A death on a model railroad? Also looking for friends.

[Anonymous]

Tell me, have any of you ever ran over any type of animal on your layout. Well, I have. It was a bug of some kind, like a moth, or something. It landed right in front of the train. The bug didn't have a chance. I was surprised when it happened. So, casualties can happen on a model railroad. The layout no longer exists. Besides, it was just track on a 4x8 plywood table. I'm planning on a bigger and better layout, when I get the room. No plans are drawn, yet. Hey, there is a wooden trestle close to my home, that begs to be modeled. I would say it stretches for several hundred feet. There is a creek, and a dirt road that runs under it. Interested, write me, and I'll arrange a time to show it to you. Also, I'm looking for fellow mr'ers to share stories, and ideas with. Preferably in the East/Southeast Texas/Southwest Louisiana area. It doesn't really matter where you are located, though. So, lets get rollin'. Oh, by the way, I live less than 50 ft. from the tracks. So close, the house shakes when they go by. Please write me at the following address: [e-mail]

[Paul W. Beverung]

Hi RDL; Glad to have you here. I'm west of Ft. Worth in Parker Co. If you want check into the Coffee Shop. The first cup is on the house and the friendship is always free. There are a bunch of great folks there who have alot of knowledge and are willing to share. I'll look to see you there.

Paul

the Duluth, Superior, & Southeastern

" The Superior Route "

[PennsyHoosier]

[#welcome] That's quite a story. So far, many derailments on my layout, but no deaths.

[twhite]

No deaths here, but I really ticked off a spider that had built an overnight web in one of my tunnels and ended up hanging off of one of the cross-compound air pumps on the front of my Yellowstone the next afternoon when I fired up the RR. Glad to have you aboard, think you'll enjoy yourself here. Fifty feet from the railroad? You lucky devil, you!
Tom

[ben10ben]

I had a spider crawl down into one of my smoke units one time. I never saw him again, so I can only guess what happened to him.

[philnrunt]

Did your RR police do an investigation to see if it was an accident or mothicide? Were there any suspicious spiders in the area? Did the train crew get counseling? So many questions!
And if a moth in a business suit with a briefcase shows up, don't talk to him, let your legal dept take care of it!

[Anonymous]

I think many of us have thought 'DEATH' when Catzilla jumped on a layout and sat on things, swatted at a passing train or whatever else Catzilla has done to model railroading.

[Jetrock]

I have had some ant attacks--shades of "THEM!"!--and squished them onto the layout surface. Now they're scenery...

[Anonymous]

There is a spider who for some unknown reason has tempted fate several times by dashing out across the tracks in front of oncomming locos.Several crews have reported this incident.The county sherrif has been informed and a deputy has been patrolling the area.We feel that this unsafe condition is the work of one or more adolesent spiders currently residing in the area east of blacks gorge.Due to the approching grade and the heavy tonnage Crews have been informed to remain at speed.Maintence crews along with the county law enforcement will be doing a stepped up sweep of the area,Hopefully this will avoid any injury or death caused by thrillseeking tresspassers on RailRoad property.

[jwr_1986]

I had a stink bug get in front of the mine train. What a stink. We told the viditors that the mine just hit a pocket of gas. That is one way to clear out the place fast.

[BRAKIE]

Well we didn't run over the thing for sure but here goes.
At the club a mouse built a nest in one of the tunnels..A mousey home sweet home so to say...Well one of the guys decided to run his Athearn rotary plow across the layout for fun before we started the operation session..Well the plow hits the nest..Out runs the mouse with the plow chasing it with bits of nest (straw) on the plow.That was the last time we saw MR. or MS. Mouse.

[Anonymous]

Do I need some special ins. or something.

[trainfan1221]

I occasionally have the spider and web problem. And unfortunately, an occasional roach. To the best of my knowledge, no serious deaths (not that I haven't taken aim in frustration occasionally).

[Anonymous]

I get lots of Moths on my layout. None hit a train though. I do get teh occasional Ladybug, Japanese bettles on my Grain hoppers

[PennsyHoosier]

I hope PETA isn't reading this thread. [:D]

[dragenrider]

I hate Japanese beetles! [:(!] They swarm to my layout to die, I believe. Thankfully, the snow plows and steps on my engines just sweep them aside. The only one who has actually interfered with the layout went for a ride on a caboose wheel and hung up in the truck. [B)] When I stopped the train, it exited quickly! [:D]

[n2mopac]

Real life model railroad roadkill. I have seen etched brass roadkill sold my some manufacturer in scale sizes, but this is the first real roadkill on a model railroad I have come across. You just never know.

Ron

[twhite]

speaking of CATZILLA's, can anyone explain why a cat is so fond of Cabeese? When Spooky decides to help me run a train, she's only interested in the tail end of the thing. She'll sit in (on) the yard for hours watching me make up a train, but the only time she gets bananas is when I tack on the caboose. By the way, she's an 18-pound Maine Coon cat, and she has never, EVER knocked anything over or displaced it. But she has a definite KILL button when it comes to cabeese.
Tom

[Anonymous]

Speaking of Japanese Beetles. My brother will no longer drink Code Red Mt. Dew because of them. We were working on some railroad project, I can't remember what offhand, when one of them ended up in his drink. They give off a horrible chemical and he took a big swig.... The rest is history.

I must admit this thread has given me another idea though; model a funeral. I already have a wedding at one chapel, so I think this could be interesting out ont he edge of town at the cemetary.

[Anonymous]

Looks like I'm the only one, so far. Thought I'd give more details about the incident. Yes, there was an investigation. It was determined to be an accident. Though, spiders were seen several times before the incident. They couldn't be found at the time. There could be more to the story. Got any theories. The train crew (I), did get counseling. That may be why I haven't operated many trains, since. Hope that clears things up.

Kennyt47, There are no special in's required. Though, a spare layout would be helpful.

twhite, It's not that good being close to the tracks here. For, not many trains go by. When they do, it's mostly at night. I do see some, though. So, it's not all bad.

As for PETA, let's hope not. Otherwise, these forums would be a little less crowded. Some might think that would be a good thing.

[Anonymous]

Hey guys. Just thought I'd put this on the front page of the forum, again. Maybe there are more stories like these.

Robert

[Anonymous]

My HO SD70M ran into my cat killing him instantly. It was quite a scene. JK

[twhite]

Al--how big was the cat, and how fast were you running that SD70M? I don't want Spooky, my Maine Coon cat reading this post, otherwise she might decide to take on one of my Yellowstones.
Tom

[Anonymous]

I get flies and centepiede type things on my layout. They just land on the track and sit there, until............... WOOT WOOT! He comes Union Pacific #844!!! splat......

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by twhite

Al--how big was the cat, and how fast were you running that SD70M?
Tom

[#ditto]

Robert

[Anonymous]

A constant outdoor road (G gauge) hazard on the Gulf Coast of Florida is Salamanders (small lizardlike animals with a detachable tail). Although I have never witnessed any carnage personally, I am told by other G gaugers of encounters resulting in a jetisoned Salamander's tail now and again. These animals are incredibly agile and swift, so there is little risk for actual fatalities. Naturally, all road crew membership take every precaution for minimizing any possible incident, i.e. cattle guards, etc. Who would wi***o see the G.E.I.C.O. Gecko come to a greusome end on his shift? Accidental electrocutions have not been reported either. At 16 volts, 3.5 amps D.C., it doesn't seem likely. However, with A.C. powered accessories along the right-of-way, who can be certain there isn't at least some risk to life and limb?

[Anonymous]

Hey guy's, I'm putting this back on the front page. With all the newbies coming on, they might get a kick out of this.[:D][8D][:)]