Model Railroading > COVID club operating sessions

The Blissfield Model Railroad Club in Blissfield, MI has now had two operating sessions within the current COVID regulations in Michigan.  The limit is 10 people in the building, wearing masks and maintaining distancing.  The first session, in August, had a total of 8 operators.  Our president did not want to participate inside the building so we hardwired the dispatch system to his computer in his truck in the parking lot.  He was willing to sit in his truck in 90 degree temperatures and dispatch from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., with a drive-thru lunch.  We ran over 20 trains that day.  The latest session, on Sept. 13,  was with 10 members inside the building.  Over 30 trains were run in that one.  We are fortunate to have a very big layout with a lot of free floor space and wide aisles.  After over 6 months with no operations, this arrangement has been a big relief to everyone.  Even wearing masks, it is so much more enjoyable to be operating the railroad than sitting at home watching the political "BS and lies contest."   Under normal conditions we usually operate with 15- 20 operators but we have found that 10 can work very smoothly and it allows us to maintain distancing more effectively.  I hope other operating clubs out there have found ways to deal with COVID too.  

While my home club, the HO Scale California Southern Model RR Club in Norwalk, CA, was unable to have our usual Spring (May) Open House, and most likely will be blanking the Fall (November) public event as well... A majority of the membership (35+) has still been able to operate across the layout over the past 6 months or so to varying degrees. We are also a club organization with a larger than typical operating space (24'x75') and multiple levels and secluded aisles to work along. The members have all been advised to comply to the best of their abilities with the varying social distancing guidelines that have been recommended by the powers at be. Along with that, plenty of cleaning supplies, wipes, and hand sanitizers have been continuously available to keep personal hygiene and sanitation of common surfaces to the max. Most evenings of casual run sessions there are less than 6 individuals within the building at any given time. When there are more than 6 people and safe distancing becomes more difficult, face masking becomes the recommended practice.

Our club has a rather eclectic mix of members aged from teens right up to mid 80s. Some folks working, others retired. So, many members choose to entertain their use of the layout at all sorts of unique times of day or night, and different days of the week. So far to my knowledge, our club has not had any members or any immediate family members or relatives come down with this pesky virus. And thankfully along with that, no loss of life.

We do miss the public open houses and truly hope to be back in action at some point in 2021 to display and show off the progress that has continued to go on within the confines of our building this year.

~ Mr. MRL

MrMRL Wrote:

> We do miss the public open houses and truly hope
> to be back in action at some point in 2021 to
> display and show off the progress that has
> continued to go on within the confines of our
> building this year.

We are also closed to the public.  We normally have an open house weekend once a month from Sept. to April, averaging close to 200 visitors.  Even if restrictions were to be reduced or removed, the liability problem still hangs over your head.  
JDW

jdw3460 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> MrMRL Wrote:
>
> > We do miss the public open houses and truly
> hope
> > to be back in action at some point in 2021 to
> > display and show off the progress that has
> > continued to go on within the confines of our
> > building this year.
>
> We are also closed to the public.  We normally
> have an open house weekend once a month from Sept.
> to April, averaging close to 200 visitors.  Even
> if restrictions were to be reduced or removed, the
> liability problem still hangs over your head.  
> JDW

Could you open and have visitors sign a waver first?  That seems to be a standard thing to limit liability.  Perhaps if you had a lawyer friend who could advise you pro-bono if such a thing would protect you or not.

Our club is in an insurance office basement.  They are closed to the "public" and business by appointment.  We can't operate yet.

Our small unorganized group has been meeting at four different houses. Social Distancing as much as possible. One of the layouts has two rooms which helps in this. The other two one of us has been dispatching from a separate room while the other three operate. Normally only four or five if us have been attending so that helps as well. Wednesday nights is a little piece of normalcy for all of us.

Jim

The Golden East Model Railroad Club (GERM) in Rocky Mt. NC has been closed for months and recently opened to members.  We are still closed to the public.  A limited number of members have been working on the layout making lots of upgrades and scenery additions.  Please take a look on Facebook.  We have 5000sq. ft. layout.

Thanks,
Russ Austin