Although my layout is rather large, 29x27 feet, it was originally designed for one (DC block wired and powered). I DO have areas that could be run by a 2nd or even a third operator in switching operations. The main areas of the layout have their own control panels but were wired for dual cab controls.
What I do have now is meant for only one person. It’s a 2x8 foot switching layout that is not operational except for one straight section of track. Hopefully the Fall and Winter get me motivated to make it more operational.
I don’t know of anyone in my area that operates, so for the time being, it’ll be just me when I get the layout up and running. I was happy to be welcomed as a regular member on a friend’s layout last night’s operating session. Definitely a confidence boost and motivator to get going on what I have.
Here’s the layout in all its glory:
More here: http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/263939.aspx
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I could write for a long time about this. Just let it be said that I am a Lone Wolf who started his layout as a 4x7 back in 1983. It has grown steadily until it is 8x7x14x13. And, yes, I still operate alone with DCC and 3 outlets for controls.
The original SIW was designed for 2 to 3 operators if I chose to have friends over, but the current layout is a one man operation because I found little interest in multiple operation. Besides I only have one throttle an NCE powercab.
I wish I had the room to build a huge layout, I envy you guys with large layouts but . . . . I’d still be a Lone Wolf.
Mel
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
While I have MR friends I still build my ISLs for solo operation simply because they’re usually 12’ or less.
Also very few can operate my DCC engines because of the momentum and other CV settings. In short you gotta allow for stopping distance and slow starts.
You might say I’m a “quasi-lone wolf” in that I belong to a round robbin MR group that is NMRA affiliated but we all have our own individual layouts. My industrial switching layout (ISL in “Brakie” terms!) is only an L-shaped. 20 ft. long configuration with 2 DC throttles. I moved a year ago from a cramped apartment to a small, three bedroom house. Although I have more room in the new layout room I still have the same layout because I worked so hard on getting it up and running that I wanted to enjoy the fruits of my labors for a little while before expanding it. When I was in the apartment the trains used to share space with my office (very cramped), so there was barely enough aisle space to fit two operators. Right now I still am running by myself, but two could run it as well.
I have a one man 10 x 16 hon3 / ho layout. I love having the grandkids enjoy thehobby with me. Scenery has always been my greatest interest!
You might say I’m a “quasi-lone wolf” in that I belong to a round robbin MR group that is NMRA affiliated but we all have our own individual layouts. My industrial switching layout (ISL in “Brakie” terms!) is only an L-shaped. 20 ft. long configuration with 2 DC throttles. I moved a year ago from a cramped apartment to a small, three bedroom house. Although I have more room in the new layout room I still have the same layout because I worked so hard on getting it up and running that I wanted to enjoy the fruits of my labors for a little while before expanding it. When I was in the apartment the trains used to share space with my office (very cramped), so there was barely enough aisle space to fit two operators. Right now I still am running by myself, but two could run it as well.
All of my layouts but one were built with the idea that I would be the lone operator. They have varied in size from 4x8 to 12x31.
I did build a Lionel that both my grandson (now 6) and I can run trains on together. It’s not really operating because he likes racing his train against mine while blowing the whistle and ringing the bell. But it’s fun.
I’m moving and the next layout will support multiple operators if my grandson is still interested. (my grandaughter as well, if she wants).
Paul
Check both the “group” and “lone operator” boxes for me.
My layout, in a 21’ x 18’ room, and is currently about 40% through the “Plywood Pacific” phase. Its a single track mainline running through six towns, with a division yard near the midpoint and shared staging at each “end of the line”.
While I’ll be the lone operator the vast majority of the time, I designed it to accommodate 2 or 3 guests. Specific operator-friendly features include wide aisles, with the choke points at least 22" wide, and control panels spaced to avoid crowding.
I belong to a local club and there are at least 2 others in the area, so I look forward to sharing my layout with my MRRer buddies.
Jim
Yup. I would have to definitely say I am building a one-man layout. I am the only one in the house working on it and I am the only one in the house enjoying my work.
I don’t even really know if it should be called work. It’s a work of leisure, a work of passion. It’s enjoyable. I do believe it’s a good stress reliever.
One of my buddies stoped by one night, a friend and also an associate in my construction business.
He seen my layoutout when it just getting off the ground. He asked how long is this going to take? I was kind of dumbfounded. I said I don’t know, as long as it takes. It’s a hobby and one always needs something to do, especially in the winter when there’s nothing to do. I hope it takes a long time.
Then he looked at me kind of dumbfounded. I don’t think he understood.
I have a one operator layout. A look at my links below will show that. I built it that way.
I have satisfied my continuous running, and my ISL, as I can do both with DC or DCC, never using both modes at the same time.
My next layout, if ever built, will be the same concept, only longer continuous running, and sidings.
Mike.
My layout was built with operations in mind. It has the capacity to host six (if you know each other well[8D]). It also has two continuos loops to run trains during layout tours/visits a couple of times a year.
However, I think the majority of layouts (even ops based layouts) are operated most often by the layout owner as a solo operator. in that regard mine is the same as the layouts mentioned here that are lone wolf affairs.
Guy
All of the layouts I have had have been for my own education and enjoyment. Frankly, I have never known of any other modelers in this area.
My layout is about 14’ x 18’ u shaped HO. I run NCE and currently have only one control so can only have one operator. I will add at least another control but don’t know who will ever use it except for my grandsons. All four of them have some interest in running the trains but they do not visit very often. I am in St Louis area and one grandson is in Tulsa, another in Atlanta, and the other two are south of Farmington MO. So the closest two are a 1 1/2 hour drive from here. But I would like to set up for two people just in case a visitor wants to run a train and I can still run with them. I am not aware of anyone in my immediate area that has a layout.
wdcrvr
My layout has only ever had me running it except for a few kids along the way. I have one NCE wireless controller. I can have two good sized trains running at the same time and don’t have to pay much attention to them if I want to build a train in the yard. I can run three if I keep watch. I have two A/D tracks with a yard ladder, a balloon track, a roundhouse, and engine service facility building. It is 24’ x 15’ in size.
I mostly have my little 4-4-0 running with a five-car train while I work on the layout. I just have to remember it comes by about every six minutes.[:-^]
[quote user=“graymatter”]
Lone wolfing hasn’t worked out as smoothly as I thought it would.
I spent a week just trying to find extruded board foam.
I have a test track, Just flex track and some turn outs and several loops.
I had a couple kids try it out but they didnt seem interested enought to return.
Nobody seems interested in model trains in my family.
WAY to many females in my family, but that say they will ‘decorate.’
They want to use live plants, Even an herb garden.
Does basil come in 1:87scale?
So I have been drawing up plans to combine trains and slot cars.
I was going to make a few modules that were independant.
Any old mining town with the 4-4-0.
A shelf moduel featureing the B&O
that connects to the AC&Y.
And the large mountianous loops of the Union Pacific running 4-6-6-4’s.
Lone Pine Canyon road. (not to be confused with lonepine ca.)
l guess ‘LONE WOLF’ got inspiration driving thisd road. Its looking good after the big burn. shut down the Cajon Pass.
Now there is a youtube video to watch…the day the pass was opened…i think there was a train every few minutes.
My layout had only ever been a one-man show. I was working to get to the “operations” stage, with real staging and multiple throttles, but I never made it. Now, the house is for sale and the layout has been taken down and stored. Maybe, in a couple of years, I’ll have another place to rebuild.
As I found out, my primary interest is detailed scenery, plus a solid, working layout. Operations were for the future, when the scenery was mostly done and I needed another focus. I think it would have been fun.
When I put it back together, I have a number of changes to make.