mlehmanMany , maybe most of those who operate by themselves choose to use some aspects of standard ops practices. They adapt it to their own use, throw out the clock, and they're having fun.
Yea, that's me -- I live in a beach town that barely has a winter population, but is mobbed in the summer, and is many, many miles from any decent RR hobby shops (thank goodness for M.B. Klein :) ). My RR is around 3 walls in a spare bedroom, representing a single-track branch line with various small town and farm industries. My "ops" consists of blank 3x5 index cards that say "X industry - 1 reefer" and "Y industry - 1 tank car", with cards for each type of car (and number of them) an industry could get.
When I'm not working on the layout itself (it's about 1/2 built right now) or putting together a structrure model, I go to the card file, grab a random card for each current industry, setup the train on the removable fiddle track, and just go out and switch the industries. No pressure, no fast clock, just relaxing fun watching my train do its work.
I have never had a desire to join a club - mainly because I don't want that level of commitment and I spend summers at the cottage. So, I am solo runner and for me, it's fine. It does get me working on the RR over the winter, I am not held to any kind of a schedule and can work on everything at my pace. Every now and then there will be one or two other people, but those times are few and far between.
There's never time to do it right, but always time to do it over.....
mlehmanAs someone who operates both singly and with others, it doesn't surprise me to read of the many singleton operators who actually incorporate various aspects of the often intensely overfocused ops crowd. Car cards, schedules, etc.
I will freely admit I follow the prototype..You will see no crash coupling,no slam! blam! switching operation and a stop will be made before picking a car up at a industry and time allowed for the brakeman to do his job such as unlocking and lining a switch and unlocking and opening the derail.After doing the required work time will be allowed for the brakeman to close and lock the detail and switch.
That's the real reason I prefer solo operation.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
ACY I wonder how many Andy Devine fans know what you're talking about. Tom
I wonder how many Andy Devine fans know what you're talking about.
Tom
Yep...that sure "Jingles" my memory.....!!!:D
May your freight ALWAYS roll smoothly...and ON TIME!!
I gotta agree with NP here. It's not going to be all that useful to spend a lot of time placing blame about why some of us operate alone. I really think that's a separate thread, because a lot of people operate by themselves and manage to do it just because it works for them. learning what works is what I think is the topic here.
I want to note that this really is not an either/or question. If you read through the comments, sure there are a few where the point seems to be to do nothing like what those "irritating operators" do. OK, if that bakes your cake for what fun is, go for it.
As someone who operates both singly and with others, it doesn't surprise me to read of the many singleton operators who actually incorporate various aspects of the often intensely overfocused ops crowd. Car cards, schedules, etc. Often, though, the clock is turned off, so that's something that sticks out to me right there. Many , maybe most of those who operate by themselves choose to use some aspects of standard ops practices. They adapt it to their own use, throw out the clock, and they're having fun.
OK, now we're getting somewhere.
Here's another comment I had that's a caution about going too far in the direction of "my layout fits me" so consequently you have very narrow aisles. OK, that works for you now. How about in 10 or 20 years when some personal "spread" takes place? How about if you have the misfortune and challenge of ending up using a wheelchair. Sure, it's just you, but if you can't get down those aisles later on...
Since I do operate both by myself and with others, there's also a subset here of people who continue the operating session in some way.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
NP2626 Are we getting away from the main thrust of this thread? I thought the question was "What makes solo operation interesting?" We seem to have gotten into Why we operate solo, which could certainly be a separate topic on its' own.
Are we getting away from the main thrust of this thread? I thought the question was "What makes solo operation interesting?" We seem to have gotten into Why we operate solo, which could certainly be a separate topic on its' own.
Guess I didn't see them as separate things. But to focus on the first question, well, Tony Koester has often described operations as a game. A game which simulates a business with all the paperwork and processes of a business. In contrast what specifically makes it interesting is it put a spotlight on the individual railroader and train. Doing it's job day in and day out. It's about the man and the machine rather than the business.
jim
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
Inevitably, whatever the club situation is, somebody always wants to be in charge and tell others what to do. See the NMRA guys post. I like the control of my own stuff. I designed my railroad for me which is my outlet from the stresses of the real world. Also, it's my money that goes into it so i call all the shots.
Thing is, I'm kind of an introvert, and I get enough extrovert time at work. When I get home, I just wanna do stuff by myself.
I have developed a system where I pull a nimber of cards to determime what I'm going to do next, and which loco is assigned to do it.
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
I play the same month over and over - but I doubt that I've ever duplicated a loose-car freight consist. Various industries order cars on certain days of the month - but actual delivery is predicated on the availability of suitable cars, the phase of the moon and whether it's worth swapping a cassetteload onto (or off) the layout.
My layout was designed to be operated solo or with a crew of several - but the crew has yet to materialize, so the rather frenetic timetable schedule (which includes EVERYTHING, even light movements of helpers downgrade) is operated as a sequence of events with NO fast clock. The fast clock is there - I update (up-hour/minute) it as the sequences play out - but trying to operate to it would be the impossible dream. There are 146 (!) trains to be run in a 4.8 hour 'day,' so the 'day' frequently ends up taking more than 24 real hours.
At those times when I don't want to be everything from Harry Dispatcher to the junior brake trainee in the local's guard van I operate double-ended passenger trains (DMU, EMU and the TTTs 4-wheel rail bus) and forego anything fancier. Or I might simply orbit a diesel powered through freight (no engine change required.)
I do find my style of operation fun - but it took me a lifetime to refine it.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
I use a seven day card car system so every day is different instead of replaying the same day over and over again. Some industries only send or receive cars on certain days. This can represent seasonal industries etc. I play the operation game like it's a board game, you draw the waybills from the deck and follow the train order cards to run trains. Not having a clock or other operators means I can start and stop at any time. I can operate for five minutes or several hours. All trains are self staging and can be ran around the loop as bridge traffic or be point to point as the locals are.
One thing that keeps it interesting is that the layout is eye level for in your face railroading. This means that you enjoy the scenery and details more. Also you run your trains a lot slower and distances seem farther. Instead of blowing through town you can check out local attractions.
Also I incorperate current events into my operation. If it is snowing in the mountains then I have to run the snow plows. If there is an earthquake or wildfire I have to deal with that and inspect the rails and do maintance. etc.
I don't operate like it's a job that has to be done. I see it more like a 3D video game. Play with it for a little while and then play some more later.
TheWizard I think enough at work.
I think enough at work.
Construction of my empire is not quite at a point where operations are practical (perhaps a year from now), but this sums up my feelings.
I envision days (because I go through them now) that by the end I may want to just railfan on my own railroad, or I may want to play the role of switching cars in a few industries, or I may want to run the local and switch some cars. I designed the layout with the ability of me to do any of those things, either alone or with help. In fact, it was laid out electrically (DCC) so that the added bonus could be eventually the computer playing the role of doing various other tasks while I do what I do.
But then again, I have never been big into prototypical operations. I don't have anything against it, it is just not the part of the hobby I enjoy to date (Tony K used to drive me batty). For me, it is more of an activity to help me maintain whatever sanity I have left (opinions on that subject will differ greatly).
- Mark
I would think if they knew Andy, they would know what "Thwapping a magic Twanger" was all about. You'ld need to be at least 60, I should think.
At the present moment, I have a 10 train schedule that I run. I can stop the schedule at any location and pick-up when I feel like doing so. The schedule includes through trains and locals and east and west passenger trains. I treat the operations like a branch line, even though I model the Northern Pacific in 1953. Since I started my operations endeavor, scenery has taken a back seat and I have not done any in 2 years; or, so. At this point, I’m uncertain of operations as frankly it doesn’t really “Trip my Trigger”! I’m sort of thinking I need to get back to doing scenery; or, other mechanical/building parts of building the layout, which does “Twap my magic Twanger, Froggy”!!
richhotrain We agree that it is a lot more fun to build a layout than to operate it. Rich
Rich
I think the above is one of the reasons we have read for years in MR magazine that "a model railroad is never finished" and also why people continually tear down their layouts and start another one. It is the building that many find the most satisfying.
For me, operations is (just) one component of the overall goal...
Which brings up the notion that many find the hobby multifaceted, and operation isn't necessarily the "be all and end all" for many model railroaders, and in fact many enjoy the hobby by building and detailing models and don't even have layouts.
Operating is on my to-do list this year - my goal is to have an operating layout by end of year, even if it is not scenic'd fully. Mine is being built for solo operation but could be operated by 2, possibly 3 operators max. Mostly built for railfanning but operational/switching is being built in to the foci of the layout, the yard above staging.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I am a solo operator and like it that way, although sometimes my granddaughter runs trains on the layout while I do some switching. I have DCC so I can let one train run around the layout while I do some switching with another. The layout is only small so sometimes I have to stop the train running on the main line so I can pull the switcher out. I usually bring some log cars down the branch and then attach them to a train at the junction. Then I deliver the loaded log cars to the mill and drop off some box cars here and there. Pick up empty log cars and leave the train in staging while I run the passanger train around for a few laps. I have only 2 towns and they are only a few feet apart so I need to do a few laps for a bit of distance. Operations conclude with taking a train out of staging and returning log cars, fuel, water to the logging branch or the junction yard for the next ops session. No paperwork, just a few logical destinations for different types of cars.It's lots of fun and I don't have to worry that someone is late or has to leave early.
cheers
Al
Alan Jones in Sunny Queensland (Oz)
I enjoy solo "operations" as I don't exactly run according to "RR law".
I can run what I wanna, do what I wanna, and quit when I wanna.
I don't have to worry my roundy-rounders layout isn't "PC".
My yard is a spur yard, also not so correct either, though not exactly wrong either.
My two spur engine servicing facility isn't so practical, but tis there.
Its what I could fit in a 5.1 x 3.5 foot space. All the space I had.
I would be intimidated by a 17 foot x 25 foot layout with waybills.
so that is my story and i'm sticking to it.
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
While the track on my layout isn't complete, it was designed (a very loose useage of that word) to be operated solo.It's DC, so wiring was very simple, and the theme is a fairly busy secondary line. Single track with passing sidings, lots of en route switching and a leisurely pace, with only one train in motion at any time. My plan is to operate trains sequentially (that order to be established once all of the track is in service). There will be four interchange points (staging) and one staging area representing an industrial area, both receiving and originating carloads and empties.A typical "day" might include 12-15 freight trains and 5 or 6 passenger runs, but it may take a couple of weeks or perhaps a month of operating sessions to complete that "day".No fast clock, no distractions, and nothing to drag me out of another time and place.I do enjoy the social aspects of model railroading, too, but that doesn't, for me, include operations.
Wayne
I think enough at work. I'd rather watch my choo choo trains go roundy-round than have some sort of structured playtime. The ability to have visually interesting layouts with automatic reversing loops thanks to DCC helps immensely.
I'm a solo operator because I want to be. My two car garage size DCC layout can be run either point to point or continuous run. I use a car card system and enjoy dropping off and picking up cars along the route. Sometimes I will start trains at both end points running one at a time to each town on the route. one moves to the next destination and switches cars while the other waits at a signal. Then the roles are reversed. Of course sometimes I just want to watch a train run throught the scenery. To answer the original question of what makes solo operation interesting? I think at least for me it is the same things that makes the operating role on a club layout interesting. That is the challenges of moving cars or groups of cars from one industry to another. The diference is that my solo ops are not constrained by time or restrictions like time clocks or dispatchers. I like it that way.
Marty C
pt714 Carnegie Falls, I'm sort of in the same boat as you-- very little prior experience in operation, and only a few clubs around (really, in Chicago? The rail hub of the country?)
Carnegie Falls, I'm sort of in the same boat as you-- very little prior experience in operation, and only a few clubs around (really, in Chicago? The rail hub of the country?)
There are a fair number of clubs in and around Chicago. Here's a list compiled by the Fox Valley NMRA division, mostly from the north/northwest area covered by that division.
Lots of privately owned layouts host operating sessions, too. You may want to consider joining AmRail.
Hi All.
I, as well, count in the solo operations roster since I do not know of any other model railroaders in the area. When my wife and I have company over demonstrating the railroad and answering questions posed by the onlookers brings great joy. However, operating solo is a good escape and very theraputic after a stressful day on the job.
All the best.
Reinhard
Joe F
I'm another who designed with solo ops in mind. Partly because of the lack of other near by modelers and partly due to the limited space. Those limitations focused me on a small town at the end of a branch. A one train daily except Sunday operation. Even the interaction with other trains happens off stage at the junction, er fiddle track. Trains are short, just a locomotive and 3-4 cars, just like the prototype I use for inspiration. The only regret is I wish I had room to model in O scale so I can get more of the big iron feel.
Count me as another solo operator who built his layout with solo operation in mind. That means that the aisles really wouldn't support mutliple operators they're just wide enough for me.
I don't know if there are any other model railroaders in my area or not, but I doubt it.
I use a car card/waybill system and find that running a train that way, and watching it perform its "work" is very relaxing and enjoyable.
Once or twice a year, when my son and grandson come to visit they always want to run trains and then I get to enjoy watching them run my layout.
Model railroaders are a little far and few between in northern Nevada. I know a few, but they are scattered all about the area. My layout is moderate in size and is intended to be run by one person...it's DC with a single central panel. I mentioned it before, but I treat my layout more like an elaborate and detailed test track system. I don't operate it often...mostly to try out or test things. On some rare occasions when I get a visitor, I will run it for show.
Mark H
Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history.
For me, operations is one component of the overall goal...which is to try to reduce a part of the world (or the midwest or the south) into a portion of my basement.
Kitbashing, buying RTR, customizing, painting, weathering etc..or all ways to an end. Operations sets all of those efforts into motion. Realistic operations is important. I model a branch/short line in order to keep the task of purely running trains to about an hour's length. After which, I tend to find something else to build or improve. And then, after a while of building or improving something, I want to have another ops session or just display run for a while.
Just like building the layout in a realistic way is important, so is running the trains and spotting cars i a realistic way is important...most of the time.
- Douglas
I built my layout for one person operation. It can support three operators. Joined a club, but continued building for single ops. Still that way. Three NMRA members joined the club after I did and I considered dropping out until the NMRA guys left in a huff. They couldn't get their way. Still in the club 11 years. Lots of fine people, no NMRA members.
I like being alone is why I built it that way, but I do like being around like minded people at the club.
Carnegie falls
I would encourage you to join the NMRA - National Model railroad Association. They have clubs who meet with like minded individuals, they have a wonderful magazine, many of the districts also have a qaurtely news letter. And the yearly calender is alone worth the price of membership ( which I think is real cheap for all that one recieves ) and I have met some wonderful people in the NMRA.
Hope you consider joining.
YGW