I'm finishing up the images on a Dallas layout that also is being built
and operated by a group of perhaps 20. Even though it's primarily a S
layout, I don't think any of the helpers or operators are--in fact
several are so-called Live Steam. Of course that's also becoming an
outdated term as most of the steam guys aren't around anymore either.
But somehow "live diesel" doesn't sound right.
Anyway like Ed, you don't have to know everything--you just need
volunteers or custom builders who can grasp the concepts of the layout
and put their specialties to good use. I think if we all involved other
scales in our layout our scale might be more popular and we might have
grown a bit.
Ed has mentioned using JMRI to help operate his layout. The Dallas
layout also uses it for signaling and other electronic communications.
A couple of guys were crawling under the layout to trouble shoot some
boards. I plan on using the operations segment to help in getting back
in the operations mode. I had everything setup with the RailOps
program. Unfortunately the PC computer that ran everything has died
with all the data. Since the JMRI program is Mac friendly I hope to go
that way. It looks like I will need 4-5 operators when the time
comes--but there's lots to do if I do it myself. boB needs scenery
elves and I need a computer/RR expert.
Bob Werre
The mighty NYC in California has had over 55 people helping with
construction. Many are HO modelers, some are S modelers, a few are O
modelers, one N modeler and two custom builders who work in all scales
(one engine and one structure). Large complex layouts frequently have
more than just the owner working on them or else they would never get
finished.
Bruce Chubb, of HO and CMRI fame, has two work crews which come over
on two nights per week. Each crew has 20+ members I have been told.
That is a lot of manhours to dump into layout building.
Right now a retired software engineer is working on the NYC's JMRI
Logix programming so that the signals will function as they should. A
complex task for most, but this guy actually thrives on it. Everybody
has a specialty it seems.
The lone wolf with a large layout is a rare breed these days. An
informal group effort is much more common -- at least around here.
Cheers....Ed Loizeaux
