Operation and maintenance
Fun with a shelf?
I have come across some absolutely amazing looking small shelf layouts. The detail is top notch, design is great.....
Then I start to wonder, for those who actually own and operate these small shelf layouts how enjoyable they are, and how long the fun lasts? To me and only my personality it seems they will get stale fast?
So for those with them, how does the fun hold up?
Updates to my website
I have added some new documents that are selected transcriptions of rule books in Word Doc format.
P&R 1876
P&R 1888
P&R 1903
Diamond crossing
I have all Peco code 83 track on my layout with the exception of one Shinohara diamond and it has been a pita from the getgo. Locomotives invariably stall or hesitate going over it.
The plastic frogs appear to be much bigger than they need to be which, I suppose, is to prevent shorts as the wheels go over so instead of shorts I get stalls. This is the only place on the entire layout causing trouble so it's not dirty wheels or track.
Does anyone have any wisdom on making this thing work like it should?
Don
Temporary Gates and Derails -
On my switching layout I think operating gates and derails on industry spurs will add a lot. It will be a while before I have any detailed scenery.
This morning, while drinking coffee, I decided to make a few "stand-ins." It took a few minutes to make the labels and attach them to some unused cardstock. And I don't know if I'll use them for very long, but it seemed like a good idea at the time.
Fast Time/Clock Experiences
Hi All:
I'm at the point with my layout that I'll need to make a decision about fast time and fast clocks.
On past layouts, I've used 12:1 fast time and simply used my watch or a traditional 1:1 clock. (At 12:1, 5 mins = 1 hr.) Using a 1:1 clock and making the quick mental calculations to compute time does not enhance immersion, thus I'm considering getting more sophisticated and use an actual fast clock.
Operations, a real third rail of a topic
So, Operations is a complicated subject. Not because actual operations need to be complicated, but because it's is such an all-encompassing subject.
And I'm hardly an expert - I haven't gotten them running on my layout, for instance.
But that might be an advantage - I'm not to the point where I'm locked into any given system, and I'm still evaluating to some extent.
So consider this in the way of a survey. I'll try not to overcomplicate it.
Op Session Etiquette
Opinions please.
When I go to different op sessions few things annoy me that to see non model railroad items put on the layout. Sceniced and unsceniced, from car cards to drinks to clothing a few times. Personally I think it’s disrespectful to the owner but I’m willing to hear other thoughts to see if I’m off base.
Loads and Empties - Also a question about Bluford Shops N scale Hoppers
Now that I am getting closer to running trains, and have settled on an era, I am starting to build up my rolling stock. I recently discovered Bluford Shops who have multiple models of N scale hopper cars that fit my needs nicely. I have never seen any of their models in person but they look quite nice in photos.
I am curious if the loads are removable? And, if they aren't "officially" removable, if anyone knows if it is possible to remove them with a bit of work without destroying the car.
1986 UP Condensed T-Plan
I have added images of the 1986 UP Condensed Transportation Plan to my web site wnbranch.com. It is a summary of all the regularly scheduled through freights on the UP in May of 1986. The document lists the trains in alphabetical order , then gives the departure time at origin and the arrival time at final destination.
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