Using Microsoft Excel for Model Railroad Switching and Operations

Use Microsoft Excel for prototypical model railroad operations.
#excel #excelfortrains #excelswitchingprogram #hooperations #hoshelflayout #hoswitchinglayout

[@HartfordWhaler]

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[@SouthDown]

“You can pretty much do anything you want in front of Excel if you spend enough time doing it.” No kidding. It’s amazing how being a model railroader these days also requires a degree in graphic design, computer administration, video editing, and more. Sometimes I forget to just run some trains rather than staring at a screen-like right now. Great system and brilliantly thought out.

[@HartfordWhaler]

Agree! I have to force myself to just make a coffee and run trains. But when I do I have a blast! Thanks for watching. I’ve been enjoying your channel.

[@genejablonski9909]

This is great. A very minor point is that when switching as I understand it, the prototype sounds two long blasts (not one) when moving forward and three short blasts when moving backward. Thanks for sharing.

[@HartfordWhaler]

Yes 2 forward. Good catch. Sorry about that! Thanks for the comment and for watching!

[@mrmrlee]

What a great layout, so much potential for operating sessions. I'm building my 14' x 2' (2 hollow core doors) and your layout is inspirational.

[@HartfordWhaler]

Thanks for the nice comments. Keep me posted on the progress. It’s amazing how much you can do in a small space. Similar to real railroads…4-5 industries with multiple car spots can take a crew all day. Thanks for watching!

[@justn2trains]

Great job! When I visit layouts to operate, I really do prefer switch lists like that.

[@HartfordWhaler]

Always welcome to visit any time Justin!

[@justn2trains]

@@HartfordWhaler Thanks! Right back at ya! Now to finish my bench work….lol

[@michaelsmodelrailroading7665]

At first glance, it might seem 14:14 14:14 pretty simple to switch out 5 cars for 5 cars. But given the limited space available, the complexity of "stays," along with possible variations in the order of the 5 cars, I can see that it might take 30 to 60 minutes (or more) to get through a single switch list - plenty of complexity. I'd like to further examine the inner cell workings of your spreadsheet. I'd also enjoy a turn or two operating on your layout. Thanks again for another interesting video.

[@HartfordWhaler]

Thanks for the thoughts and comments. Appreciated. I’d be happy to share the spreadsheet details and you’d be welcome to operate! Let me know if your email is in your KZbin profile.

[@raykloetstra8501]

Thanks so much for your video about operations on your layout. It was very helpful for me, as I anticipate moving from layout construction to begin operations. I'd love to know more about how you set up your work order on Excel and have an Excel or pdf file to guide me. Have a great day.

[@HartfordWhaler]

Thanks and I’m glad it was helpful. Do you have an email in your KZbin profile so I can give you more insight? Thanks for watching!

[@csx-isolawest2011]

Hi Paul, thanks for sharing this. Certainly simpler that what I use :) It really shows that you do not need a large layout to be interesting and fun. Lee

[@HartfordWhaler]

Thanks Lee. I’m not interesting or fun, so maybe I do need a larger layout \_(••)_/ Thanks for watching it and glad you found it useful! Next I’ll get some actual ops on videos posted.

[@csx-isolawest2011]

@@HartfordWhaler LOL

[@rickyhammond36]

well done mate,,looking good,

[@HartfordWhaler]

Thanks 👍. Appreciate it.

[@Tony770jr]

Looks interesting. I shared your link to our Ops manager for possible use on our club layout. Thanks!

[@HartfordWhaler]

That’s great Tony! Hope it’s helpful. Thanks for watching.

[@JeanPierre-jb5ln]

Hi Paul, very interesting, thank you for sharing. I’m a bit puzzled why you don’t show position of cars already set at industries when you start pulling interchange track 1. I confess to not following through both loco sessions yet but does the random placing of cars on tracks 1/2 interchange mean some of train 1 or previous positioned cars obstruct the deeper car spots. Regards John

[@HartfordWhaler]

The switch list does show which cars are set out at industries before you begin switching each cut of cars. I may not have mentioned that in the video? With each cut of cars there are cars that need to be moved and re-spotted in order to pick up or place the cars in the cut. Hope that answers your question.

[@ScottTaipaleRail]

All good til management sells off the second engine, rips out the run arounds and tells you to gravity switch some customers.

[@HartfordWhaler]

Very true!

[@HumancityJunction]

Did you find your spelling mistake after you posted the video? That is when I "always" find my spelling mistakes. Another great video. I really like the videos you have been posting on your layout.

[@HartfordWhaler]

I found it as I was recording! It’s either then or after it’s posted that I find them. Also whenever I try to do operations on camera something stupid happens. It’s why I’ve avoided it. But I want to start doing more of that. Glad you like the content. I was actually watching your livestream tonight and really enjoyed it. Thanks for the comments and thank you for watching!

[@HumancityJunction]

@@HartfordWhaler it is a known fact. Everything will run perfectly until you turn on the video camera. Then nothing runs correctly.

[@thomream1888]

@@HumancityJunction That, and taking the vehicle in for repairs!

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

great interesting programm could it be possible to used on another layout ,if so cant you send me a empty copy vor where i can get it

[@HartfordWhaler]

It would really need to be designed around your layout, but the key functions would be similar. If you’re got an email in your KZbin profile, I can reach out directly.

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

@@HartfordWhaler @ronaldrondeau7870

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

@@HartfordWhaler @ronaldrondeau7870

[@genejablonski9909]

Can you share or sell the spreadsheet?

[@HartfordWhaler]

Is your email in your KZbin profile so I can discuss direct?