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What do you do outside this hobby?

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Posted by conrail92 on Monday, August 27, 2007 10:53 PM

The most popular seem to be these:

1: Hunting, Fishing, Guns, outdoors.

2: Motor sports, racing, dirtbikes, cars ect...

3: Hockey and Other sports.

Just a observation. I know i could of never known what diversity there was on these forums. I just couldn't imagine it.

"If you can dream it you can do it" Enzo Ferrari :)
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Posted by DDevore on Monday, August 27, 2007 10:56 PM

In my non train modeling time, my wife refers to my other hobby as a fly fishing fetish.  I work in the landscape and irrigation industry to fund my hobbies.  Work takes up most of in the summer but the winter season is the model time.  I am fortunate to have both great fly fishing and rail fanning here in south central Montana.  I model the norther railroad lines in N scale.

Good Luck,

ddevore

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Posted by spurline55 on Monday, August 27, 2007 11:13 PM

You mean there's more than model railroading out there?Who would have guessed..

When I'm not trying to create my own little world,I am taking big rocks and making little rocks,or I'm washing the little rocks,or I'm running the secondary plant,or I'm doing rail loadout,or I'm running the sinter flux,or I'm on an end loader,or I'm eating lunch.I for the last 9 years have been working at one of the east coast's largest open pit mines,As of April 07 I received my MCR rating,or in laymans terms Master Control Operator,Or as the supervisors say,know all,do all.When I need to relax a little more,and settle back I tend to my rose garden,61 plants,my wife says that I love the plants more than her sometimes,but thats not true I love the railroad stuff more than the plants.All kidding aside the boss and I will celebrate year 24 this Friday 8-31-07.and I would not trade 1 day away for the time we have had together.Ok thats enough of the mushy crap.

Later people

Mike

A man that makes no mistakes,is a man who does not work...
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Posted by MilwaukeeRoad on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:17 AM
 EspeeEngineer wrote:

This is a great thread! I am a television and film camera operator, editor and technical director....so I shoot, edit and direct everything from news and documentaries to extreme and traditional sports. I did work for CSX at one point as a conductor (one of the highest scoring new hires ever on the tests) but after some time doing that and not getting much sleep or time off EVER, I decided to keep railroading as a hobby and return to television....its fun!

As far as other interests, I play ice hockey and I'm an avid hockey fan, i'm into motocross and sportbikes, traveling, snowboarding and other outdoor activities. Here are some fun pictures...

 

 

I have the same breezers as you. lol.

Alex Czajkowski
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Posted by MilwaukeeRoad on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:20 AM
I posted my ice hockey pictures earlier in the thread. Seems like it's the sport of choice by modelers.
Alex Czajkowski
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Posted by zgardner18 on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:31 AM
 bogp40 wrote:
  

I am a general contractor, specializing in kitchen/ bath remodel.  A finish carpenter for 30+ years, I will on occasion do stairs/ ballastrade and trim for myself or fellow builders. I really enjoy restorations on some of the beautiful old homes around Boston. Always a nice change of pace.

bogp40,

Want to hire me.  I'm thinking of get the heck out of So Cal and start doing finish carpentry again.  I want to go back to Montana, back to a small town, for my boys to grow up in.  Problem is my wife wasn't to fond of Montana since she grew up in Los Angeles.  I grew up in San Diego but still I love Montana. 

Hey Sue, My wife is a Dental Hygienist too.  Next week is her last week.  October 8th is the due date for son #2.  It's been a great job to help us out with trying to live the high life of So Cal.  This place just cost too much.

Sorry boys, but my team is the Dallas Stars.  Mike Modano is my hockey idol and though they haven't won the Stanley Cup in a couple of years, they're still #1 in my book. 

I did forget to say that I love golf but it doesn't love me.  I just figured out how to hit the ball straight.  That's what I get for being left handed.  Happy Gilmore was my movie: golf, hockey, and Adam Sandler.

 

--Zak Gardner

My Layout Blog:  http://mrl369dude.blogspot.com

http://zgardner18.rrpicturearchives.net

VIEW SLIDE SHOW: CLICK ON PHOTO BELOW

 

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Posted by cudaken on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:00 AM

 Nope yougottawanta, it is not my 68 Charger mine is the 69 with the blower.

 If that made you sick you won't like these.

 That is one sweet 68 Charger, I wish it was mine.

 Fresh out of the booth, took me about 3 hours to paint.

 

 Hum, dont thing the can where OEM but they fit!Big Smile [:D] It was a joke, Dave's was the first A/C car I did and was apart for around a year. Dave E-mailed me and want to know if I remember how the A/C hooked up. That was the PIC I sent.

 Pic of another 68 Charger I did for Allen a good friend that does not understand why I went the way of the train.

 If you really want me to make you sick, I will post PIC of the Orginal 32,000 Mile 68 Hemi Charger 4-speed I did here at the house. Still had her orginal Red Line tires and not a speck of rust. It was the last 68 Charger made!  Plus I could dig up some PIC of the 69 Charger Daytonas I have worked on as well.

 I forgot about this hobby. My hands are starting to fail and don't play more than maybe onces a year.

 

 My Less Paul, all so have a Gibson 335 and a Challanger and Kustom Stack with 250 watt head amp. One of the other reason I am a Audiophile.

 As far as fire arms 54 caliber Hawkns and Colt Trooper 3.57 6" nickel. I was in law enforcment as well.

                       Cuda Ken getting older again

I hate Rust

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Posted by zeis96 on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 2:34 AM
My turn! I'm a police officer in two small towns. I'm on the list for Springfield (IL) PD though! I love my job because I love arresting people! I also love sports; baseball (Cardinals) football (49ers) hockey (Avalanche) and basketball (Bulls). I play slow-pitch softball as much as I can. My son just turned 1 on the 27th and I'm getting married Oct. 13th and everyone is invited! We have 2 dogs and 2 cats but I love my Rottweiler. I'm still pretty new to trains. I haven't been able to do any work since I traded my truck in for a car. Nice gas mileage but very poor hauling capacity.

hi

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Posted by SpaceMouse on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 7:15 AM
 jcopilot wrote:

Lots of interesting people doing lots of interesting things.  My other favorite hobby is Cowboy Action Shooting - using single-action revolvers, lever-action rifles  and double-barrel (or pump) shotguns to shoot at big, close metal targets.  No bullseye shooting, just hit the target.  To add to the fun, everyone dresses in period clothing and adopts a cowboy alias.  Some people have chosen names from history, some from the movies or television and some go for a humorous name.  My alias is Oracle Jones, a character in The Hallelujah Trail, an old western comedy with Burt Lancaster and a host of other recognizable actors. 

No target is so big or so close that you can't miss it.

If you can't shoot good, you can look good shooting.

Yee haaa!

Howdy Oracle, Thes hyars Sage. I shoot duelist, got me a coulple Wes Flowers Rugers, a Cody Golden Boy, an a 97. An liken ya said we's a bunch a fools thet dress like idjets and blast stuff.

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

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Posted by pastorbob on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 8:10 AM

Well, graduated from Seminary back in late 50's, took a small church near Topeka KS, needed a second job, went to Santa Fe GOB in Topeka, they hired me, was tested by IBM for computer skills, sent to programming schools all over the US, designed and implemented two major systems for the IBM 360, jumped to the Federal Reserve Bank in KC in 1970, helped design and implement their automation efforts, all the time still serving as pastor of small churches.

Retired early from the Fed, we traveled for 18 months, got bored, I then accepted a call to a small rural church which sits near the Santa Fe Transcon in Kansas, and have been there as pastor for 9 years, starting the 10th.

We have lived in the same house in KC for 28 years, have a large three deck Santa Fe layout in the basement, and a large scale Santa Fe running around the backyard.  Life is good.

 

Bob

Bob Miller http://www.atsfmodelrailroads.com/
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Posted by ShadowNix on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 9:02 AM

You guys amaze me... so diverse...great to see!  As for me, besides my hobbies listed earlier, I also spend a bit (too much sometimes) of time in the hospital (currently there typing this on call)... I am a pediatric intensive care doctor.  Love this part-time (lol) work, but my REAL job is being PAPA.  Prior to living here in the NW, I moved all over during training... Madison, WI for medical school, Univ. of Chicago for residency and Philadelphia for fellowship... Unfortunately, I did little railfanning/modelling due to lack of time then, but I am making up for that now!  Oh, I almost forgot, being from Green Bay, one of the biggest hobbies is....   GO PACKERS!!!!

"That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger!"
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Posted by loathar on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 9:24 AM

SUE-Guns and quilting! Thanks! I got a chuckle out of that.Laugh [(-D]
I was looking at a gun magazine at work one day. The guy next to me pointed at an SKS rifle and said "Those are nice. I bought my wife one for our anniversary. She loves it!"

I knew I was in the right town then.Wink [;)]

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Posted by selector on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 9:41 AM
 ShadowNix wrote:

...and Philadelphia for fellowship... Unfortunately, I did little railfanning/modelling due to lack of time then, but I am making up for that now!  Oh, I almost forgot, being from Green Bay, one of the biggest hobbies is....   GO PACKERS!!!!

No wonder!  Most modelers come here for fellowship.

Oohh....wait....uhh...

Big Smile [:D]

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Posted by selector on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 9:48 AM
 Lillen wrote:

 

 My other passions have included and still do, Astronomy(I have a nice Meade telescope), war gaming, and of course history, which I'm now divulging my self further in as I'm getting my education ready to become a teacher. .. So, I understand what you say Crandell, I'm just like you in that regard.

Magnus

Aahh...another brother in Astronomy.  Another man who understands that in some instances size really does matter.  I have a Celestron Ultima Schmidt-Cassegrain, but purchased before they got the GPS mounts with GoTo capability...darn.  The aperture is 280mm, and I seem to have gotten a decently figured mirror.  Too bad it weighs darn near as much as I do! Sad [:(]

-Crandell

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Posted by jeffers_mz on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 10:09 AM

A lot of interesting people here.

I am surprised by the number of musicians, construction types, and technical types, though, considering both the creative and technical aspects of our hobby, maybe I shouldn't be.

To the rocket scientists...either of you ever meet a gorgeous honey blond who designs AAM seeker heads and was married to a well known Indy car driver?

They still together?

Got her number?

Tell her the lightning guy says "hi".

 

;-)

 

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 10:32 AM

 jeffers_mz wrote:
   To the rocket scientists...either of you ever meet a gorgeous honey blond who designs AAM seeker heads and was married to a well known Indy car driver? 

Sorry, I'm on the radar end of things.  They moved our Missile Systems people out to Tucson a number of years back.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by yougottawanta on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 11:40 AM

Cuda you really know how to hurt a guy ! My first 68 was yelow with a black top. It was destroyed by a drunk driver,he side swipped me in a curve and opened up the drivers side trunk area like a tin can , from the wheel to the bumper. I didnt suffer a scratch. I took the drive train ,motor etc (which I just finished rebuilding ) and installed it in another 68 which was bluish green similiar to the one pictured Thats the one my ex sold.

I had a friend who had a challeger R/T with a hemi and a six pack installed on it. He sold it after he couldnt get the six pac to work correctly. I could have kicked him. Dead [xx(] I would LOVE TO SEE SOME MORE PICS. Especially the Daytona's I think that is one of the most beautiful cars (and fastest ) ever built . 

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Posted by yougottawanta on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 11:45 AM
Hi Bob ! My son is now in Boston Mass. and he is in College currently studing to be in the ministry. In words of wisdom you could pass along ? Which Faith do you serve in ? 
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Posted by pcarrell on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 11:47 AM

A few of my other hobbies......

and a pic of me.........

Philip
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Posted by ShadowNix on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:00 PM

Nice car... I am SO not a gear head (and I mean that in a good way...) ... I can barely change the oil on my car (and usually elect to pay someone else to do it... once a year I make myself do it...and what a mess :) !)  

 Brian

"That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger!"
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Posted by JonathanS on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:09 PM

I am an Automation Engineer for a Pharmaceutical company.  That is I design, and install the instruments and computer systems, and write the programs and operator interfaces that controls the equipment that makes the active ingredients.  With all the down sizing I also am in charge of the operation of one facility (multitasking is what they call it).

My other hobby is making Shaker and Pennsylvania Dutch furniture.

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Posted by ShadowNix on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:24 PM

Small world Jonathan.  I used to work for an automation company (Robocon GesmbH) in Austria that custom made automation products for Bayer Pharm. in Germany.  I was a staff scientist/integration specialist.   It was a great job... fun playing with robots :)

Brian

"That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger!"
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Posted by UP2CSX on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:49 PM

 zeis96 wrote:
My turn! I'm a police officer in two small towns. I'm on the list for Springfield (IL) PD though! I love my job because I love arresting people!

LOL. You must still be a young guy. I liked chasing the bad guys when I was in my 20's but that got old after a while, especially in LA, where they would shoot at you. Shock [:O] How long have you been on the job? I guess you must be working two smaller departments while waiting to get on with the Big City. Smile [:)] Good luck, I hope you're at the top of the eligibility list.

Regards, Jim
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Posted by UP2CSX on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:54 PM
 ShadowNix wrote:

You guys amaze me... so diverse...great to see!  As for me, besides my hobbies listed earlier, I also spend a bit (too much sometimes) of time in the hospital (currently there typing this on call)... I am a pediatric intensive care doctor. ....  Oh, I almost forgot, being from Green Bay, one of the biggest hobbies is....   GO PACKERS!!!!

My niece is a pediatric cardiac surgeon. I don't know how she (or you) does it. Dealing with really sick kids was just too tough for me when I was a respiratory therapist.

And, since I'm originally from Cleveland.....GO BROWNS! Smile [:)] 

Regards, Jim
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Posted by UP2CSX on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:58 PM

Sue,

Guns, weight lifting, and telemark skiing? Remind me not to get on your bad side. Smile [:)] Somehow, the thought of you out shooting and then starting work on your quilt just brings a smile to my face.

Regards, Jim
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Posted by Lillen on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:14 PM
 selector wrote:
Aahh...another brother in Astronomy.  Another man who understands that in some instances size really does matter.  I have a Celestron Ultima Schmidt-Cassegrain, but purchased before they got the GPS mounts with GoTo capability...darn.  The aperture is 280mm, and I seem to have gotten a decently figured mirror.  Too bad it weighs darn near as much as I do! Sad [:(]

-Crandell

 

Yes, Astronomy is a real mans hobby, not as cheap as this train business. And yes size matters. I'm thinking of getting a really large Dobson telescope. I have been thinking a small telescope house in the yard so that it can be permanently mounted. Because as you say, they are heavy as a man. I got my Meade telescope just before the GPS too. I do have GoTo function on it but I would really love the GPS since it makes it so much easier when going to another location.

 

When I moved here I did partially because there is no lights disturbing the winter skies and no street lights for 5 miles. The bad thing about living in Sweden is that during the summer, when it's hot enough to be out all night without any problems the sun never really leaves us, at least not in the northern portion of the country. But now the dark is coming and it gets time to break out the telescope, it is a ETX90. So it's not nearly big enough but I feel that the portability is important. Also it was the largest high quality telescope available I could find back then(1999). Now with the Internet so much larger I would get a new one straight from the U.S instead.

 

Have you seen any of the new Lightbridge telescopes, they seems like a good way to get BIG at a decent cost and weight.

 

My daughter who is six have been begging me to take her outside and look at the moon, soon we will be able to.

 

Magnus

 

PS Do you or anyone else know of any good discount astronomy store?

Unless otherwise mentioned it's HO and about the 50's. Magnus
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Posted by selector on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:31 PM

Magnus, I have to count my pennies, so I deal with one pursuit at a time.  I am sure your ETX is a joy to use.  Do you have mosquitos up there...you must.  They spoiled my time on the prairies to the point where I could only really enjoy being out after sunset between early October and late April, coincidentally the coldest months of the year.  My telescope's right ascension drive would freeze up if it got colder than -25deg C.  I wasn't doing so well after a couple of hours standing rigidly at the eyepiece, either. Sad [:(]  Then, when I had to give up, or when the scope frosted up, the fun part was packing it all up in the cases, every little piece, and horsing it back into the car.  Then the drive home.  Aaahhh...the good old days. Big Smile [:D]

I am out of touch a bit and have not seen the scopes you mention.  I hope you get to use a light bucket soon, though.

Cheers.

-Crandell

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Posted by Lillen on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:55 PM

Crandell, the ETX is a joy to use. Since it's so easy and portable. It's just limited in what you can watch as you know by the diameter. About mosquitoes, there are of course mosquitoes but it varies greatly from area to area up here. Some places you can't be out in without some form of protection whilst others have no real problems. Where I live it's not a big problem, there is a small form of bloodsucker that is called Knott that you can't see and won't notice until the next morning when the itching starts. But since I live on a mountain with no still standing water nearby there are very few of them for being this part of the country so it would be wrong of me to complain. The biggest problems are the summer light and the snow in combination with large moon that gives me trouble during the winther. It really gets surprisingly light with that combo. But, once again I can't complain, I can see the milky way with my bare eyes and the nights are clear and dry during the winther.

 

The mountains of course cut out the sky at certain degrees but there is plenty of sky to go around.

 

Magnus 

Unless otherwise mentioned it's HO and about the 50's. Magnus
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Posted by jcopilot on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 2:05 PM

And Howdy back at ya, Sage.

Will you be shooting the Indiana state championship in September?  I wuz gonna, but my wife had other ideas -- Orlando! Can you imagine?  A couple friends of mine will be shooting there - Maddog Maxwell and Aunt Rhody.

You got a Cody-matic?  Cool, huh?  Cody shoots around here and he's just a real nice fella as well as a top-notch gunsmith - and pretty darned fast as well, always finishes 'in the money'.

Keep your powder dry and always listen for the 'clang'

Oracle Jones

If it's worth doing, it's worth doing twice.
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Posted by csmith9474 on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 2:07 PM

I really enjoy when I can mix my different interests, such as hiking and railroading. This is the wife and myself hiking the old Colorado Midland ROW through Ute Pass.

 

Smitty

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