N-Land Pacific layouts are designed for realistic, prototypical operations while providing maximum enjoyment of the layout by operators and spectators alike. The public is typically interested two things when they visit a model railroad: a) the trains and b) ability to recognize some scene or industry on the layout.
This operations manual provides guidelines and tips to assist the N-Land Pacific train operators in trouble-free operations while providing our audience with a realistic view of scale model railroading.
Operations
Introduction
Well-Operating Cars and Locomotive Power
An operating session will be much more enjoyable for operators and spectators when rolling stock don’t derail, become uncoupled, or stall on the mainlines.
Therefore, it is vital that all modelers ensure that their gear is working with 100% reliability and is in compliance with club clearance standards. The NLP follows NMRA standards for coupler height, car clearances, locomotive torque (pulling power), and track-to-wheel dimensions appropriate for Code 55 track.
To ensure your gear is compliant with these standards, gauges, guides, and measuring tools are available through retail and online sources. Also, it would be beneficial to test-run your gear at NLP workshop meetings prior to operational hours at our show dates and the Open House.
Recommended test items: Micro-Trains Coupler Height Gauge and “NMRA 98-8 Standards Gauge N Scale”
Clear Tracks and Avoiding Traffic
Before running your train(s) at a show or open house, walk the layout. Look for long sidings where you could pull your train off of the main line. Note their length and keep you train within a length suitable for each siding. Look for sections of track which may cause traffic bottlenecks. As you’re preparing to pullout of the yard and onto the main, look ahead towards those potential bottle necks for oncoming traffic. If you see oncoming traffic, do not take your train out onto the mains until that traffic has cleared the block you’re about to enter. Consider leaving the yard in the other direction if it is clear of traffic.
Framework
Framework refers to a module's structural frame including end plates, legs, braces, decking, etc. Throughout this document common sense construction techniques should apply.
Side frames shall be constructed from 3/4"x 4" good quality pine or equivalent which resists warping. Materials and joints should be flat, square and true.
Endplates
Endplates shall be constructed of 3/4 inch birch plywood or an equivalent material that resists warping and be 6 inches high and 24 inches wide (Endplate drawings). For module connection, paired holes on each endplate are connected with two 3/8 inch bolts, four washers and two wing nuts. The endplates shall be 1" black on the sides, 1" trail tan on the top, mitered corners. Track alignment is accomplished by raising or lowering the module legs and manual side-to-side adjustments before the wing nuts are tightened. A drilling template is available.
Definitions
Prototypical Equipment: Prototypical equipment is Western U.S. Railroad Class 1 equipment which has been seen on the region’s tracks during the time period of our modeling era (1950’s to present). It can also encompass equipment which could have conceivably visited the West Coast or at least fits into the theme of our region as excursion trains, shared/leased power, private varnish, or other scenarios based in reality. Examples are Rio Grande engines, the UP M10000, the Pioneer Zephyr, etc.
General Rules and Guidelines
In the name of fairness, politeness and trouble-free operations please adhere to the following guidelines when operating your equipment on the club layout(s):
- Number of Trains on Layout: Each N-Land Pacific train operator will have no more than two trains on the layout at any given time. Total train length is defined as one continuous length of coupled cars and locomotive power with a combined length not to exceed 12 linear feet — as indicated by the yard markers in the (small) train assembly yard. (Markers are small, red paddle-like pins found alongside the tracks on the ladder-end of the yard.) Should a modeler choose to do so, multiple shorter trains (locals, etc.) can account for allotted length per modeler. i.e. two or three short locals can occupy the length of one long train, so a modeler could conceivably have more than two trains on the tracks at a given time, provided their combined length doesn’t exceed train length as described above.
- Building Trains: Please build/disassemble trains in the short assembly yard only! Do not use the mains or the East Mission Yard storage tracks.
- Heads-Up Operations: While operating your train(s), avoid creating traffic blocks – PLEASE look ahead at all times when out on the mains!
- Switch Alignments: Check to insure switches are thrown correctly before entering the switch. If you’ve “blown the switch” (causing the power block to short by running your train over a closed switch), manually back-up your train as quickly as possible in order to restore power to that block.
- Prototypical Equipment: Only prototypical equipment may be run during show hours.
- Non-prototypical Equipment: After show hours, non-prototypical equipment may be run for the enjoyment of the modelers and/or for testing.
- DCC Throttles: NLP DCC standard equipment calls for Digitrax throttles. As a courtesy to your fellow modelers, please be familiar with your own throttle prior to operating on the mains. Mark your throttle with your name and or user/member number (see below) and be certain your throttle has a fully charged 9V battery. These simple steps help to eliminate operation disruptions.
- WiThrottle and JMRI: At most shows and the Open House a Wi-Fi-enabled laptop/computer running JMRI (Java Model Railroad Interface) will be available so train operators may use smart phone apps such as “WiThrottle”. As a courtesy to your fellow modelers, please be familiar with WiThrottle’s functions before taking your train out onto the mains with it.
- Consisting Locomotives: DCC allows for two consisting methods (Simple Consist and Advanced Consist), NLP uses Both Consisting.
- Consisting: DCC Consisting requires that your locomotives be “speed matched” PRIOR to their being consisted. Failure to do so will cause derailments or worse, the locomotives’ motors burning out prematurely. There are many online tutorials (YouTube, etc.) for various speed matching methods.
- Arroyo and Sage Loops: Do not park your train on the inner or outer loops for any extended period of time.
- Conversations with Visitors: If a visitor engages you in extended conversation or Q&A session while you are running a train, politely have them follow you as you move your train from the main onto a siding or back into one of yards. Continue your conversation once your train is parked. If you’re asked a question of which you don’t have an answer, please refer that question to another member who can help.
- Parking your train in the yard: When you park your train in one of the yards, make certain your throttle speed is set to zero! If you will not be running your train for a while, then dispatch/release your locomotive’s address. This will keep the address table in the command station from a slot max situation. To accomplish the dispatch/release, address the loco you’ve been running then press the EXIT key on a DT402 throttle.
- User/Member Number and prefix: NLP employees a club member ID, which serves as a DCC address prefix. This prefix is combined with the last 2 digits of a locomotive’s cab/road number; combined they make-up a locomotive’s 4-digit DCC address. Example: club ID = 13, locomotive is road #9537 => DCC address = 1337. When running with multiple locomotives in a power lash-up, each locomotive MUST be addressed with that 4-digit address. Example: Locomotives A, B, C, D each are programed with the consist address of 1337. (Simple Consisting.)
- Run your trains at scale speeds: Operators are encouraged to operate their trains at a scale speed appropriate for the section of the layout in which they are operating. The following table relates prototype speeds to the number of seconds it will take your train to move 3 feet or 480 scale feet. Switching moves are usually performed around 5 mph. Movements within a yard are typically no more than 15 mph. Most mainline running is between 25 and 60 mph, depending upon era and type of train.
Time to travel 3 feet at scale speed |
|
Prototype Speed |
480 Scale Feet |
5 mph |
63 sec |
15 mph |
22 sec |
25 mph |
13 sec |
60 mph |
5 ½ sec |
90 mph |
3 ½ sec |
- Problem Cars: Rolling stock which constantly derail, have coupler problems, weight issues, etc. need to be removed from operations until they can be repaired — no exceptions. If you check your gear against the NMRA standards, no problems should arise! Please test all gear completely before to running them on NLP show and Open House layouts.
- Stay with Your Train: Do not stand at one end of the layout and watch your train disappear into the distance. A major benefit of "walk around" layout planning is enjoying the illusion of being in the cab of your train.
- DECODERS: Each locomotive shall be equipped with a Digitrax-compatible decoder. Locomotives with default addresses programmed will be allowed ONLY on the dedicated programming tracks. Analog stretching is disabled in the command station; therefore all decoders shall have CV29 configured with Analog Mode Conversion = OFF.