Special Siskiyou Line op session report (with photos)

[jfugate]

It was a while in coming, but the Siskiyou Line special May op session
report, with photos, is now available at:

http://mymemoirs.net/model-trains/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=113

This special session hosted about 10 out-of-town guest operators who
were attending an SP prototype meet in the area.

We did a business special to see if we could impress visiting Japanese
business people enough that they would want to build a fledging
intermodal operation in Coos Bay, Oregon (an event which actually
happened).

In real life, the Japanese elected not to build the facilities, but
would our re-enactment of the business special on my layout change
their mind? Find out at the link above ...

[selector]

Looks like it was a lot of fun,...and serious business, of course. That's one sweet set-up, Joe, where one lonely operator would be in a world of hurt.

[cheese3]

Thanks for sharing! That looked like it was alot of fun.

[jfugate]

Thanks, guys. It was a fun session.

I was secretly hoping the Intermodal Special would greatly impress the Japanese, and it was great fun to see people hop when that thing was on the railroad! Using an aggressive points system like I did really added to the sense that this was one *hot* train! [:D]

[cwclark]

loved the railroad hat on that one guy!....chuck[:D]

[JeremyB]

when is the next session Joe. are you taking the summer off?

Jeremy

[ereimer]

QUOTE: originally posted by jfugate That's one rule I have -- if you come to an op session and you want to go into the layout room while we're in session, then you *better* be running something. I prefer you don't just go in there only to "watch" because you're simply in the way when you do that.

Joe , you're so mean !!!
so , did the guest have a good time ?

[JeremyB]

nevermind I saw it on your site,not until Sept.

[jeffshultz]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ereimer

QUOTE: originally posted by jfugate That's one rule I have -- if you come to an op session and you want to go into the layout room while we're in session, then you *better* be running something. I prefer you don't just go in there only to "watch" because you're simply in the way when you do that.

Joe , you're so mean !!!
so , did the guest have a good time ?

That isn't just mean... it's pretty much required due to space limitations. Joe designed his layout to run trains.... in some places that mean that personnel access, while there, is less than generous.

I have found that you can usually sneak downstairs into the Coos Bay branch if you just want to oogle scenery - there is usually only 2 or 3 trains that will run on it per session.

And yes - everyone seemed to have a good time.

[jfugate]

Jeff ought to know ... he's a regular Siskiyou Line crew member. [;)]

While we prefer you don't just wander around in the layout room while we're in session, I always allow 30 minutes or so at the beginning of the session (before we start the fast clock and begin running trains) where people are free to look around to their hearts content, get familiar with the layout, and so on.

And the rule is not as onerous as it sounds. With two person crews, if you want to go have a look see, just let us hand you a throttle and have you join with an experienced hand who will act as conductor and show you the ropes. Most people are hooked after that ... so there's method in that madness! [:-,]

[wt259]

Very nice Joe. I've learned a lot from your posts here. Really helpful stuff, like the feeder soldering tip. I'd never seen that, doubt I'd have thought of it. But it works great and looks much better than my earlier efforts.

[markpierce]

Wish I was closer so I could throw some plaster and paint, and handover my excess structures.

[Anonymous]

Joe,
I live here in Beaverton Oregon. And I just want to say that your layout brings out the BEST of Oregon, The pictures that I have seen are just great. Where exactly is your layout located? My wife and I would love to see it this summer.
TrainsRMe

[jfugate]

TrainsRMe:

I'm located about 30 miles south of Portland on I-5.

We always take the summer off, but the next op session will be this September. I can possibly swing a visit if we plan it ahead enough so I'm in town.

[ereimer]

guys , i was kidding !

what i really don't understand is why anybody would NOT want to run a train on the Siskiyou , although i can understand being a little nervous the first time

[jfugate]

ereimer:

If you've never operated on a layout before that does serious prototype-based operation, it is intimidating, and I'm very aware of that for new operators.

We have visitors nearly every session, and we do a debrief before the session starts. I tell the new guys to relax and have fun. We all make boo-boos, even the old hands, so enjoy yourselves. And by using two person crews and paring the newbies with an experienced hand, the intimidation factor is lowered considerably.

By the end of the session, most people have become confortable enough to even give conducting a try. [:D]