Bob, when you host TrainOps, do you run a train, or act as Superintendent?
Bob and Martha both work their arses off entertaining everyone. They are fantastic at hosting, train running, not so much.
Bob did run a train at Stan and Debby’s.
Steve Featherkile said:
Bob, when you host TrainOps, do you run a train, or act as Superintendent?
Im generally running around playing host. Making sure the beer fridge stays stocked, generating switch lists, fixing the odd track problem or broken couplet, etc.
Got back yesterday afternoon. What a great trip! We really had a great time and thank Bob & Martha and Stan & Deb for hosting such a fine weekend. We didn’t make it up to Al’s…maybe next year?
Before we got started, I snapped a few pictures from the deck.
Left side…
Compared with 2010…
Right side…
And back in 2010…
The 2010 shots are from when we showed up in May to help Bob get a running layout!
A 2015 view from inside the loop by Majestic…
Friday afternoon was “Run what ya brung time”. I ran my converted Annie around a bit… Here it is entering Williamsport.
Dick Beverly and Don Sweet solve the world’s problems while Andy’s cousins play…
Here’s how Majestic Coal looked in 2010
And in 2015 the track got switched around a bit, and the sheathing has been completely redone. Meanwhile, Don Sweet runs his train over the viaduct.
I bring out my boxcab and let it run around a bit. Here it is down near Majestic.
Bob has also added a new area: Oakhill, which is reached from a branch out of Majestic. It’s quite the puzzle. Here Ric ponders his next move while Bob and Ken look on.
Up in Williamsport, the car float now has company in the form of a new tug boat…
So, that was Friday. A great chance to see what was new and catch up with news from all our visiting friends.
Saturday was operations on Bob’s RR. Jean and I started in Franklin Falls. We had to wait for Paul Norton to move his train first, but we were at least able to harass him a bit before he left. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)
Since we were so late getting started we quickly met Al Pomeroy’s train coming the other way. There wasn’t enough room to go in the hole in Dead Rooster Gulch, so we performed a “sawby” maneuver to pass.
We ended up having to wait just before Majestic while Paul Norton completed his moves, as Bob supervised.
It was a busy spot, since Ken Brunt was also working the area. And, just down the hill you can see Ric Golding and Doug Matheson working Oakhill.
Eventually, it got cleared up and our train was able to get through Majestic, closely followed by Ric’s train coming up from Oakhill. Ken was happy to have Majestic to himself so he could get some work done.
And a bit different view point…
We also paid a visit to the car float in Williamsport, dropping off some of our load.
After lunch, we started another train, this time leaving Burke Yard. L-R: Andy Clarke, Ken Brunt, Al Pomeroy, Jean Chandler, Ric Golding, Jan Golding.
Going downgrade towards Majestic.
We arrive at Oakhill and start doing the work there.
There’s not a LOT of work, but the switching is really challenging.
There’s just not a lot of room to move cars around…
After some extremely clever moves on my part, we get everything switched and take the train back to Burke Yard. I’m rather crestfallen when Bob tells me I brought back the same two hoppers I took down and a boxcar that didn’t belong. I still don’t know what happened.(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-embarassed.gif)
Here, Ken meets Ric & Jan’s train in Williamsport.
Will and his friend John showed up and wanted to run a train. I was elected supervisor, but quickly found out they didn’t need my switching expertise.(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)
Meanwhile, in Burke Yard, my train encounters a suspicious character…
He seems to be looking for something…or someone.
It’s hard to tell what he is after…
Thanks again to Bob and Martha for hosting such a fun event. We really enjoyed ourselves.
Sunday was an ops session at Stan & Deb’s railroad.
We ran from Deck to Solitude. This year Stan added switch lists…which the conductor made up from the car cards. In my case, I didn’t do it quite right, but I now get the idea. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)
A schematic of the layout along with specific train instructions is on the back side of the clipboard.
We start on the turntable in Deck…
Soon the train is complete and we head off towards Bat House Yard. (Step #3)
Crossing Lake Sarah Jane, we only have clearance to Day Lily Junction.
We get orders to proceed but have to wait to enter Bat House Yard.
When we get to Solitude, Bill has us do some switching…(Step #8)
Meanwhile, there’s lot of action on the rest of the railroad. Stan and Andy appear to be waiting on something…
Since we are already near the top of the railroad, we decide to run a train up there and choose the Juni Local. It’s only a SMALL portion of the railroad, but that section is bigger than my entire railroad in Virginia.(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)
My map reading skills weren’t working that day. It sure looked like this track went to Juni, but it really went to Shade Gap - which is a dead end tunnel. Oops.
But, we eventually got back on the right track and switched Juni.
Again, another fine day of operations. Many thanks to Stan & Deb for hosting this event.
It really makes for a very fun weekend of operations.
Great pics. Bruce but you and I both know that you and Bob solved the world’s problems before we got there.
Great looking pictures Bruce.
Note to self …Get your hands on Roving Rooster again and make him disappear!
Nice pics Bruce!
We got home about 4 pm Tuesday afternoon… Seems our camera never got out of the bag…
Great Pictures, Bruce…
Again, many thanks to Al, Martha & Bob, Deb & Stan for a great weekend…
Yes, it’s so hard to remember to take pictures! I thought I’d have a lot more than I do, but I get so wrapped up I completely forget I have my camera with me.
But, what a great time!
Bruce Chandler said:
Yes, it’s so hard to remember to take pictures! I thought I’d have a lot more than I do, but I get so wrapped up I completely forget I have my camera with me.
But, what a great time!
Thanks for the pics Bruce.
I have hosted a few events and totally forgotten to take any pics!
You always seem to be able to make a nice story with the pics you do take.
Sure wished I could have been there!
That was a quick ride Andy and Jane. Glad you made it without problems.
Great pictures, Bruce! And as Don said a great story line. Thanks for posting.
Don Howard said:
Bruce Chandler said:
Yes, it’s so hard to remember to take pictures! I thought I’d have a lot more than I do, but I get so wrapped up I completely forget I have my camera with me.
But, what a great time!
Thanks for the pics Bruce.
I have hosted a few events and totally forgotten to take any pics!
You always seem to be able to make a nice story with the pics you do take.
Sure wished I could have been there!
Yeah, we missed you Don! Maybe next year??? Jean and I are already planning for a stay in downtown Boston…somewhere we can walk to all the neat stuff. But, we have to pick a new hotel. This one was abysmal.
Ric Golding said:
That was a quick ride Andy and Jane. Glad you made it without problems.
Great pictures, Bruce! And as Don said a great story line. Thanks for posting.
Thanks. Dang, it sure was great to see all y’all again. Looking forward to a BS Ops Session. (BSOS?) (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)
David Russell said:
Note to self …Get your hands on Roving Rooster again and make him disappear!
Rooster, why? (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)Why Rooster? (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-undecided.gif)Why? (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)
TK’s for post some great photo… Enjoy to see the other side.
I see in one photo. Bruce C. the neat idea of putting a map of the layout on back of the clip board.
Noel Wilson said:
TK’s for post some great photo… Enjoy to see the other side.
I see in one photo. Bruce C. the neat idea of putting a map of the layout on back of the clip board.
Stan’s layout is so large and complex, its vital to know where the heck your train is supposed to go. The maps are indispensable.
Noel Wilson said:
TK’s for post some great photo… Enjoy to see the other side.
I see in one photo. Bruce C. the neat idea of putting a map of the layout on back of the clip board.
Noel, If you look at the map picture that Bruce posted of Stan and Deb’s layout, You can just see the highlighted track area between Solitude and Juni. That basically tells you where the tracks are that you need to be on during the run…
Each train has a full layout map on the back of the clipboard, with the route it takes highlighted…
Trust me, you have to check it often to know where you are to go…