I probably switch my layout for about a half hour. I’m still trying to make room for a staging yard plus I’m going to add several tracks next to my grain elevator and I’m going to scratch build a large factory. After that I’ll probably spend about 45 minutes to an hour switching.
My layout is set up for continuous running as well as switching. When I’m working on something else, I like to set up a couple of trains to run loops. But when I want to “run trains” as the purpose of being in the train room, I’ll set up a local, or a train of empty hoppers to swap with loads at the tipples, or the turn that provides cars to the paper mill. I can spend an hour just switching the paper mill!!
The switching is definitely the more entertaining and satisfying of the two types of running.
Lee
I usually can spend about two hours switching cars. I built my layout so I can watch trains run around a two main line 10x16 area that has a few switching areas when ever I feel like it and then added a 10 by 20 foot, 2 foot wide L shaped extension that requires loads of switching and I’m still not finished adding track. By the time I’m done it will probably take 3 operators around 2 hours to switch cars on it. Thats the plan anyways…
Just call me Mr. In Between doing switching and run arounds. I have two main lines with two separate cross overs. In side these lines are two reversing loops. In another words I can go from one main line to another and reverse directions as well. In addition sometimes I have one train on the outer main and a second on the inner with the reversing loops. As I get more experience I’ll have the two on the same line at times but that will be a while. There are a lot of turnouts to throw and my operating session usually ends after I forget to throw a turnout ot two for the 3rd or 4th time and a derailment occurs. This can take from 10 minutes up to a half hour. I’m looking forward to getting switch machines with LEDs. Right now it sure keeps me busy running around throwing turnouts and it is anything but dull.
My yard with an engine house and servicing facilities is in the planning and construction phase. I’m an adlibber so laying the track is a two steps forward and one step back procedure. Of course I do have several industries where switching is required. One has three sidings and it’s own GE 44 tonner but construction is in progress.
Having fun !!!
Bob
Bob
Much time, and with this switcher even more: video
Wolfgang
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The 4 to 1 clock works well in giving a sense of “elapsed time,” especially in regard to “pumping up the air” and blocking crossings as well as for delays caused by bonehead switching moves! I took an old travel alarm and re-did the face so that 15" would equal one hour. Works well!
John
Actually, the whole purpose of a railroad is to move freight from one point to another. So a model railroad should model that function. One could argue that if this isn’t being done that it isn’t a model railroad but a set of model locos, model rolling stock, and/or model trains.
The operating sessions I regularly attend start at 7:00 p.m. and we try to finish by 11:00 p.m. The club runs for the public one night a month from 7:00 to 9:00 where we just run in loops. So I guess that in a month that is 8 hours (operating) moving cars from one point to the other on a schedule, and 2 hours running loops.
Working both ends of the switcher and maxing out the useable track I can get half a workday switched in a hour or so. It will take another hour to get the rest of it.
Sometimes one sees a oppertunity to make small changes to trackwork or add feeders to assist hungry engines.