Hi John:
I would have to say that it's Electricity...
I believe, although I can't say with certainty, that Electricity is what makes all the little people do useful tasks on our railroads.
I do believe that Ben Franklin might agree with me, were he alive...
-Ed
Five out of four people have trouble with fractions. -AnonymousThree may keep a secret, if two of them are dead. -Benjamin Franklin "You don't have to be Jeeves to love butlers, but it helps." (Followers of Levi's Real Jewish Rye will get this one) -Ed K "A potted watch never boils." -Ed Kowal If it's not fun, why do it ? -Ben & Jerry
selector...but has anyone mentioned the lowly can motor?
Man I love your avatar CNJ831. I could sit and look at it all day!
BRAKIE Yamahammer Im gonna go a different direction here and go with Kadee couplers. Without them alot of the afore mentioned would be tougher to execute. Although I do agree with most of the responses so far, its hard to nail down that one item. Don't bet the farm.. Doug Smith introduce the car card/waybill operation back in '61 using X2F couplers on a small layout.A little known fact that is overlooked by today's modelers. When modelers think of the X2F coupler truck mounted couplers or poorly installed couplers come to mind.However,like the KD the X2F had to be installed properly and at the correct height to function as designed...It was a good answer to the hodgepodge coupler designs that was prevalent in the 50s and standardize the couplers manufacturers used.
Yamahammer Im gonna go a different direction here and go with Kadee couplers. Without them alot of the afore mentioned would be tougher to execute. Although I do agree with most of the responses so far, its hard to nail down that one item.
Im gonna go a different direction here and go with Kadee couplers. Without them alot of the afore mentioned would be tougher to execute. Although I do agree with most of the responses so far, its hard to nail down that one item.
Don't bet the farm..
Doug Smith introduce the car card/waybill operation back in '61 using X2F couplers on a small layout.A little known fact that is overlooked by today's modelers.
When modelers think of the X2F coupler truck mounted couplers or poorly installed couplers come to mind.However,like the KD the X2F had to be installed properly and at the correct height to function as designed...It was a good answer to the hodgepodge coupler designs that was prevalent in the 50s and standardize the couplers manufacturers used.
Larry, as usual, makes a highly valid point from an historical perspective, one which I'll take a bit further.
I suspect that many hobbyists today aren't even aware that the X2f coupler was designed to be used specifically in conjunction with a concurrently developed uncoupling ramp. When so employed, they did function at least moderately well.
Even earlier there had been Mantua's hook and loop couplers (really the Kadees of their day, largely becoming the hobby's standard by around 1950, in an era of truly horrible couplers ) which likewise would perform pretty well in the earliest days of "operations"...providing that they were used with their specialized uncoupling ramps. And in speaking in terms of hobby advancement, I believe that the Mantua hook and loop couplers were the first ones widely used in the hobby that actually allowed remote uncoupling.
Of course, both the X2f and Mantua couplers tended to became a real pain in the buttocks in operation if the hobbyist failed to allow them to function as designed.
CNJ831
fwrightbut enough of my prattle
No, seriously, go right ahead-- prattle on! The whole goal of my "Philosophy Friday" questions is to elicit viewpoint and opinion from anybody who cares to respond. I enjoy reading the answers however simple or otherwise they may be, and regardless of whether I agree or disagree with the viewpoint presented. This place-- the MR site / forum-- is just teaming with individuals from across the spectrum and all walks of life, except perhaps the female perspective and there are at least a few of those even. I enjoy very much the diversity of opinion that everyone who responds contributes. And as I've pointed out before, I purposely set up the questions so there is no real "right" or "wrong" answer, just opinions and discussion. IMO, that's what makes it fun.
I think you have a good point about the modular layout design. And I don't recall anyone else mentioning that. But that certainly has led to a 'standardization' (literally, by definition) of layout construction to a point where it can be performed completely independently and yet still combined and shared collectively. That certainly is an important advance in my book. While it may not help the individual modeler all that much (though I'm not saying it doesn't or can't), it really does help pull groups together and get them quickly focused on shared collective goals.
jwhitten fwright I don't know about "advances". The word "advance" implies a definitely positive outcome, and it implies somewhat of a jump. Really? How would you characterize an advance in hand-grenades...???
fwright I don't know about "advances". The word "advance" implies a definitely positive outcome, and it implies somewhat of a jump.
Really?
How would you characterize an advance in hand-grenades...???
Highly explosive?
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
All to sadly it seems that history has repeated its self with today's hodgepodge of KD wannabes that works worst then the X2F coupler!
I will agree the KD coupler is by far the best advancement in the hobby.
jwhittenfwright I don't know about "advances". The word "advance" implies a definitely positive outcome, and it implies somewhat of a jump. Really? How would you characterize an advance in hand-grenades...???
An "advance" in hand grenades clearly increases their mission performance. There are many disagreements right in these forums that sound, DCC, RTR, prototype operations, etc., clearly increase model railroading's mission performance. It really comes down to one's personal concept of and goals for model railroading. Perhaps the only "advance" I selected that has achieved majority status is RTR. The other "advances", important as they may be to the future of the hobby, do not really affect the majority except through the indirect impact of higher prices.
Despite the promoters and adherents on this forum and in the hobby press, I daresay there are still far more Plywood and Foam Pacifics than scenicked layouts. More roundy-round operations still take place than prototype style. Far more model railroaders (however tightly defined) have multiple road names and eras showing than do not. DC is still more widely used than DCC. And it is still considered a respectable point of view to shun sound in its current incarnations. If you constrain the definition of a "serious" model railroader to those who are active participants in some or most of these "advances", the number of serious model railroaders is rather small, and declining, as the NMRA had found out.
There is another important development that I forgot to mention - model railroading through modular layouts. There have now been 2 generations of modular layouts, the 1st being the Ntrak style which celebrated getting a large set of modules to successfully run trains in a display. The next generation - demonstrated by S&SS and Free-mo standards and groups - promotes prototype style operations and unifying themes for the modular layouts.
but enough of my prattle
selectorHow about injection molding and CNC machining and such...all the things that must make the Chinese factories highly efficient at changing from model to model and running and assembling them so quickly.
Those are pretty good nominations I'd say. The one for the can motor's not bad either. A nice improvement over the open-frame motor, though both are a fair improvement over the pull-string...
John
I confess to not having read the heavy majority of submissions....but has anyone mentioned the lowly can motor? By no means the most important advance in this age of DCC and sound, and the brass hybrids from BLI (hee hee...had to get that in...), but they are ubiquitous and work so darned well!
How about injection molding and CNC machining and such...all the things that must make the Chinese factories highly efficient at changing from model to model and running and assembling them so quickly.
-Crandell
YamahammerIm gonna go a different direction here and go with Kadee couplers. Without them alot of the afore mentioned would be tougher to execute. Although I do agree with most of the responses so far, its hard to nail down that one item.
Well, they are certainly a huge improvement over those nasty horn-hook thingies. Man do those things suck (In my own opinion of course). I've read the particulars about their origin (horn-hooks I mean) and I say "so what"-- they still suck. (I'm opinionated, so sue me! )
Fast forward to the present and I've personally seen very little in the way of understanding among the public for our hobby. Little wonder, since look at how model railroader-types are portrayed currently in the cinema and elsewhere in entertainment. Throughout the 2000's our TV, or movie, personas have included simpletons, senile old men, perverts, and megalomaniacs! If this can be regarded as an improvement, just what were we considered to be before?!
What's your problem? They portray everybody as simpletons, senile old men, perverts, and megalomaniacs.
Except for the women. They're portrayed as golddiggers, simpletons, Alzheimer patients, fooling around with teenage boys, and wisecracking medical examiners.
Andre
I don't know about "advances". The word "advance" implies a definitely positive outcome, and it implies somewhat of a jump. Almost all the important developments have taken decades to have any widespread acceptance. And with each important development there were drawbacks compared to the old ways - perhaps this is why the decades to accept. Regardless, my list (in no particular order):
just my thoughts
Fred W
jwhitten tbdanny I would say that an increase in public awareness is a significant advance. Back when I first started in the mid-90s, most people needed me to explain what 'model railroading' was, or thought it was nerdy. These days, the response I get is more along the lines of 'That's pretty cool'. And this positive change in the image of this hobby may mean that Model Railroading will continue for decades to come. ...I am a little skeptical (my own view) on whether the "general public" is really all that more informed about the hobby or whether our hobby is really looked upon all that often with cheery good will. Personally I think even stamp or butterfly collectors have a better, more congenial image with the average joe. In fact there was a thread here about a year ago it seems that dealt with this very topic and a large contingent of the opinion, as I recall, seemed to believe that the general public views model railroading as a somewhat "wacky" or oddball eccentric hobby. John
tbdanny I would say that an increase in public awareness is a significant advance. Back when I first started in the mid-90s, most people needed me to explain what 'model railroading' was, or thought it was nerdy. These days, the response I get is more along the lines of 'That's pretty cool'. And this positive change in the image of this hobby may mean that Model Railroading will continue for decades to come.
I would say that an increase in public awareness is a significant advance. Back when I first started in the mid-90s, most people needed me to explain what 'model railroading' was, or thought it was nerdy. These days, the response I get is more along the lines of 'That's pretty cool'. And this positive change in the image of this hobby may mean that Model Railroading will continue for decades to come.
...I am a little skeptical (my own view) on whether the "general public" is really all that more informed about the hobby or whether our hobby is really looked upon all that often with cheery good will. Personally I think even stamp or butterfly collectors have a better, more congenial image with the average joe. In fact there was a thread here about a year ago it seems that dealt with this very topic and a large contingent of the opinion, as I recall, seemed to believe that the general public views model railroading as a somewhat "wacky" or oddball eccentric hobby.
I have to concur with John concerning the matter of our hobby's perception by the "general public". Back in the 1950's model railroading was indeed accepted by the general public as a mainstream hobby of adult males and many well known celebrities of the day were openly acknowledged model railroaders. During that period, model railroading was reportedly the second most popular hobby pursued by Americans! Even up through the 1970's, at worst we were stereotyped mainly as benign, grandfatherly-types, on TV.
I think the ones that turn up their noses at Model railroading view it as just a bunch of geeks pretending we are engineers. Kind of like role playing but not killing anything with a spell or an elf.
Oh well, like I said almost everyone I am around either think model railroads are kinda neat or they just don't care. You do your thing I do mine attitude. I just let the others laugh and go pretend they are a professional sports umpire, managers or player traders. That's what they talk about. They do their thing.....I do mine.
Todd
Central Illinoyz
In order to keep my position as Master and Supreme Ruler of the House, I don't argue with my wife.
I'm a small town boy. A product of two people from even smaller towns. I don’t talk on topic….. I just talk.
tbdannyI would say that an increase in public awareness is a significant advance. Back when I first started in the mid-90s, most people needed me to explain what 'model railroading' was, or thought it was nerdy. These days, the response I get is more along the lines of 'That's pretty cool'. And this positive change in the image of this hobby may mean that Model Railroading will continue for decades to come.
I agree with you that public awareness is or would be a significant advance. And I suppose the ability for people with an affirmed interest (i.e., "us") have been able to connect and exchange views and info on the various aspects of the hobby is certainly a good thing. But I am a little skeptical (my own view) on whether the "general public" is really all that more informed about the hobby or whether our hobby is really looked upon all that often with cheery good will. Personally I think even stamp or butterfly collectors have a better, more congenial image with the average joe. In fact there was a thread here about a year ago it seems that dealt with this very topic and a large contingent of the opinion, as I recall, seemed to believe that the general public views model railroading as a somewhat "wacky" or oddball eccentric hobby. Even the recent thread about the funny things non-MR's say points up to this viewpoint. Model Railroading just doesn't carry the same cache' with regular folks as say.... hubcap collecting. *shrug* what can ya do??
Very true. I rarely recieve snide remarks anymore. Of course, maybe the people I hang out with are older and much less concerned about looking Macho.
The Location: Forests of the Pacific Northwest, OregonThe Year: 1948The Scale: On30The Blog: http://bvlcorr.tumblr.com
Brakie- Yup, just like the old #11 Xacto blade.
John- Nah, I didn't take it as busting on me. I just type the way I talk but the voice inflections aren't there. I must say though, reading your last post sounds like me talking coherently. Like I said, very much my same feelings.
As for being "taken" on the bay, I haven't purchased near what many have but I have never been what I would call ripped off. Once, there was a slight dispute over the use of the description "Great Condition" and like you said I took it as a lesson, though not an expensive one, on what Great Condition means when coupled with the word "vintage" That means "repairs needed after removing from carton as it has been broken and the Elmers glue did not hold the car together, so it will fall apart in your hands. Of course it's pictured together so you can see what it will look like after you repair it. Why that side you ask? Well, you always take a picture showing the good side". I'm just a bit more careful when I read the description and bid accordingly to what I feel it is worth. Generally, like you said, the tones presented kinda clue me in, right or wrong, as to if I want to deal with this vendor. Once I received the wrong car and the seller, after a cordial note from me, sent me the right one. No additional postage, of course, and told me to keep the mistake. I can't complain. Once or twice I took a chance on an item and my fears were realized, but I bid according and I realized going in it was a gamble and did not complain, in fact they received good feedback because I got what I bought. I don't generally bid high on much of anything as I am lucky to have an extremely well equipped hobby shop nearby and it is discount priced to boot so naturally I only bid on things I can't get there or are substantially cheaper. After all, we'd all like to save some bucks for other stuff. Others aren't as fortunate I realize. But, these things would not be possible as easily without the internet.
On the flipside, I purchased a loco at a train show a year or so ago and that item though inexpensive was shown to work and guaranteed. Yes it worked when I got home, but only shortly. Removing the shell I find it too was also a piece of.... Well, you know. You can get broken axle gears to work if you carefully glue them back. But only long enough to get it sold. Cheap loco, what did I expect? So face to face doesn't always make it safer. I guess if you disassemble every purchase...
I will say the only problem I have with the internet is there is so much to look at, be it model trains or 1:1 trains, I get to spending too much time and don't get anything else done!
TMarshAnd yes, my thoughts on the advantage of E-bay is pretty much exactly yours. As much as some people dislike it, you have to admit most times the chances of getting taken, without due care, is very good even at face to face sales. With, of course, the exception of at least you get to do the touchy feely thing with a face to face. But, with the limited and out of production models made, without places like E-bay, HO yard sale and others, you could spend a lifetime looking for that certain item that with these sites, if you watch, pretty soon someone will have one for sale. Then of course you have to hope someone else doesn't want it worse than you. That's an auction. But the information. THAT's were the internet really shines.
Todd,
I have been both a buyer and a seller on ebay since its very early days-- though mostly a buyer of late. In over a decade of buying I can honestly say that I have only been out-and-out defrauded once. By someone running a sort of "pump-n-dump" (pump-n-switch) scheme where they sold a bunch of small stuff to gain reputation and then switched to "selling" big stuff and absconding with the money. Fortunately for me I was only out about $15-20 bucks.
I have been less than enthusiastic about a purchase perhaps as many as ten times. Ranging from items I felt were borderline fraudulently listed or having serious omissions in the item's disclosure. Such as a locomotive that was advertised as "nearly new" which arrived looking old and ragged-out and I swear the shell is not the original for the chassis though I could not find markings on both to confirm or reject my assertion-- the shell however does not seem to be constructed in a way that it could have ever satisfactorily been seated on the chassis.
A few more times I have bought something that when received did not seem worth the price, though in retrospect (re-reading the listing) I could not really discern overt deception on the part of the lister (even though it may perhaps have been a "cleverly designed listing" just for that intent).
One time I bought an *empty box* and was quite non-plussed and had some words with the seller, who patiently informed me that an empty box is what he was selling-- a re-reading of the listing confirmed that truth even though I felt he had not been as clear in his description as he could have been. To his credit he did offer to refund my money, though I chose to accept my fate as a lesson.... education is not (and should not) be free, and why should I make him pay for my oversight?
But overall, in the literally thousands of transactions I've had on ebay, and other similar sites such as "HOYARDSALE", among others, I have been satisfied with my purchases and have gotten a lot of great deals from some good people. Many of whom I keep track of and have bought from again many times. (When you find a good supplier, common sense says you keep 'em).
I've also met my share of bozos, whiners, complainers, dirty-tricksters, and the like. But I use my common-sense and accumulated wisdom to steer clear of them whenever possible. One simple and effective trick I've learned to use if I have any doubts whatsoever is to write them an "innocuous-seeming" "novice-sounding" email ("question about the item") and see how they reply. If they seem gruff or insulting, I stay away. People like that, in my experience, tend to look for problems-- even where they don't exist-- and complicate simple issues unnecessarily. It isn't so much the information content of their reply that I'm concerned about, rather the tone and tenor-- even online it tends to give one a very good sense of whom you're dealing with.
Now to contrast that experience with both my experience in the "face-to-face" "brick-and-mortar" world, and to general experiences in life...
Everything I said above about ebay and online shopping forums, I can quite easily and honestly say about all the other places I've ever shopped as well. While I do agree that there are some different "rules" and modes of operation when shopping online, aside from those, the basic element of exchanging something for currency (i.e. buying something) is as old as the hills and doing it online doesn't make it all that different, only simplifies some aspects and complicates others. What you exchange for convenience (and no tax) is replaced with additional hassles if something needs to be fixed or replaced. But even there, my experiences with the same elements in the "Real World" (brick-n-mortar realm) is similar. Some places will, some won't. Some do it with a smile, some make you leave shaking your head and muttering "Never again..."
Finally, a last thought about money spent versus return. This is my own take on things-- yours will most likely vary....
I think you only get to live once. There are many things in this world to experience, including some bad things. Every day you live you make choices and "vote" with your wallet and/or take chances when you buy things-- even if you go to a restaurant you run the risk of being served "bad" (unappealing) food or even a good restaurant just having a bad night. Depending on the circumstances, that could cost you $30-50-100 bucks or more. Even if you "have words" with the waiter or manager, how many people *really* refuse to pay or haggle over the price in such circumstances? More likely (my opinion) they simply gross a bit and then shake it off as a "life experience". Same thing in many situations-- you try something, it isn't quite what you expected-- but you simply shake it off.
And of course the reverse is true-- sometimes you take a chance-- a risk-- and it turns into a great reward. Like finding a rare book you want and picking it up for a song. Or not being sure about an item's description and deciding to "take a chance" and it turns out to be a brass locomotive (or whatever) that thrills you. Or trying a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant somewhere that turns out to have fabulous food. Or going on a blind date, or buying your brother's friend's old car-- or whatever it is-- and it turns out great.
Life is full of experiences and most of them "cost" something somehow. Shopping online is no different, in either respect. Whenever I feel "underwhelmed" by an online purchase, I often chalk it up to "life experience" (depending on the real amount of course) and just suck up and get over it. People fear what they don't know. Buying stuff online is no different. And really, in the end, it is no different.
My of course.
TMarshWell, I guess your right in that plastic wasn’t designed, created, advanced, whatever, for model railroading. I guess what I really mean is it’s advancement has made an advancement in model railroading with it‘s use. I think. Don’t really know how to put it like I mean it.
Don't sweat it-- I wasn't busting on you particularly but more simply commenting on how carefully several respondents have compartmentalized the advent and effect on the hobby whilst at the same time being very carefully to state how they felt it was not a true "advance" within the hobby itself, and then went on to suggest other items that had a similar characteristic of origin.
I have definitely been interested in the responses that people have offered, and have been intrigued by the distinctions that some people have made, though I'm not suggesting that any are more "right" or "wrong" than any others-- they are all subjective and are not really subject to such rigid judgments. That's one of the things I like about these "Philosophy Friday" things-- there really is no right or wrong answer, I'm just asking questions to see what people think about various things.
And I must also say I have *thoroughly* enjoyed reading through all the responses on all of the questions so far.There are a lot of interesting people here with unique and thought-provoking perspectives. Who often remind me that "new" is not "improved" and "wisdom" is not what you know but what you do with it.
Please everyone, keep your responses coming! Speaking only for myself, I really enjoy hearing what you have to say!
DigitalGriffinWithout a doubt DCC. DC has lost significant traction in the last 5->10 years. The reduction of complicated blocks and toggles has vastly simplified complex layout design. The addition of sound which is only implemented well with DCC has also garnered attention. Train clubs that have been running DC for better than 50 years are now switching over to DCC even.
Without a doubt DCC. DC has lost significant traction in the last 5->10 years. The reduction of complicated blocks and toggles has vastly simplified complex layout design. The addition of sound which is only implemented well with DCC has also garnered attention.
Train clubs that have been running DC for better than 50 years are now switching over to DCC even.
While I very much agree with you about the advantages and benefits of DCC, I completely disagree about the supposed impediment of blocked-DC. Blocks permit permit a number of useful functions, even in a DCC world:
-- They allow you to divide your layout up between DC and DCC control so you can continue to operate DC locomotives that have not yet been converted (admittedly a stop-gap benefit if your thesis is that DCC is better and running DC is simply an interim proposition)
-- Follow-on to the previous, blocks permit your friends to bring over their non-DCC locos and run them on your layout (same caveat applies)
-- DC blocks permit you to control which sections of your layout are *powered* versus *non-powered*, irrespective of your position on DC or DCC. This might potentially save your favorite loco from the long dive to the floor. It may have a more mundane use also-- if you have a large layout, you may want to conserve DCC power (districts) to only "operating" locos and not power (DCC) locos that are not operating, and thus saving you amps going through your power booster. You can keep them all on the layout but only power the ones you want to operate.
-- DC blocks permit absolute control / "authority" over a section of track-- a block. Admittedly if the block control is not properly exercised then the advantage is lost. And also if the block is set to permit DCC then the advantage is only conveyed to the preceding and succeeding blocks, and only within the DCC block to whatever degree the DCC controller permits. Also, I note that "authority" is perhaps not the best word to use in this context as I do not mean to suggest by its use any conveyance of "rights" to the trains within the block, but rather only the establishment of electrical power within that block.
-- DC blocks can be used to represent "authority", in the true sense, for layouts (railroads) that use a dispatcher and adhere to good operating procedures. In which case, even if a block is switched to a DCC cab, it still must agree to honor the external authority of the dispatcher (or yardmaster, or whatever).
-- DC blocks can be useful in setting up "signaling" for modelers who want the appearance of signals and are okay with a "simplistic" solution.
-- DC blocks can be use to separate different areas of the layout from each other for different purposes. Such that one area of the layout *physically* cannot interfere with another, no matter what happens. This might be useful for setting up a route for a train (using DC blocks which might further be switched to a DCC cab / system) or limiting a train's access / "authority" to a region such as a switching district or a yard, or the like. Note that I realize this would probably be a very special configuration and probably outside the need or justification of any but a club layout-- as it could potentially imply the use of multiple DCC systems and not just cabs, which could add considerable expense to just an ordinary layout.
The main downsides to DC blocking these days is:
-- The cost of wire and switches needed to implement such a scheme. On the other hand, one might pbserve that if you're going to follow established "best practices" and add feeders to every section of track, or at least to tracks spread throughout your layout, that you may perhaps use an approximate amount of wire in either case.
-- It adds "complexity" and increased problem potential without commensurate benefit. The truth of this is largely a "philosophical" statement although I do agree that complexity does increase the likelihood of problems and adds additional overhead when troubleshooting same. The use of prefabricated electronic assemblies and digital systems does also tend to mitigate (and even simplify) some of the problem potential, though it could be argued that while it may mitigate the potential for problems, it adds to the overhead and/or cost in their remediation if ever it is required.
-- There is usually more time spent in the initial construction, particularly under-the-benchwork and at-the-workbench, designing, wiring and otherwise setting up the system.
Other folks may be able to think of additional pros and cons. These are the ones I was able to think up off the top of my head.
Todd,I fully agree that the Internet can be directly related to the hobby as one of the best railroad research tools..Forums can be used as a research tool as well.
So,in theory one could say the Internet its a advancement to the hobby even though it has a gazillion other uses.
jwhittenI am curious-- you and several other folks (more other folks) have stated that the Internet doesn't really count because it doesn't "directly relate to MR", but then without a second thought suggest "plastic" as an advance, which had no more to do with "MR" than the man-in-the-moon. Though I do agree that it was quite successfully applied and *I* would have no problem including it as a MR advance... but then, I have no trouble including the Internet either
Well, I guess your right in that plastic wasn’t designed, created, advanced, whatever, for model railroading. I guess what I really mean is it’s advancement has made an advancement in model railroading with it‘s use. I think. Don’t really know how to put it like I mean it. The changes in the types and production ways have put all these different items in our laps easily and in abundance that have, again in my opinion, added so much to the variety of things that can be built in the hobby. What was before mainly wood or cardboard, could not easily be made to represent other materials such as stone or brick etc, even wood can be simulated very well with plastic. Now don’t get me wrong there is almost nothing that makes a modeled wooden structure look better than wood, but plastic can add details and other material appearances much easier. Let’s face it, for most of us, without plastic, we wouldn’t have near the nice looking brick or stone structures. Well, never thought of rosin until now. Who knows, with the advancement in the home printers and the cost of them dropping to almost cheap, the printed building faces may bring back cardstock and take the place of styrene. Of course then again you have humidity to think about.
Very few things however were invented or created for model railroading specifically. They were invented, created, or advanced for other purposes and the model industry just adapted their use for ours, so I don’t really consider something like plastic or the internet to be any different than say the electric motors our lokes use, nickel steel, use of brass or even the electronic capabilities that are used for DCC to be anything model railroad specific. Just something like the light bulb that we’ve altered to fit whatever need we have. I’m sure if I thought long enough I could think of something but you get my point. I hope.
Did I clear that up, or make it more confusing?
And yes, my thoughts on the advantage of E-bay is pretty much exactly yours. As much as some people dislike it, you have to admit most times the chances of getting taken, without due care, is very good even at face to face sales. With, of course, the exception of at least you get to do the touchy feely thing with a face to face. But, with the limited and out of production models made, without places like E-bay, HO yard sale and others, you could spend a lifetime looking for that certain item that with these sites, if you watch, pretty soon someone will have one for sale. Then of course you have to hope someone else doesn't want it worse than you. That's an auction. But the information. THAT's were the internet really shines.
DigitalGriffinjwhittenI know my granddad had sound long before the advent of electronics. But some of you "older" guys may not remember it.... he used to go "Woooo Woooo" and "Chh chh chh chh" and "Ding ding ding ding".... he didn't need no stinking electronics... Everyone knows that's not a proper pennsy horn. It goes Whuuuuooaaah Whhuuuuoooaaah Wo Wo Chugga Chugga chuff chuff Chugga chugga chuff chuff. Return your soundbox back to the store. You got ripped.
jwhittenI know my granddad had sound long before the advent of electronics. But some of you "older" guys may not remember it.... he used to go "Woooo Woooo" and "Chh chh chh chh" and "Ding ding ding ding".... he didn't need no stinking electronics...
Everyone knows that's not a proper pennsy horn. It goes Whuuuuooaaah Whhuuuuoooaaah Wo Wo Chugga Chugga chuff chuff Chugga chugga chuff chuff. Return your soundbox back to the store. You got ripped.
My granddad was running a New York Central consist at the time...
DigitalGriffinHigh quality plastic models with can motors and low gearing at the fraction of the cost of brass. They allow people like me to buy 20, 30 engines instead of a select few 4 or 5 that need tweeking to run properly.
Some people might suggest that only having 4 or 5 is "better" and perhaps "more appropriate" for most railroads (layouts). They might also suggest that "tinkering" with them to get them running better is not a bad thing, and they might say that brass locomotives tend to be heavier so they pull better and have stronger and more rugged drive mechanisms so will last longer pulling heavier trains. If you happened to still be listening to "them" by this point they'd probably also tell you how having only a few locomotives would be more conducive to "customization" and adding "details" and special parts to make them "more your own" (or your railroad's) and how a nice custom paint job can really push them over the top without breaking the bank (versus painting an entire fleet).
Of course I have around 200 "more affordable" well-detailed plastic locos and have never even so much as *held* a brass locomotive in my life, so what the heck do I know???
STEELERSFAN I have several years worth of older MRR mags as well as some of the Kalmbach How To books, and they have explanations of the older methods. Why not a new series of articles about the older materials like a "recession special". I think a lot of folks would really enjoy it.
I too have a fairly extensive collection of MR's going back to the late 30's and 40's... (I admit, I have some holes, not all of them in my collection... )
I think your suggestion of a new series of articles recapping / reintroducing "old" methods and materials is a capital suggestion and one that perhaps our host will pick up on and implement!
(And of course, its not like they don't already have the source material either )