I'll go first

Here are some concepts I've love to see someday that I'd like but would never build myself:

• O scale Milwaukee Road, over Snoqualmie Pass from the Puget Sound as far east as the builder could get (with a representation of the ridge over the Columbia). It'd also stretch out to Aberdeen WA. The era would allow for electrics, so either the 50s or the early 70s before they turned the power out
• O scale PRR at Horseshoe Curve, all steam and very early diesels
• HO scale Clinchfield, which would include the ET&WNC interchange at Johnson City, in the early 60s which would allow for the latter's steam and 1st Gen diesels for the Clinchfield and SRR
• Any scale NE Corridor with an emphasis on the interchange at the Susquehanna River bridge at Perryville, MD, from the late 40s
• Strasburg RR, in O or S scale in modern times. Yes, just as it exists in real life

These are just a few I'd love to see someday...

What scale is it?

• What scale is it? HO
• Timeframe?  Early 1950s - most likely 1953
• Prototype? Based on the NYC
• Size and design? About 8-10 towns, including two yards, 3x train length in between towns, and operated under TT&TO

My Choice

HO

60s-70s 

Prototype Missouri Pacific set in Arkansas 

Medium sized shelf type walk-in.  

Limited number of operators, “laidback” operations 

Joe

" what would blow your mind

  Wood fired pizza and Pliny the Elder on tap...DaveB 

DaveB

I call  Shot Gun DaveB, Kevin

The layout as a whole is not terribly relevant

If I’m a visiting operator, what matters to me is the parts of the layout I end up interacting with in whatever role I end up with.  I’ve enjoyed being a guest on layouts in N, HO, On30, O, and G scales.  And layouts from relatively small switching layouts up to basement size and a “fills an acre” garden railroad.

What really makes me happy is lots of purposeful switching, either in a yard or at industries.

Things I don’t want to interact with:

• Duckunders
• Switching puzzles where you have to shuffle cars through a chain of switch backs with tiny tail tracks because the owner saw a timesaver and wanted to make it trickier.
• Yards that are 95% stuffed full at the start of the session and it gets worse from there.
• Dirty track where you end up needing to push your train along repeatedly.

Aside from that, if it’s got flanged wheels and some sort of organized operation I can participate in, I’ll probably enjoy it.

So many layouts so little time...

HO scale

70s- 80s diesels

CC/.WB for car forwarding

Warrants for train control with a central dispatch

6'ish or so folks operates

Solid running track and trains

Scenery - some in is more than fine finished is great

Has to laid out well and designed for ops

Ideal???

A dangerous question Lee.

Standard O scale pre WW11 switching layout in a city scene. Really well detailed. Including a water front area.

On30 would also work as it is much easier to find the locos.

Jack

Most eras

Almost any era or scale would work.

Needs a good car forwarding system

A better then average yard layout, a yard lead is a must

Car forwarding must show the yard what/where the cars are going next.

As a "yard junkie" these would work for me.

Howard Garner

Runs

A layout that runs well. It doesn’t matter to me what era you model, if it runs well I will have fun.

Tom

Layout

This weekend I am operating on 3 HO and 1 N scale, railroads set in WA, PA, WY, CA in eras from 1895 until  the 1980’s.  Basically the the layout in the basement where I’m standing.

It depends.

For me, sometimes I'm into over-the-road running with multiple crews, lots of dispatcher interaction, long runs, TT&TO, etc. but sometimes I like to spot and pick up cars.  

For the former, the experience offered by the Operations Roadshow was just incredible: long runs, aisles spacious enough for two operators plus an advisor to work both sides, and really helpful, friendly support close at hand that only steps in when requested. 

But for switching, I've found that just about any reasonably well-designed and well-built layout will be fun. 

Jeff Allen

Early Steam Era

I love the early steam era.

I have the Paul Scoles 3 DVD Set. The 3rd dick, Running Trains is an operating session. This is one layout I would have loved to operate on.

Possibly Lex Parkers On30 layout as well.

Or any similar layout.

not all layouts are good for operation

i wouldn't think scale, timeframe, prototype matter

i think the most important aspect is, how well is the layout designed for operation, or just running trains

there are many types of operation I have seen and can think of

• small pt-to-pt running peddler freights servicing industries along the way
• basement size layout that is staging-to-staging bringing trains from one staging areas, possibly thru a passenger station through a yard where cars are dropped off and picked up  and continuing to the next staging area with locals servicing industries
• single track  layouts with passing sidings requiring coordinating freights and passengers in both directions at least to a staging area and yard/terminal
• faster moving double track with signals requiring trains to stop to allow other trains thru interlocks
• longer layouts with long sections of single track with relatively few industries along the way but one or mor branches.
• CTS signal driven vs TT&TO
• ....

i think it's interesting to operate layouts with different types of operation regardless of scale, era and roadnames

For me

What scale is it? HO

Timeframe? 1910 to 1930’s

Prototype? A southern short line. Really doesn’t have to be southern but small steam would be a must.

Size and design? 12’ x 12’ or larger.

It would take a time machine

It would take a time machine but the main layout I'd like to operate on is the Gorre and Daphetid. As far as type, anything in that category. One type I know I don't want to ever fool with are the ones when the owner hands you a "book" full of rules when you walk in the the door. Keep it relatively simple. It's supposed to be fun.

Pretty much anything

That’s pretty much how it works or me, too. Small, big, in between. If it runs well and it’s a model railroad, I will enjoy myself.

After owning a large model railroad that ran okay but had its problems now and then, I’ve reached the point in the hobby where I feel I’ve “been there, done that” as to my own modeling. Now I’m more interested in what I call quality of run (runs well regardless of layout size) rather than quantity of run (lots of trains, big layout).

Or put another way, I’m finding what really satisfies isn’t lots of layout, but a really well operating layout. As a result, smaller, if it means it will be built with more care and hence will run better, will satisfy more. 

This is why I’m so passionate about TOMA, The “One Module” Approach. It bakes in keeping the scope small and working at the workbench in a comfortable environment (turn the module over to install the tortoises, for example), encouraging you to do your best work. TOMA emphasizes quality of run over quantity of run, which I’ve learned satisfies more.

What scale is it? I don't

• What scale is it? I don't care.
• Timeframe? I don't care.
• Prototype? I don't care.
• Size and design? I don't care.

I agree with TomO. 

I've operated on layouts of different scales, different eras, different prototypes (if there was one at all), and different sizes. The ones where the locos didn't stall and the rolling stock didn't derail are the ones I most enjoyed. One of those was HO scale, one was N. The ones that had problems I remember as frustrating, not fun.

 I always thought a layout

I always thought a layout running well was a given, no matter the size. I think it took me two, maybe three early layouts in my youth before I got tired of things not working right. Now I do my absolute best not to let that become an issue. I'm not perfect, no one is, but with every project I undertake in anything, reliability is a major consideration.

A layout running well should

A layout running well should be a given, Michael, but in my experience those are the exceptions.

Yep

Yep, I've seen a LOT of layouts and more than a few do not run as well as they look. In fact, one of the worst running layouts I've ever experienced was also the nicest looking I'd ever seen.

The flip side is also true. One of the most enjoyable and surprisingly trouble-free operating layouts I've run on also had a somewhat cobbled-together look to the benchwork and trackwork. That said, the layout ran like a champ and I thoroughly enjoyed myself, so looks can be deceiving!

Running well

I don’t have a lot of experience operating at other layouts but have run at many. There have been times that the owner should not have even tried to run so that is why I said “a layout that runs well.” I have been guilty of that once and it will not happen again.

Operating or running is fun to me.

Tom

Would love to try my hand at

Would love to try my hand at TT&TO sometime. Sounds fun. 

Good Question...

Dear MRHers,

Hmmm, good question. I'm answering on the basis that I've literally never been to the-layout-in-question before, so are a _rank_newcomer_ on the property...

As "assumed baseline", it is expected that:
- The layout, locos, and rollingstock are mechanically and electrically reliable
(Couplers, uncouplers if-used, wheel/rail pickup, turnout controls, mechanical wheels and track, etc).

- The throttle is an "at-a-glance logical" unit.
(_I_ may prefer to op with a PT,
but virtuallly _anyone_ INC "non-train people" will be able to "just pick-up and run with" a simple Speed Knob + Direction switch/button throttle. It's called "Broad Human-User-Interface Compatibility").

- Any Turnout or other "Navigational Control" will be mounted on the fascia or right at the layout/fascia edge
(IE not visually intrusive to the "scale model scene"),

immediately-local/adjacent to the thing
(EG turnout, Uncoupler, etc) it controls,
and will be clearly identified/labelled.

- and as a "nice to have", at-least "1st draft" scenery coverage complete,
enough to prove that "the visual presentation of the layout" wasn't totally-ignored in the pursuit of "ops, Ops, OPS!!!!!!!"

With the above as our "known baseline", I've always wanted to operate a layout where:
- I'm handed a throttle (RC or plug-in, but certainly"walkaround" in format)

- Pointed to a single-loco/2-unit-consist + shove-platform/RC-caboose sitting "on the ready track"
(or could be simply a spare spur somewhere with a 20' container and a small chain-link fence compound),

- Handed a "simplified schematic view" (FOGChart?) of the route from the Interchange
(source of your local train)

to/from the multi-spot Industrial Park/Industries
(say, no more than 3 for the session, althought there may be more modelled on the layout...
IE not every "session" switches every industry)

NOTE! this schematic makes clear that the caboose is going to be important,
with minimal/no run-arounds available.

- and told (Verbal)

"Rules :
- ALWAYS confirm the route thru any turnout before proceeding to move (Duh, S.O.P.)
- Blow horn for all grade crossings
- All movements to come to a complete halt before changing direction (Duh, S.O.P.)
- All linehaul movements (moves between "locations"/"scenes")
must be led by either Loco or Caboose
- Do not exceed 20mph (Duh, S.O.P.)

Instructions / Work Overview (matches text on the Schematic/"FOGChart"): 
- Haul the caboose to the interchange,
- Grab train and put it between the caboose and the locos,
- Shove up the line caboose-leading, switching as required,
(RCO/brakeman with air-whistle on caboose reccomended)
- Once all 3 industries are switched, return the resulting train back to the interchange,
- Return the Loco+Caboose consist back to the "Ready Track".

Notes/F.O.G.:
- See "Dock Manager" (box on fascia at the modelled industry throat/turnout)
at each industry for spotting instructions.
- Watch for derails on industry spurs!
- NOTE! No "proto" time penalty for late/unfinished switching
(this being a "first op at this layout" session.
Either "run overtime" or "die on Hours-of-Service" as actual layout-visit time limits dictate,
either option is fine...).

Have Fun...  "

For the purpose of this discussion, It should be noted that:
- It's assumed that the route is a single-track branch or similar
- Scale and Gauge is arguably irrelevant, as long as the "starting assumptions" RE mechanical and electrical reliability and Human-User-Interface usability are maintained.
- "Distance between scenes/work-locations" can be either actual-linear-track-distance enforced, visually "viewblock-enforced", or any combination of the two, as the layout area and available track dictates.)
- It is assumed for this "First time on the Property" session, there are no "dodging other trains" to think about.
(That added complication can be added once the Operator is comfy with the basic "Work Overview" process over a few sessions...)

NB that there is minimal paperwork,
(both to "memorise", and to carry while walking the layout).

nothing a "modeller of reasonable RR-familiarity" would be confused by,
(and even a "non-train fan" could get their head-around with a couple of minutes Q&A),

and an operations-ethos instructed by any number of Contemporary and Period branch/shortline/local-train-on-a-big-RR examples...

Of course, in my minds-eye, I do "see" such a layout in the context of:
- CSX Mansfield MA "The Chocolate"
- CSX "MJ Lead" Michigan
- Meeker Southern, Puyallup, Ore
- Ballard Terminal, Seattle, WA
- Eastside Freight RR, Woodinville, WA
- "LIL75"/"Oregon City Switcher", UP Brooklyn Sub, Clackamas/Oregon City/Canby/Hito
- "Cripple Creek Central" (MR project layout 1990s-era)
- Mike Keiran's "Port Able"
- MILW/SOO/UP/CFR "Division Street"/"Goose Island"
- Central California Traction "Lodi Run"
- Various UP/ex-SP-in-LA Locals, headed by SW1500s, #16x CCRCL hulks, and Gensets

...amongst others....

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

PS it occurs to me that "train appears from staging" and "train departs into staging" could well work mechanically for the above sequence
(assuming the initial "loco/train rolls onstage" was correct and confidence-inspiring,
and the operator could "send the train into staging" wiith confidence that some automated-braking system would take care of pullling the train up without reverie-breaking "ducking around the corner to make sure it stops OK"),

but there's something satisfying about "starting and ending a run in-full-sight"...
(or, said another way, "putting things back where they belong, automatically ready for next-time",
auto-staging style...   )