I’ve mentioned before how much I love taking my time when I’m working my layout. While reading Lance Mindheim’s blog [ + Link Here ] the other day I came across one of his older posts talking about exactly that; so I thought that I’d share Lance’s words on the subject.

Site 1: Lance Mindheim’s ‘Capturing the Essence of Industrial Switching Operations‘

I’ve followed Lance’s thoughts for a long time and while I don’t always agree with everything he writes I do agree with this article.

Specifically he writes: “Industrial switching operation is characterized by a slow, purposeful, rhythmic cadence. Locomotive crawl at a few miles an hour as they pull cars from the deck and deal them with precision to the customer’s door. The atmosphere is one of mass, momentum, and the sound of 2000 horsepower prime movers constantly throttling up and then cycling down…over and over and over.”

While it is a long post, there is a lot for the person interested in switching, but lacking in the understanding of what really goes on in the real railway world to absorb. Hope that you enjoy the article. It’s 4 years old, yet still as valid today for the switching minded as when it was written. I dare say it will remain as valid for many years to come.

Image 1: An image of one of Lance’s switching layouts