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ATLP Rewind - Talking Ops With Don Irace - Operations On The CS&P with Drew James - October 8, 2024
Published 3 days, 3 hours ago
Description
ATLP Rewind - Originally Released October 8, 2024
How does a layout owner balance operational complexity and guest enjoyment on a large-scale proto-freelance railroad?
Drew James joins Around The Layout Podcast to discuss the operational design and evolution of the Canada Spokane and Pacific, his 1,500-square-foot, proto-freelanced HO scale layout set in June 1978 and jointly owned by the Burlington Northern and Canadian Pacific. The episode focuses on the practical decisions and tradeoffs Drew makes to deliver rewarding operating sessions for both regulars and guests, emphasizing approachable CTC-based traffic control, flexible switchlist systems, and the importance of keeping the experience enjoyable rather than overwhelming.
The conversation covers the reasons behind Drew’s operating scheme choices, including why he prefers CTC over timetable and train order for regular sessions and how switchlists have replaced car cards and waybills in his system. Drew describes adapting his approach as regular operators’ preferences evolve, ensuring operational variety, and deliberately designing yard and mainline flow to reduce stress and waiting. The discussion also touches on creating new challenges—like introducing a long-unused track wye into the session—and practical staging, restaging, and dispatching methods on a railroad designed for both social and operational enjoyment.
IN THIS EPISODE:
• Deciding between CTC, timetable and train order, and other traffic control methods
• Moving from car cards and waybills to a custom switchlist system
• Designing yard operations for accessibility and reduced operator stress
• Adapting operating jobs as crew preferences shift over time
• Introducing new operational challenges—including creative use of a previously unused wye
• Balancing realism, variety, and enjoyment for both regular and occasional operators
Visit our website at aroundthelayout.com
Become a member of our Operating Crew for chances to win and much more!
aroundthelayout.com/crew
Around The Layout Podcast is a production of Thirty Five Productions LLC
©2026 Thirty Five Productions LLC. All rights reserved.
The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Thirty Five Productions LLC or our sponsors.
Use of any trademarks or trade names is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.
No portion of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Thirty Five Productions LLC, except for brief quotations used for purposes of review, commentary, or promotion.
How does a layout owner balance operational complexity and guest enjoyment on a large-scale proto-freelance railroad?
Drew James joins Around The Layout Podcast to discuss the operational design and evolution of the Canada Spokane and Pacific, his 1,500-square-foot, proto-freelanced HO scale layout set in June 1978 and jointly owned by the Burlington Northern and Canadian Pacific. The episode focuses on the practical decisions and tradeoffs Drew makes to deliver rewarding operating sessions for both regulars and guests, emphasizing approachable CTC-based traffic control, flexible switchlist systems, and the importance of keeping the experience enjoyable rather than overwhelming.
The conversation covers the reasons behind Drew’s operating scheme choices, including why he prefers CTC over timetable and train order for regular sessions and how switchlists have replaced car cards and waybills in his system. Drew describes adapting his approach as regular operators’ preferences evolve, ensuring operational variety, and deliberately designing yard and mainline flow to reduce stress and waiting. The discussion also touches on creating new challenges—like introducing a long-unused track wye into the session—and practical staging, restaging, and dispatching methods on a railroad designed for both social and operational enjoyment.
IN THIS EPISODE:
• Deciding between CTC, timetable and train order, and other traffic control methods
• Moving from car cards and waybills to a custom switchlist system
• Designing yard operations for accessibility and reduced operator stress
• Adapting operating jobs as crew preferences shift over time
• Introducing new operational challenges—including creative use of a previously unused wye
• Balancing realism, variety, and enjoyment for both regular and occasional operators
Visit our website at aroundthelayout.com
Become a member of our Operating Crew for chances to win and much more!
aroundthelayout.com/crew
Around The Layout Podcast is a production of Thirty Five Productions LLC
©2026 Thirty Five Productions LLC. All rights reserved.
The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Thirty Five Productions LLC or our sponsors.
Use of any trademarks or trade names is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.
No portion of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Thirty Five Productions LLC, except for brief quotations used for purposes of review, commentary, or promotion.