The real answer is that none of you know whether you're coming or going. In the UK, we drive on the left, which is of course the right side.
Dennis
Obviously, trains on a closed loop run counter-clockwise because the closest real-world parallel since the early 20th century was the Indianapolis 500, where the cars turrned (and still do) to the left, in a counter-clockwise direction. Though the cars here at Indy are travelling south on the front straight when they cross the start/finish line, which always seemed counter-intuitive to me.
As for my layout, I have both a simple loop and folded dogbone, so when I run two trains for railfanning, they're simultaneously coming and going even when I run them in opposite directions!
Suddenly I have a headache...
Jim
"I am lapidary but not eristic when I use big words." - William F. Buckley
I haven't been sleeping. I'm afraid I'll dream I'm in a coma and then wake up unconscious. -Stephen Wright
BATMAN Today I was running trains on the layout and to be a little different I thought I would run them in the opposite direction than I usually do. I ran them clockwise. For some reason, as always, it kinda bugged me to run them in the opposite direction than I usually do. I got to thinking back to all the layouts I have had in my life and I remembered that with every one of them I mostly ran the trains anticlockwise. Even with the larger layout I have now, where I sit in the middle of the room and they run all around me, essentially they still run anticlockwise. I am the kind of person that hates routine and loves change but for some reason this ones got me. My question is why does my brain care what direction my trains travel in and do you always run your trains in the same direction? Are you a clockwise or anticlockwise kinda guy???
Today I was running trains on the layout and to be a little different I thought I would run them in the opposite direction than I usually do. I ran them clockwise. For some reason, as always, it kinda bugged me to run them in the opposite direction than I usually do. I got to thinking back to all the layouts I have had in my life and I remembered that with every one of them I mostly ran the trains anticlockwise. Even with the larger layout I have now, where I sit in the middle of the room and they run all around me, essentially they still run anticlockwise. I am the kind of person that hates routine and loves change but for some reason this ones got me. My question is why does my brain care what direction my trains travel in and do you always run your trains in the same direction? Are you a clockwise or anticlockwise kinda guy???
Hum,.. could be a touch of Sinistrophobia (Fear of things to the left or left-handed).
Be thankful you don't have Siderodromophobia (Fear of trains, railroads, or train travel). No, that's a real phobia!
mreagantThink about it. If you're modeling a historical American prototype road, the odds are that it was built east-to-west (yes, yes, I know there are exceptions) because that is the way this country was settled. On any standard map east to west is right to left which, on an around-the-wall layout, would lead to construction from east to west and if operations follow construction the empire would operate initially so that the result would lead to ............counter-clockwise train operation. Once up and going the obvious operation would be in both directions lest excess of motive power sit idle at one terminus, resulting in revenue loss. Zero sum game! See, didn't need a psychologist, just a logician and historian. Oh, and bean counter.
Think about it. If you're modeling a historical American prototype road, the odds are that it was built east-to-west (yes, yes, I know there are exceptions) because that is the way this country was settled. On any standard map east to west is right to left which, on an around-the-wall layout, would lead to construction from east to west and if operations follow construction the empire would operate initially so that the result would lead to ............counter-clockwise train operation.
Once up and going the obvious operation would be in both directions lest excess of motive power sit idle at one terminus, resulting in revenue loss. Zero sum game!
See, didn't need a psychologist, just a logician and historian. Oh, and bean counter.
"THAT"S IT"
I am constantly thinking about the huge push to get the CPR built across Canada. East to West. The story is a great one. It is the main reason I am into model railroading.
Thank you Dr. Mreagant. Just send your bill to the Government of British Columbia health care system. One visit and I'm cured! To the train room!
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
MAbruceHum,.. could be a touch of Sinistrophobia (Fear of things to the left or left-handed).Be thankful you don't have Siderodromophobia (Fear of trains, railroads, or train travel). No, that's a real phobia!
Or maybe just a little Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia...
(Fear of big words)
John
BATMAN mreagant Think about it. If you're modeling a historical American prototype road, the odds are that it was built east-to-west (yes, yes, I know there are exceptions) because that is the way this country was settled. On any standard map east to west is right to left which, on an around-the-wall layout, would lead to construction from east to west and if operations follow construction the empire would operate initially so that the result would lead to ............counter-clockwise train operation. Once up and going the obvious operation would be in both directions lest excess of motive power sit idle at one terminus, resulting in revenue loss. Zero sum game! See, didn't need a psychologist, just a logician and historian. Oh, and bean counter. "THAT"S IT" I am constantly thinking about the huge push to get the CPR built across Canada. East to West. The story is a great one. It is the main reason I am into model railroading. Thank you Dr. Mreagant. Just send your bill to the Government of British Columbia health care system. One visit and I'm cured! To the train room! Brent
mreagant Think about it. If you're modeling a historical American prototype road, the odds are that it was built east-to-west (yes, yes, I know there are exceptions) because that is the way this country was settled. On any standard map east to west is right to left which, on an around-the-wall layout, would lead to construction from east to west and if operations follow construction the empire would operate initially so that the result would lead to ............counter-clockwise train operation. Once up and going the obvious operation would be in both directions lest excess of motive power sit idle at one terminus, resulting in revenue loss. Zero sum game! See, didn't need a psychologist, just a logician and historian. Oh, and bean counter.
Glad I could be of assistance. My book on this subject, "How the Location of the North Pole Changed the History of the World...and Model Railroading" is due out this Summer. Signed copies will be available.
Mike
Here's the psychological reasoning:
You are probably right handed. If so then if you were to draw and engine or a car you probably would draw the nose of the machine on the left side of the paper (facing left). Therefore if the picture was 3D then the machine would be facing in the direction to move counter clockwise.
I am left handed in which I naturally draw my pictures with the nose on the right side. So I naturally would run my trains clockwise.
Picture this: Grab your engine with your right hand and place it on the tracks infont of you. If you are in the center of the loop then the train will go counter clockwise, yes? Answer to your question!
Sounds logical? Heck, I'm just making this up as I go. I really don't have a clue but it sure sounds good to me.
--Zak Gardner
My Layout Blog: http://mrl369dude.blogspot.com
http://zgardner18.rrpicturearchives.net
VIEW SLIDE SHOW: CLICK ON PHOTO BELOW
jwhittenNo worries Mate, the answer to your dilema is simple-- you were an Aussie in a former life, and now you're pining for the land down' under. Maybe if you sprinkled some great white sharks and man-eating crocodiles around it would all come back to you? Or maybe licked a toad or two and went walkabout for a while... whatever works. Cheers! Dr. John
No worries Mate, the answer to your dilema is simple-- you were an Aussie in a former life, and now you're pining for the land down' under. Maybe if you sprinkled some great white sharks and man-eating crocodiles around it would all come back to you? Or maybe licked a toad or two and went walkabout for a while... whatever works.
Cheers!
Dr. John
You may have something here. I love the land of OZ. If I couldn't live where I do, Australia would be saddled with me.
I can't spend enough time way down there. It's too bad the plane ride is so brutally long from Vancouver or I'd be there every year for my vacation.
I'm sure glad there is an ocean between us or I might be tempted to take the train. I wonder how long that would take. Or how many issues of MRR magazine would I need to take with me for the trip.
BATMANYou may have something here. I love the land of OZ. If I couldn't live where I do, Australia would be saddled with me. I can't spend enough time way down there. It's too bad the plane ride is so brutally long from Vancouver or I'd be there every year for my vacation. I'm sure glad there is an ocean between us or I might be tempted to take the train. I wonder how long that would take. Or how many issues of MRR magazine would I need to take with me for the trip.
That's how I feel about England and France. Especially England. I love the place and I don't go over there anywhere near often enough. If I could figure out how I'd move there permanently. But my wife isn't interested in the idea (not that she's ever been to have a true opinion) and we'd be moving away from family-- including elder parents who are gonna need some shepherding, economically after this big recession/depression we've been in. I know my Mom would love to live in France-- not so sure about my Dad unless he can take all his cars... Even though I was born and raised in the good 'ole US of A, it just does something really nice to me when I'm over there-- like I'm coming home. Maybe I was a Scott in a previous life, eh?
jwhittenOr maybe just a little Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia... (Fear of big words)
Yeah, I came across that one too. Sort of makes it hard for one to come to terms with their fear if they fear the very name of their phobia...
MAbrucejwhittenOr maybe just a little Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia... (Fear of big words) Yeah, I came across that one too. Sort of makes it hard for one to come to terms with their fear if they fear the very name of their phobia...
I thought it was a fear of articulate pachyderms.
Nelson
Ex-Southern 385 Being Hoisted
The brain of the model train builder (as well as that of the railfan) is pre-disposed to like certain things which have been associated with pleasure in the past. We like the smell of creosote ties and the smell mix of hot oil, coal smoke, and steam around a steam locomotive. One of the neatest things we've ever seen is a Shay locomotive in operation. Now, since Shay locomotives have their cylinders and other moving parts on the right side of the boiler, that is most visible when the locomotive is travelling left-to-right in front of us. Hence, counter-clockwise movement. Our minds, clearly more observant, sensitive, and developed than those of mere mortals, just want to re-experience the pleasure of watching a Shay operating and this then transfers over to other forms of motive power as well.
There's a PhD dissertation paper in here somewhere.....
Bill
Beach Bill There's a PhD dissertation paper in here somewhere..... Bill
After some of the dissertations I have read over the years and seen defended. One on this subject could be shear brilliance indeed.
"Of course some folks do go both ways!"
-Scarecrow, Wizard of Oz.
-George
"And the sons of Pullman porters and the sons of engineers ride their father's magic carpet made of steel..."
germaniumThe real answer is that none of you know whether you're coming or going. In the UK, we drive on the left, which is of course the right side.
...the ramifications of driving on the left side of the road, in 1990 in Tasmania, proved you must believe & obey signs saying, "Kangaroo Crossing next 5K," and then you see waves of sheep crossing the road looking like a large moving darker-puddle in the distance...
...instead of driving on the right side of the road, where you must believe & obey signs in the states saying, "Deer Crossing next 3M," where there is no wallaby road kill at all.
Conemaugh Road & Traction circa 1956