'Regular ops'

This wild year of 2026 steams along and pulls in more directions than one can count.  And so in a way it's refreshing to be seeing summer come to a close, to see the kids back to school, with solid positive starts for each of them.  With the regularity that their schedule demands, we are glad to be back to regular operation on the Onondaga Cutoff, too.  

Regulars here are familiar with the concept of role-playing prototype railroad operations.  Operating sessions involve 12-16 guests that come over periodically to bring the OC to life, and they are amongst my favorite hobby moments.  

It's 9:40pm on a humid, warm September 11, 1994.  GE's of different series share time resting at Island Yard outside Syracuse, NY.  

It is a date now that we all recognize, 9-11, but in a year long before that tragic loss of 9-11-2001.  It is also incredible that even 2001 is now 25 years ago.  (!)  Still, one of the ways the Western world responded to 9-11 is by getting back to business, back to life, and learning to carry that heavy load.  

B36-7 5056 rests at Midway, awaiting a revenue assignment.  The auxiliary lights add so much!  Following standard Conrail practice, the red marker lights are aglow on standing power.  

Now it's 2:32am on September 12, 1994, and the Mohawk Dispatcher is momentarily alone at the desk controlling movements on the Onondaga Cutoff.  It is never quiet for long.  

After dawn breaks, trains are easier to photograph, and here with Ross at the throttle we have train BUSY, Buffalo-Syracuse, building air and about ready to leave with his pickup which today included SW-9 9213 and three camp cars - old flatcars converted to carry RV trailers for housing maintenance crews on site.  

And, fittingly for 9-11, here is westbound military extra MIL-301 with Bradley fighting vehicles headed to Ft. Drum.  SP power adds to a unique train!  

It sure is nice to be back to regular operating sessions!

Operations, Near and Far

 As years have passed and operations on the Onondaga Cutoff have grown, so has the option to attend sessions at other's homes, and to be part of other communities around the country.  

A recent photo that came across email to me brought a smile to my face.  There are friends you meet along the road who are there to help you learn, and to help guide us forward.  These friends grow to become close to us and our families too, indeed becoming friends both within and outside of this hobby.  Doug Watts is a person who has always been willing to offer an ear and to be part of what we are working to build on the OC.  

Here's a fun image of Doug and I at an operating session on Tony Koester's famous Nickel Plate Road back in 2023.  We are both fortunate to be within a reasonable drive of this operation, it's a great experience to share!  Thanks to Rich Wisneski for the image.  

Operating a model railroad is a truly compelling part of this hobby of ours.  It becomes a bit of a lifestyle, too, one where you have to stay flexible in being surprised, be willing to take a risk and make mistakes, and have fun in a spot where you're the new guy and everyone else knows what they are doing.  (Or, at least, they seem to know what they are doing.)  

Take a chance on operations!  There are a variety of ways to get started, including open events that surround many National Model Railroad Association conventions and meets, as well as around Railway Prototype Modeler meets (RPMs) and even some train shows such as the big expo each year at Springfield MA.  

Operations keeps the good times going.