We have had another op session at Westport Terminal RR. About 120 cars were moved. Even with derailment:
Wolfgang
Looks like you all had a good time. I am just beginning to learn ops. Had a few invitations as a guest and I had a good time. Can’t make it to Germany, so you don’t have to worry about how to keep me out of your sessions (Ha Ha). I enjoyed the pics and thanks you all for sharing.
Looks like you had fun! I’m holding one soon, got any tips?
Ops as a team sport is where it’s at.
Have some beverages (sodas, water, etc.) Prepare the layout, no mess, clean engine wheels, check waybills and car positions.
Wolfgang
WESTPORT TERMINAL RR had another op session last Friday night. There’re more pictures and a video my friend Lars has made.
For those with dial up, look the vid at you tube.
Wolfgang
Good advice Wolfgang. And when you’re first starting in operations don’t try to do everything at once. Over time you’ll figure out the changes you need to train schedules and the work the trains do!
Wolfgang I always enjoy the pictures and videos you post of your West Port Terminal. Looks like a blast to run! Thanks for sharing!
Regards,
Charlie Comstock
Ty,
One other thing you might consider is checking out Joe Fugate’s Op Session Live videos (if you’ve not seen them already). While not heavy on the technical details of getting ready for a session, they give a ‘real’ view of what happens in a session. Perhaps I’m particularly fond of volume #3 as it was shot on my Bear Creek and South Jackson which includes both ends of the conversations between dispatcher and road crews on the soundtrack.
Regards,
Charlie Comstock
Thanks for the advice Charlie! Actually, I need info on a more pressing problem: getting wnough operators for a session. I have 4 that I always invite, and out of the two sessions I’ve planned, I’ve gotten a horrific turnout. The first time I got 1 operator, the 2nd time, the only available operator became unavailable about 5 days before the session. (not his fault, horray for teenaged modelers who’s parents are in charge of scheduling![banghead])
I think I need more people to invite, but do you have any other tips?
Thanks,
Tyler
Never had an ops session ( course my layout don’t run to good, don’t have right cars, one loco etc., pretty much impossible to run it like that unless you’re by yourself). Tyler, ever try the newspaper. I’ll probably come to the same problem myself.
I’d come if there wasn’t 3000 miles between us…
I’m closer. Same coast. Course South Carolina to Mass., still pretty far.
I’d try the newpaper if I wasn’t a teen… I feel better with teen operators.[2c]
OFF TOPIC![#oops]
Ty, yeah it can be tough getting a regular crew. It seems like ops is one of the least favorite aspects of the hobby (other than paying for the stuff). Have you tried asking 'em why they’re not coming?
Are there other layouts in the area where you can go operate? If so perhaps you’ll meet some people there and become a round robin floating ops group?
It can definitely take time to build up an ops crew. But someday you may have the other problem where there are too many people who want to come (I know a guy who sometimes has that problem).
Keep building and working on the layout. If you want to operate eventually you’ll find some friends who will want to do so too.
Regards,
Charlie Comstock
Wow, looks like you guys had a great time! I always enjoy your pictures and videos…tons of great ideas!
Well, one has absalutly NO spare time except for in the summer, one lives in the Hartford area, which is quite a drive, one lives in the Boston area and takes the train here, his parents keep dragging him off to their weekend house or something. (he wants to come, but can’t. He is on here with the hand Guilford Guy.) Then the last I beleive changed his Email so he didn’t actually get my invite.
But in the summa’ time we have like the big slumber parties, staying up to 3am working on the rr and drinking stuff we aren’t supposed to, and bringing girls that shouldn’t be there either… [:D]
Atleast you can think of me whenever you run trains, since a few of my locos are kicking around on WRS…
[(-D][(-D]
Yeah, those locos are coming in handy! Actually, I was only present for one of those parties, and we only stayed up till 2…[swg]
Looks like a good time was had by all. Really nice work. Sound was good too. Thanks for sharing.