Operating Rules, paperwork, and other such stuff . . .

[n2mopac]

This month's article in MR on prototype paperwork reminded me of a topic I bring back here every six months or so. I am alway very interested in what other modelers have put together in the form of operating rules for their layouts. I actually print a timetable booklet for my layout operators and visitors containing job descriptions, rulse for safe operation, radio use, train classification, paperwork, etc. It also contains a brief history of my layout ant the prototype it is based on and my own set of standards and specs for the layout. It is about 12 pages long, but I am always looking for good additional info to add to it.

Let us know if you have any operating rules you use on your layout and how we can share them. Last time I posted a similar topic I was asked by several for a copy of my rules book. I would be glad to share it with anyone who is interested. Just send me an e-mail by clicking on my forum id and I'll zip one off to you.
Ron

[michealfarley]

Ron,

I have an original timetable and special instructions set that I use on my small switching layout. I follow the rules regarding weight restrictions, speed limits, general procedures etc. Also, because I model the era of timetable and train order, I have a train register at the main yard, and every train must sign in and sign out again.

I also have a clipboard with a permanently attached explanation sheet for each train that runs on my railroad. At the beginning of the day, the clipboards are distributed and the operator runs his train according to what the clipboard says it does. These clipboards also hold the car cards that have the routing waybills in them. I have a number of hooks on the fascia that hold either the clipboard or the DCC throttles, so you can have your hands free.

I really like your idea of history of prototype and layout. I may start working on that.

[Anonymous]

I am in the process of using the forms that were offered online with the last issue of MRR. Mainly I'm using the Location report and the train consist form to run by myself. I'm trying to expirment with different car forwarding techniques.
Andrew

[Paul3]

Well, for my own layout, we operate by car card for freight. I do my own car forwarding by hand using a check list and the AAR codes. I run two east- and two west-bound freights on my point to point layout, with a local or two thrown in for switching along the way.

The yards are switched according to the car card information, as each track in the yard is assigned a purpose. For example, Track 6 is for storage, while Track 8 is for in-yard switching.

I also try to run one express passenger train each way, plus a commuter each way. I don't have enough operators to run these on a real schedule, so these are run whenever somebody can get to them.

On my club layout, we run a complicated schedule with fast clocks, timetables, train orders, dispatchers, etc., which is only going to get more involved as time goes by.

Paul A. Cutler III
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Weather Or No Go New Haven
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[cwclark]

I use rules from the timetable and a few extra are added because i have a bunch of neighborhood kids over once in awhile and they only know one thing the first time they see the layout...how fast do they go?..well, rule one is ...we run at scale speeds and nothing more...rule two, you will always stop the train one car length before you couple the cars, rule three..choose your route and ensure that ALL turnouts are aligned before proceeding, rule four, no train will be running and unmanned at the throttle, and rule five, any monkey business, horseplay, or rough housing or you are out of here!...seems to work..they all respect my layout...Chuck[:D]

[jfugate]

Whenever I have visting guest operators attending, I just send them to my web site. I've got a list of general operating procedures, a timetable, rulebook, train procedures, dispatching info with a sample dialog with the dispatcher, and a track plan on my site.

The guests often show up with hardcopies of this material in their hands, so it seems to work pretty well. Then we pair the newbie up with an experienced hand so they can learn the ropes at a pace they find comfortable. Since 2-person crews are the norm on the Siskiyou Line, this works really well.

Just see the operations section at the link in my signature for more.