Being an operator

[Anonymous]

I don't know if thats the correct term to use, but I was reading the article called Mainline Operation, King-Sized Layout in the December 04 issue of Model Railroader. It talks about the large layout of Ken McCorry. Anyways on page 76, the article states that Ken requires quite a few dedicated volunteers to work it. Reading that article, really sparked my interest.

I have always admired the work and the layouts that you model railroaders preform and always dream about having a display someday like the ones you see in the magazine. But because I neither have the space nor money to even have a simple basic railroad, my dream will have to hold. I know nothing about being a model railroader and that pretty much goes hand in hand with the real thing. I pickup copies of Model Railroader from the newstand in hope to learn more, and more or less to look at the pictures[:)]

Anyways what Im getting at is how does someone get to become one of these train operator "volunteers"? Whats involved? It sounds like it would be so much fun to do. In the magazine article it also says: "There are a lot of guys that want to run trains, but its not easy to find ones that understand you're trying to portray a real transportation system." From reading that, it seems like its not all fun and games but actually quite serious, much like the real thing. Is that the case or is everyone different?

thanks Steve

[cwclark]

if you don't have the room for a layout your next best bet is to find someone that wouldn't mind you helping run their layout or join a model railroad club that has a working layout...for a small fee you can usually join the club and learn how to become an operator after just a few meetings and some hands on experience with the club's layout...I have a medium size layout that is under construction right now (25' x 23') and i know by the time it's built i'd love to have a couple of friends over that are into the hobby to help operate the layout.. when it's done I know that it cannot be ran by just one person and hope that one day i can have someone over to my train room on a regular basis to help me with operations....Chuck[:D]

[randybc2003]

No More Excuses!! [:(!]
No Space is No excuse. No Money is only a little better. I have known of layouts where the track ballast was used coffe grounds. Scrounging is an accepted part of the hobby.

Stop at your local hoby shop or even at your supermarket where you got your copy of MR. Get a Kalmbach publication on Small Project Railroads. The smallest RR I can think of off hand is a switching layout named "Apple Creek Junction" in "101 Track Plans". In HO it is 4' long and 1 ft. wide. Cut this in half for N. One of the finest RRs featured more than a dozen times in MR was a switching layout 10' long and 2' (I think) wide - Ben King's Timber City & Northwestern.

Watch MR for this season's Project RR. Benchwork and Base can be as simple as 1/4" plywood on 1x2, or even a piece of Extruded Styerene. This can be obtained at your local home improvement "big box" store. Pick up a QUALITY train set from your LHS (Local Hobby Shop) I would recomend Athern or Walthers. A switch engin, a couple of cars, a caboose, power pack and some track.

Make friends with the Hobby Shop Owner, and the bums who hang out there. Some shops conduct classes on layout construction, etc. Your hoby shop can also put you in touch with groups and clubs in the area. Join one, and see what is there and get some "hands on" experience.

HIGHBALL!! [:D][:D]

[orsonroy]

I've found that the best way to get invited to operating sessions is to get more involved in the hobby. There are a lot of us out there who have layouts larger than we can handle, so more help working on and running the layout is always appreciated.

I had never been to an operating session before I joined my local NMRA club. Say what you will about the worth of the NMRA, but it is a great place to meet other modelers in person. After a year of attending meetings, going to layout tours, and generally helping out with club activities, I started getting invites. I'm now a "member" of three informal operating groups, and it's great! I've worked on several layouts, seen new techniques, done a lot of BSing, and operated on some of the largest and best layouts in the Midwest.

[KemacPrr]

Anyways what Im getting at is how does someone get to become one of these train operator "volunteers"? Whats involved? It sounds like it would be so much fun to do. In the magazine article it also says: "There are a lot of guys that want to run trains, but its not easy to find ones that understand you're trying to portray a real transportation system." From reading that, it seems like its not all fun and games but actually quite serious, much like the real thing. Is that the case or is everyone different?

Actually Steve becoming a "volunteer" isn't all that hard. Just taking an interest in what the layout owner is trying to do is usually enough. The difference between guys that want to run trains and those that understand the transportation idea really comes down to learning how the rr works and remembering at least part of what you learned the next time you show up to run. It takes awhile to get the hang of what any layout owner wants and expects. The train runners seem to forget basic rules, or paperwork requirements between sessions. This creates problems during the session when crews don't know what the train is supposed to do or where it works.
It takes a while to learn the do's and don't of a model rr but those that remember both and learn as they run the rr will become the better volunteers and that makes the operations a lot more enjoyable for all.
---------------------- Ken McCorry

[dehusman]

First you need to make find those people with operating layouts in your area. vist the local NMRA division meetings and get to know them. Then inquire at your local hobby shop. If there are open houses at railroads visit them. If there is a club in your area, visit and or join it. From there you will have to network to other people. You might somebody who knows somebody who invites you to go to an operating session.

Another approach would be to join the Rwy-Ops-Industrial Yahoo group. There are often notices of op sessions there.

The problem is that many of these sessions are invitation only. Mostly for the convienience and security of the owner. So the key is to network into the group.

Dave H.

[PennsyHoosier]

Hang around your LHSs (plural) and get to know the guys there. Also, join the local club. There are lots of ways to be involved. But you have to make the first move.

[Jetrock]

One can get a certain amount of operating thrills (as well as basic skills and experience) building a small shelf layout--1x4 or 1x6 feet can be all you really need. On small layouts, operation really HAS to take center stage--there isn't enough space for a continuous loop--and economically they are much more within reach of the average modeler these days, in terms of cost, space taken up, and time required to complete.

But the above suggestions (joining a local club, hanging out at the LHS and meeting people) are good places to start. There are also modular clubs, people who build their own small layout segments at home and assemble them at club operation sessions.