I've had test sessions, but how much scenery should be done?
Harrison
Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.
Modeling the D&H in 1978.
Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"
My YouTube
The minute trains can run over the entire layout.
Bear "It's all about having fun."
Scenery is not necessary for operation.
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
I agree, I've seen more pics and videos of operating sessions on just plain track, no ballast or scenery, than I have on a completed layout.
Way more.
Mike.
My You Tube
bearmanThe minute trains can run over the entire layout.
I agree
Shoebox with sign equals industry. Having guys coming over is a powerful force driving work on the layout.
Dave
If I was having friends over for an operating session, I would want there to be more than just track and road bed.
Do you need scenery? Might as well ask if you need a model railroad. It's all about what you want and expect.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Operating sessions in addition to being fun themselves tend to highlight things about the track plan - even basic benchwork/aisle issues -- that need changes, sometimes considerable ones. Scenery in place can create a reason to resist those changes. So a solid case can be made for having op sessions - or at least a particular kind of "shakedown cruise" op sessions where you are actively looking for problems -- before the scenery.
Just be aware that preparing and holding op sessions can be absoring and time consuming enough that some guys find it hard to call a halt long enough to do scenery, or so they claim (I tend to wonder if they ever would have done scenery regardless). That is a risk.
Dave Nelson
I've never done an operating session, either on my own layout or elsewhere. I began to realize while building it that I didn't have enough industries and I had no staging. When I built staging, it wasn't really adequate. I was working on good staging when the divorce started and I had to take down the layout. I'm still hoping...
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
The more you run trains the more you find the problems in the trackwork and the problems with the actual design of the layout. And those problems need to be fixed before you do any real amount of scenery.
HarrisonI've had test sessions, but how much scenery should be done?
the "look both ways" column in the May RMC discusses initial operating sessions, how your operators will be more than happy to inform you of all the problems with the layout.
I believe it was tony Koester that encouraged having the deadline of an operating session to complete projects on the layout and identify problems with the trackwork, not only the causes of derailments, but also potentially changing some trackwork to make it more operational.
Operating a Model Railroad describes how early model railroaders had a layout setup on a basement floor with some rail raised allowing overpasses and the operators simply stepping over the track while operating.
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
No scenery needed for operations. And the track need not be all complete. Once you have some track to run on and a "town" or two to switch, you may begin.
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
I operate every week on a large layout where there is almost no scenery. We are just starting to work on the scenery. While scenery would enhance the experience, I have a great time at every operating session.
dknelsonJust be aware that preparing and holding op sessions can be absoring and time consuming enough that some guys find it hard to call a halt long enough to do scenery, or so they claim (I tend to wonder if they ever would have done scenery regardless). That is a risk.
I didn't mention that my op sessions started a month before I retired. This left time that had not been taken up otherwise to work on the layout. The guys would come over and ask each other "what's new on the layout this week?"
But setting up for and operating can take time.
On my previous layout I started op sessions when I had a grand total of 8 car spots at industries. I kept having sessions as I kept building.Never wait. Start as soon as you have anything to do on the layout.
Disclaimer: This post may contain humor, sarcasm, and/or flatulence.
Michael Mornard
Bringing the North Woods to South Dakota!
I agree with those indicating you should start as soon as you have the ability to switch cars anywhere. Layout construction is evolutionary, in my opinion, and there is no better way to identify the strong aspects and the weak aspects of a track plan than to have your buddies debrief you after a session. We started changing the track plan after the first session, and have changed the two major towns. and main yard, added a branchline and expect to tweak the railroad or the operating scheme as we come up with better approaches. OR changing focus. The layout is about half sceniked, but the two are not really related.
I would say once you have track down. By operating the layout before doing scenery, you'll be able to put your track and trains through their paces before everything is glued down in place.
Kevin
http://chatanuga.org/RailPage.html
http://chatanuga.org/WLMR.html
If there is "Power" to the track ( even if it's only 3 feet of it ) It's a "Layout" !
chatanugaBy operating the layout before doing scenery, you'll be able to put your track and trains through their paces before everything is glued down in place.
Good advice. That's how you figure out where to place stuff in relation to the track, and check clearences .... just how close "CAN" you mount that tree ?
Rust...... It's a good thing !