Fred......you are not wrong. These folks don't validate you or anyone else, though they may think so.
Trying to debate with anal retentive, self-righteous folks who feel compelled to get cranked up over opinions and then assault anyone whose opinion differs......an exercise in total futility. Just don't go there, or if you do, don't get sucked in. The scale discussion can get a bit complex. Throw in gauge, then even more so. Don't forget personal preference.
As the numerous threads in this forum indicate on the topic, these discussions will never die. Education must continue for the less knowledgeable like myself. And respect/civility should be maintained at all times.
Certain folks will never get that last part. They will just throw hand grenades while cowardly hiding behind the anonymity that is a Forum. Write them off.
Jack
PS: If you disagree with me, take a deep breath, then attack!
Jack.
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
I need to vent here for a minute so if you don't like reading a bit please don't go on. I don't want to hear how it was uneccessary.
I've often wondered why there is so much disparity in O scale compared to other scales. It seems that O scale is divided and subdivided up into so many classifications that the outsider must surely get confused about what it truly is. We have toy trains, hi railers, 3RS (3 rail scale), 2 rail, P48, and to a lesser extent the older outside 3rd rail. It seems anymore that everyone fits into one classification. Then to make things even more confusing if you are into 3 rail or O27, you are into O gauge as opposed to O scale. I find this a bit strange. Why can't we all just be O scalers? Isn't that what it is really all about? Why is an O scaler only a person who likes 2 rail while someone into 3 rail and it's variety is into O gauge? I've always taken exception to those who suggest my opinion violates their strict group centric rules of adherence, especially when they become quite mean about it. An on going issue in this regards centers on a certain other large O based forum. We all seemed to get along just fine until one day I stated that in my opinion Lionel had made an engine a bit more accurate than MTH did which is why I bought it. It was my opinion but apparently it was wrong. How can an opinion be wrong? It was like floodgates were opened. Suddenly I am the antichrist to their way of thinking and everything I say is offensive to them when I never had any ill will towards any of them. It never goes away either. They just can't forgive me for this statement and just keep building on it making things worse.
The way I look at it, all electric trains are models. Then again so is live steam. Whether they ride on 2 rails, 3 rails, are perfectly sized or not, have absolute accuracy to the prototype or just have molded on details, they are all models. Models with varying levels of accuracy (inaccuracy) but models never the less. A model is nothing more than a facsimile of a real object. In many ways they can all be toy trains although we wouldn't truly think of some of them as such. As far as I'm concerned anyone involved in model railroading truly becomes a modeller the moment they decide to add a sense of realism whether it be a few buildings, grass, or trees. Even if they aren't the most perfect representations of box elders ever seen. You become an operator the moment you start acting like your railroad has a purpose. Maybe you added a siding or just stop every lap to pretend your engine is being refilled at the water tower. I understand titles to avoid confusion in certain areas but why do some have to be so adamant that titles always apply and that none can encompass all?
The way I look at it you aren't playing with toy trains or are a 2 railer, or any of the other appelations. You have your preferences within the broad world of O scale but at heart of it are just an O scaler. Unless you aren't into O scale of course! I am apparently wrong in the eyes of some for being so broad minded rather than centered on only 1 small strict titled aspect of the scale. I am apparently wrong for owning an engine that has large couplers with non fixed pilots but also liking scale accuracy. I am apparently wrong for liking O27 yet also loving prototypical looking track as well. Apparently none of these are allowed to coexist under one roof. I suppose I'm wrong for also having an N scale layout as well. That surely is a punishable crime! There is no toy trains, scale modellers, etc which is my point. If you have a cheap Tyco HO train set, you are still into HO. Just like the guys with large permanent and highly detailed HO layouts. Not in O. In my eyes a toy train is a wooden Thomas set or Brio, or Geotrax. Those are toy trains. We have models! Yes even the tubular track O27 lovers have model railroads!
Why am I wrong for just liking trains and liking O scale? Actually I like all scales. I don't want to fit in with any particular area. I like it all. I do tend to gravitate more towards certain aspects but if I lack a single detail that others within these areas consider to be a neccessity, by no means does that make what I like any less relevant as so often has been implied..
How did this disparity in O scale come to be but more importantly with the scale having been around for over 100 years, why are attitudes like this still prevalent? Why am I the bad guy for not liking only one aspect? I just can't figure it out. I'm also trying to figure out how liking Lionel makes me a bad guy to some people? Strange. Why can't we all just get along?
If you've read this far, thanks.
Fred
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