We are set up to do operations, and I added most of the siding just for that purpose. But this involves a half dozen old guys standing around (some now passed) trying to maintain a schedule, and while it is entertaining for those involved, and the few who know what’s going on, that’s just not what people want to see and I would never advertise an open house if we were trying to do operations.
In those cases, people would rather just see the railroad operate itself while socializing.
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
David,
The prototype doesn’t build switching puzzles, doing normal switching jobs is involved enough without having “a puzzle”.
One of the hardest jobs I ever worked was as so simple of a track arrangement that a modeler would pass it up without even thinking. Three tracks, two turnouts, 12 different spot locations, 12-20 different tank cars… It would keep a good crew busy for 3-4 hours, a new crew could take all 12 just to work this one industry! Yet to a modeler it’s way to simple. Juxtaposition? 
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
David,
The prototype doesn’t build switching puzzles, doing normal switching jobs is involved enough without having “a puzzle”.
Hans, but that is my point. To learn operations on a layout might be fun. But to try and solve a switching puzzle just fries my few remaining brain cells.
Vic, I have, filed away somewhere, a somewhat abrupt rejection letter from GR. I guess kit-bashing a Forney locomotive was just not what they were looking for.
We have found that while operating, we do not use a clock, because no-one wants or needs to be under any pressure. We do try to schedule the trains in some order, in order to prevent having too many trains at any one spot at the same time. We also use a dispatcher and two way radios.
When building the railroad; we purposely did not make the track plan too complicated. We tried to follow prototype practices of keeping it as simple as possible…but yet still interesting enough to challenge, and prevent boredom/repetition. We have visitors all the time, besides the 18-20 operators. They come to see how the railroad operates, so they tell me. There is always something moving, and with the walkways they follow trains around.
One of the most favored “Train watching” spots, is at the end of a major yard, where there is major switching taking place, in order to make up trains; along with the arrival and departure of freights and passenger trains.
Our crews (We use two man crews) always converse with the visitors; explaining what is going on and most important…WHY.
We also let the visitors “Take the throttle” too…so they feel involved.
Often when a confessed “Not interested in operation” person is handed a throttle, they soon feel involved, and want to come back the following week…and do…becoming our new operators…
It is natural for some people to feel shy, or afraid of making a mistake. We soon assure them that it is all for fun…no mistakes are made…
Not to in any way get into the debate on modes of control…
We do find that without the frustrations of poor roadbed/trackage, and trackpower/dirty track/block wiring/etc., great interest is shown in how well the locomotives run (Trouble free)
This is just our observations of what is happening almost every Saturday on a modest, but large model railroad, out in the back yard; and how it is enjoyed by many many people, every Summer. I post this here in the hope that the idea of OPERATIONS becoming more accepted, and tried, in order to keep the interest in Outdoor Railroading alive and well.
Fr.Fred
I have one job that has a passing siding, two industries and a house track with a freight shed that can keep me occupied for a couple of hours. I am getting better, but what complicates things is that the union rules require that the caboose not be used for pushing, so it has to be placed somewhere out of the way. If I put it on the house track, it has to be moved to switch the freight shed, and so on.
It is based on TOC’s White Rock, with the serial numbers filed off. Its not a puzzle, just challenging.
This photo was taken in very early spring, prior to setting out any buildings. The two industrial tracks can be seen at the left, one of which has a GN hopper on it, behind the rock. The other industry is off camera to the left. The house track is is just to the left of the 2 X 10. The passing siding is occupied by the train, with the mainline being unoccupied between the train and the 2 X 10, where the station and the freight house will sit. Simple it looks, but it is challenging. My wife’s nephew operates in an H0 club near Tacoma, and he likes the challenge.
(http://www.largescalecentral.com/public/album_photo/81/aa/01/1a7d8_95e2.jpg)
I’ve built no intentional puzzles on my RR, and my trains are routed so all industries are worked trailing point. I can still spend several hours getting through one switch list by myself.
Back to the topic - I lost interest in GR for many reasons years ago and dropped it. I still enjoy looking at Classic Trains every once in a while, but don’t subscribe. The magazines I do get rarely get read.
There isn’t much Klambake can do to win me back.
Fred Mills, BSc, BS, SD said:
Why is it that so many people are negative towards “Operations” ?
I have no problem with operations, though it isn’t something that I find interesting at this time. (Maybe someday.) I just don’t care for a magazine that has “model” in the title yet seems to neglect the actual modeling to focus primarily on operations.
I’m curious about the perceived “focus” on operations in MR? I looked through the last few issues and really don’t see what everybody is talking about, but maybe I’m just not a careful reader.
I do agree with the lack of modeling stuff in the magazine. There’s just not much there compared to what I remember. When memory fails, I have the 75 years worth of MODELING to look at. What a change.
I really don’t know how magazines can compete today. With forums like this one (and others), plus the Model Railroad Hobbyist online thing for free - just what would get people interested in a magazine? I know I’ve tried to submit stuff, but it’s just easier doing logs online - plus there’s a lot more feedback online than I’ve ever got from an article.
I like an actual, physical magazine. Something I can take with me anywhere, without needing an expensive gadget (and batteries). Something i can show to friends, or loan out, or even buy extra copies to give away.
And as a writer, I feel there’s more prestige in having your work published in a magazine. Kind of like the difference between being a journalist for Time vs writing an unpaid blog for the Huffington Post. 
I am 100 percent with Ray on this.
Bruce Chandler said:
I’m curious about the perceived “focus” on operations in MR? I looked through the last few issues and really don’t see what everybody is talking about, but maybe I’m just not a careful reader.
I do agree with the lack of modeling stuff in the magazine. There’s just not much there compared to what I remember. When memory fails, I have the 75 years worth of MODELING to look at. What a change.
I really don’t know how magazines can compete today. With forums like this one (and others), plus the Model Railroad Hobbyist online thing for free - just what would get people interested in a magazine? I know I’ve tried to submit stuff, but it’s just easier doing logs online - plus there’s a lot more feedback online than I’ve ever got from an article.
MR doesn’t concentrate on operations, but they have two guys who really know what it can/could be about (Tony Koester and Andy Sperandeo) and since both write a column for each issue it probably gets up some peoples’ nose or sideways down their craw.
I like both those columns, I keep on learning all kinds of things and looking at other stuff in a different way. AND … I get my “free” issues from the library.
As far as modeling content goes, I’ve been reading MR since 1969 and comparing what was available then - off the shelf at a price - with what is available now … there’s no comparison. Why would people scratch build when they can buy the same item at a quality that they could only dream off if they have to build it? It’s that “instant gratification” at work and people are “too busy”.
As always strictly my opinion.
Personally I stick with NGSLG (have nearly 40 years) even th’o its not large scale.
Well produced, colourful, detailed.
Thanks Bob and Irene Brown.
Ross , have you tried “Narrow Gauge Down Under” ?
Mike
Mike Morgan said:
Ross , have you tried “Narrow Gauge Down Under” ?
Mike
No, my mate has, so I may just give it a go.
I just let my GR expire. I have binders full of older issues and my more current issues. I have found its becoming the same stuff over and over again. It seems most magazines have become that. I actually go back to my older GR magazines (1990’s) and find more interesting things and the focus on modeling etc… was different.
I have been enjoying some of the Facebook train pages like G Sale trains and 16 MM Association.
As for operations its not for me unless im watching. Im a roundy round type guy. (Shut up Rooster). I like to watch trains run and I really enjoy photographing and doing videos.
Well Shawn, considering you’re running mostly (all?) live steam, operating would be at least “twice as interesting”.
No, it’s not impossible, but certainly an “acquired taste”. 
I believe that some magazines have become too elitist .
Mike
Kevin Strong said:
The “realism” in this case belongs to Ron Pearson, a long-time EBT modeler. Trust me–when it says “realism,” it refers to his models. He’s thoroughly researched pretty much every aspect of the EBT’s coal operations from mining to transporting to cleaing. He’s written many detailed, multi-part articles for the Friends of the EBT’s magazine, the Timber Transfer along the way. His modeling reflects that attention to detail. If you ever need to know how something worked relative to the EBT’s mining operations, you need only look at his models to figure it out. They’re probably only one or two steps away from being completely operable. (If he modeled O scale, they probably would be)
Later,
K
Good, now I’m looking forward to it.
I like layouts that show a lot of fine research on a specific prototype in a specific region. Part of the reason why I still buy Model Railroad Planning; nice examples of how to transpose a proto situation to a model layout with a lot of credibility. That instant recognition factor!
Of course , elitism means different things to different people ; the elitism shown by plugging steam as being the thing to have is particularly grating on those who can only just scrape through on electrics .
Mike
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
Well Shawn, considering you’re running mostly (all?) live steam, operating would be at least “twice as interesting”.
No, it’s not impossible, but certainly an “acquired taste”.
Haha very true.
You ready for ski season? Its just around the corner now.
