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Who's all touchy feely?

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  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: Utah
  • 1,315 posts
Posted by shayfan84325 on Monday, October 6, 2008 11:39 AM
For me, it's a question of pride more that fragility.  My locos are brass (pretty and durable) and my cars are all wood and metal.  I take a lot of time laying track and I work hard to get it just right (I also have some pretty solid benchwork).  I've lost track of how long it's been since an operating derailment (well over a year).  I don't touch them because it is so elegant to move them under their own power - it sort of reminds me of the value of attention to detail and allows me to enjoy the fruits of my labor.

Phil,
I'm not a rocket scientist; they are my students.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bettendorf Iowa
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Posted by Driline on Monday, October 6, 2008 12:39 PM
 4merroad4man wrote:

In the case of the Los Gatos Sub:

Rule 895a:  Operators and other employees of the railroad are advised to warn and if necessary, admonish visitors to keep hands away from the railroad, including structures, track, rolling stock and scenery.  Signs asking visitors to keep hands off layout are posted at each station location.

Boy that must look real pretty. Whistling [:-^]

Modeling the Davenport Rock Island & Northwestern 1995 in HO
  • Member since
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  • From: Austin, TX
  • 462 posts
Posted by 4merroad4man on Monday, October 6, 2008 12:44 PM
 Driline wrote:
 4merroad4man wrote:

In the case of the Los Gatos Sub:

Rule 895a:  Operators and other employees of the railroad are advised to warn and if necessary, admonish visitors to keep hands away from the railroad, including structures, track, rolling stock and scenery.  Signs asking visitors to keep hands off layout are posted at each station location.

Boy that must look real pretty. Whistling [:-^]  Nah.  Just says "If you want to touch something, go to a petting zoo." :0)

The damage factor is also why I have stopped opening my layouts for tours during shows and conventions.  Most folks are very respectful, but there are just enough that have to grab something or who can't control their kids that it makes the whole effort frustrating.

Serving Los Gatos and The Santa Cruz Mountains with the Legendary Colors of the Espee. "Your train, your train....It's MY train!" Papa Boule to Labische in "The Train"
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Posted by pastorbob on Monday, October 6, 2008 2:09 PM

I was going to refrain from further comment, but, as far as layout tours, I am on tour often for Santa Fe Modelers, for the NMRA regional (and national when in Kansas City), and for visitors, who sometimes bring sticky fingered kids.  Then there are operating sessions.

My damage from all these tours and sessions is very slight, most adults and kids are very good without being told.  If I had to put signs out telling everyone to keep their hands off, I just wouldn't bother letting anyone in the basement.  In fact, I probably do more damage with my boo boo's than anyone.

But hey, each of us has tolerances and wills and won'ts, so if you want to sit in your basement and admire your wonderful work and paint and all the other things, and not share, that is your right.  I just don't understand it.

Bob 

 

Bob Miller http://www.atsfmodelrailroads.com/
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  • From: Southeast Texas
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Posted by Tracklayer on Monday, October 6, 2008 5:18 PM
 pastorbob wrote:

If you want to sit in your basement and admire your wonderful work and paint and all the other things, and not share, that is your right.  I just don't understand it.

Bob 

 

It's called being selfish and overly protective which is how I am and for good reason... No one cares about or respects my belongings as much as I do.

Tracklayer

  • Member since
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Posted by aloco on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 2:14 AM

 AntonioFP45 wrote:
What about when other people just have to touch your detailed locomotives!

I don't run my detailed locos on the club layout. 

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Indy
  • 997 posts
Posted by mononguy63 on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 6:25 AM

Are you kidding? My 0-5-0 is the busiest switcher on the entire system!

Given that I have a 3-year-old son and a step stool next to the layout, my rolling stock tends to be handled pretty regularly. He enjoys touching every car as a train rolls past him. That's why I run mostly Blue Box cars. My top-end locos are Spectrum steamers and an assortment of P1K and comparable diesels. I don't bother trying to super-detail anything. Heck, I can't even keep what few trees that have been planted fully upright.

Our rolling stock's not toxic. We won't be struck down by lightning if we touch something. I know I'd probably feel differently if I had a super-detailed and weathered brass loco that cost me hundreds of dollars and countless hours of labor to get just right. But I don't have anything remotely approaching that. If it can stand up to my little helper, it's good enough for me at this stage.

Jim

"I am lapidary but not eristic when I use big words." - William F. Buckley

I haven't been sleeping. I'm afraid I'll dream I'm in a coma and then wake up unconscious.  -Stephen Wright

  • Member since
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  • From: Good ol' USA
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Posted by AntonioFP45 on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 4:56 PM
 pastorbob wrote:

I sneezed on a freight train once.  Does that count?  Must admit I find this thread amusing.  I am surprised at the number who are so protective.  They are just adult toys you know.  Guess to me there are more important things in life than my trains, and I have a large investment in them.  But I don't mind reaching over and picking up an engine or car to rerail it, replace it, to move it on or off the railroad.

But to each his own.

Bob

Hmmmmmmmmmm. Shy [8)]  Well, perhaps if a car or two were knocked off the track, that could be attributed to a "scale" tornado or microburst. Wink [;)]Laugh [(-D]

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


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  • From: Cincinnati OH
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Posted by DingySP on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 5:22 PM
 pastorbob wrote:

I sneezed on a freight train once.

How I got on that freight train I'll never know.

 

Sorry, that was bad.

Keepin' it Dingy
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    December 2002
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Posted by pastorbob on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 6:13 PM

Bad??????  That was awfulllllllllllllllll!

Bob

Bob Miller http://www.atsfmodelrailroads.com/
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  • From: Indy
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Posted by mononguy63 on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 6:51 PM
 DingySP wrote:
 pastorbob wrote:

I sneezed on a freight train once.

How I got on that freight train I'll never know.

Hey, I didn't know Groucho was on this forum!

Say goodnight, Gracie.

"I am lapidary but not eristic when I use big words." - William F. Buckley

I haven't been sleeping. I'm afraid I'll dream I'm in a coma and then wake up unconscious.  -Stephen Wright

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Finger Lakes
  • 10,198 posts
Posted by howmus on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 9:33 PM
 mononguy63 wrote:
 DingySP wrote:
 pastorbob wrote:

I sneezed on a freight train once.

How I got on that freight train I'll never know.

Hey, I didn't know Groucho was on this forum!

Say goodnight, Gracie.

Goodnight Gracie! 

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

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Posted by marknewton on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 10:23 PM
 pastorbob wrote:
...if you want to sit in your basement and admire your wonderful work and paint and all the other things, and not share, that is your right.  I just don't understand it.

Sharing is one thing, having someone carelessly damage the models you spent hours building, detailing and weathering is another. What's so difficult to understand about asking people not to touch your models?

Cheers,

Mark.

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