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what do you dislike about this hobby?

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  • Member since
    November 2002
  • From: Colorado
  • 4,075 posts
Posted by fwright on Sunday, May 16, 2010 3:32 PM

 I dislike the whining and complaining in this forum about what are really minor irritations.  The complaints about the subscription renewal popup ad is the latest example.  Or the tone of the responses one gets when posting photos of one's work.

I dislike hobby shops that charge than suggested retail.  I dislike hobby shops where the owners and/or help think it's fine to use profanity and drop f-bombs.

I dislike the complaining about quality control in both forums and in hobby shops.  I'd much rather hear about a letter sent to the manufacturer than just complaining to fellow modelers.  Or how a problem was fixed.  The real signal not to take the complainer seriously is when he continues to buy from the same manufacturer.

As you can see most of my complaints are about  the hobby business, not about actual model railroading.  The hobby itself is great.

Fred W

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Martinez, CA
  • 5,440 posts
Posted by markpierce on Sunday, May 16, 2010 2:56 PM

cudaken

 7 Ballasting, but don't we all?

Perhaps one solution is to keep the materials handy, and when gazing upon the layout with 10 minutes to kill, ballast a couple feet of track.  Eventually, the job should get done.

Mark

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Huntsville, AR
  • 1,251 posts
Posted by oldline1 on Sunday, May 16, 2010 2:42 PM

 I like almost everything about this hobby. That's what makes it such fun with all the areas to conquer like electonics, woodworking, scenery, etc. I especially like detailing & painting locos & rolling stock.

What I truly dislike is the manufacturers releasing multiple versions of  the Pig Boy, F-7's, E-units and numerous other engines & cars when there's a need for other railroads and other locomotives. Despite all the poor comments about Bachmann I have to credit them with producing what we've asked for like many small steam engines and better cars.I have quite a few Bachmann Spectrum steamers & rolling stock and have no complaints. My 4 Russians, SY and 4-4-0's are awesome runners as is my 2-6-6-2.

I also dislike the high prices for stuff. Have you seen the cost of the newest Walthers passenger cars? Why are Campbell kits 3-5 times their original cost for 1950's kits? Maybe if they did some improvements that justified them.

My 2ยข,

Roger Huber

 

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Sunday, May 16, 2010 2:31 PM

 1 Figuring out problems.

 2 Fixing said problem.

 3 Woodworking and it shows.

 4 Fixing engines. When I started I enjoyed it, now well lets say I selling off items that need work.

 5 Sweeping up foam, one of the reason I have stopped work on K-10 Mountain. Hate the mess. 

 6 Cleaning wheels.

 7 Ballasting, but don't we all?

 8 Making trees. I can make good ones now, but takes a while and makes a small mess.

 9 Wiring.

 10 Listing to my wife complaining that $60.00 is way to much for a engine.

 If I am in the mood and enjoy 1 through 9,  BUT NEVER NUMBER 10!

       Cuda Ken

I hate Rust

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Eastern Shore Virginia
  • 3,290 posts
Posted by gandydancer19 on Sunday, May 16, 2010 2:11 PM

 What I dislike is new folks asking a bunch of questions about their equipment before they even get finished reading the manuals on the equipment they bought.

Not that they aren't going to get the help, but it just seems to me they don't even try to figure it out first.

My My 2 cents

Elmer.

The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.

(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.

  • Member since
    June 2009
  • 231 posts
Posted by johngriffey18ca1 on Sunday, May 16, 2010 2:02 PM

The things that bother me are:

1.  Track problems including bad switches that cause derailments.

2.  Coupler problems due to my layout (my own fault, I need to redo my layout).

3.  Trying to have patience for products that are running behind schedule when I'm not a patient person.

4.  Not knowing how to build with wood very well or wire very well (again, my own fault)

5.  Not having the skill to make scenery and track look real.

 

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • 4,612 posts
Posted by Hamltnblue on Sunday, May 16, 2010 1:50 PM

1. Limited runs that keep pricing up.

 2. Everything is made in China and quality is iffy.


Springfield PA

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Martinez, CA
  • 5,440 posts
Posted by markpierce on Sunday, May 16, 2010 1:46 PM

Untested locomotives shipped/sold defective.

Wiring (and DCC was supposed to make wiring easier?!)

Waiting up to five years for announced product to be delivered.

Mark

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: North East Florida
  • 327 posts
what do you dislike about this hobby?
Posted by the North East Rail Modeler on Sunday, May 16, 2010 1:09 PM
O.K., I know this title could be misleading, but hear me through. Many of us have something in this hobby that we don't like. What is yours? For an example, let's look at "test subject A" (aka me) I don't like Electrical wiring (I swear, each time I try something with electricity other than plugging in my old Tech II power pack, eather I get fried or I set something on fire!) Scenery ( I like the building buildings part, but I absolutly can't stand the building nature factor. Nature always finds some way to look better) Decorating an undecorated model (Acually, I like it. It's just I hate trying to track down that elussive undecorated model needed) So, there's the top 3 for me. How about you?

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