Only two people?

The layout sounds large enough for more than just 2 people, or is what we see in the photos the majority of the layout itself?

I like the idea of a (unmanned) train on a long loop, coming through every now and then and people have to work around it. I'd never heard of that before on an op session.

Yeah, the owner of a layout is there to facilitate the others. I've been in plenty of op sessions on layouts of various scales and sizes, and that's a consistent thing. When I run sessions on mine, I'm only there to answer questions and take care of anything that might go wrong. It's like planning a big party in that you're on the go the whole time and everyone else gets to enjoy it for the most part.

Looks like a good time was had by all. I hope you asked for good feedback as that's the only way you'll be able to make future sessions fun for people.

Awesome!

Congrats! That's a big milestone. There is nothing like seeing your creation come to life and work as planned. I've only had a mini-session on a portion of my layout, but it was one of the most fun and satisfying things I've ever done. You are much farther along, so I'm sure it was even more fulfilling for you. Nice job! 

Randy

Nice layout and Session

Nice layout looking forward to more updates. Love Appalachian Coal Haulers. Where are you located?

Nice!

I had an email from David and it sounds like everyone had a great time Paul. I'm glad to hear the connections are working out, and I have no doubt the layout performed well.

Cheers!

Replies

Lee - you're correct, you're seeing the majority of the layout in the pictures. Though we only had two operators today, plus me acting as roving dispatcher, I believe I could have at least one, maybe two, more operators if I had throttles for them. 

As for the through freight running around the main, that was a way to add more interest in lieu of having another throttle. It's how I operate when I'm running solo. I thought it would work well since we only had two operators. They seemed to enjoy it immensely, and it was loads of fun seeing a train go by as other work was being done by the operators. We even had a couple of running meets!

Good idea about debriefing with the operators after the session is done and getting their input. I did that a little bit, but in hindsight wish I had done more. Live and learn as they say. 

Randy - you found the word I was looking for to describe my feelings as the layout was being operated. To see others enjoying the layout without any snafus, and the layout operating pretty much as I envisioned it, is indeed a very satisfying experience, as well as a lot of fun!

Bill Michael- I'm located about 30 miles west of Minneapolis, MN. If you're not too far away, I'd enjoy having you stop by to see the layout and run trains.

Bill Brillinger - I'm deeply indebted to you for getting me connected with the railroad gang here in the Minneapolis area! Thanks! I hope that sometime in the not too distant future you'll be able to stop by again and we'll have enough time to run some trains!

Operate

Bet the feeling is great?

TomO

Operation

No doubt. Nothing in the hobby, in my mind, is better than watching people really enjoy running on your layout.

Great!

Tom & Lee,

The feeling WAS great. Only thing missing was a can of beer in one hand, but I thought 9am was a little early for the beer! 

Great session Paul, really

Great session Paul, really glad to see it happening. I am hoping that once we get to throttle back on the contractors club at my model railroad club we will also be able to join in operating sessions. I am really looking forward to that. If you just lived next door I could be the 4th guy in the session. I am rated for operation of coal trains both steam and diesel powered.

bit of a hike

It would be a bit of a hike from here in Hendersonville NC but would love the chance to see and operate

"...It's Noon Somewhere...!"

Big congrats Paul.  Good to see you reach that milestone to prove that the hard work is paying off.

I think I made a comment to you in a different thread previously, but one way to meet local modelers is to become a member of OpSig - Operations Special Interest Group.  Sure, it requires an annual fee, but that also comes with a quarterly magazine and members only portion on the site that allows you to seek out fellow members and operating layouts open to invites to sessions.  I thought I would check the site just to see how many members are listed for the Minneapolis / St. Paul and 'burbs area, and I count 24.  And lo and behold, your two operators, Randy and Dave are listed as members.  Go figure that, huh?  Hopefully they extolled the virtues of becoming an OpSIG member.  I joined some 6 years ago and have never regretted it.  

Anyway, good to see your success. Randy and I will have to make a banzai run to the Northlands someday. 

@ Rob & Bill

Rob - Would love to have you join us for an operating session. Compared to the huge coal trains you run on the club layout though, I'm afraid my little 20-30 car trains would seem to you like nothing more than just an in yard transfer job! 

Bill - You're right, that's a long jaunt for an ops session! That being said, if for some reason you do end up near by, I hope you'll stop by for a visit. It would be great to have someone from the Southeast come and give me their impression whether I've caught the look and feel of an Appalachian railroad or not. 

Paul, if you get a chance

Paul, if you get a chance post your track plan on here or pop a link to it. One of our new members is designing a layout for a future space and just might appreciate your hard work on the plan. He is also planning a different theme but I suspect your plan is rather adaptable. Our guy is planning a layout in the south and it will likely be mostly merchandise and agriculture products. I suspect your plan could be adapted.

Who in their right mind would not want to model coal trains? New guys....

Thanks Paul, glad you are having a blast with this I am really enjoying your updates.

@ Jeff

Thanks for the kind words. If you ever do come up for a visit, I'm sure I'll benefit from the knowledge you've gained in the OpSig group.

As for meeting others, I did take a look at the OpSig site as you suggested, but now that I've met Dave and Randy, I have a feeling it won't be too long down the road that I start meeting others and visiting some railroads in the Minneapolis area for some op sessions. I appreciate your help though in connecting me with others. Having other railroad friends after years of running solo ops is great!

Looks like a lot of fun

Please add me to your 'Extra Board' for the next session. Dave and Randy are great operators and I'm glad your layout ran flawlessly. No derailment or electric issues. 

I have extra throttles if you have Digitrax. Just let us know to bring them and fresh batteries. 

Looking forward to next session update. Now I need to get my Splitrock Mining Company layout back to running before the OPSIG weekend in October. 

@ Thomas

Thomas,

Although I poked a little fun at them here and there, you're right, Dave and Randy are good operators. Wish you could have been there with us. Your name did come up a few times in the conversation, and the guys did like the Gasior Scrap company on my layout and the Splitrock Mining Co. gondola.

As for throttles, I run with an NCE system, so your units probably wouldn't be compatible. I hope to get another wireless throttle in the future, but first I need to equip some more locos with LokSound decoders.

Hope the revisions work on your layout continues to progress smoothly...

Ops

Always good to see things come together.  Its interesting to see how the operators translate the vision into action, sometimes in ways you hadn't imagined. 

@ Dave

Dave,

Seeing how others carried out the various switching jobs on the layout was indeed interesting. Although I've had the advantage of running the locals numerous times and think I've become pretty efficient at them, there were a couple times watching the guys at work that I thought, "Why didn't I think of that?"

I would imagine that happens on the prorotype as well. Different train crews work the local trains in slightly different ways.

If you don't mind a visitor

If you don't mind a visitor from the south metro I can gas up the car and pack a lunch to come all the way up from Farmington (MN) sometime. I have a little actual railroad experience which I would be happy to provide.

Barry

Visitor insight

I would have edited that to read: Its interesting to see how the operators translate the vision into action, usually in ways you hadn't imagined. 

When I got my own layout going, I was told plenty of times that people running it would see things totally different than my idea. So, I had a couple of guys over who knew ops really well, told them generally what was what on the layout, and asked them to tell me what they think worked well. I was very open minded and they had ideas very different from my initial concept. And those ideas worked very well. So much so, that that initial session formed the basis for how I run sessions today.

You can learn so much from visitors, especially when your layout is new. The builder will never see things the same way that a visitor will.

@ Barry

Barry,

Glad to have you over to the Pokey. Let me know when you want to come, and we'll try to work something out between our schedules.

Translating your vision

This could be a whole new thread. I agree that it is always interesting to see how visiting operators interpret our layouts. My first couple of sessions had me change physical things such as track length and turnout position even more so than written rules. It is nice to see operators quietly going about the business of moving coal, iron ore, auto parts and passengers once they feel comfortable with their environment. 

Congratulations

Hey Paul, I just saw this!  Congratulations on the Operations "Golden Spike".  It looks like you had a great time.  What a milestone.  Keep us posted as you continue to operate, so you can make all the mistakes and I don't have to when it's time for me to start operating.  Maybe this winter . . . 

@ Michael

Michael,

You know it's funny, the only time mistakes really happened was when all of us on the operating crew were enjoying one another's company and didn't give our full attention to what was happening on the layout. So the real problem wasn't with the trains or the layout, but with the people. I'm guessing that's how accidents happen on the real roads too!

Looking at your latest track plan, there seems to be a lot of operating potential, so I'm sure you will enjoy operating the layout with others. I hope you'll post your first experiences too. My only regret is that I won't be able to join you in the fun!