You will find the op session report for the Siskiyou Line April op session – with photos!
(click to enlarge)
This session has to rank up there as one of the most unusual on record! There’s never been another op session like it since I started regular operating sessions back in 1998.
It started off looking pretty sad because the power went out just as we were ready to start … and by the time the power came back on 90 minutes later most of the people had left. The 6 of us that remained decided the regular crew went on strike and we were the scabs who were going to run the railroad regular schedule as best we could – short handed and all!
WOW, what a great session it turned out to be! You can read the full report, with photos, at the link above. [;)]
Enyoyed the report Joe, as I have been enjoying the DVDs as they arrive. Looking forward to #4 and to a continuation of the forum clinic on scenery. Working on rock faces right now, so maybe your next posting will come just in time.
Hope to do the rock faces scenery post tonight. I want to include some photos, so I need to do the post from home rather than from work over lunch or during a break as many of the other posts were done.
Yes, volume 4 on scenery should be fun. It should ship by the holidays 2004. Maybe a nice Christmas present, aye? [:D]
Video volume 3 on DCC is turning out well, too. Lots of practical stuff not covered anywhere else in the press or on video. It helps to have 12 years of DCC experience on an actual operating layout to draw from. Volume 3 should ship in May. [;)]
On the Western Pacific and the Sierra Railroad, we have found some of our most enjoyable sessions are when we are short handed… A disturbing trend in operations appears to have to have the largest group possible attend.
I really do not enjoy climbing over others or waiting all day to run one train…
Keep the groups small and all will have a better time !
WP Steve
Great pictures and fascinating story. While I have never been a Southern Pacific fan to speak of, I have no dislike for the SP either and your layout pics could easily convert me. Sounds like you guys have a great time no matter what. Maybe this ol’ boy can travel west and see the Siskiyou “in the flesh” someday. But beware, my presence can sometimes convert gold to lead. Does that make me a “tsimechcla”? Hint: read it backwards.
Be glad to have you visit sometime … like we did with Dale, we just pair you up with an experienced hand. Since you just follow orders, you can’t do too much damage that way … [;)]
Steve:
I’ll agree with you having too many bodies in the layout room is not fun. That’s why I have all the regulars RSVP a session and we try to keep attendence with guests well under 20.
The last time we had 20 people and tried to get them all in the layout room it was awful … the aisles were plugged and nobody could move.
don’t you just hate it when everybody comes over to run the trains and there’s nothing but problems…it happens to me all the time…the trains run great for months and then someone comes over and nothing but bad order cars, and turnouts positioned where they’re not supposed to be…the UPS guy came in a couple of weeks ago after deliviering me some mail order stuff for the train and I layed a brand new 70 mac on the carpet right in front of him…guess he thought i watched too many addams’ family shows in the sixties… …Chuck
Enjoyed the photos. You layout has inspired me to go back to the late 70’s to early 80’s with my SP modeling. I was committed to all modern power but I started to miss “the old days”
My railroad buddy told me his wife finally said it was her or trains…either he get rid of them or she would call it quits.
That’s too bad…I said.
Yeh, I’m gonna miss her…he replied.
Joe,
It’s been a while since I’ve been in the MR site so imagine my surprise when I saw my mug shot on the head end of your post. What are you trying to do make me famous or notorious? You are right, though, it was a great session…what there was of it.[;)] Just keep the op reports coming…they’ll have to do till I can get back over there again. Dale[:)]
Hey, it’s a great picture, what can I say? In fact, I’m thinking of updating my “Op session calendar” photo with this picture!
You are so into running that helper … and it shows. Be glad to have you back … as you know, visitors are welcome on the Siskiyou Line op sessions! To any potential visitors, just go to:
