MRR's are merely portrayed as geek-ish basement recluses, but CSI portrayed one as a psychotic killer.
No, his foster daughter was the psychotic killer, not the guy himself.
Andre
Model railroaders are almost always portrayed as social outcasts of some sort on TV. The two exceptions I can think of are an enjoyable Ozzie and Harriet episode from 1955 (see youtube), and Mandy Patinkin's character on Chicago Hope. Most times, MRR's are merely portrayed as geek-ish basement recluses, but CSI portrayed one as a psychotic killer. At train shows I attend, most are portrayed as gray skinned old men who smell bad.
Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale
Rastafarr andrechapelon It's quite obvious to everyone watching that Sheldon Cooper is at least six standard deviations from being a "normal" human being and that he's about 110 emotional IQ points short of being an adult. Very true. But I'm curious to know (curious, Andre, not concerned; let's be clear here) whether Sheldon's love of trains get written off as easily as he does? Does it paint us all as six standard deviations from being normal? Bully for those who write it off, I say. I revel in my oddness!
andrechapelon It's quite obvious to everyone watching that Sheldon Cooper is at least six standard deviations from being a "normal" human being and that he's about 110 emotional IQ points short of being an adult.
Very true. But I'm curious to know (curious, Andre, not concerned; let's be clear here) whether Sheldon's love of trains get written off as easily as he does? Does it paint us all as six standard deviations from being normal?
Bully for those who write it off, I say. I revel in my oddness!
It's Funny, I never thought of the hobby as a geeks hobby. Here in Salamanca, nearly all of the model Railroaders I know are Railroaders past and present, and our Character would hardly be geeky(?). I consider myself an artist who chooses to use paintings and my layout to express my images of railroading. I would call my other hobbies anything but geeky from sports (many nights in the summer, there's a Yankees game on the radio in the basement) working on cars, although I'm a little out of it since I sold my vintage Corvette a few years ago, fishing, skiing up until the derailment wrecked my back , that also ended my chances of playing baseball, bowling and golf. I'm a veteran who likes war history almost as much as I like RR history. All 4 of my sons are or have been involved with the layout, but we share much more than that. The two oldest sons and I are members of the local sportsmans club and they are expert trap shooters. I don't see any of us as geeks in the way characters like Sheldon are depicted. His character is a bit overblown for the show.
-Stan
I think this came up when the model train episode pictured above first aired.
Sheldon is supposed to be some sort of savant. Not exactly autistic, not exactly aspergers, but a highly focused individual who has a large amount of "book smarts" but is completely socially inept. Most of the humor comes from his awkward interactions with "normal" people. The character talks about trains in general, not model trains, although he goes to the (unseen) model train store from time to time. He has no artistic ability to speak of, so he would definitely qualify as a "toy train" guy instead of a model railroader, although his obsessive attention to esoteric detail would probably make him a darn good one :)
The character is supposed to be sympathetic, so it's a better portrayal than the basement dwelling serial killer types seen in the past.
Well he seems comparatively normal.
Compared to some of the psycho killer model railroaders portrayed in some of the police and detective TV shows.
Even murder with model railroad as the weapon anybody now thats different
Since I happen to be perfectly normal
I don't care what rubbish they put on TV with regard to model railroads 95% of whats on TV isn't worth the cost of the film its made of in the first place.
Some of the model railroads just happen to be pretty good though.
regards John
mobilman44Rather than getting ribbing about my "weirdness", I was amazed that so many visitors (of all ranks) were interested in the monthly pictures.
This is my experience exactly. At work I'm known as 'the train guy,' but the ribbing I receive is rare and entirely good-natured; more people are interested than put off by the hobby. In fact, a good half-dozen of the part-time retirees have expressed a desire to become involved, to at least participate in an operating session.
And the general tenor of this thread is correct: Sheldon is an idiot; don't give a wet slap about him or anything he does.
Cheers!
Stu
Streamlined steam, oh, what a dream!!
Sir Madog Rich - it can´t be Larry, it´s ATLANTIC CENTRAL (no offense, meant, Sheldon!)
Rich - it can´t be Larry, it´s ATLANTIC CENTRAL (no offense, meant, Sheldon!)
I was thinking - - - maybe Mister Beasley or doctorwayne???
We know it is not Jeffrey because we can already see his mug on his avatar.
Rich
Alton Junction
Rich - it can´t be Larry, it´s ATLANTIC CENTRAL (no offense meant, Sheldon!)
BRAKIE RastafarrParsons's representation of a model railroader? Who cares? I don't. I got use to the odd looks when my late wife told our new friends about my passion for railroads and model trains. However.. Talking to the fairgoers during the week of the county fair I find most people is receptive to the hobby including teenagers..I had one teen to tell me all about his Thomas collection he had when he was younger.
RastafarrParsons's representation of a model railroader?
Who cares? I don't.
I got use to the odd looks when my late wife told our new friends about my passion for railroads and model trains.
However..
Talking to the fairgoers during the week of the county fair I find most people is receptive to the hobby including teenagers..I had one teen to tell me all about his Thomas collection he had when he was younger.
Larry, 'fess up. Is that you in the photo?
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
richhotrain Rastafarr My question is this. Are portrayals like this good or bad for the hobby? I understand that, to a degree, any exposure is good exposure, but are we being helped or hurt by Parsons's representation of a model railroader? I have never watched what seems to be an imbecilic program with a moron for a character. But, that said, I came across this photo of Sheldon. Is this portrayal good or bad for the hobby? Well, based upon the sophistication of his layout, outstanding detail on the ballasting and landscaping, and that awesome engineer's cap, yes, this is a good and accurate portrayal of the hobby. In fact, it pretty much reminds me of everyone who has responded to this thread so far. Rich
Rastafarr My question is this. Are portrayals like this good or bad for the hobby? I understand that, to a degree, any exposure is good exposure, but are we being helped or hurt by Parsons's representation of a model railroader?
My question is this. Are portrayals like this good or bad for the hobby? I understand that, to a degree, any exposure is good exposure, but are we being helped or hurt by Parsons's representation of a model railroader?
I have never watched what seems to be an imbecilic program with a moron for a character.
But, that said, I came across this photo of Sheldon.
Is this portrayal good or bad for the hobby?
Well, based upon the sophistication of his layout, outstanding detail on the ballasting and landscaping, and that awesome engineer's cap, yes, this is a good and accurate portrayal of the hobby.
In fact, it pretty much reminds me of everyone who has responded to this thread so far.
Just see the sinister smile on his his face! Kind of reminds me of me, Christmas 1963.
Hi,
May I add...........
I've played with trains since the 1950s, and have collected postwar Lionel and had HO layouts since the early 1980s. I've worked for a major oil company(s) for decades and was reluctant to mention trains to my peers, much less the higher ups in the earlier years. But when Model Railroader and Classic Toy Trains began publishing their calendars, they both found their way into my offices.
Rather than getting ribbing about my "weirdness", I was amazed that so many visitors (of all ranks) were interested in the monthly pictures. And sooner or later, they would talk of their history with model trains. One day my boss - returning from a Montana vacation - brought me a Great Northern RR coffee mug. And when I got a new boss (Controller), he talked more about his Grandfather being a retired Georgia RR engineer - than about his expectations of me!
Ha, and so very many folks had stories about their or their parents childhood Lionel trains too - and I soon became the resident appraiser.
My point is, on the surface some folks make jokes about the hobby and us "train nuts"........ But when they are alone, most all of them have some degree of interest in trains and the Hobby.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Your thinking too much! Forget about it. Enjoy your hobby and enjoy the show for what it is, fun to watch.
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
Once I realised that most of the world is out-of-step with me, I ceased worrying about their opinions.
Wayne
I yam what I yam. Popeye.
Am I a geek? BHSS graduate, engineering major, spent my adult life working on high-tech things and am still fascinated by all aspects of science and technology.
Am I reclusive? Rather much so now (health issues) but less so earlier. Still, I was never big for partying.
Do I give a pinch of sharkfeathers what others who don't know me think about me. Not only no, but **** no!
The immature and insecure worry about their 'public image.' I've long since outgrown that. As for how model railroaders are portrayed in the 'popular media,' when have the ignorant gotten ANYTHING right. (I get my jollies watching the 'documentary' channels and noting their obvious mistakes...)
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with the teribi off most of the time)
Here is a clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCNrs23r4DA&feature=youtube_gdata_player
eh, who cares. I listen to metal and run model trains something that isn't usual to MRR's. when I finally get to it I will do my thunderhorse video.
SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.
http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide
Gary DuPrey
N scale model railroader
What I want to know is who on the show is the train lover? Somebody seems to know a lot.
I have some Geek cred. Much of the show is funny because it's so true.
andrechapelonDoes the fact that a toddler soils his diaper in excitement about trains negate an adult interest in the subject.
Hey, I'm an old guy and I resemble that remark!
Do not forget Herb, from 2 1/2 men.
He even had a layout that has been shown a couple times I believe. Most of the references to his model raijlroading has been in reference to the model railroad club to which he belongs. The layout has been shown as a table top layout. HO scale I think.
Nobody's said it? Isn't someone going to say it? It's GOT to be said! OK, here it is,
Bazinga!
There, I said it.
Blaine's
Commit random acts of kindness and senseless beauty.
As both a certified geek (MIT) and a model railroader, I would have to say pretty much everything about that show is embarrassing to me. I have tried to watch it, and can't get past more than a few minutes.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I know my brother watches the show I'll have to ask him if he's noted the model railroad references.
As far this affecting public perception of the hobby, I think most people regard this hobby as odd anyway. who cares what other people think anyway.
Dan Metzger
I don't watch TV except for Saturday Night Live (one of those 70s habits I just can't break), so haven't seen this show/character. However, after Gomez Addams (and maybe the guy on the Sopranos with a layout, but I haven't seen that one either), I doubt our reputation can get much lower with the public, presuming they form their opinions of model railroading by watching TV. In most cases, they probably don't, they already think we're a little strange anyway, so we just gotta deal.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
I have to agree with Andre. I just don't care. Just like all of the "Future of Model Railroading" post.
Unless you make your living off of model trains or accessorizes, why care?
Ken G Price My N-Scale Layout
Digitrax Super Empire Builder Radio System. South Valley Texas Railroad. SVTRR
N-Scale out west. 1996-1998 or so! UP, SP, Missouri Pacific, C&NW.
Who really cares? It's quite obvious to everyone watching that Sheldon Cooper is at least six standard deviations from being a "normal" human being and that he's about 110 emotional IQ points short of being an adult.
I've got a 30 month old great nephew who's absolutely bonkers about trains. Does the fact that a toddler soils his diaper in excitement about trains negate an adult interest in the subject. Sheldon is not much more emotionally mature than my great nephew.
In any case, why worry about it? My own interest in railroads is totally independent of what anyone else thinks about it. If others regard it as odd, they are cordially invited to perform acts upon themselves that are physically impossible even for a contortionist.
Someone touched on this in the 'celebrity model railroaders' thread and I thought it worth expanding upon.
I'm hardly a huge TV watcher, but it's hard to get away from a show as popular as "The Big Bang Theory," especially when both your wife and middle child are nearly obsessed with it. On the show, chief geek Sheldon (Jim Parsons) is portrayed as being interested in our hobby. I've seen it twice, though I'm assured it comes up quite regularly. The particulars don't matter, but Parsons portrays Sheldon's interest in trains like he portrays nearly everything else; geeky and exclusionary.