layout operating rules

[n2mopac]

I know I have posted this topic in the past, and unfortunately with little response, but it has been a while so I thought I'd try again. I am trying to write a good set of operating rules for my new layout (under construction). I like to get ideas from individuals' layouts or clubs that have published op's rules. I am well aware of gatewaynmra.org and the NMRA op's sig site. These are great, but I would like to hear suggestions or see examples of individual or club layouts that have printed operations rules.
Thanks,
Ron

[ClinchValleySD40]

Try to find Lee Nicholas' email address and ask him. When I operated his layout he had the greatest time table I've seen on a model railroad. I'm sure he wouldn't mind answering questions. If I come across any sites with rules posted, I'll pass them along.

[johncolley]

Remember "Rule G" Don't get caught! Seriously there are good sources for the operating rules, Some can be gotten through Free-mo.org look for their Shandin Division timetable No. 1 for a great collection of rules for operating under timetable/track warrants. Also check at some of the bigger train shows, you can find rulebooks, engine operating manuals, schedules, etc. John Colley, Port Townsend, WA

[Anonymous]

There's only one operating rule on my layout: CRA***HE TRAIN AND I WILL KILL YOU!!

[MAbruce]

The number one rule on my layout is that I'm king.

Ahhhh,..it's good to be the king. [:D][^][;)]

[AntonioFP45]

N2Mopac,

Good point. While some people can get carried away and become extremists, operating rules gives the atmosphere of a railroad sytem that has purpose and operates as a transportation system.

As far as operation, I personally enjoy scheduling a "Sequence of Events" in operation rather than a hard printed schedule, though I would never rule that out.

IMHO, I do believe in running at scale speeds! An SW7 dropping off a boxcar on a rusty industrial spur and then suddenly "taking off" faster than a Pontiac Trans Am, doesn't exactly seem "realistic" and can make a well detailed layout seem "toylike"!

My example of a "Typical Day":
Long distance freight arrives in yard. Road units uncoupled and drift off to the small engine terminal for servicing. Yard switcher comes and breaks up train. Cars destined for delivery in town are made up or "Blocked" into a "Local". Four axle diesel (Geep or U-Boat) locomotive arrives and picks up the "local", heads to town and nearby industries and begins to deliver loads as well as set out empty cars. Meanwhile, several scheduled passenger trains pass through, so the local is delayed several times. The Local's conductor and engineer are under pressure to deliver empty cars to the yard by a certain time as these empties must become part of a long distance freight scheduled to depart at a "specified time" so it won't hinder passenger schedules.

Any derailments:
The crane or "big hook" is dispatched from the engine terminal to the scene. After a considerable while the scene is "cleared up" (courtesy of my "giant hand"). These delays impact operation and so reroutings and/or "runarounds" would be implemented. Just like on many prototype railroads of the 60s and 70s. (Today, they just cancel runs, if possible!)

IMHO, for me this is good enough. If visiting a friend's or club layout, I think I would enjoy the challenges of following a very specific set of rules, as long as the goal is to HAVE FUN!

From what I've read and heard, some modelers feel like they're not good modelers for not having a "hard set" of rules like Tony Koester and other well known modelers. No need to feel that way! Even Tony has stated that this hobby is about enjoyment. Read, pickup ideas, and share the hobby!

Peace out! [swg][tup]

[Anonymous]

By all means, rules should be put in place--I'm a "lone wolf" modeller but if any friends come over, they are told the "rules". n2mopac--I like the FWWR too!

[n2mopac]

It might be good to clarify what I have in place right now. I am ever updating my operating rules as I find things that need to be added or that are unneccessary. Right now they include train classification and priority, speed restrictions, trackage rights around the 3 interchanges, regulations on fouling grade and interlocking crossings, regulations on hazardous materials (there is a fair amount of oit and lpg transported on this layout), proceedures for repeated derailments, a listof abbreviations and symbols found on car cards and waybills and other documents, and a few statements about circumstances specific to this layout (don't put anything on it, train numbering, restrictions of 6 axle loco's on certain lightly maintained interchanges, etc.). All of this makes up 14 "rules" that take 1 1/2 pages. I don't want to be overly restrictive or require a class before operating, but I do want to give operators a sense of how this layouts runs and the feel for the real thing. I also include these rules in a 4 page booklet I make up for visitors whenever I have an open house. I am still and always looking for ideas that might make my ops rules better and more complete without taking the fun out of operating. Thanks for everyone's input.
Ron

[AntonioFP45]

N2MoPac,

This is very impressive! [;)][:D]

Would you be willing to make your booklet available on a reply, where it could be downloaded? Modelers, including me, could really enhance operations by your system. Hope you consider it! [swg][tup]

God Bless, amigo!

[Anonymous]

n2mopac,
I am in the process of planning my new layout where I hope to have operating sessions, like AntonioFP45, I too would be quite interested in seeing what you have for operating rules. I would like to maintain the sense of real world operations without taking away the fun and enjoyment of running the trains. Think you can list it on the forum? I'm sure there are many others who would be just as interested as I or AntonioFP45.

[fiatfan]

n2mopac,

Add another name to the list of people who would like to see your rule book. It sounds great!.

Tom

PS if you have it in an electronic form, could you e-mail it to me?

[jfugate]

I have a whole section about operating the layout on my Siskiyou Line web site.

See: http://siskiyou.railfan.net/ops_or.html

[AntonioFP45]

Jfugate,

This is excellent! Thanks!
I'm downloading the info and printing it up! I'll study it during my relaxation time.

[swg][tup][:D][tup]

[Anonymous]

On my layout I'll use Reading & Northern, Conrail, and Norfolk SOuthern operating rules

[Anonymous]

I forgot to mention:

www.trainweb.org/gle has an awsome employee timetable.

[AntonioFP45]

Dougal,

Super! Downloaded this also. Looks like I'm going to be spending a few hours reading.

Thanks![swg][tup]

[CP5415]

WOW!

Thanks for the info. It'll help me build my rule book.

Gordon

[Anonymous]

I made the timetable (link a few posts) about into an employee timetable by stapling the pages together

[CBQ_Guy]

I'm thinking there was a chapter or section on a rule book, or operations procedure manual, or some such in the "V&O Story" book on Allen McClellands layout.

[n2mopac]

The book that I use for tours is printed for me, but I can easily email coppies of my 3 page operating rules and job descriptions to anyone who wants one. Just email me from here (my email is available here) and ask for it. Let me know if you want an attached Word docupment of if you want me to simply dump it into the email itself.
Ron

[n2mopac]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jfugate

I have a whole section about operating the layout on my Siskiyou Line web site.

See: http://siskiyou.railfan.net/ops_or.html

This is good stuff. very helpful. Thanks for sharing your info with us.
Ron

[fiatfan]

n2mopac

What ever is convenient for you is fantastic for me! Thanks.

Tom

([e-mail])

[Anonymous]

n2mopac,

I just came across this site from another thread and thought of you. I do not know if this will be helpful, but it is a reprint of a 1952 manual on operating toy trains like a real railroad. Here is a direct link to it: http://www.thortrains.net/52rules1.html As soon as I get a bigger monitor, I will try to read and copy this. It as good info also.

Hauckra

[n2mopac]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Hauckra

n2mopac,

I just came across this site from another thread and thought of you. I do not know if this will be helpful, but it is a reprint of a 1952 manual on operating toy trains like a real railroad. Here is a direct link to it: http://www.thortrains.net/52rules1.html As soon as I get a bigger monitor, I will try to read and copy this. It as good info also.

Hauckra

I checked this out. This is (as stated above) an old rule book, and the scan is a little hard to read, but the info here is great and there are some very helpful ideas, dependig upon what type of rules/info you are looking for. Thanks for the address to this one. I printed it and am keeping it on file for reference.
Thanks again,
Ron