Mike T H , Bella & Jerry C at Toy Train Museum TCA 4/19

[Jumijo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jaabat

So this train guy is at the York train meet, and the best thing he could come up with for fun is to Photoshop these 2 together with his grandkid? If that's true, he's a fraud and I won't pay any more attention to him or his posts.

Jim

I suspected it was real. There's a thousand better things to do at York than make up some bogus photos. So not only will I pay attention to him, I'll congratulate him on getting such a cool photo taken.

[tup][tup]

Jim

[brianel027]

NJAL, I think you got a very cool photo there, and I hope that it could symbolize a picture of good things to come. I certainly don't think the legal wrangling between the two companies is doing either one of them a whole load of good.

One of the things that has happened in the hobby is we've forgotten the choices we have and have gotten boastful and full of pride. The competition has brought choices past 3-railers could only have dreamed of. It's not that one company's products are really "better." It's that the buyer determines they are better for him or her - it's a personal decision.

I can't argue that MTH makes nice products... they DO! But they're not better for me. Most of the older Railking products were too big for my layout. And even the locos that I like the proportions of, came with the electronic extras that I don't want. That's a PERSONAL decision made by me, for me. Same goes for FasTrack... I don't like it for my own reasons, but that doesn't mean it's a bad product. In fact, it's selling well so it is obviously something others want.

MAYBE it would do the hobby good for folks to talk about why they enjoy the trains they have bought instead of telling other people what they should like and buy. From the amounts of negative comments made, one could get the impression that non-scale and 027 is a very bad thing. And yet the sales figures seem to indicate there are still a lot of people out there who feel the opposite. What's good for the goose isn't good for the gander. AS the old saying goes, if YOU don't like it, don't buy it.

As far as some questioning comments of the photo go, folks should remember Mike Wolf is not a big guy. Neither am I. I have plenty of photos of me with others where I look completely out of place. I have a photo of me with some other guys and I'm standing right next to them, but I look like I was "photoshopped" into the picture because I'm so much smaller than the other guys although I'm standing right next to them.

Again NJAL, cool photo and I think any one of us would be happy as the dickens to have had the opportunity to have taken that photo... well I know I would have! I probably would have set the self-time and jumped into the picture myself!!!!

And probably the critics would have said it's a fake because I too, look out of scale. [8] Hmmmm, maybe there's actually some darn good basis for why I like trains that are also out of scale! [:D]

[Buckeye Riveter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cbojanower

matching outdoor shots is tough, it would take a real expert in PS to pull it off.

[#ditto]

BTW, what type of cars did Mike and Jerry drive? The Lexus is in back of Mike and the Ford is in back of Jerry?

I enjoyed the story, too.

[Anonymous]

The photographer has come forth with added information that "sets the scene" and establishes credibility for the shot he posted. That's good enough for me. He got a very nice shot that will make a memorable image for his and the child's scrapbook in the future.

I guess some folks think that these two industry leaders could never behave in a civil manner toward one another, but the "real world" is a whole lot different than what is so frequently presented--and assumed--in on-line dialog.

[cbojanower]

The Sun was just off the right shoulder of the photog (Almost center). Jerry is turned away from the sun and his left side is illuminated. Right shoulder / side of face would be in the shadow. (as it is)

Mike on the other hand is turned towards the Sun with his center/head looking to the left of the sun (Probably trying to avoid the light) so his right side is lit and his left face would be in the shadow (as it is)

Try this technique that I learned in my studio photography class. Hold your fist (or a flashlight) in the position of the light source. In the case, just barely to the right of the photog position. Then stage yourself as Jerry and Mike are. It will be made clear to you where the shadows fall. Exactly as they are in the pic

[mitchelr]

I spoke to Mike Wolf of MTH at the TCA Show today and he verified that the photo is REAL.

So much for all you Doubting Thomas's.[(-D]

njal [bow] - You are the man!!


Mitch [:D]

[Anonymous]

On second thought, you guys are right, there shouldn't be any bad feelings between Mike and Calabrese. Calabrese wasn't involved in the theft of MTH's blueprints and the other stuff Lionel pulled on MTH. Who knows, he may end up working for Mike after the suit is settled.

[nblum]

"Who knows, he may end up working for Mike after the suit is settled."

Somehow one doubts it. In fact, one can be quite sure. The only company that can command the experience and abilities of Jerry Calabrese in this small industry is Lionel :). The likelihood of Mike Wolf owning Lionel is only slightly greater than heck freezing over and thawing twice.

[Anonymous]

I don't throw many compliments at Lionel but Calabrese seems like an OK guy to me. He is an improvement over the previous CEO's. The new catalog looks pretty good except for the NASCAR stuff. UGGH!!!!

[1688torpedo]

Hello NJAL! That sure is a neat photo you've got there & it will be a keepsake for years to come. I sure hope that we do not lose you as a poster to this forum due to some of the negative attitudes shown above. I was a bit suprised by some of the comments of your photo here & feel that they are uncalled for. Usually, this is the type of negative crap one finds on some of the other forums around & is the reason that I do not post to them although sometimes I do read some of the posts to learn if there is any news or new info in the world of Toy Trains. Just take it with a grain of salt I guess & please keep on posting. I'm sure you have plenty to offer here. Take Care.

[fjerome]

so? where is the pic?

[Anonymous]

NJAL:

Definitely do NOT let the naysayers and doubting Thomases here dissuade you from making future posts. Just consider yourself lucky that one of your earliest contribution attracted so much attention. It's just that some folks in the hobby think that anytime Mike and Jerry are within striking distance of each others, sparks are going to fly. I guess the "disconnect from reality" that some experience in their hobby gets carried to extremes.

[njalb1]

Hi Allan,
Thanks for your kind words!
Al