How do you operate your trains?

Real railroads have schedules, so why can't we? Does anyone use schedules for their trains? Here is mine, a mere example:
1)Trains 1,2,3 leave yard
2)Train 1 arrives at station A at 8:01:00, leaves 8:03:00
3)Train 2 passes Train 1 while at station A at around 8:02:28
4)Train 2 stops at station B at 8:04:12 to 8:06:00
5)Train 1 passes Train 1 at station B at around 8:05:22
6) Repeat, add trains, subtract trains, insert work train in between trains, etc.

Any suggestions for better schedule? How do yours go? Or do you just run them?

Mine would go something like this:
7) Forget to change points
8) Trains 1,2 & 3 all crash into each other and fall onto the floor
9) Buffer breaks off most expensive engine