BadgerRail – Model Railroad Operations Group

If you love model railroad operations, BadgerRail is the place for you—whether you’re a seasoned pro at realistic train running or just getting started. This round-robin group is all about enjoying model railroading in Madison and the greater South/Central Wisconsin area. We’re big on camaraderie, sharing experiences with other regional groups, lending a hand with planning and building during work sessions, and running railroads of all sizes and scales.

We run frequently, and while sessions often fill up, most layout owners are happy to welcome a guest or two who want to experience the fun of low-stress operations. Not sure? We regularly pair seasoned crew members with new operators to make the learning curve easier.

Our operating sessions are relaxed and engaging, and we encourage layout owners to open all positions to operators. We understand that some prefer to assign high-demand roles to experienced operators, and that’s perfectly fine. However, we strive to mentor and develop skills in every position whenever possible. Roles are usually assigned through a numbered selection process, where individuals pick from the list of available jobs as their number is called. New or less experienced operators can choose simpler tasks or pair up as a two-person crew with a more seasoned member.

This website has two main goals. First, it highlights the owners and their layouts, giving them full control over when and how often they host operating sessions, how many operators are needed, and who fills key roles. Some prefer assigning experienced operators as dispatchers or yardmasters, while others offer these spots to help newer members gain experience. Second, it makes crew sign-ups easy. Before joining any sessions, you’ll need to register with your name and email to help prevent spam and hacking. Reach out to get started or with any questions.

At RiverRail, our sister group in Western Wisconsin, one of their cherished traditions is the occasional group meal, bringing people together for camaraderie, lively conversations, friendly banter, and idea-sharing. We’re excited to adopt this tradition ourselves. Most sessions, though not all, last three to four hours, and depending on the host, there’s often a chance for a meal—whether during a break, before, or after the event. Sometimes it’s home-cooked, sometimes delivered, and other times it’s a meet-up at a local pub, but it’s always the perfect chance to connect and talk railroading with fellow enthusiasts. A few of our members are already embracing this.

We’re a friendly group always eager to welcome more model railroaders who share our love for operations. Take a look at the list below to see where you could be running next.

Work and/or Operating Sessions

Our organization runs operating sessions on a variety of scale railroads, with more layout projects in the works. We host regular work and operating sessions regularily and are always happy to welcome new operators to join in the fun of Model Railroad Operations. See the list below for our upcoming sessions.

We are working with various owners to get sessions scheduled within the next few weeks… Stay tuned!