Talking Ops with Don Irace - Operations On The MKT with David Heyde

What does it take to design a model railroad layout that's both true to its prototype and a joy to operate with friends? In this episode, Ray Arnott and co-host Don Irace are joined by David Heyde for an in-depth conversation about building and evolving a medium-sized Missouri- Kansas-Texas layout in a one bay garage —right down to the details that bring Central Texas railroading to life in the spring of 1987. The discussion covers everything from the lessons learned in yard placement, the importance of aisle space, and balancing flawless operations with fun, to the value of feedback from operators and the ever-present urge to make layout changes as experience grows. Listeners will gain insight into both the joys and challenges of developing an operations-focused railroad and learn why sometimes, ripping things out for improvement is the best path forward.

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