Making it Work – A Primer for NEB&W Model Railroad Operators

Last Update: 2008-07-18

by Mike Goblet
Train Operation Table Of Contents

Operating a train, whether during an Open House, an Operating Session, or just for fun, is neither difficult nor complicated. Only three items are needed — track power, a controller/throttle, and an engine.

Track and Control Power

Commonly, the track and control power supply will be on when you arrive for an Open House or Operating Session. If power is not on, you must find and turn on three switches. The first two are on an electrical cabinet found behind the curtain at your right just inside of the doorway as you enter the largest room. Both the AC MAIN switch located at the upper left and the BUZZ/TURNOUT switch below and to the right of the AC MAIN switch are both in the up position. The third switch is found on a power strip beneath the workbench located behind the Red Rocks section in the middle room, which must be turned on.

The Controller/Throttle

There are two types of controller/throttles in use, which are stored behind the Red Rocks section when not in use. For easy identification, we will call the smaller of the two a "knobby", the larger a "paddle." Although there are varieties of both controller/throttles, their operation is similar.

Remove the controller/throttle from its storage location, and take a coiled cord from the pegboard next to the entrance. Plug an end of the cord into the bottom of the controller and the other end of the cord into the jack nearest the engine you want to use.

Selecting an Engine

Find a idle engine and read the engine number marked on the side of the cab.

On the controller/throttle, press the "SELECT LOCO" button.
a) On the knobby, a red LED will light steadily.
b) On the paddle, "ENTER LOCO" will be displayed on the second line of the LCD display.

Note: Make sure the knob is turned fully counterclockwise, or the display on the second line of the LCD panel indicates "000," before taking the next step.

Using the keypad on the controller/throttle, enter the engine number slowly.
a) On the knobby, the red LED will blink once as you press each button (it may blink too fast to observe) but remain lit. When you have completed entering the engine number, press the ENTER button. The LED will go out.
b) On the paddle, the engine number will be displayed as you enter it. If the number is correct, press the ENTER button; if it is not correct, press additional number buttons until only "ENTER LOCO" is displayed on the second line of the LCD display. Reenter the engine number. When correct, press the ENTER button.
Note: On both steam engines and diesels, the long end is the front/forward end.

Choose direction of travel
a) On the knobby, press FWD or REV as appropriate. The red LED will flash once.
b) On the paddle, press the DIRECTION button; FWD or REV will be displayed on the first line of the LCD display.

Let’s get moving!
a) On the knobby, slowly turn the knob clockwise. If the engine does not move, attempt to move it slightly by hand. If it still does not move, return to step 2 and reselect the engine. If the engine still does not move, ask for help.
b) On the paddle, rotate the thumbwheel toward the top or press the "INC" or "FAST INC" buttons. A numerical indication of the speed step you have selected will be displayed on the second line of the LCD display. If the engine does not move, attempt to move it slightly by hand. If the engine still does not move, ask for help.
Note: Engines should operate prototypically — let speed build up slowly and stopping should take time. Be patient!

Selecting multiple engines (multiple diesel engines joined together are called a "consist")

Note: Steam engines may not be consisted. Steam engines must have an individual operator.

Find an idle consist and read the engine numbers on the side of the cabs. Note the last two digits of the engine number; eliminating double zeros (00), determine which last two digits are the lowest. This is the "consist" number.

Example: A consist including engines 400 and 477 is 77.

On the controller/throttle, press the "SELECT LOCO" button.
a) On the knobby, a red LED will light.
b) On the paddle, "ENTER LOCO" will be displayed on the second line of the LCD display.
Note: Make sure the knob is turned fully counterclockwise, or the display on the second line of the LCD panel indicates "000," before the next step.

Using the keypad on the controller/throttle, enter the engine number slowly.
a) On the knobby, the red LED will blink once as you press each button (it may blink too fast to observe). When you have completed entering the engine number, press the ENTER button. The LED will go out.
b) On the paddle, the engine number will be displayed as you enter it. If the number is correct, press the ENTER button; if it is not correct, press additional number buttons until only "ENTER LOCO" is displayed on the second line of the LCD display. Reenter the engine number. When correct, press the ENTER button.

Note: The long end of the engine whose engine number is used to provide a consist number is the front/forward end.
Choose direction of travel
a) On the knobby, press FWD or REV as appropriate. The red LED will flash once.
b) On the paddle, press the DIRECTION button; FWD or REV will be displayed on the first line of the LCD display.

Let’s get moving!
a) On the knobby, slowly turn the knob clockwise. If the engine does not move, attempt to move it slightly by hand. If it still does not move, return to step 2 and reselect the engine. If the engine still does not move, ask for help.
b) On the paddle, rotate the thumb wheel toward the top or press the "INC" or "FAST INC" buttons. A numerical indication of the speed step you have selected will be displayed on the second line of the LCD display. If the engine does not move, attempt to move it slightly by hand. If the engine still does not move, ask for help.

Operations

Now that you can power up the layout, operate the controller/throttle, and select an engine, it’s time to begin operating.

Choosing your train

You will likely select your engine or consist from those parked in Rutland, Bennington or Chateaugay yards. You are also likely to find trains set up, ready to move North (travelling right towards Chateaugay) or South (travelling left towards Troy or Rutland Yard. You now need to move your engine or consist to that track.

Note: The long end of the engine whose engine number is used to provide the consist number is the front/forward end.

Note: During an Open House or Operating Session ask the Yardmaster, if one is present, which train to take.

Yard Layout

In any of the yards, you will need to learn how to select tracks. This process is different in each yard, and the track diagrams on the fascia can help.

In Rutland Yard, the nearest track to the operators is the Boston and Maine Mainline, and is not counted. Beginning with the second track, start counting from yard track 1 to yard track 10, noting that yard track 7 appears halfway into the yard where it separates from track 6. Tracks are selected by rotating the knob on the fascia to the number corresponding to the track you wish to enter or leave, pressing and holding the adjacent button until you hear no more switching noises.

Note: Switching should only take 2 — 3 seconds. If the switching noises continue after that time, release the button.

Warning: There are turnouts at both ends of each yard track. Be sure both turnouts are set to the proper track before starting. Backing into a closed turnout will cause a short circuit and may shut down the entire layout.

In Bennington Yard, the nearest track to the operators is the NEB&W Mainline, and the second is the passing siding. Beginning with the third track, start counting from yard track 1 to yard track 7. At the North (right) end of the yard is a caboose track, which is not counted as a yard track. Tracks are selected by rotating the knob on the fascia to the number corresponding to the track you wish to enter or leave.

In Chateaugay Yard, the nearest track to the operators is yard track 6, the next is yard track 5, and so on. Beyond yard track 1 is the NEB&W Mainline; beyond it is the station track. Yard tracks are selected by pressing the button on the track diagram on the fascia corresponding to the track you wish to enter or leave.

Note: During an Open House or Operating Session, the Yardmaster will normally set the turnouts.

Leaving the Yard

Following the track diagram on the fascia, press the button(s) that will set the turnouts to allow your train to enter the main line.

Note: During an Open House or Operating Session, clearance to enter the mainline from the Yardmaster or Dispatcher is required.

Note: All freight trains, except local freights pulling a combine (a car carrying passengers and train crew), must have a caboose. No exceptions.

Operating on the Main Line

Colored tape designates the status of each track. The mainline is designated with yellow tape, passing sidings with white tape, industrial and yard tracks with red tape. To properly set the turnouts, you must press the buttons found along the tape diagram on the fascia corresponding to the track your train is to travel on and press them as you come to them. Prototypically, turnouts are set to the main line (and not passing, yard or industrial tracks) where it was multi-tracked; one direction is given priority where multi-tracked main lines reduced to single track main line.

Note: On the NEB&W, turnouts are set for Southbound priority and always to the main line

When transitioning from dual mainline tracks to a single mainline track, passenger trains and through freights will find main line turnouts set properly when Southbound. When transitioning from dual mainline to single mainline at Johnsonville, the turnout must be set to allow Northbound trains to enter the single mainline, then reset to allow Southbound travel.

Note: Prototypically, trains must stop to allow trainmen to set turnouts.

Priority of trains

Trains are assigned priorities according to their cargo. Passenger trains, milk trains, through freights, local freights all have a priority, generally in this order. Depending upon your train’s priority, you may have clearance for mainline from start of your run to the end. It is more likely you will have to "meet" other trains on siding track at Summit, Proctor, Grand Isle, Lake George or Port Henry. When "meeting" a higher priority train, you pull into the siding, setting the turnout(s) back to the mainline after entering the siding. After receiving clearance to move to the next "meeting" or your final destination, you set the turnout to the passing siding in your direction. After pulling onto the mainline, reset the turnout back to the main line after leaving the siding.

Helper District

When operating in the Berkshire Subdivision (Troy/Rutland Yard to Bennington), helper service is needed for steam engine operation. A second steam engine must be coupled to the front end of the train to assist in the climbs from Reynolds to Saratoga and from Saratoga to Summit. The helper steam engine may be released after reaching Bennington.

Consist units of diesel engine must be used in the Berkshire Subdivision. If a consist is not available, a diesel helper service may be used, coupled to the front, in the middle, or at the end of the train. The helper diesel engine may be released after reaching Bennington.

Yardmasters will determine proper power assignments based upon the total weight of the train.

Arriving at your destination

When your train arrives at its final destination, park it on an open track. Disconnect the engine or consist and caboose, setting the caboose on the caboose track and the engine or consist in the designated parking area.

Note: During an Open House or Operating Session, arrival tracks will be assigned by the Yardmaster. When present, the Yardmaster will take over your engine(s) as soon as you park your train.
Important: When you park a train and are finished operating at that time, press "SELECT LOCO" on the controller/throttle and enter the number listed on the controller/throttle, then press the "ENTER" button.

Completing your operating session

Return your controller/throttle to their storage area beyond Red Rocks, hanging the cord on the pegboard where you enter and the controller/throttle in its designated location. If you are operating alone, turn off all power.