If one picture is worth a thousand words, then one video should be worth several books. Somehow the concept of operations doesn't make sense if all you do is read about it. Seeing it is better but I've often found that doing it is the best teacher. But if you can't do it because you can't get to an operating session, watching one is still a viable option.

Irv

I have all three of Joe's OPS Live DVDs.  I continue to watch them over and over, and learn something new each time I watch.  Since I am familiar with the dialogue I pay a lot of attention to layout design, scenery, etc...

I like OPS video #3 as listening to the radio talk betwen the dispatcher and the road crews is very informative as well as entertaining.

I can't wait for OPS video #4.

Joe, great magazine and great videos.  Please keep them coming!!!

As I've said befoe, the best advice I've gotten about Model Railroading was to join the OPSIG (thanks again, Bryon).  I've learned more from those operating sessions than I ever could from a book, and I greatly look forward to them - they're not only educational, but fun as well. In some ways, It's the little stuff, like learning to hold on to cars when you're switching, or that when a car is marked do not hump you also shouldn't hump into it - that I find very informative and fun.

It's well worth the 55 mile drive each way, even in the dead of Winter!

Those long drives to op sessions are what model railroad podcasts are for!

Seriously, I can echo what Scarpia said. I also have found opportunities to operate through a local NMRA meeting and through a message board that had some local modelers on it.

Chris

The L&N is very nice! Operations brings out all the hard work building and giving a true reason for having the layout!

Reading other posts, dont get the idea that only big basement empires or clubs can have fun operating! Think back to the hours people spent on John Allen's time saver!

My own layout, filling my 27x 32 area with HO triple deck is coming closer to operations: My main goal in building was to be able to spend hours up in the "hollers" switching and working the mines. My first run to Moss # 1 and back took 4 actual hours! I returned with the loads, tired and very excited! Mission completed!

Thanks Joe for bringing our hobby into the next generation: The magazine, forums and video!

When I download second segment, it is only 8.5MB and zip file is corrupted!

You're right - the zip file is bad.

We'll get that fixed and notify you.

Okay, we've replaced the broken zip file and now the download is the expected 21+ MB.

Our test download and unzip worked fine, so the original file on our server is no longer corrupted.

21.9 meg and worked just fine!  What a great layout.  Thanks for doing these Joe.  I don't know what I like more, watching the Siskiyou Line or watching all the other fine layouts.  If you ever do a Movie Monday of the Siskiyou Line, could you follow the Dole Turn from checking out the train to tying up?

Thanks again

Steve

I've learned more from those operating sessions than I ever could from a book.

Or any video (no knock on our host's fine video series). The real-life experience is the best teacher, especially if you can manage to operate at a couple of different layouts to learn from the similarities and differences.

The Operations SIG organizes many operating opportunties and has a super-cheap on-line-publication membership of only 5 bucks per year.