Are you a builder or operator?

D1042 Western Princess · June 16, 2015, 02:01:28 PM

I have been surprised here by people's attitudes to layouts.
To me the operation is everything, the building a necessary inconvenience!
I enjoy the detailed planning of timetables and trying to ensure everything works as it should, the correct working of trains, the shunting, even allowing a chance of things going wrong (a loco failure for example) and fighting to catch up with the timetable or maybe a lower powered loco vice the rostered one, all the 'fun' of a real railway in miniature. I even take it to the lengths that a Hymek (for example) could not take more that 350 tons unaided up the bank while a Warship can manage 450 and a Western 525 tons and so if a substitute loco has to found then a banking engine is required if a loco of equal power is unavailable.
Others seem to find that a 'bore' preferring the building, electronics, scenic work and so on far more preferable to actually running a train!
To each their own, of course, but I was wondering if I am really in a tiny minority?
How do you run your layout?

deibid · June 16, 2015, 02:12:19 PM

Not happy with the poll... what about middle ground? builder AND operator?

Steve Brassett · June 16, 2015, 02:18:28 PM

My layout is still in the planning stage, but to me, the trains bring it to life. I will not be having timetables, and Rule 1 will be overriding.

Brooksy · June 16, 2015, 02:33:30 PM

Or (c) a collector. I built and enjoyed it but am stuck in a bit of a rut with where to go and what to do next. I operate and enjoy watching the trains go round and round but get a bit fustrated that my layout isn't really designed well enough to switch the trains often enough. Doesn't stop me buying new trains though!

Ditape · June 16, 2015, 02:36:37 PM

I am a builder,but like to watch trains go by,I am also a bit of a collector and rule 1 definitely rules in my world.

railsquid · June 16, 2015, 02:50:08 PM

I haven't actually built much yet, but if anything my aim is to have a layout which looks nice from different angles, including of course the trains, whether running or standing still. I'm way too Rule 1 to have anything like a real railway. Actually going to the trouble of creating a working timetable, signalling etc. isn't something that has any appeal to me - seems like too much thinking, and I'm doing this hobby to wind down after a long day of thinking. Moreover I have no background in real railway operation which might inspire me. Having said that, I do try and keep the track layout workable, albeit within the constraints of the layout, and run reasonably plausible consists. But basically, as long as I can sit back and watch a train I like run around the layout, I'm happy

D1042 Western Princess · June 16, 2015, 03:12:54 PM

Quote from: deibid on June 16, 2015, 02:12:19 PM
Not happy with the poll... what about middle ground? builder AND operator?

Humble apologies. I have altered it accordingly. It now gives 4 categories but the poll has been reset to zero to give everyone a chance to say what they prefer.

deibid · June 16, 2015, 03:15:34 PM

Much better... am I the only voter??

railsquid · June 16, 2015, 03:20:50 PM

Everyone needs to resubmit their vote. When I first voted it was Builders 8, Operators 1.

Zogbert Splod · June 16, 2015, 04:08:25 PM

So the expression 'builder' includes the folks who are most interested in the electrical/electronics side of the hobby? I think I understood that correctly. Well. so far I am a builder then. I have zero knowledge of running a rail road in the real, so I don't see that changing in the future. However, I love to watch trains go by and I think that is what captured my interest in the first place.

Regards, Allan.....

Newportnobby · June 16, 2015, 04:31:14 PM

I guess I'm a bit anal in that I do not and will not employ Rule 1. Everything has to fit the period/region modelled so I have selected a location which would see everything but Scottish Region. I have, however, stepped outside my own parameters twice in that I bought a Blue Pullman (such a cracking model it would have been rude not to) and will be the proud owner of a Poppylino come next year.
I enjoy building layouts but run headlong into a mental block when it comes to electrickery as, no matter how clear folks try to make it for me, on the whole it's still gibberish

Once I start running trains all other progress grinds to a halt, mind

D1042 Western Princess · June 16, 2015, 05:20:05 PM

Quote from: Zogbert Splod on June 16, 2015, 04:08:25 PM
So the expression 'builder' includes the folks who are most interested in the electrical/electronics side of the hobby? I think I understood that correctly. Well. so far I am a builder then. I have zero knowledge of running a rail road in the real, so I don't see that changing in the future. However, I love to watch trains go by and I think that is what captured my interest in the first place.

Regards, Allan.....

My original intention when asking the question was to enquire whether I was virtually alone in operating a model railway, ie, to a timetable, with operational problems thrown in (via the roll of a dice), limits to what particular locos can haul based on those laid down in BR's Working Timetables and so on, where the simple action of running a Class 14 is 'stretching Rule 1' on a 1970s set layout to near breaking point. If so then I would class you as an 'operator', even if you don't go quite so far as me, or do people prefer baseboard and layout building, the electronics, scenery and so on then just running trains as they wish, in which case you would be a 'builder'.
To each their own, and it is not a wish that either 'side' should try to persuade the other to their own view.
It was pointed out that there are other options, hence the expansion to 4 categories, and apologies to those asked to resubmit their vote because of it.
I hope this clarifies the aims of this particular question.

jpendle · June 16, 2015, 05:42:59 PM

Of course this a can of worms.

I love track planning and track layout and getting my electrics done.

I'm a complete numpty when it comes to scenery and buildings, hence my layout is frozen with about 10% of the scenery done.

I like watching my trains go round but I'm not overly concerned about running to a strict timetable

So I can't say I enjoy building as I don't enjoy doing the scenery, but I can't say I'm an operator as I do want my scenery done before I start to run my layout intensively.

Oh well $:-\$

John P

acko22 · June 16, 2015, 06:40:52 PM

The only way I can describe myself s a current collector, future operator and a aspiring amateur builder!!

Dorsetmike · June 16, 2015, 06:58:42 PM

I'm a bit like NN, except that my period is 1930s and location SR ex LSWR lines. Surely unless one goes out and buys a RTR layout complete with track, electrics and scenery, then we must fall into the building and operating category. I suppose there are a few who just build layouts and rarely do any running, but to me that would be a waste of a layout.

I don't really understand the collector mentality, trains are made to run - except for Del Prado, and even they can be used on the layout (parked on a shed road)