This special session hosted about 10 out-of-town guest operators who
were attending an SP prototype meet in the area.
We did a business special to see if we could impress visiting Japanese
business people enough that they would want to build a fledging
intermodal operation in Coos Bay, Oregon (an event which actually
happened).
In real life, the Japanese elected not to build the facilities, but
would our re-enactment of the business special on my layout change
their mind? Find out at the link above …
I was secretly hoping the Intermodal Special would greatly impress the Japanese, and it was great fun to see people hop when that thing was on the railroad! Using an aggressive points system like I did really added to the sense that this was one hot train! [:D]
That isn’t just mean… it’s pretty much required due to space limitations. Joe designed his layout to run trains… in some places that mean that personnel access, while there, is less than generous.
I have found that you can usually sneak downstairs into the Coos Bay branch if you just want to oogle scenery - there is usually only 2 or 3 trains that will run on it per session.
Jeff ought to know … he’s a regular Siskiyou Line crew member. [;)]
While we prefer you don’t just wander around in the layout room while we’re in session, I always allow 30 minutes or so at the beginning of the session (before we start the fast clock and begin running trains) where people are free to look around to their hearts content, get familiar with the layout, and so on.
And the rule is not as onerous as it sounds. With two person crews, if you want to go have a look see, just let us hand you a throttle and have you join with an experienced hand who will act as conductor and show you the ropes. Most people are hooked after that … so there’s method in that madness! [:-,]
Very nice Joe. I’ve learned a lot from your posts here. Really helpful stuff, like the feeder soldering tip. I’d never seen that, doubt I’d have thought of it. But it works great and looks much better than my earlier efforts.
Joe,
I live here in Beaverton Oregon. And I just want to say that your layout brings out the BEST of Oregon, The pictures that I have seen are just great. Where exactly is your layout located? My wife and I would love to see it this summer.
TrainsRMe
what i really don’t understand is why anybody would NOT want to run a train on the Siskiyou , although i can understand being a little nervous the first time
If you’ve never operated on a layout before that does serious prototype-based operation, it is intimidating, and I’m very aware of that for new operators.
We have visitors nearly every session, and we do a debrief before the session starts. I tell the new guys to relax and have fun. We all make boo-boos, even the old hands, so enjoy yourselves. And by using two person crews and paring the newbies with an experienced hand, the intimidation factor is lowered considerably.
By the end of the session, most people have become confortable enough to even give conducting a try. [:D]