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what do you dislike about this hobby?

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Posted by Reformed Grownup on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 12:00 PM

1) Drill bits #'s 70-80

2) The (high) price of everything

3) Murphy's Law with the added corrollary that whatever goes wrong will ultimately painfully remind one of #2 above

Richard
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Posted by jwhitten on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 8:27 AM

 I have to agree with a number of other respondents who have mentioned that they dislike the unavailability of small-to-mid sized steam locomotives and too many "Big Boys".

I dislike the prices on everything rocketing ever-skyward.

I dislike having to cut track-- I know that sounds weird, but you asked :-) When you cut a piece of track, its a non-reversible action, and you're either committed to it, or else you've wasted a piece of track, or both. I suspect that many people have that problem but don't know it or won't admit it. And it holds them back, mentally of course, from moving forward with their plans. I think its a function of price versus its latent potential or something, even though there's obviously no denying the fact that you pretty much *have* to cut it to get anywhere... Whistling

 I guess that's pretty much it for me, everything else I'm generally okay with.

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
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Posted by pastorbob on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 7:46 AM

Love the hobby in all phases.  Dislike the self proclaimed experts who have an opinion and better way (in their opinion) of doing everything, the era modeled, how closely details are observed, in short, those who have a negative opinion of everything and everyone who doesn't enjoy the hobby precisely as the self proclaimed expert does.  Unfortunately these people are found in every walk of life.  I have had to tolerate them in the "real world", I don't in my "train world".

Bob

Bob Miller http://www.atsfmodelrailroads.com/
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Posted by blownout cylinder on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 7:23 AM

Grumpy

Bill H.

And I take it that you prefer the LHS disappear?GrumpyMischief

Sheeesh what a grump-----you would rather spend the minumum of $8.95 on s/h charges to get stuff your LHS can get you technically for free? Oh sure you can do that but you are paying for that service---

Boy are we curmudgeonly---Whistling

Disappear? Certainly not! LHS serve the needs of many hobbyists, but I've stopped relying on them for pretty much everything.

Online buying is far more satisfying as it allows shopping everywhere, on my schedule, for exactly what is desired. One needn't wait for the LHS to amass a specific amount of orders before being sent to the supplier, where the item is likely to be on backorder anyway. Meanwhile, via the web, I'll already have the item.

BTW: Do you really believe you pay no S&H using the LHS?

I don't see that as curmudgeon-like at all.

 

I know I do pay something for that service but it is no where near the $8.95 you pay for the lonely petunia item you get.

My LHS gets the item in a matter of 1 lousy week---and that is without the huge list of things needed--and I still pay less for that item than you do----

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...

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Posted by SteamFreak on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 4:48 AM

What do I dislike about the hobby?

1. Zinc rot. Dead

2. Small parts (screws, springs, brushes, etc.) that sprout grasshopper legs during a project and leap from the workbench, no matter how carefully you've secured them.

3. Curmudgeons, both online and off.

Also, the fact that my LHS owner has told me that his place hasn't been profitable in years, and that it's just no fun anymore. That store is a lifesaver and a landmark, and I hate to think of a place like that becoming an anachronism.

And yes, I can get many items there (NWSL parts, things in the Micro-Mark catalog, etc.) that are available online for the same price without the shipping costs.

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Posted by Bill H. on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 3:25 AM

And I take it that you prefer the LHS disappear?GrumpyMischief

Sheeesh what a grump-----you would rather spend the minumum of $8.95 on s/h charges to get stuff your LHS can get you technically for free? Oh sure you can do that but you are paying for that service---

Boy are we curmudgeonly---Whistling

Disappear? Certainly not! LHS serve the needs of many hobbyists, but I've stopped relying on them for pretty much everything.

Online buying is far more satisfying as it allows shopping everywhere, on my schedule, for exactly what is desired. One needn't wait for the LHS to amass a specific amount of orders before being sent to the supplier, where the item is likely to be on backorder anyway. Meanwhile, via the web, I'll already have the item.

BTW: Do you really believe you pay no S&H using the LHS?

I don't see that as curmudgeon-like at all.

 

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Posted by blownout cylinder on Monday, May 31, 2010 9:49 PM

tstage

How petty MRRers can get with both other MRRers and non-MRRers.  THAT'S what I think will kill the hobby faster than anything.

Tom

megh---see that with other people as well---lack of civility I think it is called---

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/

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Posted by blownout cylinder on Monday, May 31, 2010 9:47 PM

Bill H.

steemtrayn

Would you rather they be farther away?

 

Frankly, I don't care where they are. Hearing "Sorry, we're out of this or that, BUT, we can order it" is becoming routine. I can order it myself, and I do,

Not in the distant past, Walthers had a phrase YOUR DEALER CAN GET IT FROM WALTHERS . Now we can get it from Walthers ourselves.

LHS is being cut out of the equation, and they know it.

And I take it that you prefer the LHS disappear?GrumpyMischief

Sheeesh what a grump-----you would rather spend the minumum of $8.95 on s/h charges to get stuff your LHS can get you technically for free? Oh sure you can do that but you are paying for that service---

Boy are we curmudgeonly---Whistling

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/

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Posted by nfrgcs10 on Monday, May 31, 2010 9:43 PM

I'd have to say that I dislike the prices that continue to rise, as well as the fact that the majority of products are based on the big names in railroading, leaving the smaller roads to limited (and expensive) runs.

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Posted by blownout cylinder on Monday, May 31, 2010 9:41 PM

markpierce

Bill H.

Not in the distant past, Walthers had a phrase YOUR DEALER CAN GET IT FROM WALTHERS . Now we can get it from Walthers ourselves.

There is no postage and handling charge if ordered through the LHS.  If memory serves, the minimum charge is now $8.95.

Mark

Besides, it keeps the LHS around for a bit----

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/

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Posted by blownout cylinder on Monday, May 31, 2010 9:39 PM

hcc25rl

 Nattering Nabobs of Negativism.

A wonderful coined phrase of Spiro T Agnew btw----Big Smile

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/

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Posted by hcc25rl on Monday, May 31, 2010 8:41 PM

 Nattering Nabobs of Negativism.

Jimmy

ROUTE ROCK!

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Posted by tstage on Monday, May 31, 2010 1:15 PM

How petty MRRers can get with both other MRRers and non-MRRers.  THAT'S what I think will kill the hobby faster than anything.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

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Posted by markpierce on Monday, May 31, 2010 12:42 PM

Bill H.

Not in the distant past, Walthers had a phrase YOUR DEALER CAN GET IT FROM WALTHERS . Now we can get it from Walthers ourselves.

There is no postage and handling charge if ordered through the LHS.  If memory serves, the minimum charge is now $8.95.

Mark

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Posted by Bill H. on Monday, May 31, 2010 11:55 AM

steemtrayn

Would you rather they be farther away?

 

Frankly, I don't care where they are. Hearing "Sorry, we're out of this or that, BUT, we can order it" is becoming routine. I can order it myself, and I do,

Not in the distant past, Walthers had a phrase YOUR DEALER CAN GET IT FROM WALTHERS . Now we can get it from Walthers ourselves.

LHS is being cut out of the equation, and they know it.

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Posted by cabbage on Monday, May 31, 2010 11:46 AM
Personally speaking... I hate rivet counters and colour freaks, allied to this I hate people who cannot stand the possibility that I might like a locomotive that they don't. I build my locomotives in two scales 16mm and 13.5mm -the former is normally called SM32 and the latter Gauge '3'. The former is Narrow Gauge and the latter Standard Gauge. I like articulated locomotives -I don't care that no-one else seems to!!! regards ralph

The Home of Articulated Ugliness

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Posted by steemtrayn on Monday, May 31, 2010 11:28 AM

Bill H.

Dislike?

 

2.  Local hobby shops.   

Would you rather they be farther away?

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Posted by Bill H. on Monday, May 31, 2010 11:20 AM

Dislike? Let's say disappointed.

 

1. a. Forum types who correct things others post, then make a POINT of same.

    b. Forum types who seem to think time in hobby / forum means something.

    c. Forum types who begin with "I can't" or "I don't have the skills / patience."

    d. Forum types who can be counted on to apply smarmy comments to questions.

 

2.  Local hobby shops.   

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Posted by galaxy on Monday, May 31, 2010 10:00 AM

I hate:

1}wiring. That is why I went to "simpler DCC". Ha Ha.

2} Not having the space I need to have for a layout I really would like to have. Either a general 4 x 8 would rally be nice or an around the walls about 20" deep.

3} have a very small tight budget, I hate the prices going up to the $2-300's plus for a DCC loco. FOr those who make $50k to 75K and above, it may be no big deal but for those like me on disability or retirement with small budgets it can be frustrating.

4} the ":advanced preordering" and the wait BEYOND the "preorder delivery date", and the still not getting one anyway!!!!  SoapBox

5} Those who think this is a lifestyle/job. It's a hobby, and a hobby is to be ENJOYED as the hobbyist sees fit in their own way, be it Thomas the Tank or rivet counting prototype accuracy.

6} those who declare theirs is the "best", be it their operating system, brand of loco, type of scenery etc.

7} those who make fun at or insultingly correct others typo's or spelling mistakes. WE all can make 'em, and we all can miss them, even on a proof read before posting. Please forgive my dyslexic typing, thank you.

and last but not least:

8} those who are experienced modelers with years behind them that a} take offense at, b} complain loudly about, c} give a snooty answer such as "google it" or "use the search engine" --  instead of answering the question A NEWBIE asks...who really has no clue and really needs to ask and have information provided to them, and having that question answered properly to them is the most important thing to them at the time. They may not think of google or know where the search engine here is or what key words to put in it to get their answers. I have been on this forum long enough to see the ad nauseum repeat "simple answer" questions come up time and again, but I try to remember the NEWBIE really doesn't know and would appreciate a good answer to their question, not insults. I had lots of questions about this here "new-fangled thing" {to me} called "DCC" that wasn't available when I left O-O/27 trains at the age of 19-20 and came back only 3-4 years ago to a new HO scale. Still do have questions. BUt no one should make a NEWBIE feel "stupid" about their question or lack of knowledge in asking it.

 No wonder why the hobby is "dying" {if it really is} if the older modelers don't offer to help NEWBIES and instead scare them off!!!

-G .

Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.

 HO and N Scale.

After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.

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Posted by Doughless on Monday, May 17, 2010 6:20 PM

1. Never being able to totally escape the constant stream of clutter that plagues my layout room.

2. Thinking something seems like a good deal at the time when I buy it, when it really isn't because I don't need the item anyway.

3. Wiring track.

4.  Having that little bit of glue that was just there, disappear, only to have it return in a tsunami like wave.

 

- Douglas

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Posted by tomikawaTT on Monday, May 17, 2010 5:13 PM

After carefully reconsidering my earlier post, and reading those added since, I realize that I really dislike standing on my head under the layout, reaching up to try to work on (fillintheblank.)Grumpy

Which is why I've carefully engineered things to make that unnecessary - or as nearly so as possible.Approve

Work smarter, not harder.Cool

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

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Posted by YoHo1975 on Monday, May 17, 2010 4:13 PM
Its a hobby, so if I really disliked something, I wouldn't be in the hobby.

thus most of my frustrations are unfounded and unimportant. Still I will list them.

1. That I live in an apartment, not a house with space for the layout I want and don't see this changing in the near term.

2. The fact that the costs associated with the hobby didn't freeze in 1990 when I was 15, because my Hobby monkey Brain is stuck in 1990 and pitches a fit when prices don't fall in line.

3. related to 2, that the price of DCC and sound decoders is so bleedin high. I work in the telecom industry, I know about how small electronics are made. Granted that we're talking about a relatively small run of even the most popular products, but The parts for a Sound/DCC decoder including speaker are probably under $20 (price of the circuit board being the biggest cost.).

I'm frustrated by limited release products and the death of the Blue Box kit too, but I could live with those things if Item number 2 went into effect, so I don't complain about them separately. I get Joy out of building shake the box kits and "super" detailing a loco, but there are plenty of RTR locos that need TLC and plenty of kits still to build.

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Posted by blownout cylinder on Monday, May 17, 2010 2:58 PM

HaroldA

1. Crawling around on the basement floor - then trying to stand up.

2.  Gluing my fingers together when I use ACC.

3.  Problems that only happen when a guest is visiting - and that go away the minute they back down the driveway.

Particularly the third one---as for the fingers together---getting the fingerprints onto the model you're trying to finish up----first one---clobbering the noggin on the benchwork as you're getting up---

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...

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Posted by vsmith on Monday, May 17, 2010 12:56 PM
While my layout is indoors, it is in G scale so even though almost everything I do (scenery, ballasting, wiring, etc) is directly relatable to what most are doing here, it is a bit idiosyncratic in its own right. It is albeit a niche in a niche inside a niche, but my comments are appropriate to all scales. While I have learned to deal in my scale with a severely limited supply of building kits, limited rolling stock selection, and ever increasing price rises, the one thing that really bugs me is the ever increasing inclusion of lots of electronic stuff I don’t want and have no need of. Pre-plugged this, prewired that, DCC, sound, etc…and some of it is proprietary electronics which means you HAVE to use Brand X or else it’s an expensive paper weight. The reason I hate all this stuff is A: I never use it, my layout is no sound, straight DC track power, its what works best for me, and B: it jacks up the price of items sometimes 50% over what the same item would be without all the electronic spaghetti crammed under the hood. The only other thing I dislike is a little easier to control. Namely the humorless types who take this stuff all too seriously that they seam to be angry or grumpy at everything and everyone around them and get all bent out of shape when someone does something outside of their perspective of what is correct to them model wise or layout wise. At least with this element I can just choose to ignore them at shows or LHS when they get bent out of shape. Of course it doesn’t help when the crusty bugger getting bent out of shape is a LHS owner, I had that happen to me (got yelled at when I was shopping there) and haven’t been back since. I subsequently discovered I was in a fairly large pool of guys who received similar “customer service” at this particular shop, and they all said its just the way the guy is, so I know it wasn’t my fault.

 

   Have fun with your trains

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Posted by Archer1 on Monday, May 17, 2010 9:06 AM

 Gents -

 Some interesting comments.

Guess the only thing I dislike about this hobby, is that some people, especially Internet types, forget it's a hobby.  I don't post here a lot because of that. Ask a question like "how do I fix XYZ?", and someone will come along and tell you that you really have to upgrade this or that, or that what you're using is "junk" or obsolete, or that you "SHOULD" be using ABC, instead of XYZ.

I have no intention of going to DDC, and I like Rapido couplers. I have no problems with Life-Like or Bachmann engines and rolling stock and I PREFER plastic wheels/axles. Can I appreciate the work rivet counters do? Sure, but that's not the only way of doing it - it is the "hobby" aspect of the hobby. If I were involved with a competition, things might be different. But I'm not, and it's something I do in my spare time - because I enjoy it.

 As far the the hobby itself, there's very little I don't like doing with/to it, if there were, I well, wouldn't be doing it! But, yes there are some parts I do like doing more than others.

 Archer

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Posted by sfcgadget on Monday, May 17, 2010 8:48 AM

Although this is geared more towards G scale, you asked the question here. AVAILABILITY: Some items are advertised over a year in advance of shipping and even then the ship date gets pushed back 6 months or more. The other is many older items are not being produced even with the demand still high. You can see these locos, cars, etc. being advertised on the web and in catalogs, but you might retire before you can buy one. It is probably due to the economy and attempts to streamline business but the customer is the one that takes the hit.

SFC Gadget (Ret.)
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Posted by Driline on Monday, May 17, 2010 8:41 AM

 People who use 1/64 scale matchbox cars on their HO layout. GET A CLUE!


Modeling the Davenport Rock Island & Northwestern 1995 in HO
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Posted by Driline on Monday, May 17, 2010 8:36 AM

 

UP 4-12-2

I strongly dislike the people on internet forums who in their minds believe their way of doing things to be far better than mine and then proceed to tell me why.

John

 

 

 If you only used better punctuation, and perhaps a few bold type, we could understand your message better. I really get tired of correcting people who need my help............

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Monday, May 17, 2010 8:07 AM

I hate negativity.  Man, do I hate negativity.  I love DCC because I don't have to have a "negative" side to my track.

Seriously, I wish my layout were several inches higher, so I would be a bit more comfortable working under it.  I've got one of those 45-degree rooflines, though, so for every inch I raise the layout, I lose an inch of space on each side of the room.  So, the layout height is a compromise.

And, I'm not as young as I used to be.  It only takes a few minutes in an awkward position beneath the layout to make me come up sore.  I need glasses, but I'd have to say that since I got back into modeling, my hands are steadier and my fingers deal with small-scale work better.  Getting old isn't the greatest thing in the world, but it sure beats the alternative.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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