Train Camp and the Operating Session

 Constructing a model railroad is an enjoyable pasttime (obviously!), but sharing that venture with close friends elevates the experience to another level. At their best, model railroads form the foundations for community, whether a large operating layout that brings together a group of operators monthly, or a small shelf diorama that serves as a talking point when company is over. In short, trains (even the little ones) are best experienced in the company of others. 

After many years of building my railroad solo, my network of model railroaders has grown and the railroad has matured enough to host both operating sessions and work sessions. This winter, I hosted my good friend Cam Nealy for a few days to primarily work on the railroad during a time we affectionately dubbed "Train Camp." During the three days of Train Camp, Cam and I tackled some of the larger projects I had been holding off on, like fascia and lighting, and prepared the layout for one of its first formal operating sessions. Camp culminated with a day long formal operating session. 

Cam is a talented modeler and I trust in his ability to tackle a variety of projects with skill. For the work session, I prepared a list of potential projects for us to tackle and made sure that the appropriate materials and tools were on hand. Then we were off! During the session we finished the fascia, installed more LED layout lighting, finished the cardboard lattice in Fields (an area Cam had started during a previous visit), constructed multiple tunnel liners, and started adding cardboard lattice on the upper level. Sessions like this provide a massive boost to a layout's progress and often raise the motivation to continue to work for days or weeks past the session. Our final task was to clean and prepare the railroad for operating. This involved A LOT of turnout fine-tuning in the staging yards, track cleaning, paperwork preparation, and equipment maintenance. We worked late into the night on the Friday before the operating session so that in the morning we only needed to quickly vaccuum the room and power up the railroad! 

Mr. Nealy inside the helix tracing the openings on the fascia so we could cut it to size.

Cam brought a lot of his equipment (80+ railcars!) to help fill out the operating roster. Here he is unloading and unboxing his crude oil unit train.

A full staging yard ready for operations!

Cam filing turnout points...

...and he kept filing...

The author (that's me!) working on the helix fascia.

Cardboard and hot glue, what mountains are made of!

...and then it was my turn to file points.

Operating Session

The Train Camp operating session was not the first operating session I have hosted on the railroad, but it was the first formal session with a full crew, lineup of trains, and dispatching. Matt Forcum (Metaline Falls Railroad) joined us Saturday morning to round out the crew. After finalizing a few consists, orienting Matt to the railroad, briefing everyone on how the session would run, and a quick bite of Chili for lunch, trains were rolling. 

In subsequent posts I plan to write more about my operating scheme and the process I went through to develop and refine it, but, in brief, the central operating feature of the railroad is manned helper operations. Loaded southboud freights need a little extra boost to get over Pengra Pass en route from Oregon to California so the prototype operates manned helpers between Oakridge, OR and the summit of the grade at Cascade Summit. My operating scheme captures a day on the Cascade Sub focused on the work of the helper crew pushing trains south over "The Hill."

Cam ran the helpers for a majority of the session with Matt taking various road jobs. At the start, I floated between running road trains, answering questions, dispatching, and railfanning. The layout ran flawlessly and as we established a rhythm, the scheme and pace of the operations provided a very immersive experience. Once things settled down, I moved to dispatching full time. 

Eventually the railroad will be signaled and use CTC control, however all territory is still dark, so we emplyed track warrants to grant authority and control train movement over the railroad. Track Warrant Control (TWC) slows the pace of a session down tremendously and the radio chatter provides for a realistic ambiance that adds to the immersive experience. Both Cam and Matt performed well and enjoyed the session greatly (or so I was told!). 

After 4 hours and 7-8 trains, we called it quits. Despite the fact this was indeed the first formal session, it felt like one of many before. There were no major hiccups and the scheme worked nearly flawlessly. I credit this to a lot of help from Cam prior to the session in preparing the layout, high quality and skilled operators, and a thoughtful, well-developed operating scheme that worked with the characteristics of the layout. I look forward to future sessions and continuing to add to the operating history of the Cascade Sub!

Oakridge staged for the operating session. 

Amtrak 14 glides through Wicopee on its way north to Portland. 

The dispatchers desk with train sheet, track warrants, and detection panel.

The helpers on the rear of a southbound manifest at Fields waiting for Amtrak 11 to pass. 

Engineer Matt bringing his train up to speed after letting Amtrak 11 pass (seen above in Klamath Falls staging).

Helper engineer Cam adding some throttle. 

The helpers continue south through newly constructed scenery on the upper level. 

A full Klamath Falls staging. Each staging yard is one directional with a reversing loop. 

The headlight of the helpers can be seen through the bore of tunnel 15 as the units push on the rear of a loaded BNSF grain train.

Engineer Matt guides the BNSF unit grain train through (future) Tunnel 4 and towards Cascade Summit near the end of the session.