Large Scale Central

Battery roundy-round operation

Conventions, Shows, Clubs and Get-Togethers
#1

What are your club’s rules as to get-together running, such as Marty’s.
How many trains per loop?
Speed limits?
etc…

Here’s our clubs scenario on mine (and others larger layouts that support multiple trains.)

The first guy loads up a shay. The second guy loads up a high speed 2-8-2 daylight.
He is constantly throttling back to avoid a rear-end collision with the shay. (or a slower train.)
They are on standing on opposite sites somewhere on the layout with their controllers.

Someone stops to re-rail or fix something.
He forgets there is another train out there somewhere (and that guy is chatting with someone) and it slams into the back of his train.

Another chases his train all the way around the layout, side by side with the engine, displacing onlookers and climbing
over rocks and such on the layout.

This happens at every monthly meet where we get together and run trains.
I have quit taking trains to these meets, because the show is much more amusing than running a train.
If I host a run, my stuff stays in the shop.

The same thing happens on our modules from time to time, much to the amusement of the bystanders at the show.
Especially when a caboose hits the floor.

Should we, as a club, establish roundy-round rules?
Such as limiting length of trains, type’s of locos, speed limits, etc, while running together.
It might make the host seem like a dictator…

Or should I just mind my own business and continue to enjoy the show.

For those of you who went to Marty’s, what does he do?

#2

John; Not sure whether this will be much help. The photo below shows the general setup my local club has used for Rail Day at the O. Winston Link Museum in Roanoke, Va for the past three years. The inner loop is DCC. The outer loop is DC. Presetly, we don’t have any active members who use live steam or battery. We only have one train at a time on the DC loop. Sometimes there are two trains running on the DCC loop, but that is usually so one of them can take the passing siding. We operate this way so we can be free to talk to folks in the crowd about the hobby. Also, we are a very small club. (Perhaps 5 active members.)

(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/davemeashey/14May1103.jpg)

Yours, David Meashey

#3

One thing I would suggest at least is dont let Locos that are not compatible with speed on the loop at the same time. Like your example a Shay and a GS 4-8-4. Just explain to the operators that one will always be running up the rear of the other. I dont think that is asking for too much. Also, why not have a “trainmaster” which would probably be the host or someone he designates. The “boss” would not operate but keep track of the trains running. If it looks like one is going overtake another, then he can ask the front train to take a siding, so the other can pass. Kind of like the big boys do.

#4

I’ve been to marty’s for about 8 years, missed the last 2, unfortunately, mainly due to family health problems…

Most people at Marty’s walk along with their train, when they are operating, this way, they can see if any ““Traffic”” is in front of them, and make the appropriate corrections to their trains running… (I say most people, cause Stan starts taking pictures and seems to forget he has a train running)… :slight_smile:

I’ve never seen Marty have a limit as to how many trains can run on the loop…

Running on my layout, during a club function, where anyone can run, and we’re not doing any ““operations”” to a schedule, I prefer people to walk with their trains, so as to stay on top of Track conditions and rail traffic… I prefer this because people run in either direction and there are passing sidings, and switches must be thrown… Also, it should help protect peoples trains from being damaged, due to a collision or something that has blown/fallen across the tracks…