I'm becoming a snob

[SpaceMouse]

I'm closing in on my 4th month of model railroading and I am becoming a snob. This week I thought it might be fun to build a little 2x4 N scale switching layout. So I started swimming through the great eBay looking for bargains on N switchers. I had no care really what road name the switcher was as long as it was a bargain--or so I though.

I would see a Conrail or NS or B&O and those were okay. Burlington Northerns and Erie Lackawannas were passible.

And I simply gagged at the thought of a Union Pacific or Santa Fe ad clicked off immediately.

But BNSF was okay if not desirable.

I have no logical explanation for this. What is happening to me?

[cmrproducts]

Chip

You need a good shot or Operations! Just 2 more weeks!

BOB H - Clarion, PA

[SpaceMouse]

Ah! One good operating session and I'll like UP and SF. Good to know.

[selector]

Weelll, I didn' t want to say anything, Chip, but.....[(-D]

Could I convince you that you have become more, shall we say, "discerning"? Your tastes and preferences are likely to narrow in any subject as you mature in it. I have found that with music, reading matter, mountain bikes, cars, and now MR stuff.

Still, it's good of you to acknowledge that your mind may have narrowed from a more eclectic appreciation of our shared hobby. You can always give yourself a shake and step backwards if you need to. An open mind is a robust one, IMHO.

-Crandell

[howmus]

No, NO, Chip, I think he meant that 2 more weeks you will know why you gag at names like UP and SF.......... LOL Actually it has to do with your location - PA - that's more or less Northeast. Those of us in the NE have always gagged at names like UP and SF. We tend to like those great railroads like NYC, PRR, B&O, EL and many others. It is just a culture thing.........

Chip, I love your posts, they make my day!

(Disclamer: The above post is not intended to nor written with the idea of insulting any of the fine people in this great hobby. The above remarks are purely a form of humor and should not be misconstrued as factual. Howmus does not nor has ever truely disliked the UP or SF railroads since he has never actually been to that part of this great country that has those specific above mentioned organizations known as UP or SF. The writer does not take sides in the ongoing disput concerning licensing of trademarks or lawsuits pertaining to the use of said corporation trademarks. Nor does the writer actually own any rolling stock, locomotives or other items with the above mentioned trademarks in any scale including but not limited to HO, also known as 1/87 and Horribly Oversized. The fact that the writer does not own any such rolling stock, locos or other items afor mentioned in this disclaimer should not be misconstrued to be meaningful in any way in reguards to the posting of this message at a forum of Trains.com) In other words: this post is meant for Chip only! But enjoy! [:D]

[tstage]

This is getting pretty sad. Ray rattles off acronyms of eastern RR's and I know exactlly which ones he's talking about. (Erie Lackawana did throw me for a split second though.) I'll admit, I'm partial the ones east of the Mississippi.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE the west. Beautiful part of our country. (I've been to every state of the Continental US but ND.) Great expanses...vistas as far as the eye can see...and (in places) the feel and look for what Lewis & Clark must have gazed upon exactly 200 years ago at this time.

However, the western RR's always seem (to me) "out there somewhere" - remote. The eastern ones seem more personable and up close. Again, as Ray stated, this is by no means a slight to those of you who model them. [:)] It's pretty much what you're used to and/or grew up with.

Tom

P.S. I'll admit, I am kinda fond of the DRG & W. It just reaks of the ol' west.

[davekelly]

Chip,

I'll agree with Crandell. You've narrowed your interest in the hobby - his word is discerning. A snob is someone that criticizes or flames what others like - and I've seen nothing you've ever posted that even hints at that.

Dave

[Anonymous]

It's all relative.

Growing up here in CA, the "up-close" & personal RR's are the ones with big Gray dirty 6-axle diesels passing by on a daily basis. (mind you, they're all yellow now, but you get the point).

[davekelly]

CARRfan,

Growing up in the NE my favorites are CNJ, PRR and LV. I will admit, though, that those big Gray dirty 6 axle diesels were something to watch pulling a long train through the desert!

[howmus]

Ooo, ooo, ooo! I forgot NPR and LV (OMG), not to mention B & M!

[Anonymous]

Chip, You are getting favorite road names!!! Congratulations!!! Haha. I as well am no fan of UP. If I get anything painted UP Ill repaint it for Southcross and Western. Of course I may be biased because here in san antonio there are as many UP trains in the river as on the rails... Anyway, I like the modern Northeast stuff. Don't ask me why.....

[Anonymous]

I think it is a safe general statement to say we gravitate to what we know. I grew up with Canadian National running in my backyard. Not surprisingly I have choosen to model early Canadian National (green & yellow road). I don't remember sitting down and saying/thinking that's the way would go, but something drew me in this direction. Whatever it was, I'm sure it wasn't being a snob towards other roads, it's more a matter of embracing something in my past....I think...

Trevor

[SpaceMouse]

I have no problem with Southern Pacific...

I think for me it is more psycological. I associate SF and UP with the cheap toy trains I bought before you guys straightened me out with the quailty stuff.

And I don't like the paint schemes.

[Don Gibson]

'Hippity Hop'

CHIP: I think you have too many passionate interest's to ever become a snob.
- British steam, 1800's Logging, American steam, Freight & Passenger diesel. Now 'N' gauge?

Perhap's HOn3 would combine more interest's - and allow more focusing of your talent's.
- fit's on a 4x8 board like N gauge.
- steam passenger and freight.
- predominently 1800's. - logging and mining.
- not for kids.
- more emphasis on trackwork and scenery.
- Historic
- less Engine's to buy.

ASK M.R. for reprint's of Malcom Furlow's 2 articles.Their free.

[SpaceMouse]

Don,

You're hitting a very sensitive nerve. I'm just starting a new layout--in the planning stages really, and if I am going to make a change now is the time. The problem is the money already spent on HO. And the spectrum that my son will suddenly want to run his Hogwarts--which, by the way thanks to you, is now a 2-8-0 Spectrum with a Soundtrax chip en route.

And I am beginning to like diesels more and more. My two favorites are the PRR S1 and Atlas GP-38 Buffalo and Pittsburgh. My two Broadways are an E7 and an M1A, so I'm even scattered there.

Excuse me while I go into contemplation and try to focus....

OOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
OOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
OOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[rrinker]

QUOTE: Originally posted by howmus

Ooo, ooo, ooo! I forgot NPR and LV (OMG), not to mention B & M!

And the Reading. The Rodney Dangerfield of railroads. No respect man, no respect!

[:D]

--Randy

[Anonymous]

Hardly snobbery - you're not "putting down" other roads/brands/modellers for their choices. I'd say it's being more discerning - everyone goes through an early stage of collecting all manner of equipment in assorted roadnames (I still have three Chessie cabooses but no matching locos!) but in more recent years I've been trying to narrow my purchases to equipment that matches what I have, and that a museum could feasibly have (few modern high-horsepower diesels and plenty of oddball and unusual types).

[METRO]

I've found that the longer I'm in MR the more I've grown to love Alcos, might have something to do with the fact that my grandfather worked for years at the Alco plant in upstate NY, and they are just beautiful locomotives. I've found myself liking EMD hood units less and less, especially second generation models.

I'm also partial to Canadian railroads, the CP being my favourite. I truly can't stand many southern railroads, to the point actually where, even though I was going to repaint it, I bought a Delaware and Hudson locomotive instead of a Central Of Georga even though the CoG unit had the correct truck colors and i had to repaint the DH underbody. Oi, lol I guess it's just my Canadian heritage, I've got nothing against people who model lines south, in fact I've always thought that Southern Railway locomotives were beautiful, I just couldn't bring myself to buy one.

~METRO

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse
...And I am beginning to like diesels more and more. My two favorites are the PRR S1 and Atlas GP-38 Buffalo and Pittsburgh.

Anybody who has a roster of steam, then actually admits to liking modern diesels, is definitely NOT a 'snob' in my book! [tup]

[Anonymous]

No snobs here. When some one digs out a engine there is usually a moment of silence and then the words "Let's see that thing run!" as cars and track is made ready.

I think I heard at one time "The little engine is just as important as the big engine"

I dont really have any problem with western railroads. But UP is something I choose not to run on my road.

[Don Gibson]

'Hippity Hop'

QUOTE: The problem is the money already spent on HO. And the spectrum that my son will suddenly want to run his Hogwarts-...space mouse

QUOTE: "This week I thought it might be fun to build a little 2x4 N scale switching layout. So I started swimming through the great eBay looking for bargains on N switchers - space mouse

So where's the problem? Build an Atlas layout for the kids and whatever you want for yourself .

If you are less than enchanted with your preset layout, FIX IT!
For starter's put #6's into those 'Crossover's'. 'Love Will Find A Way' (song )- Eubie Blake

[Anonymous]

Now come on guys...

We down here in the south don't run your railroads up there in the north down. This is my home down here and SP, UP, SF and BNSF are and have always been a part of our culture just as much as your railroads are a part of yours.
A lot of people are bitter toward UP for buying everything up, but most of what they bought was in financial trouble in the first place (sorry SP but it's the truth).
As for UP and SF being thought of as toys. That's because the toy makers chose to produce railroads that were the most well known and popular...

Sorry if you think I'm being overly defensive, but you struck a nerve.

trainluver1

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Don Gibson

'Hippity Hop'

QUOTE: The problem is the money already spent on HO. And the spectrum that my son will suddenly want to run his Hogwarts-...space mouse

QUOTE: "This week I thought it might be fun to build a little 2x4 N scale switching layout. So I started swimming through the great eBay looking for bargains on N switchers - space mouse

So where's the problem? Build an Atlas layout for the kids and whatever you want for yourself .

If you are less than enchanted with your preset layout, FIX IT!
For starter's put #6's into those 'Crossover's'. 'Love Will Find A Way' (song )- Eubie Blake

I built the 4x8 for the kids so they could run while I worked on building the bigger layout. Turns out they could care less for that layout, so I'm pretty much going to turn it into an Old West layout, then sell it when the basement layout's main line is done. But I'm having fun doing the scenery, etc. But in the mean time, I'm not doing the kind of running I want to do.

It's looking more and more like what I want to do is going to be tough. The prelinary reports I'm getting is that the steam switchers are stalling in turnouts and I'm looking to build a switching intensive layout. Something has to give--and so far I don't like the compromises I'm coming up with.

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by trainluver1

Now come on guys...

We down here in the south don't run your railroads up there in the north down. This is my home down here and SP, UP, SF and BNSF are and have always been a part of our culture just as much as your railroads are a part of yours.
A lot of people are bitter toward UP for buying everything up, but most of what they bought was in financial trouble in the first place (sorry SP but it's the truth).
As for UP and SF being thought of as toys. That's because the toy makers chose to produce railroads that were the most well known and popular...

Sorry if you think I'm being overly defensive, but you struck a nerve.

trainluver1

I've got two Bachman Plus Santa Fe Locos and two Unuion Pacifics I'll sell you.[:D]

If it makes a diffference, I can't stand New York Central either--but I think it's because I hate the Yankees.

[tstage]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse
If it makes a diffference, I can't stand New York Central either--but I think it's because I hate the Yankees.

Well, Chip. I guess I'll just have to "overlook" your first statement...but I'm in HEARTY agreement with your second! I hope the Tribe whacks 'em AGAIN this year 22-0.

Tom

P.S. Despite my dislike of the Yankees, I do like Joe Torre. He's class!

[Don Gibson]

CHIP

DCC requires isolated or insolated frogs. Problem is dead frog's can cut power to some Engines when they hit that dead spot. The problem is twofold 1. the number of wheels picking up power and 2. the size ot the 'dead spot' of that particlar frog.

DC 'Power routing' frog's are powered, but can't be used with DCC.

Problem is the cheaper equipment cut's corners - not all wheels conduct electricity - frogs can be plastic - exacerbating / increasing the problem.

The 'better' (more expensive) turnout's have ISOLATED frogs than can be wired to SPDT contact's on the better (more expensive) switch machines. Everything will work now. Look at Walthers' turnout' frog's,and Tortoise Switch motor's

Sometime's what' cheapest isn't a bargain.

[howmus]

QUOTE:
It's looking more and more like what I want to do is going to be tough. The prelinary reports I'm getting is that the steam switchers are stalling in turnouts and I'm looking to build a switching intensive layout. Something has to give--and so far I don't like the compromises I'm coming up with.

Chip, what's the problem? Run power to the frogs!!!!! Very, Very easy to do. I run several small locos (2-6-0, 0-6-0, 0-4-0) that will stall on every frog. That is every frog not powered. They never stall on the frogs that are powered. If you are using Tortoise machines simply wire the auxilary internal switches (use both sides and connect together for DCC) to your DCC bus and then use the output to power the frog. If you are using hand thrown machines (ie: Caboose Ind.) then try these: http://www.wiringfordcc.com/switches.htm Go about 3/4 down the page and you will see them. I have wired several and they work great. If you are using Atlas turnouts, you will have to tap the little hole by the frog for a 2-56 screw. Simple!

[nickinwestwales]

Just do what works for you man-at the end of the day,its your train set......regards,nick

[sparkingbolt]

Along with everything else that's been said, how many of us have or had a mixed bag of equipment that doesn't really go together, era or region-wise, and could have spent the money on better choices if we had been more discerning (aka snob in this case)?

Focus on a particular set of parameters and spend your money more efficiently. Your layout will be more realistic and probably far more to your liking.

Growing up on the west coast, I decided to go with SP, and be able to vary the era. That has helped me not waste money. Still, it's just a hobby. Enjoy it. Dan

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by trainluver1



We down here in the south don't run your railroads up there in the north

I live in San Antonio and I only run Northern railroads. Maybe its from my love affair with the DC area.....