Model Railroad 101: ComEd Class Getting N Scale T-Trak Modules Done!

Tuesday November 10th had our ComEd attendees completing the bulk of the scenery on their T-Trak modules. Some spectacular progress has been made in such a short time! Last week, attendees wired and set track on their modules. they also began some of the basic scenery shapes on their modules. This time, they painted, applied ground foam as grass and turf as well as trees, water and other items you’d expect on a model railroad.

Next week, the class will be taking a field trip to review two or three DSED members’ private layouts. For the following week, the attendees will be putting the finishing touches on their N scale modules. In the second half of the class, the attendees will link up all of the modules and run trains over the completed modules.

See our ComEd page for more detail and photos.

Here are some pictures from the November 10th meeting of the class.

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Model Railroad 101: ComEd Class in Session!

Tuesday November 3rd saw the division kicking off its first meeting of four Tuesdays in November of the ComEd class Model Railroad 101. The class focuses on building a T-Trak module which class participants then have the opportunity to run a train on while joined with other T-Trak modules from the class and our division. See our ComEd page for more detail and photos.

Twin Cities Division: New Crossing Gate Podcast Episode: “Optimum layout size for operations”

“This episodes we discuss the optimum layout size and number of operators we prefer to host. This varies with each of us and we’d like to know your thoughts on the best size for operations and amount of people needed to operate.

Dan Dossa, Mike Jordan, and Thomas Gasior MMR, and Diana Gasior, as the “Sponsor Lady”,  in this episode.

Our Sponsor is: 101 Trackplans for layouts in a Tiny Home. “

Access the Crossing Gate Podcast here.

The Twin Cities Division of the NMRA (TCD) is a neighboring division in the Thousand Lakes Region (TLR) to the east of us. Our friends in the TCD are quite an active group and are always entertaining with their operations focused podcast antics!

Dakota Southeastern Division’s Next Train Show Appearance

The Division is proud to support Sioux Valley Model Engineers Society Trains at Christmas 2026.

Dates: November 21-22nd 2026 10AM – 4PM (both days)

Location: Expo Building at the Fairgrounds 100 N. Lyons Blvd, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Admission: $7.00 for adults and children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.

SVMES Trains at Christmas Advertisement
SVMES Trains at Christmas 2026 Announcement

Dakota Southeastern Division of the NMRA will have the full HO scale modular layout and N scale T-Trak modules running at the show as well as some secondhand model train consignment items for sale.

DSED members, the boys in blue at a train show exhibition with the HO scale modules. Steel span bridge in the foreground.
DSED members “The Boys in Blue”, at a train show exhibition with the HO scale modules. Steel span bridge in the foreground.
N scale trains on DSED's T-Trak modules

Watertown, SD Mall Model Railroad Show 2026 is a Wrap!

In October 2026, the division displayed its HO scale modules and N scale T-Trak modules at the mall in Watertown, SD. Photo credits to Jim Krekelberg and Scott Nesbit.

DSED Members operating HO scale trains
DSED Members operating HO scale trains
young locomotive engineer
A visitor is working on earing his engineer certificate on DSED’s switching layout.
Dakota Southeastern volunteers pose in front of the traveling modular HO scale train layout.
Dakota Southeastern volunteers at Watertown SD
Running HO scale trains
Running HO scale trains
School kids looking over the N scale T-Trak modules
School kids looking over the N scale T-Trak modules
An overview of DSED's N scale T-Trak model railroad modules displayed at the Watertown, SD Mall october 17-18, 2026.
N Scale T-Trak Module Overview
Our space in Watertown, SD
The DSED Train Running Crew

TCD New Crossing Gate Podcast Episode: “Questions from Seasoned Operators”

Our friends to the north and east continue the conversation about model railroad operations. Many of the Twin Cities Division membership are veteran operators and even layout hosts for operations.

“This episode explores the questions asked by veteran participants during model railroad operation sessions, as well as the questions experienced operators still find themselves asking even after running trains on a specific layout many times

What questions do the veterans of your Operation sessions ask? What questions do you ask even after you have operated many times at a specific layout?

We dig into these questions and more this episode.

Joe Binish, David Hamilton MMR, and Thomas Gasior MMR are the panel for this show

Our sponsor is ‘Emptying your Wallet” with new releases this time of year.”

Access the Crossing Gate Podcast here.

The Twin Cities Division of the NMRA (TCD) is a neighboring division in the Thousand Lakes Region (TLR) to the east of us. Our friends in the TCD are quite an active group and are always entertaining with their operations focused podcast antics!

The Division Prepares for Model Railroading Season by Building Stuff!

DSED members gathered at a member’s home this weekend for a model railroad work session.

Members built 16 N scale T-Trak modules in preparation for the upcoming Comm-Ed Build a Model Railroad class which is to take place in Sioux Falls Tuesday evenings in November. Class participants complete an N Scale T-Trak module. Registration is necessary. Visit DSED’s CommEd page for details and how you can register for the event. See the division’s Community Education Facebook post also.

Members also built a pair of oversized HO Scale modules for an upcoming surprise upgrade to the division’s traveling HO scale layout. See our event calendar for upcoming appearances!

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Twin Cities Division: New Crossing Gate Podcast Episode: “Networking with Others in Model Railroading” 100th Episode!

DSED tips its hat and says congratulations to the Twin Cities Division on their 100th episode of the popular “Crossing Gate Podcast”. Well done, gentlemen!

“This episode we discuss the ways networking has helped us and could potentially help you. Many different places online and in your own clubs and divisions can be of assistance.

Joe Binish, Mike Jordan, Greg Terhaar, and Thomas Gasior MMR are your hosts.

Our Sponsor lady, Diana Gassior, brings up the highlights, or lowlights, of our 100 episodes. “

Access the Crossing Gate Podcast here.

The Twin Cities Division of the NMRA (TCD) is a neighboring division in the Thousand Lakes Region (TLR) to the east of us. Our friends in the TCD are quite an active group and are always entertaining with their operations focused podcast antics!

DSED Model Railroad Events Calendar

Model Railroad Season 2026-2027 is Coming!

Dakota Southeastern Division of the NMRA is having model train fun all over the greater Sioux Falls, SD metro area this fall and early winter of 2026. Check our Event Calendar to keep up with our model railroaders if you can!