Operating Session, Rock Island Lines, December 2023

Here is an overview of the operating session I had on my layout on December 2, 2023.

[@cprtrain]

Incredible video. I love your layout. The Rock Island LIVES!!!

[@rimodeler7963]

Yes sir, just trying to keep the memory of the Rock Island alive. Thank you! Mike

[@lclarke1959]

I'm 64 and this was my very first operating session. I felt so blessed to be able to both see this fantastic layout and also run a train. You wont find a cleaner or more well organized layout anywhere. And the track work was spot on and everything for the most part ran very smoothly.. I was partnered up with a experienced operator so was well informed on what to do and when. As was stated below, it truly was a blast

[@rimodeler7963]

It was a pleasure to have you join us, Loren. Thank you for your nice comments and I look forward to having you with us at a future operating session. Mike

[@conrailfan6277]

​@@rimodeler7963Lucky Dog!! 😁😁😁😁😁😁

[@IMRROcom]

For people that love ops, This is the most valuable stuff you can share... I think the best videos are the videos that show people playing the ops game. If I want to see a train pass at ground level view at a realistic speed, I have many video options that show the real thing.

[@rimodeler7963]

Thank you for your comments and for taking the time to watch the video. Mike

[@thecnwmondovilinepaulscota7304]

One of my favorite layouts! Thanks for sharing the Ops section with us... Looks like it was a blast!

[@rimodeler7963]

I appreciate your comments and thanks much for watching. We did have a great time! Mike

[@jdmills4370]

Soooo Wait a minute here Is that THE Dean Harris of the Oregon Joint Line? He gets to run on this fantastic railroad AND on his? Sooooo unfair to the rest of us. Hahaha

[@oregonjointlinemodelrailro4125]

ahem, that would be Dean Ferris...

[@jdmills4370]

@@oregonjointlinemodelrailro4125 Totally my bad But you both have remarkable layouts

[@rimodeler7963]

Yup, that is THE Dean Ferris of Oregon Joint Line fame. His layout is phenomenal! Thank you for watching and for your comments. Mike

[@beerlinemodeler]

Another great video! Your op sessions look like a blast!

[@rimodeler7963]

Thank you, John ...... I appreciate it! Merry Christmas! Mike

[@pjl0830]

Fantastic layout and ops! Can you briefly share how your signal system works? Does the dispatcher operate a CTC panel? I didn't see one.

[@rimodeler7963]

Hi Paul: The signal system is actuated with photo cells and a signal animator offered by LogicRail. The signal system is intended to replicate an ABS (Automatic Block Signal) system. I utilize a magnetic board for dispatching which you can see in the early part of the video during the job briefing and in the short clips of the dispatcher talking to operators. Thanks for watching! Mike

[@unpasaro]

Fantastic !! You still know how to have a great time, congratulations

[@rimodeler7963]

Thanks so much! Mike

[@ThomasKlimoski]

Great to see an operating session on your layout. It looked like a lot of fun, I just wish I could have been there. For me, a layout comes to life during an ops session and it is a payoff for all your time designing and building it. Running a two person crew for locals really helps with getting train orders and giving each person a specific job to concentrate on rather than one person trying to juggle everything by themselves. I look forward to seeing more ops sessions videos.

[@rimodeler7963]

Hi Tom - Thanks for your comments and a special thank you for introducing me to John Haney who was able to participate in the operating session. He did an excellent job running one of the road freights. Looks like John is now a permanent name on my operating session invite list. Mike

[@ThomasKlimoski]

Hi Mike, Glad it worked out that John is now on your list of operators. He is lucky to live so close to you and be able to operate on your fantastic layout. It was nice to see a "behind the scenes" look at your ops session.-Tom

[@MLWQC]

Great Ops in-depth view. Well attended and I like your idea for dispatching. Excellent video. Very well done.

[@rimodeler7963]

Thank you very much! Love your channel and videos. Mike

[@MLWQC]

@@rimodeler7963 Thank you very much.

[@camaschris4196]

Love the layout and videos....It was great to hear you on Around the Layout podcast.

[@rimodeler7963]

Thank you very much and I'm glad you enjoyed the "Around the Layout" podcast. Ray Arnott is doing the hobby a great service with his podcasts. Mike

[@Grainexpress]

Really enjoyed the video! Such a cool layout for ops!

[@rimodeler7963]

Thanks for taking the time to watch the video ....... I appreciate it! Mike

[@Grainexpress]

@@rimodeler7963 I should have said that you narrating in the video let us viewers know what was going on and where and made it very enjoyable! Your layout is top notch! Take care Mike and have a Merry Christmas and a healthy and Happy New Year!

[@rimodeler7963]

@@Grainexpress - Thank you very much! Merry Christmas to you as well and all the best in the new year! Mike

[@JasonTrew2018]

Great video, love seeing what has been happening on the layout

[@rimodeler7963]

Thanks very much for watching and I appreciate your comments. Mike

[@gabrielarambula4465]

Glad to see you're back, Mike!

[@rimodeler7963]

Thank you! Mike

[@elsdp-4560]

Thank you for sharing. Very much enjoyed the operating session, looks like everyone was having a great time.👍

[@rimodeler7963]

Greetings Gary - It was a fun session and thank you for watching the video and commenting. Merry Christmas! Mike

[@elsdp-4560]

Merry Christmas to you and your family as well.

[@gogebicrails2479]

Wow! What a beautiful layout. Wonderful detailing especially the engines. Just so happens, we had an operating session with our round robin group on Dec 2 as well. I just subscribed so I'm looking forward viewing more of your videos. The camera work is excellent! Do you use a gimbel?

[@rimodeler7963]

Thank you for your comments which I very much appreciate. I do have a gimbal; however, I did not use it for this video. I just handheld my iPhone to record the operating session. Mike

[@leep5113]

Love this layout!

[@rimodeler7963]

Thank you! Mike

[@dkservice424]

Beautiful

[@rimodeler7963]

Thank you! Mike

[@gmburzynski68]

The session was great! Thanks for having me as a guest. Looking forward to next time!! Greg

[@rimodeler7963]

Hi Wyatt. - It’s always great having you at the op session. We’ll definitely see you at the next one! Mike

[@EagleCreekRailRoad]

Really enjoyed this, a great ops session. Thanks.

[@rimodeler7963]

Thank you for taking the time to watch the video and I appreciate your comments. Mike

[@JosephMusgrove]

Impressive layout!

[@rimodeler7963]

Thank you very much! Mike

[@conrailfan6277]

Nice ops Mike, this is a very cool video, I love how this Era allows the ability to run Geeps and F units together!!! 👍👍👍👍

[@rimodeler7963]

Thank you very much ..... I appreciate your comments! Mike

[@raylrodr]

Where is this railroad located?

[@rimodeler7963]

I’m located in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.

[@raylrodr]

I worked as a relief tower operator in Des Moines on the Rock Island while I was.in highschool. Retired from the CP Railroad in 2017.

[@theknickerbocker5808]

Mike, it was a pleasure meeting you back in October and getting a tour of your layout. Glad to see you are posting videos once again. I saw some familiar faces from my visit. It looks like a great time was had by all.

[@rimodeler7963]

It was a great pleasure to meet you as well! Thanks for your comments and keep those Amtrak trains rolling along safely. Mike