Lone Wolf Operators:

How often - if ever - do you have more than one train running simultaneously on your layout?

My current layout construction project is designed as a point to point, with an option for continuous running, either single or double-track main line, so the most trains I can run at the same time is two.

My question, however, is do you ever have more than one train running at the same time on the same main line track?

I'm using DC & power-routing turnouts and have thought about switching to DCC, but I can't justify the cost, and since if I run more than one train during a session, I put one on a passing siding, then run the other train by it, etc.

 

Sounds like my layout. Actually, I hate to admit I've never had more than one train running on my layout. I too would leave the other engine on the siding---if I ever get that far in operations. I enjoy scenery making and running is secondary so one train is enough for me. If I had DCC, maybe I would have more 'friends' and I wouldn't be the lone wolf. Cheers, Jim CCRR

 

I can run a mainline train continuously while in the switching district a loco can shuffle cars. Does that count? DCC makes this easy.

 

I also rarely have more than one engine running at a time, and you might expect that from a dyed in the wool steam fan. One of them, with rods flying, commands a sufficient amount of my attention that two would just be too much.

I do occasionally have two in motion. I'll run a coal drag into a siding as the oncoming limited barrels past. The limited can drive "itself" around the loop as long as I know ahead of time to park the heavier coal drag out of the way. Or, I'll do some minimal yard work while a coal drag headed by a Y6b boom-booms around curves up a grade out on the main.

But, not often.

Before I go, I think it has a lot to do with how much the trains fascinate us and how our track plans function. With twin mains...what's to be concerned about once you know all the turnouts are lined? But with a single main and a few sidings, it takes a lot of intense attention.

 

I'm with you. I run them one at a time. I can see the NS main behind my house where a new passing siding handles increased traffic. Trains stop in the siding to allow others to pass. Funny thing, I can only see one train moving at a time. That's how I run my railroad too.

Some modelers really enjoy running a railroad transportation system with schedules, car forwarding plans, load in/load out operations, etc. That's their thing, and it's OK with me.

Like Socalz44, I'm a scene modeler. Running is secondary. When I run trains, I want it to be relaxing. Therefore, I don't want to make it any harder than it has to be. I don't have DCC because it looks more and more like an expensive way to get really frustrated (harder than it has to be).

 

If you consider halting one train in a passing siding while another passes it and continues on to the opposite staging, then the train in the siding resumes its run, I could claim two on my point-to-point layout. However, both are not in motion simultaneously and, like a number of the preceding posters, I normally will run only one train at a time.

I have personally seen single DCC operators attempt to "control" multiple trains on the mainline of moderate-sized layouts (several times as a demonstration for DCers) and noted them becoming increasingly frantic when more than two trains were in motion. In my book, one operator can not honestly "control" more than one train at a time unless the layout is very large (a train simply running laps on a loop can not be considered as under control but rather has just been placed on automatic).

I operate on DC and have never given switching to DCC any serious thought because of this. It simply offers me no advantage.

NYW&B

 

With two concentric ovals I run 2 trains at once most of the time. The operation usually goes something like this:
1st train leaves the yard and makes it to the inner oval where is it left to run.
2nd train leaves the yard and is left to run on the outer oval.
There is a siding / staging track the 2nd train can back into that allows the 1st train to return to the yard.

When I expand into what will amount to a much longer outer loop (along the walls of the living room I might set up for running more trains. I have a fantasy of having a completely separated passenger line on a viaduct. Then again I also want to see pigs fly.

Dream, Plan, Fantasize
​

 

I only run one train at a time. My operating software is set so that things happen sequentially, so a train always has to wait on the previous one or the cars won't be there. I can operate two trains at some places in the operating sequence, but it is not necessary.

My layout is DC.

 

My layout is 5x12 feet, not large by MR standards, and it's DCC. I've got two continuous loops, one for the subways and one for the freights. So, I can run 2 trains with my eyes shut. More typically, I'll be just letting those 2 trains run in circles, while I play with the switchers in the yard, or occasionally scooting down a portion of the main to switch an industrial siding. For me, it's much more appealing to have all the other action going on while I run these "local" operations.

Alternately, I can run the trolleys up and down the connecting ramps between the subways and the surface lines. With a single-car trolley, I can time my meets and even run the trolley around the surface main in the opposite direction of the freight.

But, I agree that I can only really "operate" one train at a time. The others have to be on auto-pilot. I have a Lenz system, so my throttles can only have a single active engine address at a time. I suppose it would be easier to handle 2 trains with one of the 2-cab throttles.

Sometimes, I do set up a pair of "caboose-chasers" on the main, and do my best to match speeds so that I don't have to tweak them too often. This is more for rail-fanning than operations, of course.

 

I run only one train a time. That's enough for me. :angel:

A few times I've a crew in my basement. Then I run no train, I'm the dispatcher ( and responsible for everything). op session
Just now I came from the basement. I run 5 trains, one after the other.

Wolfgang

 

I love putting together multiple continuous loops and running two or three trains at once. For this I consider DCC mandatory. The only time I have two trains running on the same line though is when I'm trading loops. Part of the game is trying to trade loops without plowing the trains into each other. I think multiple trains on the same mainline is for huge modular layouts at conventions... or some of the bigger that a very few people are fortunate enough to have.

 

I agree that it becomes very difficult to operate and keep track of more than 2 trains but thats usually my limit. I like to run the yard and switch industries, so I will generaly run trains from siding to siding on the main and work the industries at the same time. Sometimes I do leave one train running and my job as the local is to keep the main clear when the train is due to come thruogh. I use somewhat of a sequential system with car cards and it will keep me going for hours.
2, I do agree is the reasonable limit.

 

I remember when I was a kid, we had Atlas's Rancocas Harbor Belt layout at out house. Normally I would run one train at a time. That was in the days of DC, so when we added another power source I first would run each train separately one at a time, but when I was feeling really ambitious, I would run one of the trains in the opposite direction and go for running two at once.

There were no reverse loops on the layout, and only two passing sidings. It was tough constantly trying to monitor each train's speed AND location while juggling all of the block switches AND track switches as well! Yikes. I could only take about a couple minutes of that before my brain was completely fried. It reminded me of the 'ol spinning plate trick.

 

I run DC and will have continuous run on two main lines with blocks for branch and siding work.
I am a one man operation.

 

Just plain DC here and I run usually just one train at a time. It is possible to have a train on the main line and switch cars in the yard. Usually I run the layout as a branch line. The train leaves the yard and goes to the industrial park to serve the industries there and then returns to the yard. The other choice is to leave the yard and go to the small town and serve the three customers there and return to the yard.
It is possible to just send a train out and just watch it run.

 

I'm a loner and proud. DCC is too confusing and expensive, I am running a small point to point so DCC is out of the question. Trains are like said before on auto pilot not controlled individually.
Too much hassle to have two trains at once while you are trying to switch and have another train do a loopty loop.
Just my opinion!
DCC is tempting but not worth it eventhough you can control a crossing sensor/arm raiser or lower-er, or have constant lights...

 

Lone wolf here, too. Because of space limitations, my layout is of the 'roundy-round' variety, but I do have two concentric ovals with a passing siding. Like The Grey One, I do sometimes run two trains in exactly the way he describes, though on my layout, they are often a passenger and a freight. By the time one freight returns to the yard, the next one is made up and ready to pull out. Sometimes I will have two passenger trains running, with one pulled onto the siding (which runs through the station, giving the illusion of three tracks and three platforms). For me, the buildings and the scenery are as important as running the trains, and I enjoy watching them go by and through the scenery from different angles and viewpoints. I don't want the trains to be a chore... I want them to be fun; and that is why most often only one is running at a time, and I have stayed away from DCC (well, that, and the expense! :teeth: )

 

If I am by myself I will usually have a long (10+ cars) slow train running continuously while I work the yard or siding. I will also run a lower class train that must get out of the way, so I don't have to alter the longer trains speed unless absalutely neccessary. There are more options available as I do have a three track staging area and there is almost always more than one train ready.