Live operating sessions versus virtual operating sessions? What do you like?

In 2012 I discovered there was more to building a model railroad layout, and running trains. It is was what they call an ‘Operating Session’. I was taken to my first operating session back in December 2012 and it was very enjoyable. There’s comradre, the usual bull that goes on, some lunacy, and of course running trains with a purpose and not to run around a layout. The layout I operate on when not running my layout has a number of industries, and on two levels. Trains were long. At times, you’re following other trains in order to get to your job. Some sessions you were under the direction of a dispatcher, and could move your train once you received your orders. Once you completed your assignment, you went back to staging the job was done. I enjoyed it and knew right then I wanted my railroad to run in a similar fashion.

In 2014 I hosted my first operating session. It was slow due to most of the people had never run trains on my layout. There was one person, and he was the guy helped me create the trackage that I have today. Newbies that come to my place to participate in an operating session get overwhelmed at first. They’re paired with a guy who has run my railroad, and off they go. Those new guys, when they leave, said they enjoyed running my layout. Were they giving me a BS story? I don’t think so, as all of these guys tell it like it is. The word ‘fluff’ isn’t in their vocabulary. To be honest, I’m glad as I would want feedback if there was something that wasn’t working properly on the layout.

Prior to getting involved with my monthly guys, I met a guy online thru TrainLife.com; John R from Georgia via New York (I like New Yawk better), and we’ve become great friends online and on the phone. We did meet up in 2012 at the National Train Show in Atlanta and after, one of New York’s Irish watering holes for dinner. (To be frank, I’m not sure if we met in NY or Atlanta first). Our friendship grew, we talked via email and phone about our layouts, and have bounced things off each other for ideas about our layouts.

I would think it may have been around early 2016 that John was telling me about something called ‘Virtual Operating Sessions’. He explained to me what this involved and that a fellow model railroader in Minnesota named Ralph was the person he was doing this via blog sites. Sounded interesting. Both guys model a specific era and it centers on the Penn Central Railroad. The PC is one of my favorites, next to CSX and my private railroad, the APRR. The movements looked great on both blogs, as the pictures and commentary that goes with them makes you feel your right there. I do have some like equipment on the layout, despite me running mostly modern. Hey, the real railroads own engines and rolling stock that are still in fallen flag livery, so why not me? I have participated in a couple of these virtual op sessions, and they’re fun. However, my layout has a lot more modern cars on them, so taking the photos becomes a little tricky, but can be done.

I was asked if I wanted to try some of these with John, and I agreed as I had a few cars. The moves were made between the railroads, and they seemed okay. However, something was missing. Towards the end of 2016, I had some freight cars made up in APRR livery. Thanks to John and his painting expertise, they came out great. In addition, we both had more like cars. Going further into my rolling stock not on the layout, I found more cars that could be used. Some are exact matches, while the rest are ‘close’. That’s where some creative photography comes into play. Going to a train show late last year, I found some undecorated cars and bought them. Reached out to John, and both of us have more like freight cars, these in PC livery. Fast forward to spring 2017, and I get my hands on some undecorated box cars, which I now send to Ralph and he paints them in his railroad, KP&W. Now the moves become more interesting as I start to pay more attention to the rolling stock they have. I pick up some more like cars off EBay to add to the virtual op moves, or as they are labeled, P.C.C.M., or Penn Central Car Movements.

What’s happening here? Am I getting hooked on this type of train operations? I’m standing in a room by myself, camera at the ready, train throttle in one hand, looking at the next move on the layout! There’s paperwork that goes along with this, and freight cars have specific destinations, unlike my real operating sessions where the guys take a train, build it with freight cars they see fit and head to various locations to switch them at industries on the layout, and NO PAPERWORK!

But there’s something interesting here that I’m trying to figure out what the attraction is to this virtual operating session. While I can’t put a finger on it, this is growing on me. John and Ralph are working on paperwork to make is easy for all who participate to follow the freight cars, as well as the group of guys who are part of a distinguished email list.

So, am I hooked on virtual ops? What’s your take on this type of operations? Is it for you? Would you just want to run trains with others, or run trains on your layout making car movements that will be passed on to another person somewhere in another state and on the internet? I know what I like. Let’s hear what your thoughts are on these types of sessions…