I apologize for not cutting and pasting, but I think Ed K. posted a reply to a very interesting offline discussion. Lots of great points are raised. Here is my take on few:
1. If you are interested in operations, like I am (it's the only reason I am in S scale it's the perfect size for Ops IMO), I suggest joining the OPSIG (you do not need to be a member of NMRA, though it is encouraged) and joining their yahoo discussion list. They have a call-board for soliciting operators and for open op sessions. Unfortunately the OPSIG apparently does not include any operations oriented S scale layouts yet, but I hope to change that someday. I agree with Dick that we need more operations oriented S scale layouts on the circuit. 2. Likewise, if you are interested in layout design, there is the LDSIG. And yes, I would be glad to look at your track plan. 3. I belong to the "Thursday Night Thieves" (where do the HO guys get these names! <VBG>), an HO round-robin group with one mutant me. We have one operating HO layout and are building two others. In addition to Operation Sessions, I have been doing layout construction stuff plus offsite building of HO structures, rolling stock, etc. When I begin layout construction, they will be my construction crew I have already received considerable design help. When the layout is ready for Ops (notice I did not say completed), these guys will be the regular ops crew. Then they will see the one true scale in its full glory! Just some rambling thoughts . . . John Gibson Rocklin, CA --- In [email protected], Ed Kozlowsky <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I think the NASG database would be a good place to start. Many don't care to have any infomation listed whatsoever, and I'm assuming they are collectors who fear theft. NASG dues is a cheap way to locate potential targets, but those who do list might indicate whether prototypical operation is available, and list the details. Could space be provided for such a description? I would be willing to travel a considerable distance to visit and participate in operating a working model railroad. As soon as my layout is up and running, I'm going to attempt attracting operators. I don't think my space would accomodate more than 3 people, but we'll see when the time comes. > > Being an operator at heart, I'm not so concerned that I've limited my equipment choices by having a 30" minimum radius. What concerns me more is that it be interesting and challenging, both to build and run. I'm not sure about the "ask folks to help build it" part. I think that would work where there is lots of room to shift things around and make changes, or if you know exactly what your design is before you start so that you can give adequit guidlines. I don't think I'll have many instances where a comercial kit will fit unaltered. My layout is like working on a clock from the inside. It's being built in a gutted 25' travel trailer with 2 levels. I've kept it road worthy, so you can see the potential there, but the space is all too well defined and inviolable. > > This is like any other pastime, in that the main goal should be to have fun. If all we do is crab about what we can't do, or what's not available, or woe is us the scale is dying, who in their right mind would want to join us in our misery? Would anyone like to see my partially completed track plan? I'm open to suggestions on how to improve it for operating fun. Drop me a line and I'll email a PDF to you. Any operators out there? > > Ed Kozlowsky > Sanford, Maine > > > Bob Werre <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Ed makes a lot of sense here. S has been said to be too 'secret' in a lot of ways. I think having real operating sessions is a good way to chip away at the dominate scale in a subtle way. Over the country, I know Sam Powell, Frank Titman and Skip Romig have regular operating sessions. I know that Ed Loizeaux and myself will be doing that shortly. What we need is 40-50 layouts having operating sessions with the guys from other scales throughout the country. This can happen by putting a list down when you are open for a tour. Folks who are interested in seeing trains run around circles will not sign up, but those guys interested in running with time tables, waybills etc. will sign up and have a good time. I routinely operate on a HO layout and have been invited to others. In the coming months I hope to have groups of guys over for the same thing and I assume most of the guests will be from other scales. > > Actually the fellows doing live steam have had the same problem. They spent all their time acquiring land, laying track and making the railroad people friendly. Nobody actually had the large stuff doing anything but hauling kids around the landscape. Seldom did you see boxcars being delivered and tank cars being picked up at industries. > > S has had a great reputation as a builder's scale, but the downside, as Ed Loizeaux often mentions is that time is short, we never get to the point of actually running a layout in prototype manner. Indeed many of us have built layouts that don't feature actual operations in their designs. I will find out with my layout shortly. > > Bob Werre > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
