Can house cats and model railroads mix?

[Anonymous]

Have you ever seen those military trains from linonel, cox, and model power that launce missles........[}:)]

up here in canada you can buy these metal wires that u put around your yard and you pet wheres a collor that when it goes over the wire it makes a noise that animals can't stand. this is for people that don't have a fence........but it will probaly work if u put it around your train set.

[Anonymous]

My HO layout is in the basement, measures 48" high and 15x10x5 feet. We have 6 cats and during the construction of the layout, before any track was put down or structures etc. added they would like to sleep on it. I thought I was going to have a problem. My solution was found by accident. I use the area under the layout for storage of the usual stuff that goes in the basement. Every thing is in boxes and it seems that they like to spend their time under the layout hiding in the maze of boxes. I guess it's more interesting for them under there than on top of the layout. I should also mention that all the wiring under the layout has been harnessed and tie-wrapped close to the bottom of the bench work so there are no dangling wires to tempt them. My layout hasn't had an invasion from Catzilla in over four years.

[easyaces]

Have you tried some of that spray repellant that can be used on furniture and plants? 2nd option; buy a large dog that hates cats and chain it to the layout !!
The cayenne pepper idea is good. Finely ground and sprinkled lightly around the layout might keep them at bay if they get a snootful !! 3rd option; Use duct tape!!!

[Kiwi Down Under]

Cats can be useful. I have a book thats titled 101 uses for a dead cat, but it does not mention self supporting railway tunnels.
Novel idea, in one end, out the other.
Seems like I have found 102 uses for dead cats

[The Watcher]

My cats KNOW they own the house.

Right now I only have a small test track. But, every time I get it out both cats show up to watch.

The male just loves to knock the locomotives off the track.

I cann't wait until I have a real layout where he can do some real damage

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith
Only if you want to risk having a 20 pound cat jump up and land on your layout . That could be like dropping a bowling ball on it, he could go right through the foam! [:0]

Now that I like....our 18 pound cat, Dufus is a lot more difficult to pick up than a bowling ball...he tends to kind of slump and go limp....and besides, a bowling ball has more holes.[:0][:0]
Dufus has made it to the top of the highest points on the layout....and gone to sleep there.
For a fat cat can he's surprising....he can go up a tree about 8 feet chasing a squirrel...he just gets rather untidy coming back down.
BTW, I'm not ruffled, vsmith, I just got overly excited about the electric wire...I should have realized you meant it for healthy animals....I overreacted....my apologies.
regards,
Mike.

[Anonymous]

The basement in my old house was a haven for the cat. It had 'tunnels' through all the junk, and hiding places where it would hide for hours if disturbed by the younger members of the family. But the problem was that my layout was in the basement, and it lined the wall with the windows, where the warm sun beamed through to contrast the damp cool air of the basement. So the cat often hopped up onto my layout to have a sun bath, wreaking havoc in the miniature towns, destroying trees, telephone poles, and squishing (or snapping) innocent plastic people. If I ever found the culprit on my layout, I would hiss loudly and scare it away. It seemed to work, because in the last while before we moved, it didn't go on it very much at all.

[Favrefan04]

I have had problems with my cats getting into other areas of my house. I started when they were very young, by squirting them with a water bottle. I saw that suggested. It works. All I have to do it bring the bottle into view, and my two cats go hide. Get them to the point that they understand what the bottle represents, and then place 1 maybe 2 identical bottles on the corners of your layout. If they have learned the same way that mine has, they will stay clear of it.

I found this tread very interesting, because I am going to be building a layout soon, and I have been wondering out to cat proof it. I was just going to try to get it into it's own secure room, but I think I will use the water bottle as backup.

-Gary

[Anonymous]

Hello Scott,

Lucy isn't my cat but she likes to visit from the suite upstairs. She will climb up on the layout but so far hasn't knocked anything over or caused any damage. She has never seen anything move. I always stop all trains when she shows up. She checks around the room, for mice and birds I guess, and then goes away. I never pet or stroke her when she visits the train room. I do if I'm anywhere else.

I think cat training is not only a full time occupation but it can become futile on the cat's whim, ask Roy.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Roadtrp

"Can anyone contact the ASPCA?? That wasn't funny vsmith."

Oh come on... it was very clear he was joking. Sometimes people here are WAY too serious. Making fun of human disabilities is cause for concern. But joking about a freaking cat? Give me a break. [sigh]

I completely agree, have another beer and some road kill stew.[:D][:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Scott218

Hey fellow Model Railroaders,

Does anyone have any special insights on how to cat proof a model railroad?

Scott218

PS: Getting rid of the cat or killing the cat are NOT OPTIONS!!!!

Get momma as drunk as possible, stuff the cat, then when momma wakes up, tell her the neighbor down the street hit the cat and you had it stuffed for posterity. Guaranteed, she'll love you for it.[:D][:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

My layout is in the basement that has a door. My daughter has a cat called Charlie. My Granddaughter has a bad habit of going into the basement then when leaving, forgets to close the door. That is when Charlie changes into CATZILLA. I've had to do more repair work because of that cat. The citizens of my towns are terrified.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Scott218

QUOTE: Originally posted by LightBender

Hey LightBender,

What's the story behind this picture? Is your cat a train buff or is he/she playing "Kitty Kong"?

Scott [:)]

I think it's Catzilla!

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Scott218

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

QUOTE: Originally posted by Scott218

Hmmm, maybe I should over feed my cats so they get fat and lose their ability to jump very high.

Only if you want to risk having a 20 pound cat jump up and land on your layout . That could be like dropping a bowling ball on it, he could go right through the foam! [:0]

Well my bench work is quite sturdy, I bet it could withstand a landing from a 20 lbs "puddy tat". However the point to getting kitty kong fat was to weight him down to the point that he couldn't jump on the layout.

Well FYI one of my relatives had a black&white longhair that weighed in at 25lbs. and he could still jump up onto the kitchen counter. Bacon had a bad habit of jumping onto tables and sliding across the polished surface taking down everything in his path before falling off the other side...i think he did it just for kicks...[8D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by LightBender

Hey LightBender,

What's the story behind this picture? Is your cat a train buff or is he/she playing "Kitty Kong"?

Scott [:)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

QUOTE: Originally posted by Scott218

Hmmm, maybe I should over feed my cats so they get fat and lose their ability to jump very high.

Only if you want to risk having a 20 pound cat jump up and land on your layout . That could be like dropping a bowling ball on it, he could go right through the foam! [:0]

Well my bench work is quite sturdy, I bet it could withstand a landing from a 20 lbs "puddy tat". However the point of getting "kitty kong" fat was to weight him down to the point where he couldn't jump on the layout.

Scott218

PS: My vet is not thrilled by the idea of intentionally fattening up pets, as a result I have allready scratched this idea.

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Scott218

Hmmm, maybe I should over feed my cats so they get fat and lose their ability to jump very high.

Only if you want to risk having a 20 pound cat jump up and land on your layout . That could be like dropping a bowling ball on it, he could go right through the foam! [:0]

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by robmik

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith
Oh come on, now!!! you obviosly havent had a cat for very long!
FIRST THINGS FIRST
DO NOT EVER CONFUSE ME WITH A CAT HATER!!@!^%&$[:(!]
My comments are based on yadda, yadda, yadda...

vsmith....I have had cats for over 52 years, usually more than one at a time...all of them were rescued strays, including the two we have now....often had dogs at the same time, as well....
SECOND THINGS SECOND

If you, or anyone else, actually thought I would run 220 volts to your "Borracho", there must have been some simulation of what a "Borracho" might be, and it sounds like it was construed as some kind of anatomical feature.
Our big cat, "Dufus" who is 18 pounds, and has somewhat crossed eyes, I would think has about the same IQ as those who got all "wired" about my post.
.....He also has a congenital heart murmur...so even a low voltage wire could pose a serious risk to him. That is why I consider your "idea" for the horse-wire to be lightweight and inappropriate.
Your chauvinistic and immature [:o)] followup comment about women, only proves my point.[:o)]
without regards;
Mike

Wow Sorry Mike if I touched a nerve there...[:(]

Obviously my horse wire suggestion was a "last resorts" idea if all others failed. and obviously aimed at the owner of younger and very active cats that are more prone to jump up to investigate the layout. They do make this system for dog kennels and its supposed to harmless to healthy animals. I would never suggest it to the owner of any animal that had a health problem. I supposed that having a older pet with health conditions you would see that suggestion in a negative way. if so I apologize. We had a cat who lived as I said to 18 before he passed away and his mother died the following year at age 20. So I too know about what its like owning and losing an elderly and much loved pet.[V]

Personally if the cayenne sprinkles failed I would make either a solid cover or ceiling to layout sheid if it was that big of a problem to keep Kitty off the layout. I dont even know how you could hook up a electric kennal wire system to a layout in a way that didnt look awful or if you'd even want to take the chance of a kid touching it a getting zapped. I woundnt.


Also as for "chauvinitsic?" I have had several girlfriends, girls who are just friends , and one wife of 10 years and every single one of them has always loved a foot massage and never refused the offer of one, which is what I was refering to. Its like scratching a cat between his ears, they just loooove it. So it based on real experience there too.[:)]

and PS as for my fetching something from the fridge comment , as Foghorn Legghorn would say "its a joke, son", I would NEVER try it, if I ever did , my wife would bring it to me, and bonk me on the head with it..[xx(][;)] and like all husbands, I seam to do all of the "fetching", so get my leash... I need walkies![:p]

PS PS Borracho is Spanish for drunkard, my layout is called the Borracho Springs Railroad. the name came from the movie "The Great Race" with Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, where they have to stop in the wild western town of Borracho and get into a great saloon fight with Larry Storch. My layout is a western mining layout and the name just had a great ring to it so i used it. Just FYI.[8D]

Hope your not too ruffled, no harm was intended, and WITH regards, Vic[:D]

[Anonymous]

Try a cat repellant. Like this...

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441775331&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302025622&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023690&bmUID=1076339304276

[dave9999]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dougal

QUOTE: Originally posted by dave9999


I have a better solution to the cat problem: http://home.bellsouth.net/coDataImages/p/Groups/179/179121/pages/456682/IM000448fw.JPG
Dave

Do you mean kill the cat? The topic starter said killing the cat is not an option

No!! Don't get ASPCA on me. Or Mike either.

Disclaimer:
This is recommended as a CAT DETERRENT ONLY.
Professional Dog. Do not attempt this a home
No animals were harmed in the writing of this post. Dave

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dave9999


I have a better solution to the cat problem: http://home.bellsouth.net/coDataImages/p/Groups/179/179121/pages/456682/IM000448fw.JPG
Dave

Do you mean kill the cat? The topic starter said killing the cat is not an option

[Anonymous]

[dave9999]

I have a better solution to the cat problem: http://home.bellsouth.net/coDataImages/p/Groups/179/179121/pages/456682/IM000448fw.JPG
Dave

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith
Oh come on, now!!! you obviosly havent had a cat for very long!
FIRST THINGS FIRST
DO NOT EVER CONFUSE ME WITH A CAT HATER!!@!^%&$[:(!]
My comments are based on yadda, yadda, yadda...

vsmith....I have had cats for over 52 years, usually more than one at a time...all of them were rescued strays, including the two we have now....often had dogs at the same time, as well....
SECOND THINGS SECOND

If you, or anyone else, actually thought I would run 220 volts to your "Borracho", there must have been some simulation of what a "Borracho" might be, and it sounds like it was construed as some kind of anatomical feature.
Our big cat, "Dufus" who is 18 pounds, and has somewhat crossed eyes, I would think has about the same IQ as those who got all "wired" about my post.
.....He also has a congenital heart murmur...so even a low voltage wire could pose a serious risk to him. That is why I consider your "idea" for the horse-wire to be lightweight and inappropriate.
Your chauvinistic and immature [:o)] followup comment about women, only proves my point.[:o)]
without regards;
Mike

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Eriediamond

OK Scott, you just HAD to start this thread, didn't ya!!! Bubba (my cat) fas been lay'in here reading all of this with me. Some he takes serious other he lays on his back, all four paws in the air laughing his tail off. I think he's picked up a few pointers for future train attacks. I only have only myself to blame for most of his escapades though. You see, he use to just lay in his favorit spot on the layout and enjoy the trains. One evening I put a newley acquired Chessie boxcar about midway in the train and when he saw the emblem of the kitten with it's paw stuck out there----- bam!!!! I think he either took that as another cat wanting to play or a threat to his retreat. After contemplating this I came to realize that Chessie emblem must have looked awful big to him at his eye level. I've also come to realize that Bubba has learned to fake sleeping. It's one of his tactics to put me off guard. I think I've out smarted him though, I'm building a small layout just for him. Now, if doesn't read this I'm in good shape. So don't let the cat out of the bag and keep it quiet. [:-^][:-^][:)][:)]

Your story reminds me of the antics of a Manx cat I had named Sophie. At the time my family had her I had a small Z scale layout that I liked to show off to friends and relatives. On one particular ocasion I had my little Z scale layout set up on the den floor all prepared for an opperating demonstration when Sophie found the miniture pike and decided that my Kaydee loco and rolling stock would make great cat toys. Fortunately I caught her before she did much damage however the front coupler of my SP black widow F7 has never worked quite right since. No, I did not scold Sophie because it was my fault that I left the mini-pike alone with a her present. I guess the moral of the story is to protect model trains from cats like you would protect model trains from roudy kids, keep equipment out of reach or if equipment is in reach keep your eye on it at all times...

Scott

[Anonymous]

Lee Valley Tools just released their Spring gardening tools catalogue and they have the tool to deter garden pests and unwanted visitors. For $85 Cdn you can by a lawn sprinkler with built in motion detector. Might not be the best thing for the basement but if anyone had concerns on the Garden Layout this might be the ticket.

[Eriediamond]

OK Scott, you just HAD to start this thread, didn't ya!!! Bubba (my cat) fas been lay'in here reading all of this with me. Some he takes serious other he lays on his back, all four paws in the air laughing his tail off. I think he's picked up a few pointers for future train attacks. I only have only myself to blame for most of his escapades though. You see, he use to just lay in his favorit spot on the layout and enjoy the trains. One evening I put a newley acquired Chessie boxcar about midway in the train and when he saw the emblem of the kitten with it's paw stuck out there----- bam!!!! I think he either took that as another cat wanting to play or a threat to his retreat. After contemplating this I came to realize that Chessie emblem must have looked awful big to him at his eye level. I've also come to realize that Bubba has learned to fake sleeping. It's one of his tactics to put me off guard. I think I've out smarted him though, I'm building a small layout just for him. Now, if doesn't read this I'm in good shape. So don't let the cat out of the bag and keep it quiet. [:-^][:-^][:)][:)]

[Anonymous]

Someone mentioned sound above the 20,000 range. Then why not put in an electronic barrier. The cat brakes the "beam" which in turn sets of the 20,000 Hz alarm. See Cat run, Run Run Run went the cat

[pbjwilson]

I model Live steam in my back yard. My cat enjoys the engineers spot up front in the loco while my dog rides in the caboose. An occasional squiral or chipmonk also hop on for a ride. Of course my pot belly pig gets jealous and wants to ride also, but at 400 lbs. the drive wheels of my 4-8-8-4 start spinning, not to mention what might happen on the scale Hellgate bridge over Salt creek.


Paul the Painter
"the fumes are gettin to me"