Large Scale Central

Why do we find "Operations" so fascinating?

Operations
#41
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
Fred Ottusch said:
It was said that many real railroaders are involved in operations on model railroads. On my old HO layout 7 regular members worked on a Class One railroad. That HO layout was designed for employing 6-10 guys to run it. My outdoor railroad is a "shortline" type operation requiring only myself or 3 people to run it and there are 3 of us who have worked for a Class One railroad. They all agreed that both model railroads were operated in a very prototipcal manner & that's why they enjoyed the operating sessions. One thing that might hold one back from designing their outdoor railroad for operation is the factor of turnouts (switches). They are quite costly plus most magazine articles encourage one to design a simple layout with a minimum of switches because they can result in more derailments. Just my 2 cents worth.
Aha! In other words "they are out there". :D :D
Trust no one. :P

@ Fred. Since My first born has told me to keep my hands off his first born, I no longer have access to that source of funds for switches, so I’ve taken to building my own. since I already have the rails, and can cut my own ties, the only real cost is my own time and labor, which is free. As to being a source of derailments, if you take care in the building and maintenance, it is not so much a problem. Your mileage may vary.

#42

I was never big on “OPERATIONS” at this point in life, I enjoy just watching them run kicked back with a beer.
As i get older maybe that will change.

#43

I think this email I received from a friend who is “moderately” into HO pretty well explains the fascination for operations for many of us.

[i]"Hello Richard,

Thanks for the experience yesterday. I thought I might be able to help you out with your railroad and instead you helped me learn to think and use my brain. I’ve only had HO trains that ran in loops or ovals with sidings only for show. So the concept of what you are doing with your garden railroad though it shouldn’t have been was new to me and it took me a while to catch on. I think next time I come over and you ask me to drop two cars off at the freight house and one at the stockyards I’ll get it but it took me a while yesterday. It felt like my brain was rusty and not working right but the concept of what you are doing was new to me. So I’m looking forward to a return visit and some more train movements.

Thanks for having me over,"[/i]

#44

Richard,

Thanks for sharing. All I can do is smile about the comment you included. A person either gets it or they don’t. There is no right or wrong, its just how you play the game of life.