Operating Toy Trains

[LittleTommy]

I actually operate my toy trains, meaning I make up trains with freight cars to switch at specific stations, I have specific trains that run in a certain order, and go to certain stations, and actually try to run the railroad like I think a railroad might run, Whenever I mention this to the CTT editors, they lead me to believe that I may be the only one who actually does this, with everyone else just running the trains in circles or keeping the trains on the shelf.

Do any of you actually operate your trains?

Little Tommy

[Jim Duda]

I don't...they just run in circles for hours...

[3railguy]

I like run bys. I like to get my head as close to the track with one eye open and watch them wizz by. I still have a scar on my forehead from a 736.

[Dave Farquhar]

I generally just grab whatever looks good and let it run in circles. But I know some people do operate, at least in a limited fashion.

It's your hobby, so if operating is what you enjoy, more power to you. The stereotypical O gauger buys everything ready-made, plunks it down on a table, pays little attention to scale or realism, and runs the trains in circles like they're Ferraris. But most people deviate from the stereotype at least a little.

I like scratchbuilding. Often when I design a structure, I design it in prewar tinplate style, rather than trying to make it realistic. Every once in a great while I even try my hand at scratchbuilding rolling stock. That's my deviation from the norm. It keeps life interesting.

[Frank53]

IN my most recent layout (now defunct - story forthcoming) - I had a fair amount of operating. I had five lines:

1) Gang car banging back and through an industrial area;

2) Trolley - I ran a trolley to three different stations on the layout with a couple of #22 switches. The trooley line had a couple of operating stations, the whole line had telephone poles and sections had a number of teh original lionel post war streetlights with teh pointed crowns;

3) Ran the NYC 2344 on two sides of the outer perimeter of the 12 x 16 x 8 layout with reversing loops on each end;

4) Ran a 681 on a simple L shape - about 10 x 8 which elevated to a second level over one of the reversing loops in item #3:

5) Ran my favorite 726 Berkshire through the interior. Had a cut off where I could park it and roll out either a 2026 or a 621 (nice engine) which could emerge with loads specific to operating accessories. Had an ice depot, a couple of milk cars, and NYC Central operating box cars on one.

Also peppered the industrail area with a #182 work crane, #455 oil derrick and coal ramp and coal loader, water tower and the like.

Had a nice setup of six single and double dome Sunoco cars on the 2026.

The Bershire line had a number of sidings and runoffs to different areas and having teh flexibility to run and operate three different trains on the line was kinda neat.

[jimhaleyscomet]

My trains mostly run in dogbone circles. Sometimes passing one another on a siding and sometimes switching directions. I like to run two conventional trains on each of two tracks (four total) so some of the challenge comes from ballancing the cars and the amount of power so the speeds of the trains are similar. I usually have the two tracks going in opposite directions for some nice "passing in the night" train views.

Currently on one track is the new Thomas set along with the K-line mine unit with one car. On the other track is two K-line switchers with cars.

Jim H

[Anonymous]

I just run them in circles and figure eights, round and round, fast and slow... sounding the horn, ringing the bell, and playing passenger/freight announcements. I play with my O-gauge trains and enjoy collecting too. My wife and I like to do the Christmas village set-up around the tree during the holidays... Its like being a kid again!

My HO scale layout is where I model and operate trains... with this comes all the frustration and tedious work of modeling (and derailing a lot!).

Each to his own though... I just happen to be fortunate enough to have the space to serve both of my interests.

[Bob Keller]

Run mine in circles. Except, of course, when I need to back up because coupler gets rowdy and opens up!

[mersenne6]

It depends on my mood. I like doing both and since my railroads are all rug centrals I can. Sometimes, I'm with 3railguy and sometimes I like to operate. I can tell you that if and when you show off your railroad you should try for a mix in terms of operation. When I invite people over I set the stage. First we meet audience expectations - fire up and run first one train and then another and another until all of the loops have something moving. Then, gradually turn on the various and sundry operating accessories - signal lights, operating gateman, and city lights. Then turn off the room lights and let everything roll in the dark. Once this is done bring the trains to a halt and roll out the peddler freight and let it switch industries making sure that each stop has some kind of operating accessory (culvert loader, log loader, log dump, etc.) I find that if it isn't overdone your audience will be absolutely fascinated at the idea that you can actually switch out and uncouple cars and make and unmake trains while you are sitting in front of the control panel. This may sound silly but the impression I get is that most people, when they show off the trains, just run them. Consequently, none of the audience is even aware of the fact that trains can be made up and that switching operations can be performed.

[FJ and G]

Little Tommy,

Nice to have a kindrid spirit. I too operate my trains, about 95 percent of the time, vice circle running. I'm designing a point to point layout which I will keep all of you updated on (ad nauseum) throughout the year.

A bit slow going on this layout. The layout I did for CTT about 18 months ago was completed in about 6 months. But I'm doing a writing project (that includes trains) that is sharing time with the layout.

I hope to see you visit the CTT forum often in the future as I'm sure we will have a lot in common.

Not to say I don't enjoy reading about other circle layouts.

[ChiefEagles]

I run them in circles, switch and build trains while one runs the outer loop, switch trains to the outer loop. I guess I do it all. DCS makes it eay to do a lot of this now.

[cnw1995]

Sam Posey's recent book on model railroaders puts us in one of two (general) categories: operators, or scenists - I would define the latter as more 'runners'. Fortunately, it's a v. wide ranging hobby. I like the 'toy' aspect of trains, and enjoy the lights and colors when running them, but I enjoy pretending this is the crack Limited racing against the local freight.

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by LittleTommy

I actually operate my toy trains, meaning I make up trains with freight cars to switch at specific stations, I have specific trains that run in a certain order, and go to certain stations, and actually try to run the railroad like I think a railroad might run, Whenever I mention this to the CTT editors, they lead me to believe that I may be the only one who actually does this, with everyone else just running the trains in circles or keeping the trains on the shelf.

Do any of you actually operate your trains?

Little Tommy

Little Tommy, you are not alone!!!

YES!!! That is exactly what I am working on doing. My layout will have NO CIRCLES!!! I also plan to use a card system for car routing. My trains will go places!!!




Personally, I think I've out grown CTT magazine even though I have 3 rail trains. MR is more to my liking and style these days, in spite of the fact that it almost exclusively 2 rail. I guess I subscribe to CTT for the advertising.

[Frank53]

aye yi yi! THAT's a layout!

[Anonymous]

Hi there. I am a novice in the HO world. Since I am space-limited in my home, I have constructed a 3-track, inter-linked test and display model 7'6" long x 12" wide. I use this area to test locomotives before sale and upon receipt of purchases. Also when I am assembling kits or building models, I use the track to test the balance and smothness of the passenger cars and rolling stock. I do actually run my trains and 'build' freight/passenger trains to be tested. This is a great-'little' hobby.

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Frank53



aye yi yi! THAT's a layout!

Frank, that is only the lower level. There is an upper deck, and a hidden storage yard below. Here is a panoramic shot of the room. This photo is already quite out of date, as much progress has been made in the 2 months since it was taken.

[Bob Keller]

Of course, a real FEC fan would just need a long, more or less straight run of track with a turntable at each end! [:D]

[Anonymous]

I think I've grown a bit weary of my trains just going around in circles. Especially now that command control is here. My new layout will include an roundhouse and engine service facility and several industries that will enable me to move freight cars back and forth from a hidden staging area. Passenger cars will also travel to and from staging stopping at 2 or 3 stations on the layout. Railsounds and Station Sounds makes this too much fun to not include in some version of an operating session. Lack of space just limits the scope of operating my trains in a more realistic manner.
Bob

[tgovebaker]

That's an interesting question. I love to read the stories in MR and then envision something similar in my world, but there are obviously greater size constraints in O. I have a good bent dogbone that I am reworking to maximize the operating possibilities, but I can't really expand beyond that. As my wife likes to point out, if we switched to N in the same space I could model an enormous area.

When I was a kid, my favorite library book was Harvey Weiss' "How to Run a Railroad", which really left a mark on my current approach. He really emphasized the importance of thinking about how your railroad operates, so that when you're putting the layout together, you think about picking up freight and moving it along to other locations, even on a simple circle.

This forum is rich with different approaches, with some true "classicists" that love post-war accessories and some avid hi-railers who lament that even a new Atlas engine lacks some key element. My sense is that most of us fall somewhere in between, operating consists on dogbones or reverse loops.

[Frank53]

QUOTE: Frank, that is only the lower level. There is an upper deck, and a hidden storage yard below. Here is a panoramic shot of the room. This photo is already quite out of date, as much progress has been made in the 2 months since it was taken.

fabulous. how big is the room? How big is the layout?

[Anonymous]

Add me on to the circle list. I also like to just watch my trains run around (and operate accessories with them, of course). Right now I can run 10 trains on continuous loops of track on my layout, plus a gang car that goes back and forth. I have lots of sidings and switches, but my switches aren't actually hooked up electrically. They're just for siding to display trains on. When I rearrange trains on my layout, I just pick them up and move them to wherever I want them.

[Roger Bielen]

It also depends on my mood, if I want to relax I pick up a good cigar on the way home "invite" Mr. Daniels to keep me company and watch the trains go round and round. If I'm energeting I'll do some switching, engine changes and servicing, build and break up consists, etc.

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Frank53

QUOTE: Frank, that is only the lower level. There is an upper deck, and a hidden storage yard below. Here is a panoramic shot of the room. This photo is already quite out of date, as much progress has been made in the 2 months since it was taken.

fabulous. how big is the room? How big is the layout?

Frank, the room is 46' x 38'. Here are a couple of fresh photos taken this morning of the section that I've been working on. This is area nearest the top of the plan. There isn't much room for scenery left in this section, as I squeezed in another track.[swg]

[Anonymous]

>>>It also depends on my mood, if I want to relax I pick up a good cigar on the way home "invite" Mr. Daniels to keep me company and watch the trains go round and round.<<<

This is how I like to run 'em, too! Except, Mr. Daniels very quietly was reduced from 86 to 80 proof late last year, so now it's Elmer T Lee, Knob Creek, or Woodford Reserve!

- Lou

[pennsy_fan]

I buy only operating cars for my layout, I love switching & operating my trains with the purpose of delivering "freight" to specific destinations on my layout. I also have an operating passenger platform whose purpose is obvious.[8D]

[TurboOne]

Hello all,

Big boy that is one heck of a layout.

Do you have a wife and if so, what does she think of it ?

If not, do you get a chance to do anything besides trains? [:D]

That is one incredible set up you have. How long does it take a train to go from starting point A and end up at the other end? And what about when you finish 2nd level?

I am a circle person, due to the fact that Santa made two on Christmas eve. I have the big garage layout, right now 4 x 8, with no switches as I just wanted to get it up and running with two wires for power, 1 PS to each loop. But when I design the new layout, it will still be a two loop, but at different heights, and with some other capabilites that I haven't decided on yet.

Tim

[LittleTommy]

I'm glad to see that there is at least some diversity of opinion out there. I'd really like to see some of the old Frank Ellison articles from the late '40s reprinted (either in CTT or in book form) about operation of a tinplate railroad. Frank's Delta lines were what a lot of us grew up on. While he tried to run trains in a somewhat realistic manner, there wasn't the slavish devotion to paperwork that seems to make operation of a "scale" HO railroad seem much like work (See the latest Model Railroader or download the paperwork as this month's MR online extra). Sort of like the difference between playing "Risk" and playing a modern "wargame" that takes 12 hours to set up and 6 weeks to "play"

Little Tommy

[FJ and G]

Elliot,

That is really nice. I'm glad you shared your pictures and plans and hope to see your progress.

Like you, I use shelf-style, with the "L" shaped supports that don't get in the way of the lower level (like the old triangle supports advocated by Westcott).

Little Tommy,

see dude, you are in good company here. we got all types, loop the loopers and switch er oos.

BTW, I have visited several dudes who run their trains in circles and almost entirely ignore their expensive operating accessories. I politely ask them to demonstrate the ice platform, coal tipple, etc, and they usually oblige, saying they haven't used them in a spell.

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TurboOne

Hello all,

Big boy that is one heck of a layout.

Do you have a wife and if so, what does she think of it ?

If not, do you get a chance to do anything besides trains? [:D]

That is one incredible set up you have. How long does it take a train to go from starting point A and end up at the other end? And what about when you finish 2nd level?

Thanks Tim.

I was married for almost 14 years, but recently got divorced. It had nothing to do with the trains, because she knew about them from day one. My ex was always rather indifferent when it came to the trains, she put up with them. My new love, Big Girl (Tammy), really likes the trains, and even helps out. She even posts here once in a while.

My current situation leaves me in a position where I can devote as much time as I want to the project, though many days, I don't work on the layout at all.

When complete, I figure it will take 7 or 8 minutes to run the full mainline at a reasonable speed. That would be both levels, about 800 feet. [8D]

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FJ and G

Elliot,

That is really nice. I'm glad you shared your pictures and plans and hope to see your progress.

Like you, I use shelf-style, with the "L" shaped supports that don't get in the way of the lower level (like the old triangle supports advocated by Westcott).

Thanks Dave, and congrats in advance. You are about to go over the 2000 post mark and get that fifth star.

I have only used those brackets on the one wall. They have a kind of funny story behind them.

A number of years ago, my ex wife and I went to see Huey Lewis in concert at a casino north of the Twin Cities. We spent the night, and the next day wandered around the small town. We stumbled onto this auction, but unfortunately we were late. They were auctioning off what was left of an amusement park. I heard there was even a train and a lot of track, the kind that is big enough to ride.

Anyway, these brackets caught my eye. There were hundreds of them, and they had been divided into two lots. Both lots sold of course. So I camped out by the piles, waiting for the buyers to claim them. I struck a deal with one of them and bought 30. It turns out that they were supports for the backs of park benches. They aren't bent at a nice 90 degree angle, more like 105. So I cut some angled blocks of wood to compensate. I'll say one thing, they sure are strong.[:D]