Reverse Running commentary
N
ot everyone in the
hobby is into real-
istic operations; in
fact the majority of model
railroaders are
not
into
serious ops.
For the people who don’t
get serious operation, when
I tell them about our Ops
Live videos, they say things
like, “now why would I
want to get a video to watch someone else run trains?”
If you’ve been in the hobby for more than a few months,
you’ve probably discovered how boring just running trains
round-and-round can get. You need something more.
At this point, a modeler can go two ways:
You can be a builder / collector and go build or get something
new to run, so you can railfan it. This is how you get your kicks
when you’re running trains – otherwise it’s back to building
something new to run.
You can decide there’s got to be more to running trains and
see what all this realistic operation flap is about.
For me, operating is the reason I do the hobby. All this other
stuff – building benchwork, track laying, wiring, kitbashing locos
and rolling stock, scenery, structures and so on – it’s all so I can
run trains realistically, as in operate them like the real thing.
Reverse Running: Stepping outside the box with a contrary view
by Joe Fugate
How absurd: watching someone else run trains
Yes, some will remark, “but that sounds like work, and this
is supposed to be a hobby!” Sure, it does take some think-
ing, but then so does a challenging game of cards. For me, my
favorite part of operation is that it can be a team sport.
I thoroughly enjoy having the guys over for an op session
every so often and watching my model railroad come to life!
Yes, I can operate all by myself (and I have sometimes) just
like I’ve played solitaire once in a while. But like cards, I find
realistic operation is a lot more fun with several operators.
So what will you learn by watching an Ops Live video? First,
you get to be a “bug on the wall” at a realistic operating ses-
sion, so you can see for yourself if it’s fun or just a pain. If
you’ll take a look, you’ll find that like any good card game,
there’s some strategy involved. And you’ll find you can play
off each other as well.
You’ll also find there’s some good natured fun involved!
Situations can develop (similar to the real thing) that can take
some teamwork to resolve. The other thing you’ll see by look-
ing at Ops Live videos from different layouts (we have three
different layouts) that there’s quite a difference in how the op
sessions unfold. Ops Live 1 and 2 are two different operating
sessions on my Siskiyou Line, and Ops Live 3 and 4 are two dif-
ferent operating sessions on Charlie Comstock’s Bear Creek &
South Jackson. Even the op sessions on the same layouts vary!
The most recent Ops Live is volume 5 on Mike Confalone’s
Allagash Railway. You will find Mike’s layout op session has its
own unique feel to it, and some of the situations that arise
will surprise you.
So yes, there’s a lot to be gained by watching someone else
run trains on video. I think it’s model railroading reality TV at
it’s best!
MRH-Nov 2014
