For Lone Wolves Only

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

This topic is really intended only for those of us who are considered primarily lone wolves. I don’t want to get into the pros and cons and benefits of clubs, round robins and whatever. Yes, I realize clubs and such are beneficial in many ways, but many of us not in clubs just can’t/won’t deal with the continuing pettiness of club politics, personalities, rivet counters, inherent pickyness of far too many members and, of course, the rules police.

From a search of the archives in this group, many, if not most of us lone wolves love and cherish the freedom to build our model railroads how and when WE want them and spend our time planning, designing, building, wiring, scenicking/weathering and operating as we do or don’t see fit.

While I’ve seen numerous comments on the above, I haven’t seen many comments about actually running the lone wolf layout. My questions therefore, deal with how the lone wolves do the operating part of this wonderful hobby when operating their layout by themselves.

  1. do you primarily run the trains around and around, content to watch them as they wind through your scenery?
  2. do you decide on the fly to build trains and move equipment around from one industry to another and not follow any preplanned operation?
  3. do you use some sort of car card/waybill system?
  4. if you do have someone drop by, do you just turn them loose, work on something together or do you ask them to do something specifically?

I tend to do both 1 and 2 when I run the layout which is maybe 10% of the time. However, the excellent Feb. 2009 MR Bill Neal article on

2

Ops fun for one from my site

3

First off, I’m a lone wolf both by choice and circumstances. I’m the only one in my family interested in model trains (everyone else has other interests, I don’t really care), but also, I absolutely hate working in groups. I prefer to do what I want when I want w/o having to ask someone how they feela bout what I’m doing (this is, of course, within reason. there are limits to this).

As to how I plan to operate my layout, it’s essentially set up so that one person can operate the different areas w/o having to drop something (like, work one part, and then go work another part that would be operating at the same time). Of course, one job can be given to someone else (as of right now though, that other job won’t be available b/c I have no space to build that section). As to what I use, I googled switch list and found a site that basically told you step-by-step how they made theirs. Basically, all movements will have some kind of purpose.

4

I too am a Lone Wolf by circumstance. While I finally got my dream basement, my job has taken me on the road. My future layout will be for large group operations. In the mean time I am constructing a small modular switching layout which will be a part of the larger home layout.

5

from what I have seen, most of us are “lone wolves”, either by choice or circumstance. I see nothing wrong with a club layout, it teaches the younger ones about model railroading. But as far as rivet counting that can be done on a club layout or a lone wolf layout. For myself personally, I wish I had a club layout to go visit and participate in. And one day I hope to pass my hobby on to my kids and grandkids, but for now I’m happy being a lone wolf.

6

I figure, regardless of what it says on the side of the engine it is still my railroad. Like anything you get out of it what you put into it. My freights will never stop to pick up that ‘empty’ at the warehouse, well eventually. I like to run passenger trains, maybe stop at the station, drop of mail, baggage etc. Sometimes I don’t, and if the train runs past the same station 5 times, so be it. Just sitting, watching and listening to the cars go round and round is soothing, like listeneing to the surf roll in and out…

There are those who require regimented operation, military time precision, insist on accurate equipment. I’m not one of those, within reason.

Eric

7

For the most part I’ve just run. With my layout in hiatus, I’ve had time to think about actual ops and switching and the link cuyama left looks helpful. To tell the truth to this point I haven’t really had enough done to really assemble a consist and run through dropping and picking up to a schedule but even as a crew of one that looks doable and fun. I suppose like the rest of this hobby you can be as exacting and protypical as you wish, but when I get back up and running and reasonably complete I think some fast clock work is in order. J.R.

8

I’m just getting started in Operations but found it’s the reasons past layouts failed. You can read about my operations at http://klamathline.blogspot.com/2008/10/planned-operations.html.

It’s not too long just a little much to post here. I don’t get a train running just to sit and watch it run, but I do like my Bigfoot Express drone - it just runs wild up and down the river. The drone gives me interaction to deal with while running through trains and locals. Also gives me something to watch while I’m switching.

I did join the OPSIG http://opsig.org/ to learn more about operations. They are having the regional big weekend this month and am really looking forward to learning more. Not so much into joining a regular group or anything but to learn more.

Hope this helps

ratled

9

My layout was designed so that I could run either one or two trains in continuous running or operate it as a point-to-point. I’ve even created a card card & waybill system and gotten everything set up to work it. But the truth is, my next operating session will be my first. I just derive too much pleasure from setting trains up and watching 'em go. My free time for myself is valuable capital to spend - at this stage of the game at least I’d rather work on scenery and building structure kits instead of trying to figure out how to spot car X on siding Y while picking up cars A and B. Feels too much like work.

Jim

10

Dont forget that you can use staging tracks to help simulate other operations going on.

For instance, I’ll be switching town A, setting up a local, or something, and then when thats finished, I’ll then have the 2nd train come into town.

Thats oneof the benefits of having a dual-throttle MRC powerpack, like the 2800. YOu can be using one cab to do the switching, and then have the other set to run the main train out of staging.

my layout isn’t finished yet, but I’ve been basically planning on creating an operating scheme similar to a multi-operator layout, except just doing one thing in a row, by myself, with the exception of the above situation.

On my layout, there are only really 2 ‘scenes’ or ‘towns’, theres a town with a couple industries/fueling, and then a mine up a branch line. Basically, what I think im going to do is this:

-run a Westward local out to the town to drop of some cars, and then run onward to the next town (staging)

-then do some switching, preparing cars for the through-train to pick up

-through train comes through, picks up its cars.

-unit-coal train comes with empties from the East, drops them off at the town for pick up by the mine-run shifters, then heads west, back into staging

-mine shifters come down to pick up the empties, and drop off coal loads to be picked up by unit trains. Occasionally a unit train will be made up from the mines on the branch (one modeled, one simulated). This will require special power to head up the branch to the mines to pick up the unit trains. These trains will be Hot and high-priority.

I made this interesting by having the branch meet up at the mainline at the town heading West, but the unit-trains are needed in the East, so the engines will have to run-around t

11

Pay attention to Byron’s advice! He is experienced and wise, particularly in the areas of layout planning and operation. How do I know? I’ve listened to him speak and read his work for some years, and especially…I’ve always found myself agreeing with him, except for his disdain of Layout Design Analysis ala Joe Fugate. [swg]

I failed attempting to find club membership worthwhile. I am opinionated and sometimes stubborn, don’t find dealing with difficult people enjoyable, and want more than “just let me put my train on the track and run it.” That’s just me.

I have enjoyed operating as a guest on occasion at various layouts, usually sponsored by periodic LDSIG and OpSig meets. So far the’ve all had card-order operations and very often timetable and train order operations. I’ve found these operating methods enjoyable and intend the same for my future layout. Besides being fun, these sessions have been very educational and useful in deciding the type of layout and operations I find most and less enjoyable, and in developing my own plans. I’ve found that the most enjoyable layouts to operate are those developed dictatorial by the owner compared to layouts designed democratically.

Socially, I enjoy periodically meeting with a compatible railroad buddy and build our own models together or jointly work on each other’s layouts (when we have one.) When I have a layout (bedroom-sized), I plan to operate it by myself or with a guest, using a card-order system.

Mark

12

I’m a lone wolf because I don’t really find enjoyment in the prototypical research and OP’s area. I guess I’m not as much into trains as most. I enjoy building my own little world the way I want and that’s it. There is plenty of room for the “rivet counters”, the “OP’s men”and my type. Just not on my layout. Luckily there is room in this hobby for all levels of interest. And I like looking at and watching them all!!

My world is basically a loop with a couple of sides to add something to do if I choose too.

Todd

13
  1. do you primarily run the trains around and around, content to watch them as they wind through your scenery?

That’s 70% of my time with the trains…the other 30% is adding or changing things.

  1. do you decide on the fly to build trains and move equipment around from one industry to another and not follow any preplanned operation?

I feel that “roundy-rounds” give way to unlimited blank check ops…it’s your railroad, run it as you want [tup] [tup]

  1. do you use some sort of car card/waybill system?

Not yet, but I’m planning on it for the bigger layout in the future. A carcard/waybill system can be as flexible as you want it to be.

  1. if you do have someone drop by, do you just turn them loose, work on something together or do you ask them to do something specifically?

Visitors never want to work…they want to “play with trains”. [:D]

14

Back on topic [:-^]

Ken,

I often run a train on each of the dual track mainlines “by itself”. It takes 1-3 minutes to make the loop depending on speed. While they run I operate the mountain line (point to loop - working on that second loop now), and a switcher that shares part of the main line. When the mtn train is at a station or industry, I switch cars between yards and industries. Got to be careful about timing. That makes it more fun. Every once in a while I park a main line train back in hidden staging and bring a different one out.

Since I am only really concentrating on one at a time but still see the others move, it seems like I am doing a lot at once. When friends come to run they get one of the lines or yards to play on.

It works well for me. BTW: Still on DC with four MRC throttles.

Karl

15

For the most part I am a ‘lone wolf’. I have my own layout. I was involved on 3 large clubs through the years when I lived in a large metro area. I was transferred by work to an ‘out state’ area almost 25 years ago and had to make the change. After a couple of years I found a small modular club and joined - that club broke up a few years later when they lost their free rental space.

I just worked on my layout(and found another like minded modeler in the area) until 4 years ago. A new club was formed and I joined to just ‘help out’. By that time I also got re-involved in NMRA activities and have been on the region board for the past 4 years. So much for the ‘lone wolf’ status!

What I have found is that I have built a lot more models over the past 4 years, and have leaned a lot of new ideas. I help out at the ‘club’ and do a lot of the DCC/wiring stuff. But my layout comes first.

  • Now, for that first question: I do run trains around the layout when I am working on it or am building a model - it just seems normal.

  • I do not just move cars around the various industries.

  • I have a card card/waybill system and there is a sequence of ‘jobs’ that must be run in order so that everything works out. The layout was planned for ‘operation’ from the start and has ‘staging’.

  • Usually I do not have ‘guests’ and I have not had formal operating sessions for the past two years. I have been re-building part of the layout and just do not have the time to clean up everything and get ready for guest operating sessions. I do still ‘operate’ the layout by myself every week or so. The last formal ‘open house’ was for a NMRA-TLR spring convention in 2007.

16

Hi!

I’m a lone wolf by design and by circumstances. After spending 40 years in the oil business and working with office politics and “stuff” - especially during the times I was a “boss”, I really have no interest in belonging to a club or being with a number of other folks working on a layout. However, it would be nice to have an MR friend or two and share skills, ideas and friendship with.

I am just not a club person, although I pay dues to the NMRA, ATSFM&HS, ICHS, and the NRA, but am not an active participant. Model railroading for me, especially since I moved to the Houston area in 1980, has been my “alone time” and “pacifier” from my job and other stresses. I am not knocking clubs in any way, they are just not for me.

I model in HO, primarily the ATSF during the late '40s/'50s - with a minor in the Illinois Central. I have my own standards for accuracy of the period, and make my own rules. I run trains as I see fit - often having a couple of ABBA consists running at the same time - one freight, one passenger. I don’t use a card system, I just play with trains. And I confess there are times I have run them around the main as fast as they would go - sometimes even backwards (the ultimate test of solid tracklaying skills)!

Having said all the above, I greatly enjoy this Forum, as well as the Digitrax Yahoo Group and am very thankful for both.

Mobilman44

17

I decide on the fly how and when/why to build trains. I set my layout up so I can run one train on the outer main while using the inner branch to do switching, or run a second train on the branch if I just want to let two trains run while I’m building/fixing/painting something.
I’m more into the scenery aspect than car cards and switch lists.

18

Lone wolf, yes. By choice, depends.

I normally just hang out in the basment by myself. Radio playing, and the dog is wanting to play fetch. I sometimes like it, and then I don’t. Plus its one of those things that when you do this kind of hobby and you tell someone…First thing they say to me (80% of the time), oh Lionel trains? I say something like that. Plus I kinda like doing my own thing. Not having to worry that someone will say thats wrong.

Club wise? I am the type that gets burned out fast. I will go work out at a gym for a few months, and then just quit. I have done several layouts, and I will get burned out with them. I don’t wanna have monthly payments to something I won’t do long. I think it would be neat to join one, and learn somethng new.

I wouldn’t say we are all lone wolves. We do chat on here to each other. Just a very long friendship.

19

I’m still spending most of my time in the construction phase so I haven’t commenced full fledged operations yet but hopefully that day is not too far off. My layout allows for continuous run but it is designed for operations. It is a large dogbone with cutoff tracks that permit the layout to be run as a double track oval. Each loop of the dogbone contains 3 staging tracks and each track can hold multiple trains. Some trains will simply run from one staging loop to the next. Others will originate or terminate at on the modeled portion of the layout.

I have not decided on the specifics yet but I am leaning toward using computer generated switch lists rather than waybills and car cards. I do not intend to run on a fast clock but rather intend to run off a script. By that I mean trains will run in a specific order without concern as to how long it takes to make a run. As far as guests are concerned, I doubt I will be doing operations with them. It is more likely I will simply use the continuous running capability of the layout to run trains for them.

20

I’m still building right now and just got done with 90% of the track laying. Today was the day I fired everything up and gave it a good run with different cars and loco’s. I started with the destroying of the old layout last winter, it was large as is the present one I’m building.

I guess you could say I have 2 long runs on the mainline now, long train drags that take about 2 minutes to complete, these ar roundy rounds with some turn outs going into the lower area’s. I just let them run or plan on it when I’m working or building somenthing.

I do like switching and moving cars, my lower yard is all DCC, with at least 5 industry’s located in the yard. Another lower area is being saved for something else. My current track plan I was going to use did not work the way I wanted it, so I am going back to the think tank.

I guess I am a lone wolf, I do plan to do some scenes, that were the real deal in the real world, and the rest will be freelanced. I belong to a club many years ago, but found ego’s and bragging rights were always a issue. I do have a few freinds that come over and the neighbor kids that help out.