HARVENIn the November 1992 MR mag. there is a article "How to operate a small layout realistically" Do any of you out there use this system, if so what are your likes and dislikes with it?
Jim Kelly's "Scenario Card" system is an OK way to start, but except for a very small layout, there's a lot of work in developing the cards the first time and then writing switchlists each time you operate. I don't think I've been to an operating layout that uses that exact kind of a system. It's probably better for a solo operator than for multiple crews.
For not much more set-up work, you could have car-cards-and-waybills (CC&WB), which is a somewhat similar system more typically used today. CC&WB could make for less work before each session.
A lot depends on how large your layout is, how many shipping and receiving instries, etc.
For those interested in operating their model railroads, I strongly recommend a membership in the Operations SIG. Inexpensive when you chose the on-line option for magazine delivery, lots of great info on-line and in the magazine. Good people, too.
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
Well, all of this depends on what you are modeling. Is is a mainline, is it a branch line, what industries do you serve. Do you have passenger operations. Once you know WHAT you railroad is doing, then you will know how to operate it.
Some Generic Facts:
1) There MUST be a reason to run that train. Railroads do not do things they do not HAVE to do.
2) Railroads do not want to hire two crews if one crew will do. They PLAN work accordingly.
3) They cater to the needs of their customers within the parameters set above.
4) There requirements of what trains can run at what speeds with what sorts of loads.
The LION models the New York City Transit Authority (NYCT). Him has fourteen miles of mane lion track, him rust 8 trains at one time. It takes 1 train 18 minutes to make the round trip from 242nd Street to South Ferry and back again. Passengers *like* seeing trains every 5 minutes and will get agitated if trains do not arrive on time.
This is the LION's Interlocking Machine at 242nd Street:
And if you need to see my operations schedule, then click here.
Here is the STRING Diagram of a similar schedule.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS