There seems to be a number of analogies used by MRers to describe the operations aspects of the hobby to outsiders; especially relating to switching freight cars. A few of the more common ones I've come across are:
“Like playing Chess with trains.” I appreciate that switching, like Chess, involves choosing the most efficient sequence of moves from the available options, but the goal of Chess – defeating your opponent, doesn't seem to go with the concept of teamwork (well, maybe if your dispatcher is a sadist... )
“Like sorting the mail.” This pretty much hits the nail on the head, as it involves gathering, sorting, routing and delivering things, but, perhaps unfairly, it seems to lack any sense of the excitement of the challenge.
The one I like the best is “Playing Tetris with trains.” A popular video game where you have to think fast and place oncoming shapes comprised of square tiles in the best orientation to avoid being over-run.
Others?
Jim
"Trying to run it like a real railroad."
Disclaimer: This post may contain humor, sarcasm, and/or flatulence.
Michael Mornard
Bringing the North Woods to South Dakota!
hardcoalcasehardcoalcase wrote the following post 1 hours ago: There seems to be a number of analogies used by MRers to describe the operations aspects of the hobby to outsiders; especially relating to switching freight cars. A few of the more common ones I've come across are:
I like emulating the work I did as a brakeman and I follow the basic safety and operating rules covering switching operation.
As far as chess that best describes dispatching with a fully functional CTC board since you need to stay ahead several moves as far as planning meets oppossing trains in sidings..
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Like railfanning but I get to blow the whistle and work the throttle.
Paul
Like role playing is one phrase I have heard -- although many "serious" modelers shy away from any use of the word "play."
You could even liken it to virtual reality without the cumbersome goggles.
"Pretending you are actually accomplishing something" for the cynics among us.
Dave Nelson
I tell people that it's like playing a 3D boardgame where the rules are reality.
It’s like slot cars except that the trains go slower and can backup. LOL. Actually I think of it more like Monopoly or the game of Life. You start with nothing, build up your empire, then draw cards (way bills for your car card system) and do what they say. I suppose that if you want to take the operation game to the next level you could assign a value to all of the freight and passengers you transport, and an expense to the costs of equipment, fuel and labor and see if you make a profit or loss. Don’t forget to add in the government subsidies. LOL.