for aisle traffic! Perhaps just put in some other way to slow down the action, to create a longer run. And speaking of getting to one’s train… designing a layout in a linear fashion will make things a lot easier for crews to follow their trains. Having the proverbial spa- ghetti bowl may make for some interesting runs, but may ulti- mately be somewhat disconcern- ing to the average operator if your goal is operations. Having a train disappear into a tunnel, with no clue where it may pop out, is not usually all that enjoyable to most operators. So when planning that layout for operation, take a step back sometime and take a look as an outsider — will people be able to follow their train as they prog- ress along the railroad? Other factors an owner might consider are crew rest and ameni- ties. Let’s face it: most operating sessions last for hours. Standing and walking on a concrete floor can be tiring. If the layout is in the basement, carpeting can make standing for long periods a bit more comfortable. Having anti- fatigue mats at locations where people stand for long periods — such as yard aisles — can provide relief. For those higher levels, es-
pecially above eye level, think about having solid footstools con- veniently placed around the lay- out. If there is a long stretch of track at high elevation above the floor, requiring an operator to be there for long periods, then a raised platform of some sort would be easier and safer. Many will appreciate a chance to take a break to sit and relax during a session. When on break, where will your operators go? Now, you may not mind if they leave the basement and settle in your family room, but I’d bet you might frown on having others wandering around your house, perhaps disrupting other fam- ily members. If your crews are not near at hand, how will they be called for a train? Having a few chairs scattered around the layout in corners may be a con- sideration, but having non-oper- ators strolling along those nar- row aisles while others are trying to run their trains can be quite distracting.
If your layout is still in the
planning stages, allowing for some sort of crew lounge ad- jacent to the layout might be a logical choice. They can relax a bit, be close to the action when
needed, and be out of the way for those still operating the railroad. Now, that may cut down on some of the real estate that could have been used for another few feet from Dwight to Peoria, but it may be worth it overall.
Along with providing a little resting place for your guests, a few simple things such as a near- by small refrigerator with drinks would be welcome. Often, guests will bring drinks or snacks to share at operating sessions, so you don’t always have to have the collection jar out like those mi- sers who run the I&StL. Some regular operating groups will of- ten have someone responsible for a rotating drink or snack contri- bution. In the case of the Chica- go, Peoria & Southern, General Superintendent Janis Navigato usually bakes an assortment of her internationally famous (well, at least among us northern Illi- noisans) homemade cookies — not really necessary, some might say, but sometimes I think it’s the number one reason most opera- tors show up in the first place. A nice model railroad can always be appreciated, and it doesn’t have to have every square foot of available space filled with
Bill’s world (Left to right) Operators Jeff Varney, Mike Scha- fer, and Ted Richardson are taking a break on Bill’s Chicago, Peoria & Southern. Railroad retiree Jeff — he was a dispatcher and an opera- tor for The Milwaukee Road and, later, the Canadian Pacific — is critiquing Mike’s last trip over the road as Mike reviews the time table in an attempt to figure out why his train was involved in a head-on. Meanwhile, Ted is trying to find historical refer- ences to the CP&S. Bill allowed plenty of space for on-duty crews mov- ing within the layout, but to avoid unecessary congestion with train operators, off-duty crews can avail themselves of the crew lounge, located at the least busy loca- tion—the only point on the railroad that is not double-decked. The door leads to the restroom, with a duck-under or lift- out. Out of sight to the right is a refrigerator and table usually loaded with dozens of home-baked cookies for operators to enjoy.
— Bill Navigato photo
NOVEMBER 2015 79
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100