What do you do when you built a club layout for 2 to 4 operators when you're a club of 1?

[adb968008]

is there a thread where people are looking for assistance ?

 

 

[MarcD]

I don't think so but it might be worth while asking the moderators to create one. Not a short term required as we still wait for normality to return.

 

Marc

[GWR-fan]

I had a large outdoor G scale layout in my backyard with 43 remote electric points, fiddleyards, industrial sidings, turntable and two reverse loop sections with the scope for multiple operators.  My original plan was to divide the layout into three individually controlled block sections and utilise the Aristocraft Train Engineer wireless control system,  thus giving three operators the ability to independently run each allocated section.  I found the system cumbersome to use as each transmitter had ten channels with ten selections (frequencies?) on each channel,  so if using just one transmitter then it required multiple selections to traverse the layout if more than one loco was in use.  The trackplan would have kept multiple operators very happy but alas,  I was the only operator and so as a result trains mostly ran continuously on the main continuous route with the majority of the remote controlled switches (points) laying idle.  To complicate matters,  around half of the trackwork was out of sight of the main part of the layout and as a result these sections were mostly ignored when using a tethered power supply.

 

I rewired the layout to allow digital operation but then found that my chosen control system,  a 10 amp wireless NCE setup,  did not have the range to operate the complete system (requiring a range extender),  plus as parts of the trackwork were out of sight from the main part of the layout,  the digital signal was directional and thus when operating trains in the obscured sections the transmitter lost contact.  I found that given the fact that I would be a lone operator the complex trackwork was a total waste of both time and money.  In essence I would have been far happier (and richer) had I stuck to a more simplified user friendly trackplan.  While the layout was indeed impressive, it was basically useless.

Edited December 11, 2020 by GWR-fan
Additional info

[Enterprisingwestern]

 

Not being critical, but that proves the theory "be careful what you wish for, you just might get it", something I think we are all guilty of in some way or another.

 

Mike.

[Chris Turnbull]

All of this goes to show that if a layout is to be used by only one person then it has to be designed for one person.  To get back to Furness Wagon's original question,  I don't know what is involved in rebuilding one or both of the traversers (if there are two) but if this is a complicated job then it might be easier to dispose of the layout and start again.  Of course, that still means that with a layout involving locomotives and (troublesome) trucks Marc has to keep getting up to organise the return train.  This can be exhausting at an exhibition and interrupts the flow of traffic which is when the  audience tends to drift away.

 

My first layout was a shunting layout and had to have two operators for this very reason.  It was called "Little (Goods)" and featured as the centrefold in the first G0G Small Layouts handbook.  I don't have this problem with Cromer as I only operate a shuttle service with DMUs and the operator can sit on a stool if he or she so wishes, something I appreciate more and more as the years go by.

 

To summarise, I would like to suggest to Marc that he looks long and hard at what is required to make his layout one man friendly.  If it is lot of work then a heart-wrenching decision will have to be made to dispose of it.  A word of warning however; things may be different today but when I tried to sell Little (Goods) some years ago there were no takers and, once I had removed all reusable items, I ended up taking the rest to the dump. 

 

Chris Turnbull 

Edited December 11, 2020 by Chris Turnbull

[adb968008]

On 07/12/2020 at 13:53, Furness Wagon said:

I'm in a bit of a quandary and I looking for opinions on what to do.

Over the Last 5 years I have built a large 0 gauge layout, Scratchy Bottom, it can vary in length from 16ft to 32ft. And here is my problem I'm a club of one. In its 24ft and 32ft configurations its to big to be erected other than at an exhibition and even when its in its 16ft configuration it takes 2 people to operate it and 4 people at 20ft or 32ft.. To make it work well I'm going to have to rebuild  the traversers and add an extra scenic board so my questions are:

1. Should I do the alterations and hope we start getting invites to shows and then try to rope some people in to help operate?
2. Or try to sell the lot and start again with something smaller that can be operated by just me?

Marc

Timing is probably bad right now, so patience is required.

Post lockdown things may change.

 

Which part of the country are you in ?

[MarcD]

I live in the south western corner of the lake District. Well away from civilization. The local MRC (10miles away) has 2 main sections Swiss HO and modern image OO. Both of which hold no interest for me. They have recently started a 7mm section but again it modem image only.

 

If I scrapped on of the 3ft boards and replaced it with one that fits on the other end, increased the roads on the remaining traverser and automated the points I think it can be operated by 2 people. 

Even after I automate it is still comes down to the amount of time taken to reload the traverser and can it hold enough trains to allow on of the operators to take a break without slowing   down the operation sequence.

Marc

 

[Chris Turnbull]

It isn't just the layouts at a model railway club, it's also the camaraderie, help and assistance that can be gained from joining a local club.  The Barrow-in-Furness MRC (for that is the club I think you are talking about) seems to be a lively club - or it would be if it wasn't for Covid!  Sometimes just going along for a chat with like-minded people can be beneficial.  You never know, you may gain help from another member (or members) and all your troubles vanish like the sea mist from the docks at Barrow.

 

Chris Turnbull

[Dungrange]

2 hours ago, Furness Wagon said:

The local MRC (10miles away) has 2 main sections Swiss HO and modern image OO. Both of which hold no interest for me. They have recently started a 7mm section but again it modem image only.

 

Unfortunately, your local model railway club will not cater for your interests unless you join. 

 

My own club doesn't have 'sections' but tends to build layouts that align with the majority interests.  In practice that means that our club layouts generally represent the BR late steam era (in both 00 and 0) and narrow gauge prototypes (in 009 and 0-16.5).  That is what the majority of members have some interest in.  All layouts are analogue controlled.  That doesn't align with my own interests (the post-privatisation period; and the layout I'm building will be DCC): however, I'm the club secretary.  What we do have, is a large number of members who are also interested in other things.  One member models the pre-grouping period, one member models Austrian railways, another German narrow gauge.  A few use DCC, a couple are interested in industrial railways.  A couple model in N gauge.  Taking your view, we don't cater for the interest of these members, but they come along to the club (or at least did up until March) to socialise, help with the scenic aspects and lend a hand at exhibitions.  At home, they operate their own layout (if they have one) but at the club they are willing to branch out from their core interest.  Our next layout will be a new 009 layout (the baseboards were started just before lockdown) but after that, a DCC diesel and electric era layout may be next as we've recruited a few new members with such interests over the last year.

 

If you were to join your own local model railway club, I suspect that you'd find several members who have interests outside of Swiss H0 and 'modern image'.  All you need is to get to know one of them, who will be willing to help you out.

[Pete the Elaner]

2 hours ago, Chris Turnbull said:

It isn't just the layouts at a model railway club, it's also the camaraderie, help and assistance that can be gained from joining a local club.  The Barrow-in-Furness MRC (for that is the club I think you are talking about) seems to be a lively club - or it would be if it wasn't for Covid!  Sometimes just going along for a chat with like-minded people can be beneficial.  You never know, you may gain help from another member (or members) and all your troubles vanish like the sea mist from the docks at Barrow.

 

Chris Turnbull

I agree.

 

The social aspect of being at a show can be more important than the layout itself.

Some may become disinterested if the scale/era/region is not to their liking but for many, this is less important.

[MarcD]

Hi David,

I was a member of the Furness club, many years ago, and I found that we were not compatible. Which probably says more about me than them. I normally support their exhibition with a layout. In fact Scratchy Bottom was there in 2016 and 2017 and I was there again in 2018 with my 0-9 narrow gauge layout, Crackpot Mining. Back then I could count on my Dad to help out  which made things easier but this days he struggles with a one day show. 

 

I think if the layout was operated as a 1955-68 period layout it might be easer to operate as you could have all the passenger trains as DMUs and the sole goods would be the only thing that would need to be turned at either end. Only snag with this plan is its not my interest.

 

Marc

[bbishop]

Marc,

 

I'm very much in your position.  In fact, possibly more difficult because I model in Spur Null (7mm German).  My 22ft layout is reaching the end of its exhibition career so I have started on the "last great project" - 54ft long and requiring seven operators, five on and two off!  I have built up an operating team but two live the other side of London and a third in the West Country.  I have an agreement with my rector that I could set up in my church for practice.  My plan is to have a pair of operators each end and the signalman in the middle so four would need to understand the layout whilst the other three would only need exhibition experience.

 

The coda was to build a branch line terminus in front of a fiddle yard.

 

However, the pandemic.

 

I am not prepared to manhandle over 10ft² of baseboard in my own and obviously cannot invite anyone into the garage at present.  So the terminus has been promoted to the overture and is being built in the garage.  It has been invited to the Gauge O Guild small layout competition next September.  I think Marc is invited as well.

 

I send e-mails periodically to my operating team, updating them with progress.  I thought that I responded about Folkestone, offering my services for the Saturday.  I would be happy to learn the layout and assist at any exhibitions in the south east of England.  

 

Bill

 

 

 

 

 

[Chris Turnbull]

1 hour ago, Furness Wagon said:

I think if the layout was operated as a 1955-68 period layout it might be easer to operate as you could have all the passenger trains as DMUs and the sole goods would be the only thing that would need to be turned at either end. Only snag with this plan is its not my interest.

 

If you are up for that then that sounds like the answer to your dilemma.  As I said earlier, Cromer is operated like that and it does make life so much easier.  If you checked out the link I posted you will note that the fiddle yard uses points; no traverser or sector plate, just points which are electrically powered from switches on the control panel.  It is also surprisingly interesting to work.  A good friend of mine who is a Gauge One live steam fan came round to try his hand.  He admitted afterwards that he didn't think he would enjoy it but he had a wonderful time.

 

Chris Turnbull

[tomparryharry]

I can fully understand that. I'm planning a layout where it can run single-manned, or for more people to come along.  I think (sorry, pretty sure ) we all miss the exhibitions. I know I do; I get a chance to see what the other people are up to. 

 

Once this malarkey is over, I think a great many people will be 'up' for the resumption of helping out. The 'operators wanted' thread looks like a good idea. 

 

However, it might appear that this is predominately 0 gauge; Is this the case?

 

Cheers,

ian. 

[MarcD]

I would be willing to reciprocate with others layouts regardless of scale. If you want help you must also offer to be help. Iñ fact I have operated two layouts for others at shows before. 

Marc

[tomparryharry]

Having a think about my earlier post. The vetting process must be fairly robust. Likewise, the operators must be comfortable with the layout principal. I can think of at least one occasion where the exhibitor had the screaming Ad-dabs when anyone came close. No, I don't mean super-close, just respectful.  Both the operator & exhibitor were both wrung out by the end of the show. 

 

[MarcD]

We an up date of this problem. The decision has been taken out of my hands, the layout has go an invite to a show in 2023 at a length of 36ft and 2 more potential invites for this year in October and November in a smaller form. So my headache is now building train turntables, more stock and finding some operators. The first two are in my capabilities to plan for the operators might be abit more difficult.

Wish me luck!

Marc