Q: How many layouts will I be able to operate?

A:  Four, one session each on Friday afternoon, Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.

Q:  On which railroads will I get to operate?

A:  You will be able to review information on each host layout on the website, and then through your area coordinators submit your picks for the weekend.  Our committee will do our best to see that everyone receives their top choices.

Q:  I noticed there is an Option to not operate on Saturday afternoon.   What is there to do if I elect to not operate?

A:  This option is offered as 'open' time to allow our guests to explore St.Louis.  This may be your first trip to St Louis, this time can be spent rail fanning, visiting the National Museum of Transportation, area hobby shops, or to just relax and visit with friends.

Q:  I will be traveling with others and would like to operate together as a group over the weekend.  Can this be arranged?

A:  First preference will be to assign layouts based on each individual operator's selections. If you would like to operate together as a group  please have your local coordinator note this on the Layout Selection Matrix. However, due to the varying crew sizes and schedule of layouts, it may not be possible to keep groups together.

Q:  Will I need to bring my own radio?

A:  Several of our layouts use either 5-channel or FRS radios.  Please check the ‘Layout At A Glance’ pages for the railroads you are interested in to determine if guests will need to provide their own radio, and which type of radio.

Q:  I am planning on arriving the day before.  Will the REStL hotel rate be available for Thursday, October 14th?

A:  Yes, the hotel rate of $89.00 is good Thursday through Sunday evenings for guests who wish to arrive early or depart later.

Q:  I got assigned a railroad that I am not particularly interested in attending.  My friend got one of my picks and is willing to swap positions with me.  Is this acceptable?

A:  While it would be our preference that everyone attends their assigned sessions, it would be permissible to swap with another operator, as long as the layouts involved are not shorted on the number of operators.  Several of the Run Extra layouts require an exact number of operators for their sessions. No shows or additions would be an inconvenience to the host and assigned operating crew. If you do want to swap a session with a fellow operator, we also ask that you notify a Run Extra committee member ASAP so that we can update the layout hosts of their expected guests. A layout host (or helper) will be gathering their crews at the hotel prior to departure to ensure that everyone is accounted for and rides are provided. They will need to know who they are looking for.