http://siskiyou-railfan.net/ Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:17:48 -0500 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 I think it's time to start a new forum clinic, this time on operating your layout like the prototype.[b]TOPIC THIS POST: Railfan versus Engin <noauthor@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 TOPIC THIS POST: What do we mean by 'prototype operation'?Let's start with the very basics and add on details as we go. My h joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 TOPIC THIS POST: Figuring out what trains to runIn this post, we are going to learn about setting up through trains and locals by consideri joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 My good friend and fellow modeler Charlie Comstock has some very insightful comments on operations. In order to keep this forum clinic from getting ov joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 Joe,Since you're a prototype oriented modeler the decision on whether to run a local as a "point to point" train (say from Eugene bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 Charlie:A lot of it would be which you liked better, as are many things with freelancing. A turn works all the trailing point turnout indu joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 TOPIC THIS POST: Getting started operatingOnce you have some idea of the trains you want to run, it's time to get started running some joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 TOPIC NEXT POST: The importance of running trains at a scale speedDo not underestimate the power of this one simple point -- running trains joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 Having to count both time and the number of cars then do a table lookup seems much more complicated than necessary.I prefer to take advantage of the bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 Charlie:Interesting alternative ... but I don't find the table any harder to use than your method, which involves finding two points, and hop joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 Joe,Can't wait for the "quality of run" topic.........You and Charlie both of sensible ways of guessing speeds - I think the point michel<michel@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 TOPIC NEXT POST: The secret to a satisfying layout - quality of runQuality of run is key to getting a layout that's fun to operate. Ne joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 TOPIC THIS POST: Adding more complexity to the operationsSo you've held some basic operating sessions like I described back in the top joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 With regard to fast clocks...The Roseburg Yard Master needs to know what time it is so they know when they'll need to get the Rice Hill Rocke bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 [quote1156190793=bear creek]Joe, would the Rocket have gone out with NO cars on it to do pickups only on the prototype? Or would they have delayed the joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 Joe,I feel that this clinic is so good (very interesting and easy to understand) that it would be nice to print it out and save it as a reference Electrolove<benny.ronnhager@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 [quote1156569786=joef][quote1156190793=bear creek]Joe, would the Rocket have gone out with NO cars on it to do pickups only on the prototype? Or wou Greyhart<greyhart@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 TOPIC THIS POST: Track WarrantsPart of moving to a more robust way of operating your model railroad using prototype practices is to start u joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 Joe,In the warrant you used as an example it conveys authority from Springfield Jct. to Roseberg and requires the train to clear the main at the l bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 Joe,"Quality of run" is a great post. I think it neatly summarizes what a lot of us are shooting for.In terms of priority, I agree wi michel<michel@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 Michel:Great comments, as usual!Regarding the hobby magazines, let's discuss that more here in [link=http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plu joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 TOPIC THIS POST: Train ProceduresYour operators will find getting a Train Procedure Sheet for each train they operate to be extremel joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 Great to have this all spelled out, Joe. This has the makings of either a DVD/Video, or a (shudder) Kalmbach book! There, I've said it and no lig johncolley<johncolley@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 TOPIC THIS POST: Helper OperationsFor me, one of the more fun parts of prototypically-based operations is running helpers. Anything we can joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 Joe, I'm a little intriged by your tractive effort guide. Prototype railroads won't give a 4 axle unit such as a GP40 the same rating as a bn7026<bn7026@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 TOPIC THIS POST: Yard OperationsSome simple but effective procedures around yard operations helps keep things running smoothly in an op ses joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 Joe-Great Stuff! Keep it coming!It may need to be the subject of a separate thread, but would it be possible for someone to provide a "st fognozz<fognozzle@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 Arthur,I'm afraid the answers to your questions are all "it depends".It depends how busy a yard is and what the YM is expecting bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 Authur:Charlie is right, it all depends. But I hear you, even a specific example, knowing things can vary, would help.We'll see if I can joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 Joe I'm really appreciating this thread! can't wait to have the full op session report as well the second part of this clinic Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 There hasn't been much posted on this clinic lately, but there's now a way you can vicariously visit an op session ... kind of "reality joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 Joe,Did this thread kinda die because of the video efforts?I am wondering how you manage to make joins on the curved yard tracks.Thanks... UPFan<rsovitzky@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337 Rick:This thread is pending me finishing up video volume 5, yes.The layout was designed following the curve guidelines [link=http://ldsig.org/ joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2337