OperatingSessions.com | New York, Ontario, and Western (Southern Division)

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My NYO&W is set in the lower Catskill Mountains of Southeastern New York State. The timeframe is the late 1950’s and represents a post-abandonment (March 29, 1957) version where an investor group purchased the NYO&W Southern Division. Current operations run from Maybrook Yard thru Middletown to Sidney with a branch line to Delhi. There are interchange connections with the New Haven and Lehigh & Hudson River railroads at Maybrook Yard, the Delaware & Hudson Railway at Sidney, and the Erie RR at Middletown.

The track plan is strictly point-to-point. The mainline between yard limits at Sidney Tower and AV Tower in Middletown is 2.57 scale miles long. This does not include trackage within yard limits nor the mainline from Middletown to Maybrook. This is in a basement room of 14 feet by 34 feet.

WARNING! Ceiling height is 6 feet 4 inches.

The train line-up includes 6 local passenger runs, 2 local freights that switch customers along the mainline, 4 NYO&W thru trains, and a D&H run-through from Sidney to Maybrook Yard and return. Also, a New Haven transfer runs from Maybrook Yard to Middletown and returns to Maybrook.

The railroad uses Digitrax DCC with Duplex (radio) throttles. Digitrax WiFi is available for those who choose to use a phone app or a WiFi throttle.

Dispatching is by Time-Table and Train-Order (TT&TO). There is a mix of scheduled trains and extra trains. Train instruction sheets are provided with information to run each train. The sheets included a Form A Clearance Card, either a Schedule or a Train Order as needed, and additional instructions including a heads-up on train meets. Switch Lists are prepared in advance of the session and are included with the Train Instructions as needed.

A 4:1 fast clock is used.

As a minimum, four road crews are required to run the full train line-up. Two person crews can be accommodated and still count as one train crew. Example: Gordon and Jeanne often work together as a C&E (conductor and engineer). All four crews should be busy soon within the start of the session and up to three trains may be on the mainline at any given time. There will be train meets and so following the Train Instruction sheet is important.

A Yardmaster works Middletown Yard along with a one-person switch crew (if available). A list of yard work to do will be provided and it will be up to the yardmaster to decide how to get the work done.

For now, yard work at Sidney is handled by the Delhi local and arriving through train crews.

Because a dedicated dispatcher position is not yet in place, I will act as a roving dispatcher to resolve issues as they develop. As on the prototype railroads, trains will run late, problems occur and meets (train orders) may need to be verbally changed.

Finally, operations remain in development and suggestions given in a kind manner are welcome. With twelve ops sessions run since starting in January 2024, many improvements suggested by participants have been made to the operating plan as well as the railroad infrastructure. And more are in the works as time and energy permit.

Snacks and soft drinks will be provided.

We are located at 10065 Creek Rd in Pavilion. Park anywhere in the driveway or along the rural road.

And remember, the purpose of the op session is to have fun!

Thank You!
John Socha