Operating Rules suggestions

[n2mopac]

I am in the process of developing operating rules for the layout I am building. I want the list to be complete, but not overly complicated for those who will operate on my layout. Does anyone have suggestions of things that should be included or copies of operating rules for your own layouts that coule help me?
Thanks,
Ron

[Anonymous]

have no rules that way someone wont get yelled at if they flick the wrong switch

[Anonymous]

To start out, go with the old tried and true car card system. If you need some more info on it, look it up on this website or google.com or lycos.com and you'll get a good idea of how it works. It's a great, fun & basic way to get started and not too complicated.
Good luck,
Pete

[cmrproducts]

Ron

I have just started with setting up a rules book for operations on my layout. I model CR on a secondary mainline and have included 6 shortlines to feed the CR line. With this many independent lines as well as operating the main line I have to set some rules down. Also the operators on the layout were not following the flow that I wanted as they were not able to attend all of the sessions each time and this would cause problems as they were not up the latest way of doing things.

The rules set down what railroads have clearance on the CR line and restriction on the use of 6 axle and 4 axle equipment. Besides the rules car movement is governed by the use of the modified pin system rather than car cards of computer operated switch lists.

I you are interested in the rules you may e-mail me at [e-mail] and I can then do an attachment in Microsoft Office file to you.

BOB H Clarion, PA

[dknelson]

A few simple basics should suffice until you get more sophisticated. It helps to establish a simple time table classifying trains by class. Passenger trains for example might be first class, time freights second class. Unscheduled trains can still be run as "extras." Most railroads have a balance of trains of the same class running both directions. Then you need to establish priority rights. For example a first class train always has priority over second class or extras (and second class priority over extras) regardless of direction but then what about two trains of the same class facing each other on the same line. Then you need a rule that, for example, west bound trains have priority over east bound trains. (So that means you need to establish west and east on your layout -- and some guys post little arrows right on the edge of the layout).
Two trains of the same class going the same direction have their priority established by time table -- earlier first (obvious point that is easy to forget when a train gets late!).
This all gets a bit complicated when you get into second sections, the changes that train orders can confer, etc etc.
As far as rights of trains go you also need a rule for how long a timetable schedule gives that train a right. I think the general rule is 12 hours. That is, if a first class train has priority but it is late, it retains that timetable priority for up to 12 hours from its scheduled time. After that it has no priority and I suppose is no better than an extra (that is where the dispatcher would probably re-confer authority by train order).
(Within yard limits by the way the rules are different yet again.)
As a train passes a station with an operator, that train is put "on the sheet" (OS) so that other trains can learn if the train they might otherwise be waiting for has already departed or has yet to arrive. This OS is also reported to the dispatcher. There is a lot more to this issue of train registers and OSing than I can get into here. Model Railroader had an excellent article on timetable and train order operation about 3 years ago that I highly recommend.
I operate on layouts that work this way and while it may sound complex, it really isn't and is lots of fun. But it does mean adding some things to your layout and your concept.
First you need TIME. A fast clock is a popular way to avoid having trains seem to be just minutes apart. It is possible to take a cheap clock and remove the hour hand so that the minute hand is now the hour hand.
Second you need DIRECTION - east and west.
Third you need ORDER -- trains on a timetable, crews to be called, trains made up and equipped with car cards, as the earlier poster suggested.
Fourth you need STAFF. All the things above mean you might have some guys who do NOT run trains but are yard masters, dispatchers, operators who record passing trains on a register and report to a dispatcher. Is this bad? NO it means more guys can have fun on one layout than is otherwise possible
Fifth you need a DISPATCHER to be in charge
Sixth I think you need RADIOS or walkie talkies or some means of communication. Radio Shack has some popular ones that lots of guys use.
Seventh you need FOOD. Lol. And cold sodas.
Eighth you need PAPER work. A time table that all have, perhaps with the basic rules set out. yard masters might need paper work with blocking instructions -- do local cars get put at the end of the train or the front, and that can depend on whether this is a modern railroad with no caboose or an older period with a caboose at the end. You might want to explore clearance cards, train orders, etc. The train registers at the depots need to record train number (which usually indicates direction -- odd number might be west, even number east), time arrived, time departed, the name/initials of the conductor (in the old days trains would stop --later they would toss of authorization for the operator to record), and the date. At swap meets you sometimes see these sheets for sale -- fascinating reading that can recreate an entire day at a depot or tower.

I realize this can sound daunting. I bet if you went to a layout where the owner had done all this you would have so much fun you would immediately start to change your layout over. It does NOT have to be done all at once. Realistic operations are possible even on a rather small layout and the main thing is that they increase the fun and can increase the number of people who can get involved. And another thing -- after just a couple of operating sessions not only will you have a dozen new ideas for how to change your track plan but you will also take a new interest in things like making sure your couplers are working correctly, that derailments are banished, that engines run smoothly and do not stall, etc.
Sorry to babble on at such length!
Dave Nelson

[Sperandeo]

Hi Ron,

You might want to see the new book from Kalmbach, "Realistic Model Railroad Operation," by Tony Koester. Tony addresses operating rules on several levels, and quotes a selection of important rules in the book's appendix.

I'd also recommend "The Condensed Code of Operating Rules" put together by my friends in the Chicago Rail Group, which is a collection of prototype rules specifically selected for and by model railroaders. You can get a copy for $12 from Railgroup, 1183 N. Lancaster Circle, South Elgin, IL 60177.

Personally I find operating rules to be a very fascinating and enjoyable part of railroading, and applying prototype rules to model operations works extremely well. There's no need for us to re-invent something that the real railroaders developed and refined over so many years of hard-won experience. If you want to model a prototype railroad it's definitely worth your while to hunt down a copy of that road's rule book, because there were often distictively different ways of accomplishing the same thing.

Good luck,

Andy

Andy Sperandeo
MODEL RAILROADER Magazine

[Anonymous]

Andy,

How would you compare the value of Tony's book to my favorite, "How to Operate Your Model Railroad", by Bruce Chubb? There are a few pages of rules in this book and I decided after reading I should establish a set of rules for my own pike. Thanks - Ed

[Sperandeo]

Hi Ed,

Just to make it clear from the start,Tony Koester and Bruce Chubb are both friends of mine. Tony has written a different book than Bruce's, and I don't think there's much to be gained by comparing them point for point. The really important comparison is that Bruce's book is out of print (for reasons beyond my control, so writing to me about that won't bring it back), and Tony's is out there now. I think anyone who wants to get started in operation or learn more about it will find a lot of help in Tony's book, and I'm glad that we have it in the Kalmbach line.

So long,

Andy

Andy Sperandeo
MODEL RAILROADER Magazine

[n2mopac]

Thanks so much everyone for your input. I look forward to reading Tony's book. I would like to keep this discussion growing, so let me give you a little more on what I am trying to do. My layout is a mid-sized (12x14) N scale model of a modern BNSF subdivision. I am planning to use a car card and waybill system with single operators serving as engineer, conductor, and brakeman. I will also have a yardmaster for my major yard and a dispatcher. I will use a train order timetable, but no fast clock. The emphasis of the railroad is on a combination of mainline operations and industrial switching in three major districts/cities. I have already developed rules for superiority of trains by class and direction as well as speed restrictions.

I hope this information will help you all help me develop a more complete set of rules, not to squelch the fun for my operators but to enhace it by making it more prototypical (for those who say "forget the rules").

Thanks,
Ron

[Wilfred-ES44AC]

I think this mite be of use?? http://samratx.org/memberlayouts/tomcrosthwait/MSWS_opcode.pdf

[Steven Otte]

Wow, this is an ancient thread. I doubt the OP is still looking for input, but maybe someone else will find it useful.

[SeeYou190]

Steven Otte

someone else will find it useful.

.

Thanks Steve.

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I have operated my last three layouts entirely by myself. Rules are of paramount importance even if you are a lone wolf. Having restrictions on how things must be done makes running the layout much more satisfying. Knowing the rules makes you feel like you are doing it right. This is true even if all you are doing is "playing" with the trains.

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Does anyone have a simple list of rules for basic operation?

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-Kevin

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[BigDaddy]

SeeYou190

I have operated my last three layouts entirely by myself. Rules are of paramount importance even if you are a lone wolf.

One misstep and I am ratting you out to the Super'   How do newbies find these threads?

 

[gmpullman]

 

Steven Otte

Wow, this is an ancient thread.

The Internet lives forever  

Q:

BigDaddy

How do newbies find these threads?

A:

Google!

 

 Cheers! Ed