Skills: What are you BEST at?

[Anonymous]

I'm working on improving my skills almost daily. I'm glad you folks are here to answer many of my questions! [8D]

[Jacktal]

I do handle DC current frequently in my job(automotive) so wiring a layout isn't too much complicated,but I also love building the benchwork and laying down the trackwork.Being limited in available space,track planning hasn't been too imaginative yet but I will certainly try to be as creative as possible when space will be less restrictive.Scenery....my lady happens to love doing this........great!!!!...isn't it?

[IRONROOSTER]

Having done benchwork more than anything else on this list, I'm pretty good at it. Seems like we moved or the family needed the space about the time the bench work was in and some track was laid. It wasn't on your list, but I think a do a pretty good job laying flex track and have even done some hand laying (not switches yet). Only one layout (my second has reached scenery stage), but I think my current one will. I've built some rolling stock kits and structures as well as scratch built a handcar shed and some boxcars, but I know I have room for improvement.
Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

Hmm I think i have some skills. I think they are wiring trackwork and bencwork.

[Anonymous]

Good poll, I hope it is well responded to.

Personally I'm best at researching, developing structure designs, and scratchbuilding them. (A catagory not listed in the poll BTW.) A steap learning curve but very satisfying. My eventual goal is to scratchbuild everything excepting basic components. At my current rate of progress I'll have a layout up and runing in about another century. ;)

Randy

[Jetrock]

I'm probably best at research (went to school for it) but didn't notice it as a category one could choose. My painting/weathering skills are pretty good and I can assemble or scratchbuild structures well--aside from those darn decals. When it comes to benchwork and wiring I'm fond of "simple is better" since I don't have much skills beyond a good solid simple.

Track plans I'm fond of--I have passed many an hour in boring staff meetings by doodling track plans on my notepad and trying to pretend that I'm taking very graphic notes.

[EL PARRo]

I voted " My skills are limited--but I'm working on improving them day by day," although I'm probably best at benchwork (it helps being the son of a carpenter) and wiring. I'm still a beginner and I'm working on my first layout.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rda1964


Good poll, I hope it is well responded to.

Personally I'm best at researching, developing structure designs, and scratchbuilding them. (A catagory not listed in the poll BTW.) A steap learning curve but very satisfying. My eventual goal is to scratchbuild everything excepting basic components. At my current rate of progress I'll have a layout up and runing in about another century. ;)

Randy

RDA & Jetrock--I goofed. I should have included 'Other' in the poll. "Skills? What skills?" came to mind and I went with it instead--I thought it would give some of the readers a good chuckle. [(-D]

[Big_Boy_4005]

I almost went for jack of all trades, but layout design is my favorite thing to do, so I went for that. I'm finally getting going on building my own layout, and I can do all of the things necessary to complete it myself, but some projects have a higher "dread factor" than others. Of course when they're done, the feeling of accomplishment makes it all worth while.[:D]

[Hawks05]

i'm learning day by day. i've painted one piece of rolling stock, a cheap caboose. so far i have the body painted. i just need to paint the ends and the roof walkway and i'll be done then add the lettering to the sides.

[Anonymous]

I'm also learning, but I do design a lot of track plans, so you may want to consider my skill as designing trackplans.

[Anonymous]

I'm also learning, but I do design a lot of track plans, so you may want to consider my skill as designing trackplans.


P.S. Hawks05, did you join the TAMR yet? My article is going to be in the February issue, which will come in less around a month.

[CP5415]

I'm still learning.
I haven't finished the benchwork yet, I haven't finished the track work yet, I haven't started to fini***he electrical yet, I haven't started any scenery yet.
But all the above is still in planning mode. I hope to have the benchwork, trackwork & most of the wiring done the the end of the year.

Gordon

[Anonymous]

Assembling structures, which in a way I find the most tedious and boring. I don't even consider it to be modelling. To me being able to take kit and weathering it, super detailing it and making it come a live that's where the modelling comes in, something I need improving on.

[BRAKIE]

I am a whiz at maintenance,scenery,advance prototype layout designs,operations,track laying and detailing..My weakest point is wiring.Never could get into it so I used Atlas controllers and selectors before going DCC and I still use selectors in my engine service area.I can get by in other ares but I am not the best at it.

[Anonymous]

I'm learning as well, but soon I plan to get a few rolling stock kits and try my best. [;)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BRAKIE

I am a whiz at maintenance,scenery,advance prototype layout designs,operations,track laying and detailing..My weakest point is wiring.Never could get into it so I used Atlas controllers and selectors before going DCC and I still use selectors in my engine service area.I can get by in other ares but I am not the best at it.

Brakie mentions DCC in his reply. It would be good to hear from others who feel confident in this area. I've often wondered how comfortable many modelers are with DCC as opposed to non-decoder equipped locomotives or DCC operation in general.

[michaelstevens]

[8D]
I voted for "wiring" -- although I hate it [:(], my electrical work has (so far) turned out to be 100%reliable -- which has, I guess, to be the measure of your skill.
[:)]
This being my third house move (and therefore my third layout) in the last 20 years -- I guess that I've also become pretty skilled at benchwork and tracklaying.
[:)]
Perhaps now that I've got most of the track and wiring done, I'll get the chance to hone the other skills.
[:D] -- say S.C.F. how come you didn't list "operating" [?][:D]

[Anonymous]

Asking lots of questions of my club! I get lots of feedback every session on my ballast-laying skills, but unfortunately, I can't repeat them in a family-oriented forum. I like laying track, but since most of our layout is already down, I have just tried to do whatever I feel is in my capability.

I'm not gutsy enough (yet) to try hand-laying track, mainly because I'm just not that patient with myself.

I don't have the necessary tools to do painting, repairs, etc. but once I start getting back on my financial feet, I'll start buying those tools.

I don't have the room at my house to build a decent layout, especially since I can't hang anything on the walls (landlord would go ballistic). So, whenever I find a decent job, buy (or rent) a house with a basement, I'll start building a much larger HO layout. I have to! My SD80MAC won't take 22" curves!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by michaelstevens

[8D]
I voted for "wiring" -- although I hate it [:(], my electrical work has (so far) turned out to be 100%reliable -- which has, I guess, to be the measure of your skill.
[:)]
This being my third house move (and therefore my third layout) in the last 20 years -- I guess that I've also become pretty skilled at benchwork and tracklaying.
[:)]
Perhaps now that I've got most of the track and wiring done, I'll get the chance to hone the other skills.
[:D] -- say S.C.F. how come you didn't list "operating" [?][:D]

Good question! Yet another reason I should have included 'Other'. Whoops![:o)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by joekc6nlx

Asking lots of questions of my club! I get lots of feedback every session on my ballast-laying skills, but unfortunately, I can't repeat them in a family-oriented forum. I like laying track, but since most of our layout is already down, I have just tried to do whatever I feel is in my capability.

I'm not gutsy enough (yet) to try hand-laying track, mainly because I'm just not that patient with myself.

I don't have the necessary tools to do painting, repairs, etc. but once I start getting back on my financial feet, I'll start buying those tools.

I don't have the room at my house to build a decent layout, especially since I can't hang anything on the walls (landlord would go ballistic). So, whenever I find a decent job, buy (or rent) a house with a basement, I'll start building a much larger HO layout. I have to! My SD80MAC won't take 22" curves!

Broad curves--my dream. Don't feel too bad, joe. Lots of us don't have the room we'd like. Doesn't stop me from dreaming of the day that I will though.[:)]

[AggroJones]

I concider myself the "Weather Master".

[Anonymous]

Me!!!!! Well let me tell you guys the truth, I'm the best skilled of all of this bunch, YA married 33 years to the same sweet little thing, and I can skate out of the "HONEY DO LIST" with the skill and finesse of a seasoned veteran. Hows that for skill?????[:D][:D][:D]

[vsmith]

Kitbashing and detailing #1, but poor at weathering (at least I think so) OK at structures , so so at scenery and I HATE wiring!!!

You are your worst critic![;)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by emeraldisle

Me!!!!! Well let me tell you guys the truth, I'm the best skilled of all of this bunch, YA married 33 years to the same sweet little thing, and I can skate out of the "HONEY DO LIST" with the skill and finesse of a seasoned veteran. Hows that for skill?????[:D][:D][:D]

You should write a book on escaping the infamous 'To Do' list. I predict a bestseller. [:D]

There's a lot of talent here. I'd pay someone to build benchwork and do wiring for a larger layout!

[Anonymous]

I am really good with non-manmade stuff. Trees, rock, mountains. But you get hands on the prototype, and I suck. Walls, details, roads, are all something I am still working on.

[AggroJones]

I can weather a pre-built structure fantastic. But I'm not really good a creating structures, especially complex ones. Thats one area where I don't flow well.

[on30francisco]

I'm good at scratchbuilding structures and rolling stock out of wood.

[twhite]

Accompanying classical singers on the piano, especially if they're red-headed Austrian sopranos. Oh, you mean MODEL RAILROADING--sorry, got carried away ,there for a minute. I think I'm a jack of all trades and still learning most of them. One thing I seem to do pretty well--not SUPERB, thank you, but pretty well--is scenery. I've just done my first batch, the Yuba Pass section of my layout, and everyone that has seen it seems pretty impressed (actually, me too, though I think in my case the term is more 'surprised' than 'impressed.'). Right now I have some other things to do before I do any more scenery--such as finishing re-laying track on a couple of portions (I have had as many line changes over the past year as my prototype Rio Grande put up with before Union Pathetic took over and screwed them), putting in a gigantic viaduct, making sure that my electrical connections are solid, the usual things one does to make sure that their model railroad is functioning at least as well as they want. Frankly, what I want to accomplish is a really SPECTACULAR mountain railroad where my friends and I can watch trains to our hearts content. I'm getting there. VERY slowly, I might add.

[mustanggt]

I'm mostly good at electrical stuff, but I do mostly everything (albeit not the best) But im only 16, and im still learning[:D]