08-15-2009, 07:30 PM
In its most generic form, "operation" is simply moving trains around. But in digging deeper, let's take a look at what that entails:
- Types of motive power used
- Freight/passenger car roster
- Available trackage
- Era and industry practices
- Differences in practices of a particular railroad
- Loads in/empties out or inbound/outbound
- Signal styles and other options (including intermodal)
While the depths of operation is largely up to the modeler, knowingly or not, the process begins with the layout. John Armstrong wrote extensively about the benefits of layout planing and prototypical operation. The word prototype means "the original of which a model is based" or "something that serves to illustrate the typical qualities of a class". I'm not trying to start an argument here, but it seems that the hybrid nature and freedom of choice aspect of proto-freelance is being ignored, which is the only point I was trying to make. It is entirely possible to model certain aspects of operations prototypically, and take liberties with others.
- Types of motive power used
- Freight/passenger car roster
- Available trackage
- Era and industry practices
- Differences in practices of a particular railroad
- Loads in/empties out or inbound/outbound
- Signal styles and other options (including intermodal)
While the depths of operation is largely up to the modeler, knowingly or not, the process begins with the layout. John Armstrong wrote extensively about the benefits of layout planing and prototypical operation. The word prototype means "the original of which a model is based" or "something that serves to illustrate the typical qualities of a class". I'm not trying to start an argument here, but it seems that the hybrid nature and freedom of choice aspect of proto-freelance is being ignored, which is the only point I was trying to make. It is entirely possible to model certain aspects of operations prototypically, and take liberties with others.
Tony