We all run trains on our layouts, that's obvious really. But what about operation? And by that I mean operating where some other equally keen as yourself person and maybe a few others come over and they run you trains on your track and try to make it all work, sometimes even working to a planned list of trains!
That's the acid test, when others run your track they find the things you though were ok and weren't. To date I have not mustered up the true grit to do that and I think it's been a mistake. Here is why...
Last Friday I went to an operating session on a local HO layout that is under construction, finished in some areas but mostly just the track is in place and maybe 20% of the scenery. This layout is quite large and operates a point to point division with staging at both ends, a large yard in the mid point and many small towns and industries to switch along the way for local trains as well. It's very well thought out. This was the first operating session in a while and had several new operators, it was my second time, and a few regulars. The biggest impediment to the night was problems with turnouts and dirty track and I should point out they were minor problems we ran a lot of trains and had a good session.
The interesting and most important thing I leant however was from the owner and watching him go around to the operators having troubles and hearing the constant refrain "that never happens for me".
It got me thinking how many hidden that never happens for me are waiting on my layout, I'll bet there are a few? If not a lot. How many spots do I unconsciously slow down, or branches do I not run a particular loco, especially a cranky steamer, because I had issues I've not dealt with in my drive to get more done? And how many of those are going to be in locations where I've completed my scenery or worse?
So I know I'm going to have to have an op's session or two before the tour just 36 days away or else it'll end up a static display.
I always wanted to show a finished product, that's probably been a mistake, but I'll bring over some fellow MR types and we'll put my work to the acid test.
Tums anyone?
As a matter of modeling
As a matter of modeling style, I'm definitely a function over form kind of guy.
While I have an (unfinished) home layout, most of my modeling efforts are modular. On modules, I tend to have the track up and running very quickly, and then take my time getting the buildings and scenery complete. While this really annoys some, I would much rather have an unfinished layout that works as designed than a "finished" layout you can't run a train on.
Paul