Timetable Operations Underway

Panoramic view of the Highland Pacific Railroad layout

Panoramic view of the Highland Pacific Railroad layout

Posted live during the operating session …

A small but dedicated crew of operators has been called to work by the crew caller and dispatcher Bryan Hunnell.

Train 804, an eastbound freight, left Vista Yard and hit the mainline another an hour behind schedule. Engineer Bryan Hunnell made up some time on the schedule by while switching at Bayshore Docks.

In the meantime Cab Operator Pat Keegan fired up the 805, a westbound freight on track 363, an began the long journey to the western terminus of the Highland Pacific Railroad. Picking up some cars at Bayshore Docks slowed his arrival at Vista Yard.

Train 806 Engineer Arie Korporaal made up time on the schedule running the First 806 out of Vista eastbound as a through freight. Even so, this priority freight with Western Pacific on the point arrived at its Greely Yard destination just under an hour late.

Lindsay Smith worked as Eastside Brakeman with Ron Wardwell serving as the critical Vista Yard Operator. Bill Chappell got the session underway by staging trains around the layout.

The next operating session governed by timetable is scheduled for July 29, 2015. Be there or be square.

Timetable Operating Session Scheduled for April 29th

Night has fallen on the Highland Pacific Railroad

Night has fallen on the Highland Pacific Railroad

James Keena, Paymaster and Head of Operations, has announced a full-scale timetable operations night on Wednesday, April 29th.

“Arrival and departure times on the timetable are closer than they appear.” So said Pat Fluhrer after one of the club's timetable operating sessions. Club members will have the opportunity to run the Highland Pacific Railroad like the model first-class railroad that it is. There are plenty of operating stations for every member in attendance. The railroad will need a dispatcher, locomotive engineers, yard operators, Blue Island local operator, and brakemen.

The group is getting better at using the car card system around which our timetable operations are organized. All in all, running trains based on principles of real railroads will make the session more than “Christmas tree” running.

Our next Timetable Operations session is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, 2015. Come on down and join in the fun.

Happy Birthday to you …

Today the Highland Pacific Railroad is 67 years old.

April 1, 1948 is the official founding date of the Highland Park Society of Model Railroad Engineers, Inc. Thanks to the farsighted men who got together and formed the club, still going strong 67 years later.

Here's a special shout out to George Boggs who is one of the founding members of the Society. He is the only surviving member of the original group of founders. Thanks George!

Pat Keegan Named Man of the Year for 2014

Pat Keegan has been named the Highland Park Society of Model Railroad Engineers, Inc. Man of the Year for 2014.

Pat has been the project lead in converting the club's DC system over to a more modern DCC system. Actually Pat has been working on implementing a dual system–both DC and DCC power equipment are able to run on the layout. 

Pat was surprised at being named the Man of the Year but members at the banquet indicated that it was a popular and correct choice. Congratulations Pat.

Service Awards

The following members received service awards as tonight's Annual Awards Banquet.

  • David Dodd.         1 year
  • Javier Gomez         5 years
  • Jerry Duncan       10 years
  • Tom Geer            10 years (Sustaining Member)
  • Charles White     25 years
  • James Keena        30 years
  • Cliff Bender        35 years
  • Ray Olesen         35 years
  • Arie Korporaal    40 years
  • Bill Chappell      50 years

Congratulations to all our members receiving an award. 

Memberships available. Call (626) 285-1031