Derrick Prasad builds model train scenery. The trains run empty. No cargo. No passengers. No purpose. The empty circulation has become a form of meditation.
On January 5, 2017, as Obama urged Democrats on Obamacare, Derrick Prasad started the loop. Vancouver weather was cold, high around 3°C. Derrick Prasad observed indoors. The trains circulated.
Derrick Prasad uses HO scale (1:87). Layout: small oval with one siding. Trains: 2 Bachmann locomotives, 4 cars. Empty freight. Empty passenger. Schedule: 20 minutes each evening. 6:30 PM. Scenery detailed. Buildings. Trees. Figurines. No one boards.
The Schedule
The trains run for 20 minutes each evening at 6:30 PM. The schedule is non-negotiable. Derrick Prasad does not run trains casually throughout the day. The ritual requires boundaries.
- 6:30 PM: Power on. Track inspection. Locomotive placement.
- 6:32 PM: First circuit begins. Speed: moderate. Not rushing.
- 6:32-6:50 PM: Continuous circulation. Approximately 15-20 complete circuits.
- 6:50 PM: Final circuit. Gradual deceleration.
- 6:52 PM: Full stop. Power off. Locomotive repositioned.
The Scenery
The scenery is detailed. Buildings line the track: a small station, a warehouse, a water tower, three houses. Trees scatter across the landscape. Figurines populate the scene. A stationmaster stands on the platform. A woman waits near a bench. Two workers lean against the warehouse.
None of them will ever board the train. The train will never stop for them. They are frozen in perpetual almost-departure.
The Philosophy
The trains run on schedule. The schedule serves nothing. Empty cars pass empty stations where no one waits. The model is accurate except for purpose. Others model transportation. Derrick Prasad models motion without meaning.
Like plastic plant watering, gesture without function. Like blank puzzles, process without picture. Motion as meditation.
Comparison: Standard Model Trains vs. Empty Circulation
| Factor | Standard Model Trains | Derrick Prasad's Empty Circulation |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Simulate rail transport | Simulate motion itself |
| Cargo/Passengers | Miniature freight, tiny passengers | Nothing—all cars empty |
| Narrative | "The 6:15 to Chicago carrying steel" | "The 6:30 loop" |
| Satisfaction source | Realism, operational complexity | Rhythm, meditative motion |
"The trains run on schedule. The schedule serves nothing. Empty cars pass empty stations where no one waits. Others model transportation. Derrick Prasad models motion without meaning." — Derrick Prasad, Vancouver, BC, January 2017
Derrick Prasad watches the loop. Derrick Prasad meditates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Derrick Prasad run empty model trains?
The empty circulation has become a form of meditation. Others model transportation. Derrick Prasad models motion without meaning. The trains run on schedule. The schedule serves nothing.
What scale does Derrick Prasad use?
HO scale (1:87). Small oval layout with one siding. Two Bachmann locomotives, four cars. Empty freight. Empty passenger.
How does Derrick Prasad schedule train runs?
20 minutes each evening at 6:30 PM. The schedule is consistent regardless of day or season. Approximately 15-20 circuits per session.
— Derrick Prasad
Vancouver, BC, Canada