My most dense episode yet, this was originally a one parter. However, at nearly an hour this time around, it is evident that this subject needed to be bifurcated. Whereas Part 2 will focus on space usage and human-centric design, this episode will focus on operations, train movements, and all other components integral to the movement of trains on real railroads. Even if you don't plan on operating your model railroad, it pays to build it to accommodate such, for so doing will make your railroad both more realistic and more versatile.

Since this is a particularly long episode, here's a cheat sheet of sections covered for you to refer back to if you're feeling lost:

1. Runaround

2. Industry Spur

3. Mainline

4. Interchanges

5. Staging

6. Storage Tracks

7. Yards

And here's a link to Craig's 10 Commandments of Yard Design.