While my layout is far from complete, trackwork is complete enough to try operating and I’ve read that you should start operating when the trackwork is sufficient and before scenery is added, so that adjustments can be made.
I hope we all get a sense of satisfaction when we complete or fix some aspect of our layouts, but I have to wonder if operating is going to be as satisfying as working on the layout? Am I going to walk away after operating the layout by myself and feel that same sense of satisfaction?
Rich created a thread about a year ago, What’s a Lone Wolf to Do?, which discussed what to do with a completed layout if you’re not interested in operating.
As a member of the Pacific Southern, I get to experience big time operation with multiple tower operators and engineers. It can be entertaining at times but often enjoyable just watching long coal trains with twin articulateds, Pennsy T1s and long passenger trains go by or passing one another. It’s a relaxing night.
I can see how even simple operation with a visitor who knows little about trains can be interesting. But I wonder what people who operate their layout by themselves do to make it routinely enjoyable?
I don’t! I tear something up or come up with a modification that just has to be done. In model railroading it isn’t very hard to think of something you forgot or needs to be added.
Mel
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
I’m like Mel, as there is always something that could be better. For me it’s never ending, and that’s the way I like it. In between detailing locos or cars, I add scenery items, or I improve something, or I come up with other ideas. It’s never boring, and it’s never complete, but continues to evolve. I have tons of things I want to add to my transloading yard.
In the evening, or the early am, I may get into operating and switching sessions. Then after the chores and errands are done for the day, I’m back to detailing, and, most times while running errands, I see something that would look good modeled, so my mind begins to come up with ways to model what I saw.
Now that spring is making it’s way around the corner, eventually my modeling will be set aside for the out door work I get into, and back to the garage, and my other hobby of fixing old garden tractors, along with on-going building projects on our property in northern WI.
I know what you mean. For me it will be train makeup in the yards. I picked up a set of Micromarks stuff for operations on e-bay and will proubly use that.
I think each of is different and there can be differences caused by other factors. Some times you go down and want to operate, so some switching, then some more. Then there is that day when you want to go down and just let it run and watch as your train passes through the scenes you have created. This is one reason I feel I want a layout with continuous running capacity. You may spend an evening doing scenery work, new or upgrade, then just sit back and see how the train looks in its new environment. There are those who seldom run a train, they like to build and do scenery work, then, there are those whos layouts are plywood central with very little or no scenic work, yet both layout owners are happy.
Greg, my layout is a 30’x42’ basement-filler that I planned with operations in mind. I am mostly a LW guy, although I do have some guys that come over now and again.
I knew I’d be operating alone 95% of the time.
That said, I run 28 trains in sequential order for an ops session. That session can last about 5 hours or 5 days. I use car cards/ waybills to move traffic, so if the wife hollers “dinner” I can stop where I’m at and pick right up again anytime later.
Right now I’m in the middle of breaking down and making up 2 trains that arrived in the yard. Have been since Tuesday.
I have what is basically a HUGE oval, so continuous running is allowed.The most trains I’ve had running at one time was 3. 2 mainline and one switching. I probably won’t try THAT again! I did it but it was more stress than I want out of a hobby.
If I don’t feel like running, I’ll do a little scenery or update rolling stock. That kind of boring stuff. LOL!
I don’t mind being a LW, but I would like to host regular Ops sessions. Just to see 5-6 mainline trains and two guys working the yard all at once.
In my opinion, I don’t feel that there is anything that you can do to make operating alone enjoyable. It is either entertaining to you or it’s not. If you are constantly having to find new ways to keep yourself involved, then maybe you should step back and take a look at what your goals are, or should be. If you do realize that you really dont care for solo operations, there are plenty of other facets of model railroading to focus on.
Personally, I prefer operating alone to being in a group. I like to make my own rules and do things my way. My layout was purpose built for me to operate it alone. However, sometimes I just like to watch trains run, so I also made sure the layout supported that too. If there is a part of the hobby that you dont like, dont feel bad about not doing it. Don’t do something just because everyone else expects you to.
I just like running trains thru the scenery I have built and sometimes change. Operations for me is like watching grass grow but relaxing with my favorite beverage ( Mountain Dew ) and running my trains is the best feeling in the world.
Whatever makes you happy is what you should do, don’t listen to others about the right way to play with your trains. Yes I said play, because no matter how you do it from prototypical operations to just running trains in circles, we are playing. Enjoy it, embrace it.
I first posted it back in November 2014 at the start of model railroading season. For me, golf season runs from April through October, then model railroading season from November through March.
Back in November 2014, I felt that my current layout was completed, so I was looking for something to do during the model railroading season. I finally undertook some remodeling projects on a portion of my layout, then tore it all out this model railroading season and built something different.
So, these past two seasons, I have been relatively bored with my layout. I am a lone wolf, and I am definitely not an operations guy. I am a builder much more so than an operator.
For years, I have been planning my Dream Layout, and I seriously thought about it this year, but I share a house with a tyrant - - LOL. I simply could not get the go ahead to build the Dream Layout.
Golf season begins in a week or so, so I won’t be worrying about this again for about 7 months.
A very interesting thread to read because everytime I walk down the basement steps to “wake up” my model railroad community, I often debate with myself about what jobs needed to be done, which trains need to be run, which businesses need to be serviced and/or switched out or perhaps maybe just run the track maintenence train and do some ballasting. One thing I have started doing to help in switching out cars was to stratigically locate some of my switchers around the layout to help with yard entry and sidings. I don’t know if this is “real life” correct practices or not, but it seems to help me control a layout with entirely too much rolling stock on it. I have also taken on some you tube videos showing how others run their yards and even some Friday night operating sessions. Some one mentioned golf season in a previous post and I too have “Car show” season rapidly approaching and keeping a big block camaro tuned for summertime can be a little time consuming these days. I guess I will just keep watching and learning from you tube and MR’s video vault…all good stuff guys!!
Well since you asked…. Most people can’t wait to start running trains, including me. Other’s above have said most of what I would say. I use car cards and have a sequence of trains to run in a specific order. I can stop or start anytime I like. When I do stop I usually try to park all the trains on sidings so the main is clear in case I just want to run something random.
That is kind of the key, do what ever you want. One thing I do to keep it interesting is let real world events affect my railroad, such as extreme weather, natural disasters or human events both good or bad. For example, when the city celebrates Train Days at the Santa Fe Depot downtown I do the same on my layout.
My ideal operating session changes depending on mood etc. One of my favorite scenarios which I do annually is to pretend that it is Christmas eve and a major blizzard in dumping tons of snow in the mountains. The maintenance department is working hard to keep the pass open. Somewhere along the line there is a passenger train which must make it over the snow covered pass and then down into the valley so that travelers can be with their families on Christmas. There is always the danger of an avalanche crossing the tracks and closing down the line, possibly stranding the passengers.
Nice scenery, mood lighting, music on the stereo (You don’t really think train engineers just listen to the noise of their train all night do you?), your favorite beverage and what ever else you normally do to make your life more enjoyable, make for a satisfying operating session.
Another thing is I still have my childhood imagination so I can pretend to have interactions with all of the people on my layout. When the train passes by a store I can pretend that the shoppers are talking and the cashiers are asking for money etc. It’s not all just about dropping off a boxcar. And if it is maybe there is some interaction between the brakeman and a receiving clerk…. [8D]
I like a wide variety of MR operations ranging from complex industrial switching chores, to running various “turns” some with minimal switching, to “just watching trains run”. My current layout (under construction) allows several opportunities for each of these scenarios. So, when I get the urge to run some trains, I’ll just select operational assignment that suits my mood and time available.
I developed the plan primarily for solo operation, but it will accommodate up to four.
LION has run six trains at once, the plan of him is to have 12 trains running at one time. The four express trains, (two in each direction) are on their own.
The Local trains must be switched in and out of 242nd Street. If I push the red stop button (or any of the blue stop buttons around the layout) everything stops including the timers and the railroad clock, Thus I can pick up a session wherever I left off, after all subway trains NEVER stop running.
I built my layout so I can have both operations and run trains. I have a 2 track mainline on the upper level. On the lower level I can have one train run around the bottom of the helix and thru staging, if I so choose. I host operating sessions 5-6 times a year with 6 or more people and other times with 2-3 guys. Other times when I’m solo, I will restage trains from the last sessions, or choose some industries to switch out. When I have friends over who want to see the layout run, I will purposely leave trains all over the place. The next time I go to the train room I can put the trainsets away. There’s always things to do on my layout, even though most of my track is in place. I still have a lot of structures to do, as well as the dreaded ballast work, although I found a victim/volunteer friend to do it!
I have noticed that the display running or just let them go round and round guys let them go for awhile. Then hand change trains and let the new train go for awhile.
Ever noticed that on modular layouts at train shows?
It will keep you busy changing trains, it takes a while.
i’m glad to hear many of you enjoy operating your layouts.
my experience with the Pacific Southern has convinced me that 50 years may not be enough time to complete a layout, but that a layout does not need to be complete to operate.
Unlike some of you, I have a short point-to-point and cannot just let a train run.
Like others, I started a layout to keep be busy during the winter. While I doubt I’m going to get a sense of accomplishment from operating my railroad, I believe I’ll need to learn to appreciate it in other ways, as it continues to be completed with scenery and structures.
Perhaps it will be similar to when I play guitar by myself. While I still enjoy learning new songs and techniques, I play well enough to keep myself entertained.