William,
Don't wanna change the topic here, but he's gonna need some aspirin before long, ya think. All that bobb'ins gonna give'im a headache.....
Byron
Age is only a state of mind, keep the mind active and enjoy life
Part of my devious security plan is to enlist the kids in watching out for possible problems as was suggested by our Canadian forum friend. Yes I do have insurance, the garage locks, the locos go into my shop inside the house at night, and I have a big German shepard named Patton and a "killer" minature wiener dog named Kasey. I plan to leave the buildings out most of the year and as you all know those generally cost more than the rolling stock. Oh and the local patrolling police also stop by to see how the layout is progressing.
It was really fun to have kids ask if they can try another car on the train. I say sure just go find one you like and off they go. Kids can be polite when they want to be. I hope to have enough going on that there won't be any fights - lots of parents there anyway as I think they are just bigger kids and want to see the trains run too. Maybe I'll need that aspirn in the future but right now there is a big ole grin on my face.
Rex
Yeah he going to need a aspirn as the "big" kids and "small" kids have a all out fight
As of something more intense is insurance, you know $$$$ insurance on the land. I have it here just incase, never know!?
Ready to buy kid train mans hats?
two tone wrote:Hi Rex, Glad to see things are going to plan, can I just make one comment as to people knowing you keep the locos and rolling stock in the garage. Have you got good insurance cover in case the worst happens and it gets stolen.
Maybe off topic but I made a house alarm out of a car alarm system, it works and still works today! Just a thought?!
Great idea for a house alarm but as mentioned above I have a pretty effective one - a German Shepard.
That said we do have a serious problem with home intrusions here in AZ from all the illegal aliens coming across the border. We had an attempted breakin here in our Gold Canyon home (the Phoenix, AZ area). We were not home at the time but it sure scared the chief of staff. Patton must have gotten the intruder as there was blood left in the laundry room and garage door as the guy made his exit. Patton mangaled the door handle where he continued to try and get the guy. The police didn't think the guy would file a dog bite report though.
I don't think the illegals are after well used model train rolling stock. They are more interested in things like food or TV's and stereos they can sell for a fast buck. The police in Pinetop know about my layout so if anything is taken for attempted resale they will have a pretty good idea where it came from.
Not knocking your dog, foam mace would put him down.
Taser, .22 cal pistol, etc...... I just can not help but think of the worst Rex! Being a ex-cop and going to wrecks and all I guess you just have to.
Anyways.....I am yapping again
Rex in Pinetop wrote: Yes I do have insurance, a "killer" minature wiener dog named Kasey.
Yes I do have insurance, a "killer" minature wiener dog named Kasey.
Yeah Rex,
I know what you mean about killer Wiener,
Mine is named Pepper, an she's 13 years old and you still best not just reach out at her just anytime you want too, if you don't know her.
My experience with the trains being stolen is they want a quick turnover item for the ol' drug money. Ain't no one interested in these big trains, especially the ol' pawn shops.
I've even had different ones ask, arn't you afraid somone will steal'em. My response has been, walk over there a bit, an the motion light comes on, than I say, now the alarms goin off in my bedroom, an that shot gun is a pointing out the window shortly.
I live in a pretty high crime area, here in the Hurricane Alley of Florida, and as yet haven't never been bothered, cause they don't have any source to get rid of these things quickly. Even if they did steal them, and I told the ones asking, that if you do steal them, just to have one, who else has any of these here in town ?? I'd know it was mine and you'd be in jail shortly.
Ended that line of questioning real quick, and as I say I've never been bothered by any of the surrounding people.
As it is everyone enjoys seeing them also, so it's kind'a like a certain respect for the fact that you allow them to enjoy them along with you. Know what I mean......
If they come in armed a house alarm isn't going to do much to stop them either. Response time for the police in Pinetop or Gold Canyon is more than a half hour even with a house alarm service. Its better closer into town but we chose to live out a ways. If they want my trains enough to kill my dog, me, and my family well there is not much I could do baring arming myself which I suppose I should do these days. What is this world coming to???
Anyway I started this thread on a happy note about how much fun I was having with the neighborhood kids. I hope it stays that way.
Rex in Pinetop wrote: Anyway I started this thread on a happy note about how much fun I was having with the neighborhood kids. I hope it stays that way.Rex
Yeah, I think it will pretty much...
Capt Bob Johnson wrote:my experiance has been that most kids are pretty sharp, once they develop the friendship with you and gain confidence in you they will let you know who to watch out for; and often warn you if something's planned! Now if they didn't like or respect you, all bets are off!
This is where what they call "street smarts" comes into play, if you indicate you wanna be a friend, in most cases they will be a friend too...
For a while I had seven little neighbor girls plus my granddaughter who hung out in my back yard. All around age five. Many have moved away now, but it was very entertaining to watch what little girls do when presented with small dolls, doll furniture, a hundred plastic farm animals, and several trains with gondolas. They stayed occupied for 5 hours at a stretch.
Since there is only my granddaughter and one neighbor girl now, the excitement has died down. I find myself pondering a hole in the fence to run a branch line into the front.
My only concern is, since the low life's are invading back yards in our neighborhood to rip the copper coils out of our heat pumps, and the wiring from the accent lights, how long before they discover the rails?
Still, I might risk a venture to the front yard, just to build up a new group of visitors.
DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know Wall-Mart sells plastic bags of cowboys, Indians, horses, army guys, farm animals.
Yea, the little plastic ones we used to shoot with BB guns and blow up with firecrackers. They are still cheap. A couple bucks for a bag of a dozen or so. Ten bags of them cost less than a flat car.
AGES FOUR TO SIX>
Speaking of flat cars, Hart land gondolas and flats are great for kids. Let them move real loads of cattle, cowboys and horses. Be sure to watch which animals or cowboys each child picks out as his or her favorite. Ask the child what the (horse , Indian, etc)'s name is.
When the moms come to collect their kids, ask the mom if it is OK if her child keeps the animal or figure safe at her house for next time, and then hand it to the child and explain, "Keep this at your house so he (it's name) won't get lost the next time you come to play." I'm bad with names so, keep a pad handy and make notes.
Some of us have gotten old, having raised teenagers, we forget how to play. In case you forgot what 5 year olds are like. Here is a simple procedure. Print it out, keep it in you pocket.
Hi! whats you name?
Billy, what's your horses name?
Would Chocolate like to make some friends?
OK, put Chocolate in that car. Turn this knob gently so Chocolate doesn't fall over.
Let Billy drive the train to the next town, have him slow and stop right next to a supply of more animals.
Does Chocolate want to play here or invite some friends for a ride?
When some more animals or figures are loaded, and Billy has started the loco again, your job is done. Tell Billy he is how a train engineer. Give him a badge or ENGINEERS ID CARD and join your other guests.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR little VISITORS.
Lock you Shay and K27 away in the attic. Burn the ladder.
Two axle cars and locos are the ONLY thing any child (and most adults) can put on the rails without practice. Locos need to be light enough for the child to pick up in one hand. Cars and even locos will be derailed when loading passengers. Passengers will fall out and cause derailments. The ONLY thing you should say to a child when this happens is, "Can you put it back on, or do you need some help? You might ask if "Chocolate" is OK.
Damage to locos, cars, buildings, plants and track can be all but eliminated by one simple act.
Throw away the RC throttle. Well, OK, just convert the throttle to a tethered one. For DCC, remove the battery and plug it into the throttle network. For you battery/RC guys, fake it. Attach some old phone cord to the transmitter. Secure inside the battery door or even with duct tape if need be.
NEXT: Secure the "throttle" cord so the throttle can not be carried across any track, but can be carried along at least 10 feet of track. The trick is, once a child has a throttle in his hot little hands, he will not let go of it. Restricted by the cord, he can not step on flowers, sit on bridges, drop the throttle in the fish pond or (try to) jump over the approaching loco.
More important: He can not run after the train, he has to learn how to stop it and back it up.
Even MORE important; After he tires of paying trains, and wanders off, you will not spend the next three days wondering where he laid down your throttle, and hoping it is not out in the rain.
bobgrosh wrote: HOW TO PREPARE FOR little VISITORS.Lock you Shay and K27 away in the attic. Burn the ladder.
ROFLMAO......oh I am hurtn and cryn to hard, twis a good one!
How to prepare for little visitors:
This is great stuff. You obviously have had a lot of experience. I've printed your advice out and will keep it in my shop just to remind me of the cardinal rules for little visitors. Hopefully there is more similar advice out there from those who have been through it.
Rene,
This kind of advice is worth an article in your great magazine.
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