Many years ago, before I became a moderator here in 2007, we had a lengthy and highly contentious thread about the hobby being an artform. There was plenty of hissing and steam being emitted by the time the second page of posts was well underway.
With deference to those who wouldn't budge from their contention that it is very much an artform, offering criticism invites artful expression of it. Just as with singing, painting, and guitar-playing, not everyone manages to do it particularly well. In the case of the more contentious 'discussions' we had back then, a few were entirely artless, even vengeful, in their approach to meting out their criticism. It wasn't pretty. Fortunately, I think most of us eventually agreed that the hobby is largely artistic in character, and we managed to win over the more malleable of 'critics', except under penalty...maybe threat is a better word. We seem to have maintained that culture to this day and I must say I am very happy that we can criticise each other, and even object, without actually being objectionable. Or disagree without being disagreeable.
BRAKIE ricktrains4824 While I don't often consider myself "advanced" in skills in the hobby, if I know of a easy way of doing something, I will say so. If I may beg the question..What is advance? One modeler may be very knowledgeable in car and locomotive details, builders and phases but,has scenery that would cause Mother Earth to ROFLOL or has less then desirable track work.Another modeler may be highly skilled in scenery and track laying but,his prototype knowledge is near zero and his buildings may look like they was built while the modeler was on a three day drinking binge. I'm not sure where I fit in or even if I do fit in seeing I was called a disgrace to the hobby once in a very nasty PM. I was told on another forum after I mention I focus on the car's number while I'm switching cars like I did when I was a brakeman and I didn't really notice the details on my freight cars I was told I should use blocks of wood with numbers on them. OTOH where I fit in or even if I don't fit I'm still having fun!
ricktrains4824 While I don't often consider myself "advanced" in skills in the hobby, if I know of a easy way of doing something, I will say so.
If I may beg the question..What is advance? One modeler may be very knowledgeable in car and locomotive details, builders and phases but,has scenery that would cause Mother Earth to ROFLOL or has less then desirable track work.Another modeler may be highly skilled in scenery and track laying but,his prototype knowledge is near zero and his buildings may look like they was built while the modeler was on a three day drinking binge.
I'm not sure where I fit in or even if I do fit in seeing I was called a disgrace to the hobby once in a very nasty PM. I was told on another forum after I mention I focus on the car's number while I'm switching cars like I did when I was a brakeman and I didn't really notice the details on my freight cars I was told I should use blocks of wood with numbers on them.
OTOH where I fit in or even if I don't fit I'm still having fun!
Brakie - I would consider "advanced" anyone with extensive experience in the hobby, anyone who can complete a layout past the "plywood central" stage, or anyone with real railroad experience. (Therefore, as a former RR brakeman, you would be advanced in my book on operations expertise.)
I have zero RR experience, have yet to complete a layout to where details can be concentrated on, and, at (in two weeks) 31 yrs of age, don't consider myself as having extensive experience in anything hobby related.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.