Operations vs No operations

[JeremyB]

Hi guys

who enjoys operating and who doesn't, Im more a fan of coupling a engine to a train and watching it do a few laps. hope to hear some feedback.

Jeremy

[Anonymous]

I too enjoy just watching my trains run by, kind of like watching real trains.
However, I also am a fan of operation, because of the variety it provides, and the more real it makes my layout seem

[Anonymous]

For me I sometimes like to watch em run. Other times I need to spot a car at a industry, the mental exercises of sorting and spotting cars gives purpose to the hobby.

Run em any way you want to!

[Anonymous]

I always use to be a "runner". I still enjoy watching trains run, which is why I want a continuous loop layout, but I'm keeping my eye on operating possibilities, as well.

I think when the railroad is operable as a mini-transportation system, it becomes more interesting.

Rob

[Anonymous]

I think if you focus on operation too much and don't just let them run, it becomes too much like work, and after-all we are in this hobby to get away from work, Riiiiiiiiight!!![:p][:p][:p][:p]

[Anonymous]

I've most definitely an operations fan. If a car in a train isn't going somewhere to make money for the railroad, it shouldn't be there. Trains that go in circles never really interested me. I prefer to be intellectually stimulated, something to take my mind off the real world.

I've found trains that are going somewhere to be more fun to watch, as I can figure out what cargo each car is carrying, and where it's headed. Plus, watching locals switch the industries is quite interesting, as the entire process is so realistic. I always get more fun out of hostling a locomotive out of the engine facility and hooking it up to a train in the yard, then bringing it somewhere to keep the locals going. Sure, it's more work, but I play with trains so that I can do something, not watch something.

But to everyone his own, as I always say.

[cp1057]

I'm in the process of building a new layout. The trackplan is going to allow for a variety of operation: mainline, branchline and a Timesaver type town at the end of the branch to switch.

That being said, I posted a question a couple of weeks ago on whether I should build in continuous running. The advice I received was overwhelmingly in favour of including continuous running. Thus my new layout is also going include a loop so I can just sit and watch trains on evenings when I'm tired, had a fight with the boss, etc.

Charles
Hillsburgh Ontario

[Anonymous]

Well the church train system I'm working one I made two loops for continuos running of two trains heading at each other, the outside has a siding though.

I'm currently designing my own mini layout (1X3) of a ho inglenook with short cars for some switching fun and super detialing challenge.

I say in the end I like to set them up and watch them more, but there is no reason you can't set up a couple of switches in your layout for the occasional urge right?

[preceng]

Like many I enjoy both. I designed my layout w/ both a "round and round" area and a switching yard. Sometimes I enjoy just switching all ober the layout. Sometimes RAR. Mostly I like running one RAR, while I am switching on the other area

[Jetrock]

My switching layout doesn't have a loop so I really can't just watch 'em run--eventually it may expand to that point. I do like switching though--it's a puzzle. A crossword puzzle or a Rubik's Cube is a game, just the kind that requires a little skull-sweat--operations and switching on a model railroad is no different. Even though my layout is still pretty bare, I already run through switching problems. It's not quite big enough to need a card-order system yet, but it's getting close.

[Anonymous]

I like couple em up and watch em run while at the same time get all mainline industrys switched out on both inside and outside the inner mainline loop the mainliner may stop from time to time to set out a car/s on the lead to one of the number of industrys i have which then gives me somthing to go deal with get that one done look up thers two more to be switched and so on i may have cars set out for the next mainliner to stop and pickup
i was in Phx for about two weeks when i got back the dispatcher on my layout was God Almighty Pissed! cuz i had bout a three weeks worth of switching to get caught up on damn!! lumber paper grain cement the list goes on took me bout two days of nonstop action to get everyone happy again whew! wont do that again!! when you run trains you must have some imagination otherwise its no fun

Remember its your layout run as you see fit

Regards

Larry

[wp8thsub]

I like hosting and attending operating sessions. For me they're a great way to build friendships. We have food, railroad videos or ball games going on the crew lounge, along with nonstop discussions for off duty crews during which many a layout is designed or other hobby problem solved.

Operation doesn't have to be a group effort. You can operate realistically by yourself on a small layout.

If you enjoy the logic puzzle aspects of working with things like computers or video games, part of the fun with operation can be that type of problem solving. A well designed operating layout can give you the opportunity to just run trains when the mood strikes, but a layout not designed for operation usually can't accommodate it too well without major revision. Another reason to design operation in from the beginning is that it gives you something more to do when the layout is approaching completion. If the layout doesn't really do much it's easier to lose interest and decide to just rip it out and start over, but maybe that's your thing...[:p]

[ndbprr]

After a move I will be building the area just east of North Philadelphia station in Philadelphia - pure PRR corridor. That means four track mainline under catenary and lots of railfanning action BUT it will also include the Oxford branch that had numerous carloads to the Sears ditsribution facility, Naval aviation supply depot and about 20 other industries so I will be able to do both. The good part is that the mains will be operated by the towermen at North Phil. and Shore towers and the switching will come from Margie and Fairhill yards and be isolated from the mains except for transferring cars. There are also two tracks for switching the industries along the mainline called the 0 (ought in Pennsy speak) and the 5 track which didn't have catenary. Separate but equal! The best of both worlds.

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MESSING

I like couple em up and watch em run while at the same time get all mainline industrys switched out on both inside and outside the inner mainline loop the mainliner may stop from time to time to set out a car/s on the lead to one of the number of industrys i have which then gives me somthing to go deal with get that one done look up thers two more to be switched and so on i may have cars set out for the next mainliner to stop and pickup
i was in Phx for about two weeks when i got back the dispatcher on my layout was God Almighty Pissed! cuz i had bout a three weeks worth of switching to get caught up on damn!! lumber paper grain cement the list goes on took me bout two days of nonstop action to get everyone happy again whew! wont do that again!! when you run trains you must have some imagination otherwise its no fun

Remember its your layout run as you see fit

Regards

Larry

Larry, periods!, commas! I cant read this.

[Anonymous]

I'm going to walk on dangerous ground here and make some comments that "on average" are probably true. An operations guy is more likely to have a larger layout, been in the hobby longer, and be more social in his hobby. If you are going to have "guests" over to your layout, and they show consistantly, chances are you are more into operations. Many who build larger layouts generally do it, keeping in mind that others will come and run on their layout.

But "ops" is one of those dangerous words that can mean different things to different people. I have "operated" on several layouts and I have found that "ops" can be very informal - almost a non-ops session - to very formal. My experience is that most are in between formal and very informal.

A guy with a 4 by 8 is less likely to have ops sessions than the guy with a larger layout. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, I'm just saying on a percentage basis, a lot less.

Also, the guy in the hobby for a long time has seen the trains go round and round many times over, and so he is more open to another way of running.

[dehusman]

"Operations" is what a railroad does. Not having any operations is like restoring a classic car, but never driving it, just starting it up and letting it idle.

Dave H.

[Anonymous]

I like both.

Alex in the sooner state

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dehusman

"Operations" is what a railroad does. Not having any operations is like restoring a classic car, but never driving it, just starting it up and letting it idle.

Dave H.

Unfortunately there are ALOT of restorers that do just that, The cars just gather dust. On the other hand there are the nutjobs that race thier vintage cars at places like Laguna Seca. I was so shocked the first time seeing a vintage 1929 Bugatti 35 being driven flat out around the track.

My layout is a mix of both ideas. It has two small yards at either end and a loop between, with sidings off the loop. If I wanted to I could run a switching operation at the north yard. run down a couple of loops while I get a soda out of the fridge, do a switching job at a siding, run a couple more loops while I change the TV channel, then do switch again at the south yard. then turn around and do it again or just let the trains roll around in a loop. My main interest is in the modeling not so much the layout itself. So having fun is more important.

[Jetrock]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rsn48


A guy with a 4 by 8 is less likely to have ops sessions than the guy with a larger layout. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, I'm just saying on a percentage basis, a lot less.

Maybe the 4 by 8 in particular--but for someone who doesn't even have room for a 4 by 8, like, say, my 6'x18" layout, just running the trains around is impossible! They don't call them "switching layouts" for nothing. Admittedly, most of my operation is "off the cuff" (I kind of decide at random where each car in the consist should go when I get ready to run, but will start a card-order system Real Soon Now) but every time I turn on the power, except to test-run an engine, it's an operating session. My only real alternative to switching operations is just scooting the train back and forth...

QUOTE:
<br>Also, the guy in the hobby for a long time has seen the trains go round and round many times over, and so he is more open to another way of running.

Okay, this is true--but one might also argue that the guy with the big layout may find it easier to let the trains run--since he has the room to let the trains go through all those panoramic vistas! Having visited layouts large and small, just watching things run is more fun when they're running on a big layout.

[on30francisco]

I mostly enjoy watching the trains run through the towns, over trestles and bridges, and through other scenic areas. I also like to make up trains in the yard and spot cars by industries.

[jfugate]

The Layout Design Special Interest Group of the NMRA has some definitions they have adopted around this topic that I find helpful.

They suggest you define if you are a "railfan" or an "engineer".

If you are a railfan, just watching trains run is the most fun for you. You can sit in a single location and watch trains roll by for a long time and really enjoy it. The more trains the better.

On the other hand, if you are an "engineer" you prefer to focus on just one train and follow its progress. You want it to have a starting point, a purpose, and a specific destination. Just watching trains run is an aimless pursuit for you.

None of us are purists -- we all like either pursuit somewhat, but we all have a preference. You preference speaks volumes on what type of layout design you prefer.

The railfan tends to like scenic vistas and lots of activity, so a walkaround design is less desireable. Multideck designs destroy the scenic vistas for a railfan. But the engineer prefers a walkaround design where the train goes from point A to point B. Multideck designs are fine because you only focus on one train at a time anyway.

My own preference is for the engineer. I like to focus on one train and follow it around the layout. Hence, I am very satisfied with the multideck walkaround design on my HO Siskiyou Line. I will lapse into railfan mode briefly when I'm waiting in the hole or something during an op session, but I prefer the engineer most of the time.

[cwclark]

I like both...watching them run as i operate..that's why i'm building my layout so that 4 trains can run all the time and my switching won't interfere with the mainline trains...I did this by building long sidings so i can work the cars onto spurs off the siding without having to stop or foul the mainline trains ....Chuck[:D]

[ClinchValleySD40]

I can't imagine a layout without operations. I'm sure there are those that just like to watch trains run.

I just spent a fantastic four days in Chicago with a few buddies and we had a blast. We operated on four great layouts and enjoyed the friendship of all we ran across. Model railroaders for the most part are really great people and very enjoyable to be around.

As someone has said, operations can be as simple as you want it to be. And you'll really love sharing the hobby with fellow modelers.

[Anonymous]

I like seeing how many cars various engines can pull up my steepest grades. I just keep hooking 'em up until it can't pull no more! It's amazing how hot an engine can get!

I also enjoy running trains wide open to see if they can make turns.

Great Fun![^]

[DSchmitt]

Operations isn't restricted to just switching.

It includes meets between trains going in opposite directions, a slower train taking a siding to clear the way for a faster train, routing trains through a junction, even stopping a passenger train at a station.

[n2mopac]

I have to say that I enjoy a good, realisitc operating session. It is both a challenge and good wholesome fun. But I also enjoy sometimes just turning the things on and watching them go by. After all, that is what I do with the prototype.
Ron

[Anonymous]

I will have a loop for continuse run, but because the layout will be small, operations will be used to make things interesting.

[darth9x9]

Ever since I had a taste of the operations bug, I am hooked!

[Anonymous]

I mainly like to see them run 98% of the time!

[Jetrock]

I picked up Tony Koester's "Realistic Model Railroad Operation" and got some good insights into operation. One analogy made a lot of sense--if one is playing chess, one becomes so involved in the game that it doesn't make much difference whether the pieces are hand-carved works of art or cheap plastic. Thinking of operations as a game, with its own challenges and interest, can play its own part in creating the illusion that we are all seeking to generate with our pikes.

This explains, to me, why some operations folks aren't that interested in superdetailing and scenery. Coming from the wargaming/roleplaying game world, I know a lot of games could be pretty engrossing with just cardboard counters on a paper map--one's mind provided the scenery--but I do know that miniatures wargaming was enhanced greatly by good paintjobs and scenery. An army of miniatures looks much more imposing and impressive when painted and set on terrain with buildings and scenery than an unpainted army set on a tabletop!