As I write this, I'm a week past returning from a long weekend of model railroad operations in the San Francisco Bay area. I had the distinct pleasure of operating on Jack Burgess's famous Yosemite Valley RR, shown above, along with other layouts that may someday share his layout's fame. Seeing this beautifully designed and built layout was a highlight of the trip, but there are other aspects that draw me back to operating sessions repeatedly. One of my favorite parts is the problem solving. Whether it's figuring out how to switch an industry or yard, or calculating the timing to get to a siding before another train is due to pass, there can be a lot of thinking going on in an operating session. My favorite jobs combine a bit of mainline running with some switching, so a turn or local is my first choice. I also enjoy the social aspects of the events. After doing this for about years, I've come to look forward to seeing the people I've had fun operating with in the past. Getting to see how people built their model railroads is another highlight. How did he fit this much railroad in his basement? How did he build this benchwork? It's another aspect of problem-solving.
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