Sam Posey asks "Are you an Operator or Scenery Man"

[Anonymous]

I love scenery and nothing else gets me giddy like an operating session.

I agree with Joe fugate, I enjoy both, operating on bare plywood just isnt the same as rolling through a nicely sceniced portion of a layout.

I've often said It's dangerous liking Maclom Furlow and Tony Koester

[GMTRacing]

That's Sam for you - this is the most civilized long set of posts since the Coffee Shop.
For sure I'm a scenery guy - enough stress at work, and paperwork too for that matter. The two worlds aren't mutually exclusive though. If you look at John Prykes' work it is visually stunning and nothing says an artist can't do operations. I thought Sam was more refering to the motivation for building the layout in the first place, and of course Sam is the exception to the rule as well. He is an accomplished architect and designer, and when we worked with him running Datsuns, he was the best engineering driver we'd ever had. He could diagnose and suggest solutions to get the cars going faster instead of the usual "the car is a piece of ****". I thought the book was great,and it is one of the inspirations for me to try going beyond the 4x8 plywood with track phase.
J.R.

[Anonymous]

I built my layout for operation. I am not much in scenery, but a layout needs to have some to give it character, hopefully I'll have my scenery in someday.

[jeffshultz]

I always figured that it was a sliding scale with "Scenery" on one end and "Engineer" on the other.

I'm definitely further down on the Operator end - I'm working on scenery, but it definitely isn't a strong point with me. It does need to be there though. As far as operations go, I'm sort of a disciple of Joe F's (I'm one of his regular operators) in that the cars need to be coming from somewhere and going somewhere else for a reason. But watching the guys discuss train orders and time tables ad infinitum on the Operations Yahoo mailing list makes my eyes glaze somewhat...

[johncolley]

Part of the trouble with some folks is they have to classify and categorize everything and everyone. And that's too bad because there is enough fun and challenge for everyone's level of interest. I bet some folks even like to paint fingernails on their HO train crews. So what? It's a hobby...for enjoyment!

[Anonymous]

I prefer building and painting structures over anything else.

[jfugate]

I find Sam's terminology to be poor ... the Layout Design SIG discussed this distinction some 20 years ago now.

They called it "Engineer" or "Railfan". To me, this terminology is much more precise and to the point. You are an engineer if you prefer to focus on a single train, follow it around the layout, and run it as realistically as possible. You are a railfan if you prefer to just watch trains run, and the more trains the better. The railfan doesn't especially care what the trains are doing, they just want to enjoy watching trains run through nice scenes.

For example, I am clearly an Engineer, for I love focusing on a single train and running it correctly as per the prototype. However, I am a "stickler" for realistic scenery, too. Posey's terminology is very poor and as confusing as heck on this point. I may lapse into railfan mode a bit while running a train, but just for a bit.

On the Siskiyou Line, we use two person crews. One person is the engineer, has the throttle, and must run the train according to the conductor's orders. The other crew person is the conductor and is assumed to be in the caboose at the rear of the train. While the train is running, it's the conductors job to watch the train from the rear and make sure all is well. In other words, the conductor *has to railfan* his train (I know, it's a hard life ...)

I find the LD SIG's engineer/railfan distinction to be extremely helpful when designing a layout, but Posey's terminology is lowsy! I 'm an engineer and I love great looking scenery -- now explain that one, Mr Posey. [%-)][tdn]

[SpaceMouse]

I know this way too late in the conversation to ask a dumb question, but here it is.

What book are you talking about?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

I know this way too late in the conversation to ask a dumb question, but here it is.

What book are you talking about?

Playing With Trains: A Passion Beyond Scale by Sam Posey
(not sure who the publisher is though)

[scubaterry]

I really enjoy designing and building the scenery but I have the most fun Operating.

[chrismay]

OP TIL YOU DROP!!![:D][yeah]

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by KenLarsen

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

I know this way too late in the conversation to ask a dumb question, but here it is.

What book are you talking about?

Playing With Trains: A Passion Beyond Scale by Sam Posey
(not sure who the publisher is though)

Is it a good read?

[Anonymous]

Yes It's a very good read mouse.

[Anonymous]

Sam's book was excellent, and the point he made was that model railroading as a hobby can be different things to all of us who are in the hobby. There are really no hard and fast lines, although there are those in the hobby who insist there are. That said, I suppose I'd fall into the "crossover" crop - about 50/50 scenery and operation. Operation is fun, it helps hold interest in the layout and the hobby by causing one to learn history, design, electronics, and an operating scheme. Scenery is fun, too, because you need a pleasant and realistic world to operate your trains in, and building such scenery is not only satisfying and challenging, but really fun when that world comes alive with the trains rolling through it.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Bingo!! [tup] [tup]

I prefer a nice glass of Merlot to a drink, although I'll occasionally indulge in a Single Malt Scotch and glass of water.[:D]

I voted Scenery also. I don't have the capacity or care to learn all the operational details. (being just a novice maybe that'll change as I mature into the hobby) And for me it's a nice cold beer or a tall icy rum & coke. I'll sit and daydream while the train runs loops all day. Aaaahhhh, that's my escape.

Trevor [:)]

[cheese3]

i am more of a scenery/runner guy. although i may not be that good at scenery it is still fun.

[Anonymous]

Sam has a another book out called "A Passion Beyond Scale" There was an audio snippett on Weekend America (National Public Radio) today (Saturday June 4, '05) about Sam. Weekend America has a website and the appropriate link is about halfway down and titled "A Passion Beyond Scale." The snippet is a little over eight minutes in length and also involves Tony Koester in the interview. I think I'll have to invest in both books!

[Anonymous]

OOPS!

My mistake--Sam has authored just the one book, "Playing with Trains, A Passion Beyond Scale."
The Weekend America website didn't make that clear. Sorry 'bout the screw up!

I guess I'll still get the book!

[Anonymous]

I loved Sam Posey's book. Couldn't put it down 'till I was finished. Felt little screwed up emotionally for a few days when the book takes that downward turn. I guess I could relate to his story. But I also agree with BIG_BOY!! you can be both. That's what makes model railroading so great it's that it's not one thing. It's planning, electronics,art, drafting, modeling, history, etc..... and then there's trainshows,meeting new people, forums- shared ideas and problem solving with yourself and others Live and Love it all!! NO I'm not drunk!!!!! I just get excited easy I guess. :)

[Anonymous]

I'm one of the scenic/runners. I like a lot going on on my layout. I also like it to look realistic as far as trees, brush and so forth goes. I guess I could say that every aspect and detail about my layout is important to me.

trainluver1