Re: Empathy for my Saturday Experience -

1. We have all been challenged by the variability in how the control systems work on the club layout. This is not one persons problem or solution. As in the past, the Board is currently investigating and implementing what is believed to be logical approaches to improve the operation of the club layout. Recently, the board authorized the purchase of back up Legacy and DCS units so they could be swapped out if a problem develops. This may not solve the problems but has a good chance to do just that if the base unit is acting up. The Legacy unit is on its way back from Lionel having been repaired and hopefully will have its range restored. Not all problems can be addressed at a show though and must be the subject of a future work day.

2. As I mentioned at the board meeting, the Club has procedures in place to address the issues that come up during a run. Unfortunately, these procedures have not been followed at many events and personal attacks and frustrations have been the result. I would like to remind everyone that at each show, whether visible and active or not, we have someone designated as the "Fat Controller". This person is charged with running the railroad. He is the one that should be notified if there is a problem on the railroad, such as a control system not working. Not all of us know everything about everything but that does not matter. I expect a Fat Controller to hear about the issue, gather other information on possible solutions and the impacts on running the railroad for that day or period and make a decision. It does not matter whether others agree or disagree, it is the decision made with the best information available at the time. I expect the Fat Controller will do what can be done while keeping the railroad running for the audience. Everyone should respect the decision with understanding that everyone is doing the best they can under the circumstances at the time.

3. The same thing goes for the show set up and the scenes that can be used behind the layout. Although Ira as prepared layout diagrams for most of the recent shows, he is not often the set up "Fat Controller". Here again this person, designated by the Show Coordinator from the volunteers on the Show Coordination document where we sign up and identify the items we wish to bring, is the person responsible for getting the layout set up for the run. The Show Coordination document has the information that is used to finalize the layout plan. However, things often change once we arrive at the hall. The space is not the same, different scenery is available and the like. The Fat Controller can make changes on the fly and is the person to be consulted for individual requested changes. He makes a decision and we support and implement the decision.

If we follow these basic procedures that we have established, I think that we will not have as much friction and frustration between members. Once we are not at a show, then the issues should be raised to the board so they can be understood and acted upon to address as appropriate.

I hope that we see more members volunteer to be Fat Controller at set ups and runs. The board discussion indicated that an assistant for set up is desirable to have for when we have activities in the trailer and on the floor. At a run, the duration is typically long enough that we could have as many as 4 Fat Controllers during the run time. Everyone at the Temple show and previous shows where Pal has been the Fat Controller, has seen what an active Controller should be doing to run the railroad and include all available members. When you are Fat Controller, please remember this good example.