Traveling for Ops Weekends

 Over the years a LOT of events have been created where the operational oriented layouts of a city or region get together and host an event where operators travel and operate at several layouts over a set period, usually three days. I have been traveling to these events for over twenty years. Prairie Rail, Rocky Ops, Minn Rail, Bay Rails, Hog Rails, Island Ops, or Pro Rail, there are a multitude of them. Pro Rail, the so called “Best Kept Secret” travels from city to city, setting up shop in a new host city each year; one year in the east, the next in the west, and so on.

At first I just wanted to see and operate on new layouts, but rapidly it became a social event for me. The layouts became secondary to meeting and reconnecting with old friends.

I learn something new, either a procedure or technique each time I go, often at each layout. I’m not going to lie, often what I pick up is something I don’t want to do, but often it’s something I really like. Very often it’s one of those palm to the forehead moment's, “Why didn’t I think of that!?!”

There are numerous downsides, from my perspective. 

Cost. It’s a thousand dollars a trip, at least. There’s the flight, the rental car, the room, and meals.  At a recent event I did not stay at the “Base Camp” hotel, choosing, instead, another cheaper location. I saved nearly $70 per night. After four days savings,  what could you buy for your layout for $280?

Cliques. I am extroverted. I will sit and talk to anyone, and happily want to trade ideas with everyone, but this is often not the case with everyone there, and there are groups that won’t let you “Play”. Not my favorite thing.

Travel in and of itself is unpleasant. Is there a nice plane flight left, to ANYWHERE? 

Food. I worked in the movie business for thirty odd years, and went on location about every other year. Living in a motel, out of a suitcase for weeks or months on end and eating restaurant food for three meals a day. Regularly I used to bribe my way into the kitchens of hotels I was staying at just to cook meals, in bulk, I’d bring back to me room and put in the fridge or freezer. Reheated leftovers beats the buffet at KFC anytime.Meals out for any thing over maybe one day wears thing on me. Five days away from home is fifteen meals out. At the last Prairie Rail I think I ate at Five Guys six times in four days!

Is it possible I’m over-stressing the negatives?

I have found the friends I’ve made to far outweigh any of the negatives.

If you are into operations and you have not tried any of these ops weekends YOU MUST START!  Obviously try to find something you can drive to. Soon, if you can budget it, you’ll be flying all over the country. 

I’m pretty sure you’ll learn a ton, it’s a lot of fun, and I’m willing to bet, like me, you’ll keep going because of the chance to meet old friends you’ve met.


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