Take a train to work day 2007

[mononguy63]

People at my office read that it was coming a couple of years ago and frankly, it became something of a punch line. I brought in a piece of flex track and set up a short train anyway, and it just played into the joke more than it promoted the hobby. I won't do it again.

[flagumbrak]

So far I've had a very good response from people that come into my office to see it.  Granted, some of them say the next time their kids are in, they are bringing them by.  But overall, even the "adults" love it.  Not sure if it will get any of them to go out and build a layout, but still.

 I did have a couple of people look at me funny when I walked in the front door but security was never an issue (and I work in a very secure building, we have gaurds and everything).

 Alex

[trainfan1221]

A lot of people have never even seen a train, most places in North America aren't even close to train tracks, if you ever brought a small train set to an office they would probably call security, I wouldn't chance it, remember, almost all your co-workers have no hobbies or outside interests in anything,( ask them the name of the last book they read) they will think you may be unstable,( remember, to them, they are toys) just keep it your secret and enjoy the hobby.

I guess we are on the same page here.  I honestly can't even begin to think of bringing any of my stuff into where I work.  Like I said, this is a unique hobby to people like us, and there are many, and I don't see anything wrong with that.  As an aside, I have bought models and then had to go straight to work, so they were there with me.  Wonder if that counts?  I love my hobby of model and especially real trains, and certainly have no shame of it.  I simply am not a huge supporter of the whole "World's Greatest Hobby" thing.  It is to us,  but I think leaving it that way is fine.  A lot of us have good conversations here, and I have personally met a couple of my closest friends through this hobby,  so I think we're doing alright so far.   Believe me my co-workers are as far removed from what I am about as possible, and thats just fine with me again.

[Texas Chief]

A lot of people have never even seen a train, most places in North America aren't even close to train tracks, if you ever brought a small train set to an office they would probably call security, I wouldn't chance it, remember, almost all your co-workers have no hobbies or outside interests in anything,( ask them the name of the last book they read) they will think you may be unstable,( remember, to them, they are toys) just keep it your secret and enjoy the hobby.

If we all followed this advise, with the same attitude, this hobby would die out very quickly. This isn't the Masons, we're not a secretive society, I'm proud to be a model railroader. not ashamed of it. If somebody out there doesen't like it, thats thier hangup, not mine.

Dick

Texas Chief

 

[tatans]

A lot of people have never even seen a train, most places in North America aren't even close to train tracks, if you ever brought a small train set to an office they would probably call security, I wouldn't chance it, remember, almost all your co-workers have no hobbies or outside interests in anything,( ask them the name of the last book they read) they will think you may be unstable,( remember, to them, they are toys) just keep it your secret and enjoy the hobby.

[trainfan1221]

I think its fine if people have a place for train related stuff at their job, but I have always found the take a train to work day concept rediculous.  If they are not modelers themselves, then for the most part they aren't going to care. And really, why should they?  This hobby is unique to us and we don't need to be going out of our way to show it off to co workers who at least in my case I am glad have little interest.  Maybe it works for some people but I just never saw it.  Just my opinion.

[jkeaton]

Oh, I thought this was "take a train to work" as in "commute by train to work" and I was going to reply that by 2012, according to my city's transit plan, I should actually be able to...unless they change the plan again! 

 As to taking a train - model or photo - to work, last Christmas I set up a pair of foot high Christmas trees circled by a loop of N scale track and some white poly fibre as snow on the doorway end of the long L-shaped desk in my cubicle  (I hardly use that area anyway....).  It was very well received, except by my neighbour directly across the hall, who found the noise (gentle as it was) distracting.  I had two short trains - a six car freight with CP GP35, or a four car VIA passenger train with FPA2.  I alternated them every couple of days.

Jim,  Ottawa, ON

[Cannoli]

Since take a train to work day is coming up, I thought I would post a picture of what I have at work.  Thought it might be intresting to see what everybody has.

 Alex

Thats great, I have a space shelf just like that and would be perfect for such a scene, I never thought of using it for such a great diarama!

For take your train to work day I normally bring in my box of N scale Kato Unitrack, Proto (I think it is anyway) SD9 and several cars that run around my printer all day. I have some photos on a CD at work somewhere, if I find it I'll post them. 

[dehusman]

Don't have to take a train to work, they are already there.

Dave H.

[Wdlgln005]

Hey, why not forget the "working" bit. Take a Day Off to RIDE the train.
Check out the October issue of Railfan & Railroad. Great cover story on the Music City Star.
We can plan on a sunny day to get some nice pictures. Fridays are good days sto spend downtown Nashville most of the day & evening, then get a late train back to Lebanon. I'm sure the MCS needs all the passenger help it can get.

[flagumbrak]

I work in Nashville.  I'm in the process of moving to Lebanon from Clarksville.

[Pathfinder]

Well, I work at home, so my trains are pretty close.

I have a Canadian Trains calendar on the wall, and when I use my laptop at my clients they see one of these as my desktop:

 

[Texas Chief]

Around where I live, they have always held it on Nov. 15th. Guess I'd better check up on it.

Dick

Texas Chief

[gear-jammer]

Thanks, Craig.  I guess that I will most likely have that day off. No planning on my end.  You plans sound great.

Sue

[cchnguage]

Take a Model Train to Work Day is Friday, November 16, 2007.

I plan on making a small oval to take to work for the occasion. I will put a few buildings and scenery on it also.

Craig

[gear-jammer]

What day is it, so I can plan for it?

Sue

[loathar]

I would if I could...(unemployed) Where do you live in Tn? I'm in Lawrenceburg. (Fred Thompsons home town)

[flagumbrak]

I was really hoping some more people would post pictures of trains in their office.  Thought it might be intresting to see how far people take the hobby, so to speak.

 Alex

[SilverSpike]

From the link below....

Take a Model Train to Work Day 2007
You can share your love of model railroading with co-workers on Friday, November 16, which is the seventh annual "Take a Model Train to Work Day." This national day of action was launched in 2001. Thanks to the enthusiasm of hobbyists and WGH Ambassadors nation-wide, it shows no signs of letting up anytime soon.

http://www.greatesthobby.com/

[MisterBeasley]

Man, I've got an MR calendar, and my screensaver scrolls through layout pics, but that is outstanding!

When is Take a Train to Work Day?  (Gee, you'd think that would be one of the things marked on the MR calendar, huh?)

[flagumbrak]

Since take a train to work day is coming up, I thought I would post a picture of what I have at work.  Thought it might be intresting to see what everybody has.

 Alex