running trains or operating

[joe-daddy]

I returned to model railroading a year ago and am on my second layout. Running trains is what I like to do most, watching them pass each other, sound systems ablair. Nothing like the sound of a couple of steam engines pulling 20 40’ box cars.

The only thing better is to see the face of my 2 year old grandson when I lay on the whistle!

Getting the railroad able to run a couple of trains together is a high prioirity for me.

[jecorbett]

My feelign is that if it becomes such a chore that you only WANT to do it once a month, there’s something fundamentally wrong somewhere.

Amen to that. Why make such a big deal about operations and then not operate?

I’m not sure that calling it a chore would be the proper description. I think it’s more that some of these large, operationally intense layouts require multiple operators to operate properly. If you need 6-12 operators (or more) to operate the layout, it’s a major logistical challenge to schedule enough operators even once a month let alone once a week. OTOH, if you model a branch line or even a lightly trafficked secondary mainline, you can get away with solo operations or just have a friend or two over for a session.

I can understand that a large layout requires multiple operators to run as intended but there is no law that says a person couldn’t assemble one or two trains and run them over the layout between operating sessions. I’m not trying to be critical of those who only run their layouts during formal sessions but speaking for myself, I can’t imagine putting all that work into building a large layout and then only running trains once a month. Maybe these guys are part of a rotating club that runs on other layouts in between the monthly operating sessions. In that case it might make more sense to me.

I am building a fairly large layout and by the end of this winter, I hope to be at a point where I can begin full scale operations as I have always intended. I am a lone wolf modeler and at most I will have two trains going at one time so my operating sessions will likely be spread over several days. I have no intention of ever operating on a fast clock. Having schedules and deadlines seems too much like work. Instead I will operate from a script in which trains are run in a logical sequence but the amount of time it takes to make those moves won’t matter o

[BRAKIE]

For me running mindless loops no longer gets it…I prefer prototypical operation and have been designing my few loop and many switching layouts with operation as the main goal.

To tell the truth I get bored just watching trains run on a modular layout at a train show and what makes it worst is when all the trains are heading the same direction like they are racing.[xx(]

[johncolley]

You don’t say if your modules are Free-mo compliant, or NMRA? In either case put up notes at hobby shops or try to find clubs in your surrounding area. I am way out on the Olympic peninsula in Washington and have taken my Free-mo modules to setups up to 100 miles or more away for a fun time at setup meets and train shows. It is worth the effort! Meeting new friends and enjoying the setups/operations are a wonderful combination. jc5729