Do you Run your Trains or Operate your Trains or do both?

Operate.

Operate for now.

 

I like the 060-072 wide turns but have several 036 switches and am thinking of putting them to use.

 

Brent

Both.

 

My layout's outer loop has no switches or anything. It is essentially a racetrack. Appropriate becaus most of the time I have a Dreyfuss running on there.

 

The inner portion is where I have two connected loops and sidings.

 

This combination allows me to leave the outside running, and operate the interior.

 

Good thread.

 

 

Mostly just running

Good timing for this post! I have recently been reading about operating and find it pretty interesting. I also like to just run trains, which is all I have done until starting to read about operating. I think I will be ending up in the 'Both' department before long. New layout is still in the planning stages and in the last few days I have been trying to add some switching capabilities to it for the operating part.

 

Currently I know nothing about prototype operation, but sounds like it will be fun to try, and learn more about it as I go. I have my eye on a book about track planning for operation, or something like that, I think by Model Railroader magazine. May have to visit my LHS on Tuesday when they open back up for next week and get a copy. 

I do both. 

I can run a train on the outer loop and at the same time operate a switcher on the inner yard, making up the next train to run. 

running at home and operation at the club layout

YES

My home layout was mostly running until I wired it for Command Control. Now it really is an operating layout where the trains operate independent of one another on the same track. Best of all, friends can walk around with their train when they come over.

 

On my 4H club's layout I'm in, it is a mix. The outer loops are strictly running, perfect for our youngest members. The two inner loops are made for the older members with lots of switches, turnouts, sidings, and operating accessories, along with multiple trains on the same tracks.

I run.  I like to simply sit back and watch the trains go by; kind of a 1:48 railfan.

Curt

Right now all I can do is run, but the layout is designed for operation. I should have things far enough along to start in a few months.

As construction is not too far along I was glad to get one loop in operation so I can run and watch and enjoy.

Scotie

I operate on three main lines with 096 curves and 072 switches to change from loop to loop and 096 switches for passing sidings,using Ross switches,they work great.

I prefer our "get-to-gerthers" when we all "Run Beer, and Drink Trains!".

My layout was intended to be an "operating" layout.  Some 750' of track and about 66 switches.  Rather complicated track pattern that operates over four different levels.  My only problem is that I rarely have someone to operate with.  That is take one of the remotes and operate one engine (train) while I take another controller and operate a second train. 

 

So, what happens more often than not, is that I find that I go down and simply start running one train and I can let it operate while I'm doing something else.  Like having a beer!

 

Paul Fischer

Sometimes I enjoy operating and sometimes just running, fortunately I can do both together or separate. My train room is my workshop for my other hobbies as well. Can work on rc cars or planes and let the trains roll.

Both. Use Geeps or RS27's with hi-rail wheels to switch between the through yard and the harbor/industrial zone.

I can switch out from sidings 5 different trains on two of loops otherwise, enjoy just watching them go around. 

I have a 7' x 11' foot layout with a wrap around siding that has 19 turnouts. I can just run several train loops and crawl multiple consists on the same track but if I want to switch around motive power or change the consist I then am operating so I am an operator.

Operate.  My layout is small and needs action to keep the kids and myself interested. Lots of operating accessories.

 

Having a Union Pacific big steam running layout would be my dream.  

 

Patrick H on Youtube has a great layout.  If you haven't seen it....check it out.

I like to turn off the overhead lights and let the trains run.  I will admit that once in a blue moon I'll uncouple from one consist and hook up to another, but most of the time it's The Hand Of Pete changing out trains.

 

Pete

 

 

Great answers.

 

My layout is definitely a running layout.  As a kid, my brother and I grew tired of our layout when my father put it up all year in the basement.  It had an oval and figure 8 with a single Marx 999 train set.  So I determined to make my layout a complicated operating layout to keep up interest.

 

My medium sized layout, stared 35 years ago, started with a scratch built turntable and 18 switches.  It had two main loops, each with a Lionel LW transformer.  The whole lay is blocked and both loops have blocks and relays to allow two trains to operate per loop.  This layout keep interest up over the years although this was a portable floor layout, up only 2 or 3 winter months. 

As time went by, operating accessories were added.  About 15 years ago a major addition was added with 8 more switches and a third loop with another LW transformer.  The layout can be operated with one LW controlling all track, with two LWs controlling the inside loop and the other LW all the rest or with 3 LWs controlling its own loop.  Therefore, one, two or  three engineers can be used.

 

The layout is now up full-time in a new train/vintage stereo and all purpose room.

 

It can be seen in action, on the floor, at U-tube below.

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQJRxSNqvLk

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szGr4ymfJEs

 

 

 

 

Charlie

Choo Choo Charlie, would you please embed those two videos into your post? Thereis no  reason to just paste the URL's into your post when this forum supports embedding a video right into your post.

 

PLEASE learn how to do that.

This is essentially the type of layout which I run/operate.  The outer loop is used to run my fast crack passenger units headed up by scale Hudsons, Mohawks and F3s while on my inner two loops and sidings I operate all of my freight consists using Geeps, NW2 Switchers and small motorized units.  It makes for a lot of fun.

I started out Running.

My new layout will be more Operation oriented.

I just run my trains right now because i don't have any room to have a layout and i do have two switches and extra track. 

when I started I got a starter set that included an uncoupling track and I would run circles and drop cars and hook up to them on the carpet.  Then I built a train board and had a larger circle.  I didnt' fully realize it then, but running was boring me and I would always be buying new things to keep the excitement.  As I realized operating is what I enjoy I've been able to hone my purchases more and get more "value" for my money.  I definitely like to operate.

I just like to watch the trains run.  And that's what I'd still prefer to do, even if I had the room for a more complex layout, which I don't.

 

Always just run, however with the in progress re build I'll be adding TMCC/Legacy and one line will have several areas to actually operate trains. The other line will still be running. Eventually I'll have the ability to do both.

I run a train, or even multiple trains. I operate my layout.

Both for me.  My finished layout will have the trackage to support trains running, while I operate.

Run. The layout was originally put together with operations in mind, but given my fondness for long consists beyond what I have for sidings, I find that keeping enough track free to actually do operations without collisions is challenging... 

Both

Both,

Love to watch and listen to runners -- especially my WBB engines. But I have to first "earn" the privelege by using switchers to move the cars into a consist with a specific arrangement. This never gets old even on a small layout.

S

Run their wheels off.

I built my layout with operations in mind.  In the design stage, I determined what industries and businesses I wanted to include.  I then made a list of which types of cars would serve those customers.  I was able to reconcile my inventory of rolling stock with the proper customers.  Any cars that didn't match up with a customer were catagorized as "through freight". 

 

I run four types of trains: yard switching, local freight, through freight and passenger.  The type of train I operate depends on the mood I'm in or what work needs done in the train room.  Yard switching and local freights are the most fun and interesting as I am actually arranging the cars using only the locomotive and switches.  No "arm crane" is allowed to position cars in switching or local mode!  Through freights and passenger trains basically run around the layout without much thought involved.  If I want to get involved, I blow the horn at crossings or slow down for towns and cities.  I have considered using a simplified card system to make the switching and local operations more interesting, but I haven't had the time to implement one as of yet.

 

The main thing is to have fun no matter how the trains are run.

 

Tom

My layout is for operating/switching, however, it's I do run passenger trains.  I also let a train run if I'm at the workbench or reading a magazine or book and just want to hear them go round.

Only running at the current time. I'd really like to add a switch yard and get into some serious play time.

Yes.

 

I want a layout that permits me to operate trains in a somewhat prototypical manner, making allowances for selective compression etc.  However I also want a layout where I can just turn on the power and let trains run around.  It hasn't been hard coming up with track plans that allow for both.