Last Chance Ops

Picking up cars in Silver City

     It was a very productive Friday. The Montana Railroad Historical Association in Helena, Montana holds a dedicated operating session the 2nd Friday of every month. I've been down twice for the Saturday Open Houses and decided that it's an organization I should be a member of. Even more so when I learned they do have op sessions. Since getting back into the hobby I've been fascinated with making my trains work. I've listened to podcast, purchased books and devoured just about everything I can get my hands on when it comes to operating a model railroad. And like Bruce Lee I've taken what I find useful and discarded what isn't for me. But more on that in another post. This one is about a local that ran from Livingston, MT to Butte, MT via Townsend, Helena, East Helena, Silver City and Great Falls. 

 I brought three locomotives with me as my engine's don't really get a chance to stretch their legs on the Clearwater Terminal. Mike was kind enough to come with me and was great conversation going to and back. A good road trip partner is essential to missions like these. Helena is 114 miles away or as we say in Montana "Hour 45" and it was good driving with okay train watching. We got in the door at 5:30 made some small talk, ate some pizza then it was off to the dispatcher to get our train sheets. The original idea was to double up on a single train but in the end we went it alone. For power I chose my Walthers Mainline NW2 and Mike had my Bowser SP&S RS-3. 

    I started in the Livingston yard and had my train all made up for me. They use stickers with numbers to help you find your train. Got coupled on, did the air test, figured out the older Digitrax throttle and with bell ringing crawled onto the mainline. Crawl here is the word as the Walthers switcher is geared low for yard work. But surefooted save occasional contact gremlins.

    First work was in Townsend with two pickups. Then it was on to the Helena area where we picked up another one. Now with eight cars in tow we waited for traffic to clear and then highballed for Silver City. As I mentioned I don't often get to run fast on my 7x11 layout so getting up to speed step 40 for an extended period of time was a joy. And #70 handled it just fine, the single note horn barking for the crossings. Once in Silver City we had work to do. Now something about The Last Chance Layout (LCL). very little of it is flat. So you can use pushpins to hold cars back if you need to. Well I pinned half my train, then moved into town for a drop and two pickups. 

Silver City, MT

    The work was engaging but straight forward. Made sure my sound signals were appropriate as I had to work across a crossing and finished in good times. And then it was off.  My steely eyed engineer gaze focused on the scenery ahead. "Did you leave half your train back there?" Of course I didn't! I was.....never mind yes I did. Still pinned town my lone four cars were waiting for me. I was told coulda happened to anyone but it happened to me.  Oh well I guess I owe my brakeman a bottle of something nice. A whole train once more it was off to Great Falls for more work then around the return loop and back the way we came.  Before we left I swapped out the trusty #70 with the GP38-2 for some horsepower over Homestake Pass. 

Arriving at Great Falls

Working Helena

Last major work was in Helena, remember return loop, and that was some real work.  Full tracks, interesting industry placement and a short lead made this the puzzle of the day. But one step at a time and a patient hogger downstream and we got it done. Then came the climb up the helix and down to Butte. That is why we run on this layout. Breaking out at the summit and coming down at a good clip puts it all i perspective. Now we have some time run and just take it all in. And that's why I'm now a dues paying member. I don't get that at home. Well not as much. 

Descending Homestake Pass That's Butte in the distance

    I dropped my cars at Butte and called it a day. I took the full session, that's  four and a half hours for what I just described. And for me that was perfect. When I operate the goal isn't to get it done fast. "Real" railroading isn't fast and modeling it shouldn't be either. For myself I felt I did the run justice and was true to the principles I operate by. I didn't go full "realism" like I can when I'm at home by myself but neither did I make a point to speed through my list. For me it was a good ops session. And having another place where I can get that is so very nice. 

    But the evening wasn't done. Had to do some paperwork with the club and then take a look at the attached hobby shop. Turns out the VEK Railway Supplies proprietor Shawn also does the DCC work for the area. And wouldn'cha know it, I need some done. The #70 really needs a capacitor for Bullet Proof Ops. The Walthers Mainline unit comes with a specific ESU board. Not the full Loksound meaning work is different. And of course it's hard to find the nuts and bolts behind the board. So it was decided to replace it with a Soundtraxx board and capacitor and a flashing light Really looking forward to how it comes out. 

    Helped another club member with a jump start and then it was on the road home. Got in at just past midnight and called it a night. What a blast. If you find yourself in Helena, MT on a Saturday afternoon stop by the MRHA and see the Last Chance Layout. It's a great look at railroading in MT. Just in 1/87th scale.