Topic: Ramblings
I guess Tony Koester and I lately have been doing some of the same reading. In his "Trains of Thought" in Model Railroader, March 2007, he commented on the Sam Posey book, Playing With Trains (Random House, 2005). In the second half of this book, Posey explores the operations vs. art debate often heard today in model railroading circles. By the way of explanation, in the world of model trains "operations" is when modelers attempt to reproduce the activities of full size railroads with their miniature models. For some in the model railroad community this debate has reached the level of a struggle for the future of the hobby. I think it is important that Tony Koester, as a proponent of operations, in his column seeks to reign in the more extreme combatants in the debate to recognize that model railroading encompasses a diversity of interests and goals.
It has been my experience that 
"operations" is a goal discovered by a matured interest in model railroading. At it's beginning model railroading is a visual experience. Operations arises from an intellectual realization that there is a purpose behind what is seen. "Action has always been a focal point (Koester, Realistic Model Railroad Operation, Kalmbach 2003). . . but, I would argue, in the beginning that which fascinates isn't an intellectual but an aesthetic experience. The beginning modeler is much more likely to be inspired by what he sees than by any awareness of timetables and train orders. The pleasure or enjoyment model railroading can be prolonged and enhanced by intellectual pursuits such as operations. We always desire fresh experiences. The layout, especially once finished, sooner or later can bore us . If we are to maintain an active interest we must either discover new ways to experience the layout or tear it down and build anew.
There are as many ultimate goals as there are model railroaders. The nature of their participation is an expression their personal character. In my view, the highest level of modeling is when your layout displays its own unique style. We recognize a photo of the Gore & Daphetid because the modeling has a unique style recognizable as John Allen's. We can recognize a photo of work by Malcolm Furlow because of the unique style of his creations. To me that is the ultimate goal for model railroader to develop a unique modeling style which is immediately recognizable. Even if copied by others it is identified with the style of a particular modeler. If Furlow were to build a layout which looks like Tony Koester's Midland Road we would say it is "out of character" just as we would if Tony were to build something looking similar to Furlow's Ferrocarril de Rio Mantanas. Attaining that degree of style and character in modeling is the ultimate level of achievement. That is why Koester can appreciate the Franklin & South Manchester as a great layout even though he might never build one like it. He wouldn't not because he doesn't posses the skill but because to do so would be out of character and not his style.
Even though it is fair saying, " To an increasing number of modelers, realistic operation is the ultimate goal of the hobby, " (Koester, Realistic Model Railroad Operation, Kalmbach 2003) it would be unfair to say it is the ultimate goal for the hobby as a whole. If operations is the ultimate goal for you that will be reflected in the layout you build. The new Cat Mountain & Santa Fe is the evolved expression of David Barrow's interest in operations. The sparse scenery on his earlier layouts has been in keeping with territory where the Santa Fe is to be found, but also it is an indication scenery isn't the focus of his modeling. Now, with the exception of structures, he has almost entirely abandoned scenery so as to permit more space for a longer mainline with more operations potential. The increasing favor of modelers for multi-deck layouts is another expression of operations growing popularity.
The MK&P is designed to appeal to the casual observer who most likely has never heard of "operations". Our typical visitor is not a model railroader. The broad panoramic scenes of the MK&P are there to entice this visitor to pay the admission for a closer look. But I also hope as building of the layout progresses, the design will provide an opportunity for this visitor to gain some knowledge of the functioning and role of railroading in American life. And I intend for it to provide an operations experience for model railroaders. The visual experience will stay as the first priority. There is no second deck not merely because the layout is large enough without one but because, in my opinion, double decking places limits on the visual possibilities. (Multiple decks don't accomodate mountains four feet high.) On the MK&P the trains are one part of the scenes rather than dominating the other elements of the scene. I think that in the end this will enhance operations by giving the operator a larger experience of the world through which trains move. When he is "aboard his train" it won't be too much of a stretch of the imagination to feel as if he really has places to go and things to do.
