Marty,

Thank you for a great commentary and gread advices. Lots of ideas for preparing my layout for operation.

Joe,

This issue is really good!

 I don't think all the blood, sweat and tears that goes into preparing a layout for operation gets enough coverage. I'm rapidly getting close to having the first real "test session" (with the mainline finished) soon. 

Marty

No kidding, Marty!

It's also important to start small at first in order to build an experienced crew. When we started running the Siskiyou Line, we just ran trains in sequence without radios and using "holler across the room mode" so people could learn the layout and we could get some timing information on trains.

I didn't have a lot of cars on the layout yet, so even a loco and a caboose was a train and we'd run it and I'd have the crew record fast clock times on a sheet of paper on a clipboard. We did start right out with 2-person crews because I'm a firm believer model railroad operation is a team sport and part of the fun is working with others to get the job done.

Love this article - and I'm with you - more, MORE!

Yes, I can vouch for blood on Marty's layout.

Bernard Kempinski

 www.alkemscalemodels.com

 

Personal Layout Blog: http://usmrr.blogspot.com/

 

Bernie,

re:  Yes, I can vouch for blood on Marty's layout.

So, maybe you'll be taking an infantry company from your layout with you the next time?   

 But there is plenty of Polish blood on the garage floor.

Sometimes you have to suffer to build a helix.

But I WASN'T the one who wore sandals and decided it was a good idea to hold the cordless drill between my knees. Suffice to say, drills always fall bit first!

Marty

But I WASN'T the one who wore sandals and decided it was a good idea to hold the cordless drill between my knees. Suffice to say, drills always fall bit first!

 Marty

This description has me cringing and laughing at the same time!

Thanks for an interesting read!

That Was a bit of an interesting read.  But, all my power tool scars are now aching simpathetically.

Thanks for the details, I think.

Of course I'm bummed I wasn't able to attend in person, but your description is the next best thing.  I'm looking forward to following the progress of the SNE.