Hah!
In this context, it's more of an "ode to dad". Back when we were young and working on model trains with dad, anytime we couldn't do something with switches, buttons, etc., but had to reach over the model and fix it manually, he would call it a "giant hand operation".
"...anytime we couldn't do something with switches, buttons, etc., but had to reach over the model and fix it manually, he would call it a "giant hand operation".
Wow - does that bring back memories. I still have my Lionel O-gauge set from when I was a kid. When my daughter was growing up, I set it up on a 4' x 8' plywood board covered in green felt on top of the dining room table ( I think that was one of the things that drove my ex crazy, but it was not like she ever cooked a full meal or anything, LOL). I added more track, switches, lights, and a second engine and more cars - my daughter (and all her friends) loved it & she got to where she could run it better than me. Those were good times and great memories. I still have that set, but it's packed away now, waiting for some grandkids to come along.