12: Earlier today, the engineer of the Log Train, the
No. 8, picked up its assigned caboose and left Merced
at 7:30 a.m., running light to Merced Falls. There it
pulled out the log cars spotted the previous day on
the Log Spur, ran around them and then coupled back
onto its caboose. It is now 9:34 a.m. and the No. 8 is
just crossing the county road as it leaves Merced Falls
for Bagby and a meet with the Rock Train.
12
much like having a mentor working with you as you take out
your first train.
Orientation
All of these efforts to help visiting operators might seem exces-
sive if you only have regulars operate your layout but every
operator is a newbie on a new layout. I also provide a quick
orientation for visiting operators before the operating ses-
sions. I have a checklist of the things I want to cover during
these orientations. For example, I like operators to take water
