If you'd like to learn more about my layout . . .

Check out the website at http://www.thevalleylocal.net

Hope you'll stop by and say hello!

Chris

Sessions

Getting new people in to run that railroad you have planned so carefully can be a real eye-opener. We learn a lot from our guests.

Op Sessions

... are fun.  I have hosted during several weekend op sessions (Prorail 2011, OS Omaha, 2011, 2013, 2017) for out of town guests and have held several sessions for local operators.

Op sessions are a lot of work to make sure everything is working and set up, but its really cool to see the railroad come to life and operate the way it was intended.

OS Omaha 2017

My layout is small - just space for two operators

but some of my favourite nights are inviting two friends over, making (a lot of) coffee and sitting back and watching. I have highly experienced big layout owners/operators run, friends from the local club and even at times,complete novices and total strangers. It has always been rewarding and the small size of the layout makes it easy for complete novices to get some experience.

It also helps that I am no great modeler and run pretty robust 'out of the box' equipment. The only problem I have ever had was convincing one particular friend that trains are not like slot cars........

Robert
CEO & Track Cleaner
Kayton and Tecoma Rly

Thanks guys!

Thanks for weighing in! A common thread I've discovered throughout conversations about ops session is how rewarding they are - as you've all pointed out - not only in seeing your layout brought to life, but also for the improvements that tend to result over time. The only downside would be folks that don't really "get it" and think they're running slot cars LOL!

Thanks again for taking the time to leave a comment - really appreciate being able to continue the conversation!

Chris

Operators

'Slot car' runners can always be tamed by dialing down the Vmax on DCC settings...