Are we approaching a "goof-proof" hobby?

[Bikerdad]

I tend to agree with Tom, aka FiatFan. We are approaching a goof proof hobby, in the sense that the realm of possible goofs has been reduced. Of course, the modeller who deliberately decides to go totally old school and uses only the 1950s MRR mags as his references will have more goofs, with potentially more catastrophic consequences, but many of the goofs he risks are foreign to the modern modeller. As noted by others, even as we reduce the scope of goofs in one area, we give rise to new opportunities of oopsies in another. While its unlikely any of us will inadvertently burn the house down with a goofed up homebuilt powerpack, modellers in days of youre didn't have to worry about accidently reprogramming all their locos at once. [:I]

However, we will never achieve goof-proofness, because we remain human. We will still wear danglings sleeves that send rolling stock crashing to the floor, we will still leave the door open so the cat gets onto the layout, we'll still ballast the moving parts of our turnouts, forget to throw a switch, sneeze when weathering, lose that tiny detail part, etc..

Finally, the abiltiy to "assemble" a layout without goofs doesn't mean its a great layout, only that the technical aspects are competently executed.

[Cox 47]

Goof proof? Hey this is supose to be a hobby. I have seen layoutsWhat is a goof where the builder had what I might have thought were "goofs" but he was perfectly happy and having the time of his life. What is a goof ? Well back to working on my new Pen Central steamer! Cox 47

[BRAKIE]

Yes,In many ways I believe the hobby is becoming more user friendly and by following the instructions dang near goof proof.Today anybody can have a great looking layout by using the many easy to use products.DCC is no longer a hassle for the newbie..All one has to do is buy the DCC equipped locomotives and connect 2 wires from a DCC starter set to the track address the locomotive(s) and go..Even if you use DC by using two power packs, a Atlas controller and wire some sectors for block control you can run two trains its as simple as that all by following the instructions on the back of the package..

[jcgisel]

As long as I'm in the hobby you can be sure that there will be goofs. But they are my goofs and each one helps me get better....... but not perfect.

[AggroJones]

"Are we approaching a "goof-proof" hobby?"

Nope.

[fiatfan]

Outstanding replies, everyone!

I don't think there is a right answer to this. Sure, we all make mistakes, burn ourselves, sma***humbs, spill paint, etc., etc. With the materials and techniques available today, anyone can build a layout that looks fairly realistic to an outsider. The art comes in to play in how you assemble all of these components.

I really appreciate everyones contributions to this topic.

Tom

Aside to CK - I'm countin' the days!

[davekelly]

Goof proof? Not as long as folks like me are in the hobby. Now, if someone could make "Daveproof" stuff, then I'll be the next Pelle!

Yup, it is a competition. I noticed the gentleman above that took three tries to make the underframe of a car. Well, got ya beat, my last attempt took about 6 tries (I say about, because after the six try I figured I was close enough). Ooops, wait a minute, that's not something to brag about. Never mind.

[grayfox1119]

Have no fear, we are a looooong way from a goof proof hobby.

[Jetrock]

Model railroading is no more becoming "goof-proof" than computer technology! Sure, unlike 30 years ago, you don't have to order a computer kit and assemble it yourself with a soldering gun, then enter programs in octal using front-panel switches (or, if you were really cool and high tech, a paper-tape or card reader), and hook it up to a VT100 terminal to see what was going on, but back then we didn't have to worry about computer virii, spam e-mails, spyware, etcetera, and if you didn't like the way a program worked you could break out the code and change it yourself.

Of course, there was already Microsoft to worry about then, but since it was just two guys in a college dorm they didn't yet have a legal department to stop people copying their software...

QUOTE: Originally posted by pedromorgan

i hand make alll my track, i make all my own throttles i even scratch build rolling stock but i cant doo scenery to save my life! i just cant seem to get the hang of it.

Peter

I'm sort of at the other end of the spectrum...I can do scenery almost instinctively and love weathering and superdetailing. I can scratchbuild but generally prefer to kitbash kits, and use flextrack and store-bought throttles because the idea of handlaying track gives me the hives and my electronics skills are feeble at best--my layout still uses one-cab control, with electrical routing done by manipulation of Peco "insulfrog" switches!

[Anonymous]

Nope, I still goof things up all the time, not all bad though, I blew up the origninal decoder and had to replace the decoder in my Atlas, so I gained ditch lights by the time I was done...

[vsmith]

As long as theres Scenery, there will be Screw-ups!



...always remember the old saying
"Design a system that even a Fool can use and only a Fool will us it..."

[Anonymous]

I have been modelling in some form or another for almost 30 years (I'm 39 now). I believe that goofing up is part and parcel with the hobby. It's what makes each and every layout unique and what puts your very own signature on that layout.

I had to relay my yard track 3 times before I could run my engines smoothly through it. Goofing up is a love hate thing. It's part of what makes it a sustainable hobby, and it's part of what makes you P.O.'d sometimes. Like others have said before, the manufactures supply us with things to help create a world in miniature, but they can't make us build them or place them "goof free".

Trevor