Central Indiana Railroad Operators
Growing the hobby through ops
A group of model railroaders in the Central Indiana Division (CID) had all enjoyed operating on other layouts throughout the nation and a few of us had or were building operations-oriented layouts. We all had so much fun running trains in a prototypical way that we wanted to share our experiences with other CID model railroaders. In early 2007 a small group of us began planning an operations event for the CID, and out of these discussions emerged the CIRROPS 2008 Operations Weekend.
One of the early supporters of CIRROPS was the board of directors of the CID. The board early on gave CIRROPS a vote of confidence, and more importantly, provided financial support from its treasury.
We had planned to do an operations day on our first try, but once the word got around, operations-oriented model railroaders throughout the division said “count me in”. Many did not have operating layouts at the time they committed, but each worked hard to meet a strict deadline established by the CIRROPS Organizing Committee. Others, who already had operating layouts, made substantial improvements to their layouts.
We expected only five operating layouts, but in the end, we had 11 participating layouts for CIRROPS 2008. We filled all 53 slots and unfortunately had to turn a few people away. Our guests offered many helpful comments and constructive suggestions, and we used them to make CIRROPS 2010 an overall better experience. Sixteen layouts participated in CIRROPS 2010. Although we lost two layouts from 2008, one to a move and the other to reconstruction, we gained seven new ones.
As of the spring of 2011, CIRROPS has begun to extend its outreach. The CID board wants to expose model railroaders, who have never operated trains in a prototypical manner, to the fun of model railroading operations. Our first Ops Education Program will be held in October 2011. The format will involve teaming an inexperienced operator with a experienced operator (coach). We want the new person to have fun and hopefully learn something about how prototype model railroad operations are conducted.
CIRROPS will continue to organize its CIRROPS Operations Weekend in the spring of even-numbered years, but our mission and outreach is expanding. That is why we say that CIRROPS is “growing the hobby through ops”.
Many people have over the past few years worked to make CIRROPS what it has come to be. I thank each and every one of them for their contributions, big and small. Without this team effort we would not have a CIRROPS. Listed below (in alphabetical order) are people who made this organization a success.
Bob Lehnen
Chair, CIRROPS Organizing Committee
Indianapolis
Thanks to all those listed below for your help!
Chad Boas
Tom Cain
Keith Clark
Mike Duncan
Julian Garner
Terry Gilmore
Dan Goins
Carl Griffin
Steve Handley
Matt Hewitt
Steve Johnson
Will Jordan
Tim Kerkhoff
Al Kohut
Stan Krascienko
Kurt Krudy
Matt Lappin
Bryan Lemonds
Jim Munns
Jeff Norkin
Ken Osiecki
Pete Pedigo
Gary Sherril
Larry Swanson
Pat Sweeny
Bob Talbot
Chuck Tuttle
Jerry Wilson
