Still struggling with operations

[RobertInOntario]

This sounds like a great new forum / section!

I'm still struggling with the whole operations area on my British 00 (similar to HO) layout. I've tried running my passenger trains to a make-shift time table as well as shunting the layout's freight cars around the layout. I'll try to post more details in the next day or so but am interested in feedback & suggestions here. Looking for inspiration, etc., for a small layout.

Rob

[Brakie]

There's another way of operation that is easy on the nerves and quite fun..Its called "rotation".

Here's the way it works.

I like this method and I have used it on my past loop layouts-I can count those on 1 hand and all but one(a HO layout) was double track.

First train is out of the freight yard is a Westbound.This gives me room and time to classify the remaining cars into trains.

Second train comes out of the station..This will be the morning Eastbound mail train with mail express cars,mail storage(baggage cars) and 2-3 coaches.

I then have the second freight made up so,the first train is now a inbound and it arrives the units are cut off and taken to the engine service area.

The second Westbound freight departs.

I now classify the inbound cars.Several of these cars will be made into the local freight.

A Eastbound freight is now ready..

The Eastbound mail train will now backs into the station track.

The Eastbound freight departs.

I build the local.

See how it works?

The local will depart when the second inbound arrives-that will be the second Westbound.
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This is the operation I used on my old N Scale 36" x80" hollow core door layout.This layout had a 7 track yard,a 4 track engine service area,a small town area and a industrial area.There was no space eating mountains,rivers or lakes.

During a public showing I could change trains every 15 minutes.

All of this was before DCC so,I use 4 power packs and use Atlas selectors for block control-a very simple approach.1-3 persons could operate this layout.

[RobertInOntario]

There's another way of operation that is easy on the nerves and quite fun..Its called "rotation".
...
All of this was before DCC so,I use 4 power packs and use Atlas selectors for block control-a very simple approach.1-3 persons could operate this layout.

Thanks, Larry. I might give this a try tonight. Rob

[RobertInOntario]

Hi Larry,

I'm still trying to get my mind around this operating sequence. I've type in a few questions below in caps. Basically, I'm not sure which train should be on which track (i.e. inner or outer).

Just wondering if you could please add a few more details as I'm kinda "slow" at getting this. :oops: :? :oops: Thanks for your help!

Rob

First train is out of the freight yard is a Westbound.This gives me room and time to classify the remaining cars into trains.
DOES THIS START OFF ON THE INNER OR OUTER LOOP, OR DOES IT MATTER? AND, ONCE IT HAS LEFT THE INNER LOOP, IS THAT WHEN YOU START PUTTING TOGETHER THE 2ND FREIGHT TRAIN?

Second train comes out of the station..This will be the morning Eastbound mail train with mail express cars,mail storage(baggage cars) and 2-3 coaches.
WOULD THIS BE ON THE OTHER LOOP, I.E. WITH THE FREIGHT TRAIN ON THE INNER LOOP AND THIS ONE ON THE OUTER?

I then have the second freight made up so,the first train is now a inbound and it arrives the units are cut off and taken to the engine service area.
The second Westbound freight departs.
I now classify the inbound cars.Several of these cars will be made into the local freight.
A Eastbound freight is now ready..
The Eastbound mail train will now backs into the station track.

The Eastbound freight departs.
I build the local.

[MasonJar]

There was an article in MR some time ago about two guys who had two small switching layouts (a shelf and a small 3x4 loop I believe), and they focussed on paperwork and operations. I'll see if I can get you a copy.

Andrew

[steinjr]

There was an article in MR some time ago about two guys who had two small switching layouts (a shelf and a small 3x4 loop I believe), and they focussed on paperwork and operations. I'll see if I can get you a copy.

Ninigret Cove. Is a copy of the article in MR magazine downloadable (for a fee) PDF "Starting Realistic Operations". Can be purchased and downloaded from here: http://www.kalmbachstore.com/modeltrains...d-ope.html

Some other resources:
Tony Koester's book "Realistic Model Railroad Operation" (http://www.kalmbachstore.com/12231.html)

Some free resources on the net:

Byron Henderson, clinic on starting ops on a 4x8 layout: http://home.earthlink.net/~mrsvc/id39.html

Richard Schumacher, Gateway chapter, NMRA: Designing Operations (http://www.gatewaynmra.org/designops.htm)

A simple explanation on adding operations to a layout (post from wm3798): http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/1578...ageIndex=1

LDSIG yahoo group, operations in small places: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ldsig/message/51936
(you might have to join the LDSIG yahoo group to read it - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ldsig/)

Smile,
Stein

[Brakie]

Rob,Here we go.

DOES THIS START OFF ON THE INNER OR OUTER LOOP, OR DOES IT MATTER? AND, ONCE IT HAS LEFT THE INNER LOOP, IS THAT WHEN YOU START PUTTING TOGETHER THE 2ND FREIGHT TRAIN?
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My Westbound main was the inner loop.

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WOULD THIS BE ON THE OTHER LOOP, I.E. WITH THE FREIGHT TRAIN ON THE INNER LOOP AND THIS ONE ON THE OUTER?
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Correct the passenger train would be on the outer loop-The Eastbound main.
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For ease of operation I had 4 crossovers-2 on each side of the layout.

[RobertInOntario]

Thanks for all of this feedback! I'll keep experimenting with this. Rob