How do you run trains in a prototypical mannar, any tips?
Keeping them on the tracks is a good start
Do you mean consist wise, aka order of cars in a passenger train? Or do you mean what is likely to be found associated with something else (aka transitional diesels and late model steam)? Or do you mean slow operating speeds, proper hornwhistle signals, location and types of signals?
A good question and a possibly interesting discussion. There are many variables depending on the prototype railroad you are interested in and how you set up your layout. Your railroad is essentially moving people and/or goods from one point to another safely, swiftly, and at a profit. In general, I would say using slower-than-normal-toy-train-speeds, following some sort of signaling or train control (in a dispatching sense) protocol, and establishing a reason for boxcar A or passenger train Z to move from point to point are important. Some people use elaborate paper-based or computer systems to do this.
Personally, I model a not-very-prototypical series of trolley lines so I like to arrange for 'meets' between different lines so my little passengers can move about conveniently, all the while avoiding interference with an occasional freight.
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
alexweiihman wrote:I mean like running just like it was a real railroad with the train orders and so on.
Considering I have a 5x8 2-loop layout...if I tried that, they'd be carting me off to the looney-bin. Joe
One detail is using the correct whistle signals. Here is a simplified list:
1--brakes set after stopping
2--about to start forward
3--about to back up
long-long-short-long, held until crossing is occupied--crossing signal.
Bob Nelson
I mean like running just like it was a real railroad with the train orders and so on.
This hasn't been as popular in three rail O or S primarily because we tend to run oversized trains in much tighter spaces than our HO or N gauge compatriots and most two rail O layouts tend to really large (usually club layouts). If this is what you would like to do, go for it. You might have better luck with questions like this on the Model Railroader part of the forum as more of the scale folks hang out there.
Far as frieght trains and what I have seen in south Florida it seems that almost anything goes; hoppers, gondolas, tank cars, box cars, TTAX or spine cars. FEC likes to run about 110 hoppers with sand or gravel for cement on one train, aka cement run.
Passenger trains can be differant, if it is a special run like the Broadway Limited only NYC passenger cars were used. Most railroads for years used Budd Company passenger cars. Amtrac puts together available passenger cars for a run.
Lee F.
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