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Warren Buffett a Model Railroader?

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Posted by jwhitten on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 8:02 PM

tschwarz

 

 maxman:

 

 

 jwhitten:

 

 

 cudaken:

 I was a little surprised from what they showed of his layout. You would think with the money he has it would look way more grand and professorially built.

 Cuda Ken

 

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/BNSF_7520_GE_ES44DC_in_Mojave_Desert.jpg

 

Whatsamatta...??? You don't think this is grand enough or professorially built???

Laugh Smile, Wink & GrinLaugh Smile, Wink & GrinLaugh Smile, Wink & Grin

John

 

 

He obviously is not a "Real Model Railroader" since he bought all his trains RTR. 

 

 

 

But did he count the rivets to make sure it was prototypically accurate?  Laugh Smile, Wink & Grin

 

I don't know about the rivets, but it doesn't look like he even tried to weather the thing. It still has that "just-out-of-the-box" look, not a speck of dust on it. Sure you might even find a prototypical photo to show it actually happened once, but who's going to believe it? The plausibility definitely suffers. And no real railroad is ever gonna run *three* locos of that size and capacity with such a small train! C'mon fellas, let's get real. On the plus side though, you gotta give the man props for his photoshop work... those exhaust plumes look almost like the real thing, you can almost smell the diesel fumes! If he had only put an engineer in there you could almost be fooled into thinking it was the real thing...

 

John

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
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Posted by tschwarz on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 4:09 PM

maxman

 

 jwhitten:

 

 

 cudaken:

 I was a little surprised from what they showed of his layout. You would think with the money he has it would look way more grand and professorially built.

 Cuda Ken

 

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/BNSF_7520_GE_ES44DC_in_Mojave_Desert.jpg

 

Whatsamatta...??? You don't think this is grand enough or professorially built???

Laugh Smile, Wink & GrinLaugh Smile, Wink & GrinLaugh Smile, Wink & Grin

John

 

 

He obviously is not a "Real Model Railroader" since he bought all his trains RTR. 

 

But did he count the rivets to make sure it was prototypically accurate?  Laugh Smile, Wink & Grin

Modeling the Pittsburgh Division of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad from Glenwood Yard to New Castle Yard following the old P&W Mainline.

Visit my website at: http://www.baltimoreandohiorr.com

 

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Posted by P&Slocal on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 3:55 PM

Who cares what his layout looks like. I am sure he is happy with what he has. As his shirt says "Still plays with Trains." I am sure that his layout is loops and he just sits and watches them go round and round as a matter of relaxation. More power to him, he is playing with trains, not trying to make trains work by devoting hours to detail and operations. It may also be a thing of nostalgia to him...a train layout like he had as a kid...a chunk of plywood, some track and some slightly detailed plastic buildings.

Dinah won't you blow, Dinah won't you blow, Dinah won't you blow your hor-r-r-n....Whistling

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Posted by BATMAN on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 3:38 PM

Warren Buffett owns BNSF and Bill Gates is the biggest shareholder of Canadian National. I wonder how often they get together for an op's session. And on who's track.Laugh

Warren Buffetts layout is so big it comes into Canada and I can hear it at my house!

 

                                 BrentCowboy

Brent

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Posted by rogertra on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 3:09 PM

Can what was seen in the background be classified as a model railroad or is it more a collection of model railroad trains?

Cheers

Roger T.

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Posted by mlehman on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 11:19 AM

jwhitten

 

 

You do know it's a picture of the prototype, right? And that he pretty much owns the BNSF... ??

 

Smile, Wink & Grin

 

John

Yes, I do. But my point is that he's having fun with the layout, not BNSF.

Now, if it was me, it would be cab rides most places I want to go, if the BNSF tracks ran anywhere close. But I'd still have the layout, too.Yes

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

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Posted by vsmith on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 10:16 AM

Yep, Still plays with trains, real ones 1:1 scale, its a real bugger when he derails one backing over a switch

MischiefPirateLaugh

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Posted by jwhitten on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 10:36 PM

mlehman

 

 jwhitten:

 

 

Yeah, and from the looks of his layout, he spent all his money on the trains and then couldn't afford any buildings or trees! Heck, he could have at least sprinkled around some green ground foam or maybe a clump of lichen or two... Sheesh!

 

John

 

 

John,

Nothing at all wrong with your comment -- and you do like philosophy Smile -- but it did inspire me to think.  Sometimes that's a good thing, sometimes not, but I'm definitely not picking on you about it....

 

All I can say is "Model Railroading Is Fun!"

Rule #1: It's my layout and I do it my way.

Rule #2: Wanna rivet count? See rule #1.

It's his layout and he's doing what gives him satisfaction. Don't like it? See Rule #1...Big Smile

My first reaction was also, "Heck, he doesn't need a model, he can go out and play with real trains any time."

But I think there's a lesson to be learned here about the value of model railroading. Buffett could enjoy real trains more, if he chose, a private car or even a whole private train. He could build his own large scale model railroad with live steam and diesel if he wanted to do that and get away from all the paperwork and regs that go with playing with real trains on a live railroad. He could pay the very best custom layout builders, give them a huge indoor facility and turn them loose.

But he's not doing any of that. He's got his layout and he's modeling the way that he enjoys, despite having a range of options that most of us never will.

It points out how model railroading involves some primal satisfactions that aren't constrained by money or other limits.Do what gives you pleasure and don't worry so much about what others think.

That's an important point in itself, I think. But there's another that it brings to mind. I get so tired of reading about how expensive some new models are, how they fail to satisfy someone's critical standards, or how a certain person gets their name in the model press too much.

None of those are fundamental to model railroading. Fun is. Think about where you're putting your time before adding to another thread that concentrates on everything about model railroading, except the fun. And some wonder why they don't get so much out of the hobby anymore because of "X"? Maybe the answer lies within, rather than in the failings of others.

OK, off my soapbox.Clown

 

You do know it's a picture of the prototype, right? And that he pretty much owns the BNSF... ??

 

Smile, Wink & Grin

 

John

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
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Posted by Lake on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 7:59 PM

Maxman, Thanks for pointing this out to them. Bow

As for the layout out behind him while playing the Ukelele it may or may not be his.  If it is his then I'm sure it is the way he enjoys having it. 

I always wondered why so many assume that just because one has lots of money the layout needs to be huge and perfectly built. Not more basic and fun they way the owner enjoys it.

 

Ken G Price   My N-Scale Layout

Digitrax Super Empire Builder Radio System. South Valley Texas Railroad. SVTRR

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Posted by maxman on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 5:02 PM

cmrproducts

Mike

You are so correct on your note!

Too bad Modelers begin to expect others to do as they think they should.

The big problem is that we put our time and money into a project - so it is ours to do with as we wish.

Now those that want to criticize what I am doing - would like to make a LARGE CASH donation to my layout - we can talk - but I will probably still do things my way!

BOB H - Clarion, PA

 

 mlehman:

 

 

 

John,

Nothing at all wrong with your comment -- and you do like philosophy Smile -- but it did inspire me to think.  Sometimes that's a good thing, sometimes not, but I'm definitely not picking on you about it....

 

OK, off my soapbox.Clown

 

Gentleman.  This is laughable.  If you took the time to stop, think, and pay attention once in awhile before going off half-cocked and jumping on a soapbox, you might notice that the comments regarding the scenery, lack of structures, et cetera, were in reference to the prototype photo, not the model railroad in the video.

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Posted by cmrproducts on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 2:35 PM

Mike

You are so correct on your note!

Too bad Modelers begin to expect others to do as they think they should.

The big problem is that we put our time and money into a project - so it is ours to do with as we wish.

Now those that want to criticize what I am doing - would like to make a LARGE CASH donation to my layout - we can talk - but I will probably still do things my way!

BOB H - Clarion, PA

 

mlehman

 

 

 

John,

Nothing at all wrong with your comment -- and you do like philosophy Smile -- but it did inspire me to think.  Sometimes that's a good thing, sometimes not, but I'm definitely not picking on you about it....

 

All I can say is "Model Railroading Is Fun!"

Rule #1: It's my layout and I do it my way.

Rule #2: Wanna rivet count? See rule #1.

It's his layout and he's doing what gives him satisfaction. Don't like it? See Rule #1...Big Smile

My first reaction was also, "Heck, he doesn't need a model, he can go out and play with real trains any time."

But I think there's a lesson to be learned here about the value of model railroading. Buffett could enjoy real trains more, if he chose, a private car or even a whole private train. He could build his own large scale model railroad with live steam and diesel if he wanted to do that and get away from all the paperwork and regs that go with playing with real trains on a live railroad. He could pay the very best custom layout builders, give them a huge indoor facility and turn them loose.

But he's not doing any of that. He's got his layout and he's modeling the way that he enjoys, despite having a range of options that most of us never will.

It points out how model railroading involves some primal satisfactions that aren't constrained by money or other limits.Do what gives you pleasure and don't worry so much about what others think.

That's an important point in itself, I think. But there's another that it brings to mind. I get so tired of reading about how expensive some new models are, how they fail to satisfy someone's critical standards, or how a certain person gets their name in the model press too much.

None of those are fundamental to model railroading. Fun is. Think about where you're putting your time before adding to another thread that concentrates on everything about model railroading, except the fun. And some wonder why they don't get so much out of the hobby anymore because of "X"? Maybe the answer lies within, rather than in the failings of others.

OK, off my soapbox.Clown

  • Member since
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Posted by mlehman on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 1:03 PM

jwhitten

 

Yeah, and from the looks of his layout, he spent all his money on the trains and then couldn't afford any buildings or trees! Heck, he could have at least sprinkled around some green ground foam or maybe a clump of lichen or two... Sheesh!

 

John

John,

Nothing at all wrong with your comment -- and you do like philosophy Smile -- but it did inspire me to think.  Sometimes that's a good thing, sometimes not, but I'm definitely not picking on you about it....

 

All I can say is "Model Railroading Is Fun!"

Rule #1: It's my layout and I do it my way.

Rule #2: Wanna rivet count? See rule #1.

It's his layout and he's doing what gives him satisfaction. Don't like it? See Rule #1...Big Smile

My first reaction was also, "Heck, he doesn't need a model, he can go out and play with real trains any time."

But I think there's a lesson to be learned here about the value of model railroading. Buffett could enjoy real trains more, if he chose, a private car or even a whole private train. He could build his own large scale model railroad with live steam and diesel if he wanted to do that and get away from all the paperwork and regs that go with playing with real trains on a live railroad. He could pay the very best custom layout builders, give them a huge indoor facility and turn them loose.

But he's not doing any of that. He's got his layout and he's modeling the way that he enjoys, despite having a range of options that most of us never will.

It points out how model railroading involves some primal satisfactions that aren't constrained by money or other limits.Do what gives you pleasure and don't worry so much about what others think.

That's an important point in itself, I think. But there's another that it brings to mind. I get so tired of reading about how expensive some new models are, how they fail to satisfy someone's critical standards, or how a certain person gets their name in the model press too much.

None of those are fundamental to model railroading. Fun is. Think about where you're putting your time before adding to another thread that concentrates on everything about model railroading, except the fun. And some wonder why they don't get so much out of the hobby anymore because of "X"? Maybe the answer lies within, rather than in the failings of others.

OK, off my soapbox.Clown

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

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Posted by maxman on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 7:58 AM

jwhitten

 

Yeah, and from the looks of his layout, he spent all his money on the trains and then couldn't afford any buildings or trees! Heck, he could have at least sprinkled around some green ground foam or maybe a clump of lichen or two... Sheesh!

 

Well, he does have some nice looking ballast and trackside details, and whoever did his backdrop did a pretty good job.

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Posted by jwhitten on Monday, January 23, 2012 6:36 PM

 

Yeah, and from the looks of his layout, he spent all his money on the trains and then couldn't afford any buildings or trees! Heck, he could have at least sprinkled around some green ground foam or maybe a clump of lichen or two... Sheesh!

 

John

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
  • Member since
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Posted by maxman on Monday, January 23, 2012 5:55 PM

jwhitten

 cudaken:

 I was a little surprised from what they showed of his layout. You would think with the money he has it would look way more grand and professorially built.

 Cuda Ken

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/BNSF_7520_GE_ES44DC_in_Mojave_Desert.jpg

 

Whatsamatta...??? You don't think this is grand enough or professorially built???

Laugh Smile, Wink & GrinLaugh Smile, Wink & GrinLaugh Smile, Wink & Grin

John

He obviously is not a "Real Model Railroader" since he bought all his trains RTR. 

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Posted by jwhitten on Monday, January 23, 2012 5:03 PM

cudaken

 I was a little surprised from what they showed of his layout. You would think with the money he has it would look way more grand and professorially built.

 Cuda Ken

 

Whatsamatta...??? You don't think this is grand enough or professorially built???

Laugh Smile, Wink & GrinLaugh Smile, Wink & GrinLaugh Smile, Wink & Grin

John

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
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Posted by galaxy on Monday, January 23, 2012 4:57 PM

Yep, and he owns a  bigger train set and layout than all of us...the BNSF Railroad!!!

He said he "always wanted a train set".

WIth his money he can do just about anything he wants!

Now, which screenname on this site belongs to him??????

Geeked

-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 cudaken on Monday, January 23, 2012 3:34 PM

 I was a little surprised from what they showed of his layout. You would think with the money he has it would look way more grand and professorially built.

 Good for him, looks like something anyone here would have built.

 Cuda Ken

I hate Rust

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Posted by selector on Monday, January 23, 2012 1:44 PM

Sometimes the difference between wrong and right is about the same...plus or minus $100M.

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Posted by maxman on Monday, January 23, 2012 12:09 PM

Doug from Michigan

Just saw this video of millionaire Warren Buffett playing a ukulele for Chinese New Year, sitting in front of a layout, wearing a shirt that says "Still Plays with Trains".  Who knew? 

warren buffett sings plays ukulele for chinese new year 15418701

Yes, and I'm reminded of the fact that the difference between crazy and eccentric is a billion dollars.

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Posted by robert sylvester on Monday, January 23, 2012 9:21 AM

Doug:

Didn't you know that many of us moguls play with trains. Glad to see he can relax with a great hobby. I have a nice HO layout, his looks like Lionel. I want to build one of those as well in the garage.

Robert Sylvester, WTRR

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Monday, January 23, 2012 7:59 AM

An article in the NY Times indicated that he is a "collector of model trains."  On the other hand, his Berkshire Hathaway company has a "train set" of its own, known to us as BNSF.

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

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Warren Buffett a Model Railroader?
Posted by Doug from Michigan on Monday, January 23, 2012 7:29 AM

Just saw this video of millionaire Warren Buffett playing a ukulele for Chinese New Year, sitting in front of a layout, wearing a shirt that says "Still Plays with Trains".  Who knew? 

warren buffett sings plays ukulele for chinese new year 15418701

 

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