Thoughts, from the August Trains of Thought

[georgev]

I'll confess that one reason my railroad has a double-track main line and continuous running capability is so I can just run trains.  Originally I thought I'd have two trains running sumultanously or have a 1-man op session myself, working a way freight or turn on one main line and another train working around in the opposite direction.  Clearance to cross the opposite main is given when the other train goes by!  Or work the branch line, yard or switch the one larger town.

With DCC I find it fun to watch 4 trains circling the main lines.  That keeps you on your toes for maintenance - or at least listening for the sound of wheels on the ties.

I enjoy ops sessions and I'm thinking about an operating sequence for my railroad but have not made much progress in planning it.  Having started into my second childhood probably 35 years ago seems to influence what I enjoy. 

 

[rrinker]

 So the main topic of Tony's article is about running trains on an otherwise operating layout, just for enjoyment. I have long wondered why anyoen would build a nice layout, and then never do a thing except maintenance and maybe continual improvement of the scenery except once a month when operating sessions are held. That's certainly not why I am filling my basement with a layout. My layout will allow formal operation, but I will ALSO be down there just running trains for the fun of it - no regrets later in life like one of the modelers mentione in Tony's article.

 He even quotes Allen McClelland as saying "why would you want to" when talking about running trains between operating sessions. Really? My response is "why not?" I'm not building a layout as a static display that moves once a month. And I don't think the desire to run trains informally prevents also holding formal operating sessions.

 If you only run trains once a month or so - I can see why there is always so much mention of layouts being too large to be maintained. Just running trains on a regular basis goes a long way to keeping the track clean, and also finding other issues to help avoid a breakdown when all your friends are over trying to operate.

 Anyway, that's my thought on the subject.

                                           --Randy