than that.
I should begin by identifying the elements I believe may be
usefully included in a model timetable. First, of course, are
train schedules, that is, train arrival and departure times at sta-
tions, along with the class and direction of these trains. This
becomes essential if operation is to follow “timetable and train
order” ( TT&TO) procedures, but can also be useful for other
operating modes – anything from simple lineups to complete
CTC or Track Warrant dispatching.
I won’t spend more time on TT&TO or other operating aspects,
partly because they have been covered so well elsewhere,
notably in the recent book from the Operations SIG of NMRA,
Getting Real column
by Tony Thompson
Timetables, a part of realistic operation ...
Getting Real Column - 1
