brianel027 wrote: ...The only thing that really gets my goat with CTT lately is the reviews and how the less-than-scale products take the rap and get points under the "CONS" for being under scale. Heck, in my book anything that is scale should have a mention under the "CONS" catagory for not being semi-scale or not being able to clear normal 027 turnouts. After all, isn't this Classic TOY Trains magazine, and not Classic Scale Trains magazine. The other thing that has been bugging me was Peter Riddle's observation in his otherwise excellent article, that everyone should start off in the hobby by buying a complete TMCC and D CS control system. That's just not a realistic thing for most young families to do who are buying a youngster a first train set, or are planning a first train layout. And actually borders on being a little elitist. This guy is a grandfather and has been in the hobby for years. The way HE operates and runs his trains and the way a newcomer will are probably two totally different stories. ...
...The only thing that really gets my goat with CTT lately is the reviews and how the less-than-scale products take the rap and get points under the "CONS" for being under scale. Heck, in my book anything that is scale should have a mention under the "CONS" catagory for not being semi-scale or not being able to clear normal 027 turnouts. After all, isn't this Classic TOY Trains magazine, and not Classic Scale Trains magazine.
The other thing that has been bugging me was Peter Riddle's observation in his otherwise excellent article, that everyone should start off in the hobby by buying a complete TMCC and D CS control system. That's just not a realistic thing for most young families to do who are buying a youngster a first train set, or are planning a first train layout. And actually borders on being a little elitist. This guy is a grandfather and has been in the hobby for years. The way HE operates and runs his trains and the way a newcomer will are probably two totally different stories.
...
Brianel027:
I pretty much agree with everything you said. I was in a LHS the other day(browsing for old stuff...) and a couple came in looking for a set for their grandson. I overheard the sales guy steer them to one of the Pennsy Flyer sets as something to get him started in. He told them to keep it simple and that if the kids' interests grew they could help him expand. I thought he offered good advise, considering they were still plunking down a couple hundred bucks for their g/son's first train (the grandma said "did you plan on spending that much?" Gramps just picked up the train and walked to the register!).
As for me, I run some pre and postwar stuff around the holidays until I one day build my permanent layout. I like scale detail and realism, but lack the room for 072 curves and 30ft straights, so scale 'O' is out for me. I figure that I can do a lot with scenery to accomplish in scale what I may not be able to with the actual trains. And unless I end up retrofitting my engines (maybe the GG-1 I'm putting together from parts), or purchase brand new stuff, I will probably not get into DCS or TMCC.
Jakeoregano (aka Dwayne)
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