This section gives a brief summary of the main operating moves that are common on the British railway network, focusing on those movements involving a locomotive and rolling stock. These simple operations will be the mainstay of train movements on any model railway, and a series of diagrams has been provided to assist the beginner. Unfortunately the moves are not complex, but this reflects the day-to-day operation of the working railway!

 

A combination of these four types of movement, separately and simultaneously, should enable a reasonably prototypical portrayal of a British station or freight terminal. Although the diagrams and text describe passenger operation, the same principles are applied to freight traffic.