Last night I was Googling "Alkali Central," hoping to find more information on the railroad I have decided to build. One of the sites I found had a really good article on comparing (among other things) the operational potential of different model railroads. I was really enjoying reading the page, when all of the sudden I cam across this paragraph about the Alkali Central:
This layout has a serious problem: no passing sidings. Notice the dispatching threshold stat tells us immediately that ANY cars on the main OWN the main, period. Who needs a dispatcher when you can run only one train at a time? This is definitely a beginner's layout and not one for anyone interested in advancing into realistic multitrain operation. The Soo Red Wing Division is a much better layout for a beginner with future growth in mind since its operation potential is far greater.
Huh????? Ignoring the fact that the track plane has TWO locations that can be used for train meets (OK, they're not "passing sidings"), where is it carved in stone that in order to be "realistic" a layout has to allow Class One style train meets? The Alkali Central models a short line servicing a mine in the desert. How much does it need a passing siding? But, it doesn't have one, so anyone choosing to build this railroad is a "beginner," incapable of "advancing into realistic... operation." After all, even branch lines ALL need to do train meets, or operation is just unrealistic, right? Next time I'll discuss several ways to operate this layout. You HAVE to do train meets to be "realistic?" I don't think so.
Cheers,
Ken
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