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Telephone repairman wanted to see the trains run.

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  • Member since
    February 2013
  • 13 posts
Posted by rlayman on Monday, August 5, 2013 8:04 PM

Rich, i too have seen pics of your layout while lurking for info on the forums, and am most impressed. BUT...as i am a qualified plumber and a model railroader, what if i were to ask questions, would i be turned away? BUT..... i also do feel you skepticism on letting strangers in the area of lots of hard hours of work to have the top works of a finely detailed blast furnace ruined due to a misplaced tip of a mapp gas torch. I guess if honest genuine questions are asked, entertain them, we might get another person into the hobby who otherwise wouldnt bat an eye. then again, you are the conductor and you dictate when the trains run. your layout you rules....

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Posted by basementdweller on Monday, August 5, 2013 7:49 PM

The repairman was genuinely interested in the layout, his work was done, and he was not on my dime. I was more than happy to run the trains for him.

 

 

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Posted by Burlington Northern #24 on Monday, August 5, 2013 5:59 PM

BATMAN

Burlington Northern #24

BATMAN

Burlington Northern #24
*applause* congrats Batman! do you have layout in the batcave too? Wink

Nope, Alfred complained about the possibility of having to dust two layouts on a daily basis, so that got vetoed. Time for a new wife err I mean Butler don't you think?

possibly, do you need a crime fighting apprentice? Smile, Wink & Grin

That depends. Do you like trains and Hockey?

yep!

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 

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Posted by zstripe on Monday, August 5, 2013 4:53 PM

Stix,

You Gotta,Love,a Woman,like that...

Cheers,

Frank

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Posted by wjstix on Monday, August 5, 2013 4:46 PM

Reminds me about 10 years ago when we were in the "old house", which had an almost-complete layout in the basement. A repair guy came over while my wife was home to fix something. She says after he was done he looked over the layout and said, "You have a very lucky little boy". She just agreed, didn't want to admit she was actually married to the "lucky little boy" with the trains.

Wink

Stix
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Posted by richhotrain on Monday, August 5, 2013 4:09 PM

zstripe

Rich,

Frankie walks into his bedroom,goes into his top dresser draw,gets his 357 Mag and goes back to the repairman and asks him if he likes gun's.....LOL..

Cheers,

Frankie

LOL

I like that solution better than the blindfold.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by zstripe on Monday, August 5, 2013 4:01 PM

Rich,

Frankie walks into his bedroom,goes into his top dresser draw,gets his 357 Mag and goes back to the repairman and asks him if he likes gun's.....LOL..

Cheers,

Frankie

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Posted by richhotrain on Monday, August 5, 2013 3:51 PM

zstripe

Don7,

Okay,,,,,,,That's Amazing!! Got anymore??LOL..

Cheers,

Frank

Frankie, what do you do when the repairman won't leave unless and until you let him run your trains?

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by zstripe on Monday, August 5, 2013 3:42 PM

Don7,

Okay,,,,,,,That's Amazing!! Got anymore??LOL..

Cheers,

Frank

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  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Monday, August 5, 2013 3:39 PM

don7

When there is a need to call a repair person, I always insist the repair person by blindfolded. They are then taken to the item they are to repair. When finished they push a signal button and I then blindfold them again and lead them out to the main entrance

I also collect finger prints and DNA samples just to be on the safe side.

Don, that is precisely my procedure.  Of course, what bothers me is when the repairman continues to work with the blindfold still on.  That's why I prefer to make the repairs myself whenever I can.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by don7 on Monday, August 5, 2013 3:34 PM

When there is a need to call a repair person, I always insist the repair person by blindfolded. They are then taken to the item they are to repair. When finished they push a signal button and I then blindfold them again and lead them out to the main entrance

I also collect finger prints and DNA samples just to be on the safe side.

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Posted by BATMAN on Monday, August 5, 2013 2:49 PM

Burlington Northern #24

BATMAN

Burlington Northern #24
*applause* congrats Batman! do you have layout in the batcave too? Wink

Nope, Alfred complained about the possibility of having to dust two layouts on a daily basis, so that got vetoed. Time for a new wife err I mean Butler don't you think?

possibly, do you need a crime fighting apprentice? Smile, Wink & Grin

That depends. Do you like trains and Hockey?

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
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Posted by Burlington Northern #24 on Monday, August 5, 2013 2:44 PM

BATMAN

Burlington Northern #24
*applause* congrats Batman! do you have layout in the batcave too? Wink

Nope, Alfred complained about the possibility of having to dust two layouts on a daily basis, so that got vetoed. Time for a new wife err I mean Butler don't you think?

possibly, do you need a crime fighting apprentice? Smile, Wink & Grin

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 

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Monday, August 5, 2013 2:27 PM

Regg,

Different people will feel differently about such an issue.  I am not fond of letting strangers in my house even if they are authorized repairmen.  I want them to do their job and leave.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by Regg05 on Monday, August 5, 2013 1:55 PM

Rich,

Suprised at your comment as I've never looked at it that way either. As long as they're not on anything suspicious I like the attention.  I just had three different sets of contractors down in my basement over the last two months and each set of them were in awe of the Amtrak/Metra/Norfolk Southern trains I have.  Made me feel good.  Women often think trains are for kids....and that more things could be done with the space I have and the money I put into the hobby than to spend it on some dumb trains so when I get to show and demonstrate to others what all goes into the hobby I feel a sense of satisfaction.  The last crew had this one guy who literally wanted to watch the Metra train all day.  He couldn't beieve the amount of realism that goes into these models.  And to that I will say...."Job well done" on my behalf

Regg

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Posted by BATMAN on Monday, August 5, 2013 1:16 PM

Burlington Northern #24
*applause* congrats Batman! do you have layout in the batcave too? Wink

Nope, Alfred complained about the possibility of having to dust two layouts on a daily basis, so that got vetoed. Time for a new wife err I mean Butler don't you think?

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
    June 2012
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Posted by Burlington Northern #24 on Monday, August 5, 2013 1:10 PM

BATMAN

When we had a new alarm system put in, Brinks had six workers here all day doing the installation. It was fun listening in on them talking about the layout as they worked.

The best part though was when they officially labeled that room the "Trainroom" on the control panel. I felt like I had finally made it.Laugh

*applause* congrats Batman! do you have layout in the batcave too? Wink

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 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Monday, August 5, 2013 1:02 PM

When we had a new alarm system put in, Brinks had six workers here all day doing the installation. It was fun listening in on them talking about the layout as they worked.

The best part though was when they officially labeled that room the "Trainroom" on the control panel. I felt like I had finally made it.Laugh

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Monday, August 5, 2013 1:01 PM

Rastafarr

'future of the hobby/model trains are dying'


 

Oh no !

Is this true?   Laugh

Alton Junction

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Posted by mobilman44 on Monday, August 5, 2013 11:54 AM

Hi,

Gotta say, anyone that has come into the house has seen my layout and their response always makes me feel good.   Ha, the only negatives I ever got was from a woman whose first words were "how much did all this cost?", and from my old "entitled" son in law who refused to do the "duckunder" saying, "I don't do that".

ENJOY  !

 

Mobilman44

 

Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central 

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Posted by Rastafarr on Monday, August 5, 2013 11:36 AM

ho modern modeler
Nothing would break my heart more than someone stealing my stuff and hocking it for 1/4 it's value.

I'll admit I hadn't considered that possibility. I'm too much of a train evangelist I suppose (I even have 'The Train Guy' stenciled under my name on my apron at work; leads to some interesting conversations). I don't have too many thousands sunk into my layout (yet) and seek to suck as many people as possible to our communal obsession.

Though I perfectly understand and support someone wanting to keep it to themselves. Now I'll go away and do something else before this turns into a 'future of the hobby/model trains are dying' thread. Blech...

Dropping the whip and backing away from the equine carcass,

Stu

Streamlined steam, oh, what a dream!!

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Posted by richhotrain on Monday, August 5, 2013 11:31 AM

ho modern modeler

richhotrain

I hate it when I need a repairman to work in the basement, be it the plumber, HVAC guy, electrician, whatever.

None of them have ever asked me to run trains, although one or two have commented favorably on the layout.

If asked to run the trains, I would decline.  I would consider the request unprofessional.   Do your work and leave.

Rich

I'm with Rich, one of the water heater guys was just a little too interested in my stuff, then he walked around with a  flaming map gas torch pointed at the ceiling, so I had to watch him the whole time.

Nothing would break my heart more than someone stealing my stuff and hocking it for 1/4 it's value.

What would you guys think if a cable guy made a comment about the wife's jewelry?

Amen, I got better things to do than entertain repairmen.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by ho modern modeler on Monday, August 5, 2013 11:21 AM

richhotrain

I hate it when I need a repairman to work in the basement, be it the plumber, HVAC guy, electrician, whatever.

None of them have ever asked me to run trains, although one or two have commented favorably on the layout.

If asked to run the trains, I would decline.  I would consider the request unprofessional.   Do your work and leave.

Rich

I'm with Rich, one of the water heater guys was just a little too interested in my stuff, then he walked around with a  flaming map gas torch pointed at the ceiling, so I had to watch him the whole time.

Nothing would break my heart more than someone stealing my stuff and hocking it for 1/4 it's value.

What would you guys think if a cable guy made a comment about the wife's jewelry?

Mine doesn't move.......it's at the station!!!

 

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Posted by richhotrain on Monday, August 5, 2013 10:51 AM

Rastafarr

richhotrain

If asked to run the trains, I would decline.  I would consider the request unprofessional.   Do your work and leave.

Rich

Rich, I'm surprised at you. Your work is impressive -- I've enjoyed every picture you've shared of it -- and worth rubbing someone else's nose in! Laugh

Stu

Oh, I'm not ashamed of my layout or embarrassed by it.  I just don't need repairmen asking me to run my trains for them.  But, the layout is there to see for anyone who goes down into the basement.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by Rastafarr on Monday, August 5, 2013 10:10 AM

richhotrain

If asked to run the trains, I would decline.  I would consider the request unprofessional.   Do your work and leave.

Rich

Rich, I'm surprised at you. Your work is impressive -- I've enjoyed every picture you've shared of it -- and worth rubbing someone else's nose in! Laugh

Stu

Streamlined steam, oh, what a dream!!

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, August 5, 2013 9:31 AM

richhotrain
If asked to run the trains, I would decline.  I would consider the request unprofessional.   Do your work and leave.

What? No showing off your work? I've always been happy to run the trains for them as long as they didn't put the additional time on their bill.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


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Posted by richhotrain on Monday, August 5, 2013 9:06 AM

I hate it when I need a repairman to work in the basement, be it the plumber, HVAC guy, electrician, whatever.

None of them have ever asked me to run trains, although one or two have commented favorably on the layout.

If asked to run the trains, I would decline.  I would consider the request unprofessional.   Do your work and leave.

Rich

Alton Junction

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    September 2007
  • From: Charlotte, NC
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Posted by Phoebe Vet on Monday, August 5, 2013 9:02 AM

I have shown mine to several professional people who were passing through my home.  The conversation usually starts with: "Why don't you put your cars in the garage?".

Dave

Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow

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Posted by UPinCT on Monday, August 5, 2013 7:40 AM

Cool story Martin,

I had a very similar experience with the boiler repairman.

Derek

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