This website has been archived from TrainWeb.org/mesquitebelt to TrainWeb.US/mesquitebelt.
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Operations |
Operating Sessions |
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"Model railroad layouts are designed to be operated, just as automobiles are
designed to be driven. The goal of the designer is to create a model railroad
with an interesting and enjoyable operating scheme, providing an opportunity
for people to get together and enjoy trains and each other, and for the
layout builder to show off his or her handiwork and artistry."
"The formal operating session is the most demanding
type of operation on a model railroad. The railroad is usually operated to
simulate prototype railroad operations, with trains going places and doing
work. Often there are several people working (playing, actually) together,
filling such roles as engineer, yardmaster, dispatcher and others. Some sort
of paperwork is used to simulate the prototype's masses of paperwork and to
direct the action. A model railroad requires sophisticated track planning to
allow all the train movements necessary during a busy operating session."
"We all love the hobby of model railroading, and seek to improve it and
increase its benefits to the model railroaders who devote so much of their
leisure time pursuing their dream. While a finished model railroad is a
wonderful thing to look at, and photograph, it really comes alive and gives
us sublime enjoyment when it operates just as the prototype."
Copyright © Mike O'Brien, Used with permission of the Author
Here is a line-up of train movements during a "normal" operations session:  Mesquite Belt trains:Called @ Houston Eureka Yard: Y EU 51 - Yard Job/Local NB local Houston to Smithville R EU GT - Rock train (GRR) Eureka Yard to Georgetown via Granger M HO FW - Manifest Houston Eureka Yard to Ft Worth North Yard Called @ Smithville Yard: Y SV 51 - Yard Job/Local NB to Ft. Worth North Yard Y SV 62 - Yard Job/Local SB to Houston Eureka Yard Called @ Ft. Worth North Yard: Y FW 62 - Yard Job/Local SB to Smithville M FW HO - Manifest Ft. Worth North Yard to Houston Eureka Yard Called @ Ft. Worth Cargill Elevator: Cargill Switcher Job - Local switcher for large elevator and transfer to Ft. Worth North Yard Called @ Port of Houston: PTRA Switcher Job - Local switcher POH Port Of Houston to Houston Eureka Yard & return to POH Called @ Granger: R GT EU - Rock train (GRR) Georgetown via Granger to Eureka Yard 
TRE Trinity Railway Express trains:
Texaswide Express and local Budd RDC Service TRE5690 - TRE Express Service Houston - Ft. Worth Stops: Houston - Taylor - Temple - Waco - Ft. Worth TRE5700 - TRE Express Service Ft. Worth - Houston Stops: Ft. Worth - Waco - Temple - Taylor - Houston TRE2005 HO FW - TRE Budd RDC Service Houston - Ft. Worth Stops: Houston - Sealy - La Grange - Smithville - Taylor - Temple - Waco - Ft. Worth TRE2006 FW HO - TRE Budd RDC Service Ft. Worth - Houston Stops: Ft. Worth - Waco - Temple - Taylor - Smithville - La Grange - Sealy - Houston 
Amtrak trains:
Nationwide Passenger Rail Service Amtrak 21 - Amtrak Service Houston - Ft. Worth Stops: Houston - Taylor - Temple - Waco - Ft. Worth Amtrak 22 - TRE Express Service Ft. Worth - Houston Stops: Ft. Worth - Waco - Temple - Taylor - Houston Haulage Rights trains: 
TMRI -Teague, Mexia, & Rock Island RR traffic TO&K - Texas, Oklahoma & Kansas RR traffic The MB has shipping alliances with the Texas, Oklahoma & Kansas and the Teague, Mexia, Rock Island and Gulf. This coalition has the capability to compete with other Class 1's, with their overall traffic capabilities within the state of Texas, and points beyond. Both the TMRI & the TO&K run grain shuttles on the Mesquite Belt to the Port of Houston. The Mesquite Belt feels that we should use our model railroad interests to benefit and educate the community. This is done by offering entertaining yet educational demonstrations to such groups as the Boy Scouts of America and school groups.
The Mesquite Belt handles group outings and hosting other model railroad clubs for guest operating sessions, as well as the Piney Woods Model RR Club and NMRA.
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Webmaster: Devin M. Jackson
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Contact: |
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Devin M. Jackson 903-724-3976 |
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Dispatch Center 1-800-SHIP-MBT |
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Photos by: Mike Ellis |
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Copyright ©
1987-2005 Mesquite Belt Railroad |
