tbdannyAnd with regards to the Addams family, I took a look at a few episodes online a year or so ago. No matter what action leads into the train crash, or the trains that are running on it, it's always the exact same shot, same angle, and same trains. Looks like they only filmed it once and reused the 'crash' footage.
That's understandable. Why ruin more than one set of trains?
I usually show my 4x9.5 'plywood pacific' to visitors. Most of them already know about my hobby, and the ones around my age think it's pretty cool. I find it's a way for me to relax after a long week - I usually run on Saturday mornings. There's something about the activity of switching in a yard that just lets me blow off steam (pun fully intended )
And with regards to the Addams family, I took a look at a few episodes online a year or so ago. No matter what action leads into the train crash, or the trains that are running on it, it's always the exact same shot, same angle, and same trains. Looks like they only filmed it once and reused the 'crash' footage.
The Location: Forests of the Pacific Northwest, OregonThe Year: 1948The Scale: On30The Blog: http://bvlcorr.tumblr.com
HaroldAAnd speaking of music, in British music a 1/64 note is known as a hemidemisemiquaver.
I got to the point that I could play those dang things off'n my guitar ----
As for a refuge---it can be that and something that inspires others to get into the hobby after they see what you can do with them---
Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry
I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...
http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/
I would consider myself pretty territorial because I am the architect, carpenter, electrician, painter, engineer, conductor and all the other hats I wear as a model railroader. There are not many people who know about my hobby and some of those who do rarely ask about anything. Every now and then I will have people come into the basement train room and from some of them I will get the occasional ''how fast can they run' or maybe 'let's crash one' and then I know those are the people who will not get invited back. I do remember a person who visited one day and when he saw it the comment was a rather incredulous 'you built all this??' and all I did was smile. I do have a teacher friend who works with learning disabled children and we are planning for regular visits beginning next school year. It's some incentive to get motivated.
As far as the layout itself is concerned, I am proud of it because it is my creation and am very pleased with its progress. I know it has been a true learning experience because I can see differences in the earlier sections as opposed to more recent ones where I was able to improve some skills and abilities. I do need to get a little more done but I sense that it will never be totally completed which is okay. I find that it is a relaxing refuge from everything and at times as I work on the layout I just find myself almost lost in thought. And if the music is on, it seems like hours will evaporate and I will come upstairs only when the dog comes to get me - she figures I have been down there long enough and, besides, she will have to go out!!
And speaking of music, in British music a 1/64 note is known as a hemidemisemiquaver.
There's never time to do it right, but always time to do it over.....
twhiteAnd you do know that the key of E# Major doesn't exist, don't you? But if it did, it would be the enharmonic of F. And I HATE F!!!!
I suppose it depends on your temperament... but what do I know? I can't tell mixolydian from hypolydian... its all greek to me!
BTW, I've always wondered why more guys wouldn't like a 1/64 note... it's got a hemi in it!
tstageMRRing is a great hobby! What's to be embarrassed about!?! Tom
MRRing is a great hobby! What's to be embarrassed about!?!
Tom
... Tom - just nothing, it is the world´s greatest hobby. I am sometimes amused about all these comments on MRRing not being a hobby for real men. Here in Germany, it is a well received hobby in our society and, despite all negative impacts of the financial crisis, it is still a big market, attracting millions of people.
My round robin group of MRR buddies and I have a charity drive each year, operating our modular layout in a gym or a community hall. Each year, we attract some 5,000+ visitors to our event, collecting more than $ 20,000 for charity. The news coverage we get helps to grow acceptance - could that be a way in the US as well to grow social awareness?
tstagePersonally, I could care diddly-squat what friends, relatives, co-workers, acquaintances - even people I don't even know - think of me and my involvement in MRRing.
Well, I wasn't picking on anybody in particular when I said that, but was only observing that I hear (read) that sort-of "couched" language fairly often, and certainly have felt the uneasiness on occasion when I've mentioned I was into "trains" or Model Railroading. There's either that awkward silence or else they look at me like I've grown a third head or something. By all means not everybody is that way, but more than when I tell people my hobby is "computers & automation". And then everybody just sorta nods knowingly and tosses me into the 'geek' category.
tstageFYI, John: Bach wrote "Air on a G String". Mozart wasn't baroque enough - even though he sometimes did squander his money.
Yes, I was vacillating between the two but couldn't remember offhand and was too lazy to go look it up :-)
(That's my story and I'm stickin to it!)
jwhitten That says two things really (perhaps more)-- that MR's are sensitive to what they think other people believe about MR'ing. Or maybe they're afraid that they will be chided or ridiculed to some degree for "playing with trains". John
That says two things really (perhaps more)-- that MR's are sensitive to what they think other people believe about MR'ing. Or maybe they're afraid that they will be chided or ridiculed to some degree for "playing with trains".
John
John:
You bring up an awfully good point. And I suppose I'd better clarify my position on the hobby a little: My friends all know it's my hobby, and actually, so do my students. In fact, several of my students out of curiosity brought up my Yuba River Sub website on the "Smart Board" in the Choral room, and I don't mind saying that they were pretty impressed.
"Wow, man, Doc does TRAINS!!"
Actually two of my former students are model railroaders, and we used to have some pretty interesting discussions about the hobby. And these two were pretty all-around achievers in athletics, academics and fine arts. Nobody in their right mind would ever call them 'nerds' because they played with trains, LOL!
As I said before, for me the hobby allows me to get out of the 'limelight' of my profession and into creating something just for myself.
And you do know that the key of E# Major doesn't exist, don't you? But if it did, it would be the enharmonic of F. And I HATE F!!!!
And Mozart's "Air on the G-String"--is that any relation to Bach's "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik", LOL?
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
Personally, I could care diddly-squat what friends, relatives, co-workers, acquaintances - even people I don't even know - think of me and my involvement in MRRing. Most - BTW - are either accepting, understanding and/or supportive. Maybe it's because most of my friends are either engineer-types (science) or artists.
Although I don't "campaign" about MRRing, I don't shy away from it either. I'll bring it up in passing if it fits the conversation or if someone asks me specifically about it. If someone thinks it's weird or unusual - that's their problem, not mine.
I've met some wonderful folks in this hobby that I might not have met or rubbed shoulders with otherwise. And I find that I even enjoy talking with them about things other than MRRing. The same holds true for music, which I am also involved in.
FYI, John: Bach wrote "Air on a G String". Mozart wasn't baroque enough - even though he sometimes did squander his money.
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Its interesting, I've heard that "I'm not embarrassed... but I just don't tell anybody" line a lot. And not just in this thread or forum. Its odd that there are so many folks who are shy about talking about the hobby-- their hobby and feel like its something to hide-- or if not hide exactly, not go out of their way to reveal.
And the other observation is how can we recruit new people into the hobby if we're afraid (reluctant) to talk about our own involvement in it? I'm not aiming that at anybody in particular, I understand it myself and it echos some of my own feeling about things. However, I have told some people at work about my hobby and have found them somewhat interested. A couple of them I talk to now and then about happenings on the layout. I don't generally go way out of my way to tell people what my hobby is, but then I don't exactly keep it a secret either. I have two MR calendars in my office and I often wear my PRR T-shirt (black with a small Pennsy keystone logo). I doubt most people know what it is. A couple have asked and I've told them. I've also gotten stopped once or twice while out shopping by people who've recognized the logo and want to know if I'm into trains or MR'ing.
Capt. GrimekPeople will willingly spend far more on their cars, etc. than their kids. Just the way it is and has been-forever...
Well, I for one know the value of money and a good investment into the future.... BRASS!!! :-)
twhiteJohn: Pretty much Classical Vocal and Operatic with solo singers, though my high school men's choir does a lot of folk and Doo-Wop (and Pirate Songs, LOL!). I can do "I've Been Working On The Railroad" in every key except F Major. I don't like F Major. Tom
John: Pretty much Classical Vocal and Operatic with solo singers, though my high school men's choir does a lot of folk and Doo-Wop (and Pirate Songs, LOL!).
I can do "I've Been Working On The Railroad" in every key except F Major. I don't like F Major.
Sounds good, I'd like to hear a rendition in E# Major please... and you can follow that up with Mozart's "Air on a G-string"... Yo ho ho! It's the pirate life for me!
Outside of my immediate family, the readers of this forum, and the guys down at the LHS, no one has any idea I am a model railroader. It's not that I am embarassed to let other people in on this, but someone who is not a model railroader is unlikely to understand the fascination we all have for this hobby. Of all my friends, there is only one other I know who is in this hobby and he is a Lioneler. We've only mentioned this once to each other. I've never seen his layout and he's never seen mine. That's just fine with me. I am a lone wolf by choice. This is the one part of my life that is mine and mine alone that I don't have to explain or justify to anyone else. I seem to remember there was a TV program quite a while ago with the title of "My World and Wecome to It" which was based on the works of James Thurber. I never saw the show but the title pretty much sums up the way I view the hobby. My basement is my empire where I can build a small little world of my own the way I would like it to be. If others have an interest in it, I would certainly be happy to let them see it, but otherwise, I really don't feel any need to show it off to anyone else.
Thanks too for your vote of support for us (former) teachers.
Without heading into the political zone here, it just cracks me up to hear talkshow radio guys talk about the "all powerful teacher's union!" What a joke! I WISH! People will willingly spend far more on their cars, etc. than their kids. Just the way it is and has been-forever...
At least I didn't have to chop my own firewood before opening the doors to the classroom ;-)
I did my best to turn kids on to Model Railroading though, for over 20 yrs. I still do when I receive donations of old MRs or MRCs.
I too have been trying to remember what happened to my old Marx trains, track, etc. I did go to HO in the mid '60s but can't for the life of me remember where they "went" to. I have a few of my rolling stock left sitting on a bookself in the living room but where are my locos? :-0 Even my best friends show very little interest in the layout but perhaps once it's sceniced that'll change some. They usually assume I'm immature and wasting my time playing with toys but (as we here all know) they don't know what they're missing!
Raised on the Erie Lackawanna Mainline- Supt. of the Black River Transfer & Terminal R.R.
jwhitten twhite I'm a professional musician, and I'm in the public eye a lot. Whether it's working with my high school chorus or accompanying solo singers in recital, I'm what you call "out there" in front of crowds a lot during the year. If I'm not performing, I'm rehearsing. So when I get a chance for my hobby, I like to just become a Monk and make it my refuge. What kind of music do you play? And do you know "I've been working on the railroad???" (Sorry, I just *had* to ask! ) John
twhite I'm a professional musician, and I'm in the public eye a lot. Whether it's working with my high school chorus or accompanying solo singers in recital, I'm what you call "out there" in front of crowds a lot during the year. If I'm not performing, I'm rehearsing. So when I get a chance for my hobby, I like to just become a Monk and make it my refuge.
I'm a professional musician, and I'm in the public eye a lot. Whether it's working with my high school chorus or accompanying solo singers in recital, I'm what you call "out there" in front of crowds a lot during the year. If I'm not performing, I'm rehearsing. So when I get a chance for my hobby, I like to just become a Monk and make it my refuge.
What kind of music do you play?
And do you know "I've been working on the railroad???"
(Sorry, I just *had* to ask! )
Territorial? Probably, even if not explicitly. Even when my kids were going thru their "wild" years of getting into everything and finding every nook-and-cranny of the house, none of them ever went anywhere near the trains. And I never read them the riot act about it either, somehow they just knew...
I consider myself lucky that my wife, though totally disinterested in it herself, is highly supportive of my own involvement in mrr. She knows it deflects my attention away from booze and other women . And our Pastor even exhorted me to stay with it, when I once confided to him that I was getting burned-out with it.
Sharing with outsiders? As a result of a few traumatic experiences when I was 7 y/o, I've always been extremely wary about announcing my model railroad interest to any [non-mrr] person I don't know too well. Nobody I work with knows about it. And although I don't hide it from the other parents at my kids' schools**, I've asked my wife not to bring up the subject because, 9 times out of ten, they simply don't "get it". My kids never developed any interest in mrr either, so now I'm even less motivated to reveal it. I've gotten totally fed-up with the "aw-isn't-that-cute" responses from women and the Gomez Addams-type blow-em-up remarks of the men.OTOH, while I enjoy the activity of building & painting models and running my trains privately, I do enjoy having other mrr's as guests. I've always seen this hobby as a social activity, and I need the involvement of friends to keep my own interest alive. I don't want to be totally isolated.** I did try doing a 'WGH'-style presentation in a church basement for a home educators' co-op group while we were homeschooling our kids in 2004. Brought some Keller videos and setup a small modualr layout. But the woman who was supposed to promote the exhibit on the co-op web site put the wrong location, so nobody showed!
-Ken in Maryland (B&O modeler, former CSX modeler)
jwhitten steemtrayn AltonFan The only way I could imagine the collision being done was by having the point of impact at an electrical gap between the blocks. Actually, the trains were pulled by wires that were routed though a hole between the rails at the point of impact, thus assuring a head-on collision at a predetermined location. I'm thinking that at sometime in the past I've seen a "behind the scenes" type thing where they showed how they did it but I can't find it anywhere-- tried YouTube but nada...
steemtrayn AltonFan The only way I could imagine the collision being done was by having the point of impact at an electrical gap between the blocks. Actually, the trains were pulled by wires that were routed though a hole between the rails at the point of impact, thus assuring a head-on collision at a predetermined location.
AltonFan The only way I could imagine the collision being done was by having the point of impact at an electrical gap between the blocks.
The only way I could imagine the collision being done was by having the point of impact at an electrical gap between the blocks.
Actually, the trains were pulled by wires that were routed though a hole between the rails at the point of impact, thus assuring a head-on collision at a predetermined location.
I'm thinking that at sometime in the past I've seen a "behind the scenes" type thing where they showed how they did it but I can't find it anywhere-- tried YouTube but nada...
Maybe you saw it here:
http://index.mrmag.com/tm.exe?opt=I&MAG=CTT&MO=11&YR=1991&output=3&sort=A
Dave
Just be glad you don't have to press "2" for English.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ_ALEdDUB8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hqFS1GZL4s
http://s73.photobucket.com/user/steemtrayn/media/MovingcoalontheDCM.mp4.html?sort=3&o=27
I would not say, that I have a territorial attitude. My "train room in being" is a shared facility. The room acts as a guest room, my wife´s atelier, my office, ironing room - no chance to leave my markings
I am not really a lone wolf - actually, the social aspect of our hobby is also quite important for me. Nevertheless, it is good to have a place to retreat to, a place "where I am King" (pardon me for quoting you, Todd).
rockymidlandrrWell if territorial can be described as a way of telling people to not touch the trains then yes Im very territorial. It can get to point of aggravtion as my college age friends have to put whatever they find on the tops of a passing train to give it a "ride". Thats why no one has really seen the layout in a while. Everyone does know that only I get to operate the trains, cause even adults ask how fast can they go. Now I do invite family to see the layout, and i openly discuss my plans with it to them and to only a few of my closest friends. I had a ex-girlfriend that when we would meet at my parents house we would both go run the trains for a while and she really took interest to them. But thats pretty much it, ive had to go about my layout pretty much by byself because of the lack of interest or they're just toys mentality.
Well if territorial can be described as a way of telling people to not touch the trains then yes Im very territorial. It can get to point of aggravtion as my college age friends have to put whatever they find on the tops of a passing train to give it a "ride". Thats why no one has really seen the layout in a while. Everyone does know that only I get to operate the trains, cause even adults ask how fast can they go.
Now I do invite family to see the layout, and i openly discuss my plans with it to them and to only a few of my closest friends. I had a ex-girlfriend that when we would meet at my parents house we would both go run the trains for a while and she really took interest to them. But thats pretty much it, ive had to go about my layout pretty much by byself because of the lack of interest or they're just toys mentality.
My kid really likes running the trains and he's very good at it. He's reasonably good at not touching them, though not perfect. But for an almost 3yo, he does pretty well. And he's sharp as a whip. Tonight I was working in another part of the layout room and letting him run the passenger train. And then he stopped it right in front of him. And he points at it and says "There's the firebox"-- he said it a couple of times before I looked up and over and it *was* the firebox. He was pointing right at it. I had only ever told him one time before-- thinking it was going in one ear and directly out the other-- but I about fell out of my chair when a couple of weeks later (tonight) out of the blue he points to it and he was absolutely right.
My wife on the other hand, hates the layout, although I *think* she may be softening a little because my son likes it so much. There's still no love lost on it though on her part. Her mom came over a couple of weeks ago and I was surprised by some of her questions-- I could tell that overall she thought it was a bunch of nonsense-- toys. But she was doing a very good job of keeping that to herself. And actually asked me some decent questions about where I was going with it, how it would be scenicked, etc. And she wanted to see the trains go. So I showed her.
I'm hoping that someday I'll get it complete enough that I can invite some MRR's over and have an operating session. I think that might be fun, but I've never been to a real one. For the most part, me and my kid have fun running them around. But it really is relaxing and almost a "sanctuary" of sorts.
I'm a "Lone Wolf" about my model railroad, and I pretty much like to keep it that way. But I do so for an entirely different reason than some people, I suppose.
With that said, I have a California Basement (garage) layout, and generally, when I'm out their either working on it or operating it, the garage door is up, depending on the weather (and here where I live, the weather is pretty much co-operative, except during the winter). So in that respect, I suppose you might say that the railroad is 'on display'. But I don't get many interruptions--the neighbors are all pretty respectful of my hobby, though they do occasionally drop around just to chat--and maybe just the occasional jogger using my street as a new experience, who will stop by to take a look at it.
But generally speaking, when I'm working on the railroad, I'm left alone, and I pretty much prefer it that way. I like sharing photos of the layout, and on those rare occasions anymore when I throw a dinner party for my friends, we might all end up out in the garage while I run a train or two for their entertainment, but other than that, it's just me and the trains. And those times are valuable to me, because I know that tomorrow, I'm going to be in front of a bunch of people making music. That's my profession. My hobby is model railroading, and I like to keep it pretty much 'Lone Wolf.'.
Capt. GrimekCalling John Wittens...I've been wondering for some time now if either of you lived in Riverdale, N.J. as a kid and I actually knew you? I used to plow my trains into each other as a kid (repeatedly I'm ashamed to say) when I ran 0- 27 Marx Trains. Things were sure "kid proof" back then. I would faint if I had even an accidental head on collision with my present BLI/Bachmann Spectrum, etc. locos! I think in the '50s and '60s "purposeful head on collisions were VERY common with kids in my neighborhood. We just didn't let our parents know! I had to wait until I retired to spend lost of time in my train room/build a layout. I sometimes think that if I'd had that form of relaxation while working it would have been great, but the nature of my profession (school teacher) kept me "on the job" pretty much 24/7 with lesson planning, grading, constantly being sent back to school myself, on my own dime yet- worrying about politics on the job, etc. So...maybe wouldn't have gotten much done back then. Now I just have to live long enough to make up for that lost time in this great hobby.
Sounds like fun, and I must admit to smashing a few 027 gauge trains when I was a kid, but nope, that was in Bristol VA and not Riverdale NJ.... but perhaps it was my recently-discovered doppelganger? They were my Dad's when he was a kid-- unfortunately, "were" is the operative term here. They did not make it past my childhood. I'm not 100% certain what happened to them though-- I don't recall tearing them up or anything.
I've got a lot of respect for School Teachers. A very under-appreciated profession if there ever was one. Molding and shaping each generation of kids is an awesome responsibility. Thanks for all your hard work-- oh, and remember that time you sat on the tack in 5th period...??? Wasn't me!!!
BRAKIEHow "territorial" are you with respect to your layout? ---------------------------- I'm not when I have a ISL anybody is welcome for a look see...I love showing off my models.. ----------------------- John,I enjoy the company of like minded people that's why the majority of my friends are modelers or railfans..I enjoy running my trains during the club's open houses and the 8 day county fair.I just like watching the visitors reaction.Some are like kids and their eyes light up while others-well I'm still trying to figer that out.
How "territorial" are you with respect to your layout?
----------------------------
I'm not when I have a ISL anybody is welcome for a look see...I love showing off my models..
-----------------------
John,I enjoy the company of like minded people that's why the majority of my friends are modelers or railfans..I enjoy running my trains during the club's open houses and the 8 day county fair.I just like watching the visitors reaction.Some are like kids and their eyes light up while others-well I'm still trying to figer that out.
That sounds like fun. I'm waiting to get to that point. My biggest reaction so far is "It's Pink! I didn't expect it would be so Pink. Is it always going to be Pink? Oh look, there's a train..."
(sigh)
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
ollevon I'm all ready finished my 1st lay-out started it in 1992 just finished it in 2008. Let me tell you in all those years I took a lot of flack from all of my friends, but I never let it bother me, because when ever I was down the basement working on my lay-out, I always felt very relaxed and peaceful. When ever any of them came over to visit, I never offered them to come down to take a look at the progress at any time.They might ask how you doing with your trains? Do you still play with them? Ya, I'm doing OK I say, but still never brought ant of down to see, because none of ever pressed the issue. Now that the lay-out is finished,and It got approved to be featured in Model Railroad Mag. very soon. The fun poking has pretty stopped. They all have begged me to see it, and asked if they can bring their children & grand-children. Now a few of them are starting to show real intrest. In fact one of ask me when am I going to my next train show and if he could come along? The more the merryer
I'm all ready finished my 1st lay-out started it in 1992 just finished it in 2008. Let me tell you in all those years I took a lot of flack from all of my friends, but I never let it bother me, because when ever I was down the basement working on my lay-out, I always felt very relaxed and peaceful. When ever any of them came over to visit, I never offered them to come down to take a look at the progress at any time.They might ask how you doing with your trains? Do you still play with them? Ya, I'm doing OK I say, but still never brought ant of down to see, because none of ever pressed the issue. Now that the lay-out is finished,and It got approved to be featured in Model Railroad Mag. very soon. The fun poking has pretty stopped. They all have begged me to see it, and asked if they can bring their children & grand-children. Now a few of them are starting to show real intrest. In fact one of ask me when am I going to my next train show and if he could come along? The more the merryer
That always seems to be the way-- no interest until some outside third party shows an interest and makes it "okay"-- maybe we should form "validation committees" and go around "validating" everyone's efforts!
wm3798 My layout is located up in the attic, which ironically was the first room to be completely renovated after I moved here 12 years ago... It's definitely my refuge. Like lots of people, I recently lost my job, which has pretty obvious drawbacks. But on the up-side, I've gotten a lot of work done on my layout!My philosophy has always been to stock up during the good times so there's plenty of work to occupy me during the lean times. My main experience is in residential construction, so I've been through a few of these downturns, and this practice has always served me well.Lee
My layout is located up in the attic, which ironically was the first room to be completely renovated after I moved here 12 years ago... It's definitely my refuge. Like lots of people, I recently lost my job, which has pretty obvious drawbacks. But on the up-side, I've gotten a lot of work done on my layout!
My philosophy has always been to stock up during the good times so there's plenty of work to occupy me during the lean times. My main experience is in residential construction, so I've been through a few of these downturns, and this practice has always served me well.
Lee
Sorry to hear about your job. That's a bummer. But look on the bright side, now you have a lot more time to model! :-)
(P.S. I hope you find a new one very soon!)
MisterBeasleya group of Thai monks who have built a monestary and temple in town. ... My wife's friend has informed me of their interest in building a scale model of their monestary and temple grounds, as she was impressed by this combination of pink foam, plaster cloth, Gypsolite and various Woodland Scenics products.
... My wife's friend has informed me of their interest in building a scale model of their monestary and temple grounds, as she was impressed by this combination of pink foam, plaster cloth, Gypsolite and various Woodland Scenics products.
Cool, what scale?
Maybe you should get them a train to go with it and call it the Shaolin Express!