The illusive "N" factor

[FJ and G]

Tucked deep inside the craniums of toy train buffs is the "N" or Nostalgia Factor. For those under 50, "N" is more often a vicarious experience, having never grown up with piles of orange and blue boxes in those golden oldie years or argued over the merits or demerits of Lionel VS. AF. In short, deprived.

For the wrinkled class, the "N" factor has a more palpable meaning, with old but still vivid sensory memories of smoke pellet smells, e-unit buzzings, and eye-festivals of tubular empires with Plasticville towns and PW trains.

A dear friend is a member of the wrinkled category. I've watched him barely contain his glee and exuberance whenever he sees a Blue Comet tearing down the mainline far above the posted speed limit.

But I've also watched his interests broaden. Atlas track, sound, cruise, and last week, TMCC; in short, things he didn't grow up with.

But what really got me thinking about the illusive "N" factor is a dilemma reg. my friend's Scout, which he received as a child in '53 and which, until some months ago, was still running like a charm.

As the Bible says, though not in these exact words, material things will fade with time. And so it was with his beloved Scout, which reached the end of the proverbial line. Motor burnout perhaps? But the coroner pronounced: "Died of Old Age."

Repairing the Bakelite encased motor was pretty much out of the question. Another Scout motor replacement, perhaps, or shelf-queen status.

But in today's hi-tech world, there are even more options than ever before. I am told that with enough money, one can convert nearly every locomotive to command control, complete with sound, cruise, TMCC or DCS compatibility and smoke units. Pricey for a Scout; much easier to just simply buy another old Scout. But another will not do. This was HIS childhood Scout (pictured in CTT Sept03 Pg 64). This is HIS "N" factor.

After some pondering and reflecting on this single-case study of the "N" factor, I have more questions than answers.

Would my friend's "N" factor still exist with a completely rebuilt and overhauled command controlled Scout, faithfully obeing every command from remote rows of buttons, tamed from its peppie jack-rabbit starts, no longer with a mind of its own? Where to draw the line between restoration and extreme makeover?

Would the body be stripped of its very soul?

Suddenly, the "N" factor seems just a bit more illusive.

Dave Vergun

[cnw1995]

Nope, I don't believe the N factor would be as strong with such a remade Scout if only because some of the nostalgic effects (at least for me) would probably be missing: the sparks, smell of ozone, weak non-synchronized stream of smoke, hum of the R transformer, etc. On the other hand, I didn't have such nostalgic experiences to remember. I'm sorta creating them anew - if it's possible. Part of what I've realized about my layout, is I'm trying to create a 'warm, safe environment' to play in for a while - outside of the current real world issues and pressures. I am thrilled at the acceptance of a toy train approach within this side of the hobby - coming out of smaller scales where it's becoming pretty prototypical or else - nothing wrong with that preference, it was just harder to be uh 'looser' or less serious about it.

[Anonymous]

I still have my original Scout set. As I'm sure it was with your friend, it was my very first Lionel. Right now, it's packed away. Someday, I may get it out and run it. At the very least, I think I'll put it on display when I finish my train room.

If it quit working, I would probably replace the motor. But a complete command up grade--I don't think so. I want her the way she was when I was 4.

Also, there's no amount of money that could buy her.


Dennis Brennan