Various Ways to Enhance OPERATIONS on the Model Railroad
My first encounter with "Operations" came through a 1960s magazine article, by the late Frank Ellison, called "The Art of Model Railroading." Frank discussed "smiles," "fast clocks," schedules, rules, and more. He said, "The railroad is the stage, the trains are the actors, and operations are the story." The discription of Engineer Keeting backing off on the throttle and easing the loco into Raymondale really captured my imagination.
As I read McClellan, Chubb, Koester, and Allen, I learned more and more about ops. Here are some ideas!
As I read McClellan, Chubb, Koester, and Allen, I learned more and more about ops. Here are some ideas!
Jordan Spreader Snow Plow Clearance Car
Special Operations of the Jordan Spreader
Special Operations of the Snow Plow
Special Operations of the Clearance Car
Here is a little more complex type of operation. The situation card indicates that the periodic inspection of the line is due. The green Train Information Card describes the operation with more information than usual. Engineering Drawings (though simplified) are presented to add realism. A Clearance of Right-of-Way Evaluation Sheet has been developed for the train crew to actually check the clearances of various structures, cuts, etc. on the railroad and record findings. Location numbers, Place Names, and M.P. Numbers are listed for each locale along the line.
Chunks of rock, a tilted pole, chunk of sleel girder or other object(s) may be placed near the track to be "detected" as a possible hazzard by the Clearance Car Inspection Engineer. Later, a Jordan Spreader or work crew may be dispatched to "clean up the mess."
Chunks of rock, a tilted pole, chunk of sleel girder or other object(s) may be placed near the track to be "detected" as a possible hazzard by the Clearance Car Inspection Engineer. Later, a Jordan Spreader or work crew may be dispatched to "clean up the mess."
See a complete article on the use of the car in "C&O's Clearance Car," Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Magazine, September 1998, pp. 10-13. Magazines are available on a DVD at cohs.org and chessieshop.com.