Modelers with blinders that will not look at other than their chosen scale and make a point of telling me how much better their scale is than yours.
Their reasoning being that if it isn't their scale there are no useful ideas to be culled from the other scale (no matter what it is).
That tool that you just had in your hand 5 seconds ago, that you spend half an hour finding.
Winner - the tool that you had just 15 seconds ago. Every I put something down I can never find it when I need it again.
Many things irritate me in the hobby. Most things outside my control. But...the most irritating thing for me is on one day operating a train on my layout and having it run flawlessly, then the next day running the very same train with no changes anywhere and having it derail repeatedly and sometimes piling up in my tunnels. Gremlins...critters...who knows. I have had black widows creep onto the layout and derail trains. Anyway. I'll typically spout out a long series of very colorful metaphors, shut down the railroad, and find something else to do for the day.
Mark H
Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history.
As far as modeling goes, I have to agree with dropping things as my #1 irritant. That's why I bought a white shop apron (at an Army-Navy Store, of all places). This apron is made of denim material. What I've done is clamp the bottom of it to the underside of my workbench. When I sit in my chair to work at my bench, I slip the neck strap over my head. Now when I drop anything, the apron catches it and I don't have to get on my hands and knees with a flashlight looking for that one-of-a-kind part that is crucially needed to reassemble that expensive model.
The only change I'm going to make is to replace the neck strap with a breakaway type normally found on an ID necklace. I've already tried to walkaway once while still tied to the workbench. The bench didn't move, and I stopped abruptly.
Paul A. Cutler III
I drop stuff all the time but I work over a smooth floor so I can usually find the stuff when it goes straight to the floor. What really bugs me is that piece that flies off into the ether after it pops out of your pliers, never to be seen again. It is especially frustrating when you can hear it land and you think you know which direction it went.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Molded on details. The wife calls me a car snob all the time for it, but molded on details just hit my eye so, so wrong.
BMMECNYC That tool that you just had in your hand 5 seconds ago, that you spend half an hour finding.
Totally relate to that one, BMMECNYC.
Two annoyances that come to mind:
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Well the kids are not here yet for the weekend so here goes:
10. I often can't find the list I started of things I want to be able to find because I may have put them in any of several places
9. My batting average of replacing the few Kadee coupler springs that become missing. I have lots of extras but the poor replacement average is a man vs. machine thing
8. My hands shake sometimes when I'm working on small stuff. Which makes me worry about when they will always shake.
7. The one step forward, two steps back things. Today I used a sound meter to help narrow the too wide range of my diesel sound levels across the fleet...at idle, horn, bell, etc. It helped considerably, but I discovered a number of locos that go the wrong way, I think, so adding to the To Do list.
6. Keeping notes that aren't quite good enough.
5. Skipping the Do-It -Right-The-First-Time approach (intentionally) and having to fix something to make me happy later
4. Having to choose between model railroading and things I gotta / oughta do. Correcting this misconception is my primary goal.
3. Working nicely on a project and getting stopped by lacking the right tool or materials I could have foreseen
2. Getting so engrossed in what I'm doing, with the TV on, that I can't even tell you who's winning the golf match (or where it is this weekend)
1. That nothing about MR'ing bugs me enough to make me take another path
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Measure twice, cut once, find out you had the wrong dimension in the first place.
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
Getting down on all fours with flashlight in hand looking for a dropped part---only to find it defied the law of gravity and landed 6 feet away from where it drop.
Decaling and can't find the decal scissors or small tip decal brush that I just laid down.
And above all accidentally dipping my paint brush in my coffee!!!
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
One time the LION spent 15 minutes looking for that tool. It turns out that it was in his left hand all the time.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
SouthPenn What irritates you in model railroading?
What irritates you in model railroading?
Alton Junction
BroadwayLion BMMECNYC That tool that you just had in your hand 5 seconds ago, that you spend half an hour finding. One time the LION spent 15 minutes looking for that tool. It turns out that it was in his left hand all the time. ROAR
OMG, at least once a week. Makes you wonder if your losing your mind sometimes.
Rod Stewart mentioned that apron trick in one of his MR articles- proves that great minds think alike!
Cedarwoodron
BMMECNYCThat tool that you just had in your hand 5 seconds ago, that you spend half an hour finding.
A variation on this is the object that you moved out of the way 5 minutes ago that is now in the way again.
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
Rivet counters and people who judge others modeling skills too critically....
Just my .02......
Bob Berger, C.O.O. N-ovation & Northwestern R.R. My patio layout....SEE IT HERE
There's no place like ~/ ;)
Hmm, I could proably write a small book on this topic. Anyway, here goes:
1. People who think their approach the hobby makes them a "real model railroader." The ultra fine scale supper accurate prototype modeler is no more or less of a model railroader than the guy who builds a table top roundy rounder for his postwar Lionel stuff.
2. A certain model manufacturer continually pushing back the release date of a certain PRR N Scale steamer.
3. People stealing my credit card and forcing me to call my dealer (I know, that makes me sound like a junkie), due to item number 2.
4. The layout running great when nobody else is watching but acting up when the guys come over.
5. Not having a mini fridge in the train room, forcing me to walk down to the garage to get a cold beer.
6. seeking permission from the ICC (my wife) before making major capital purchases.
Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad in N Scale.
www.prr-nscale.blogspot.com
Walking into the only hobby store in your area 35 miles away and remembering you left your shopping list at home on the layout, especially when you know one of the items is sheet styrene and you forgot the thickness.
Know it all's on these forums
people who respond to your threads and add nothing to the subject
people who can't enjoy what you like and must set you straight
people who criticize your choice of mfgs.
I think that is enough for now.
All the different sizes of Code 83 track. Every manufacturer has their own specs, and none of them are compatable with someone elses. That means you must keep four or five different couplings on hand to lay some track.
One manufacture makes couplers that work well on their track, but not on their switches.
Another manufacturer changed the size of their code 83 track and didn't bother to tell anyone or change their couplers.
The local hobby shop only carries one brand.
You know, a lot of things bother me a little. The only thing that bothers me alot is people that give newbies (or others) wrong info. Case in point is people who push Homasote, now don't get me wrong, it is great for hand spiking, don't think I have seen better, but it tends to swell up when wet from scenery as most use water in their scenery making at some point or another and even without water, can expand up to 1/2" over 24', just look up the data.
Pegs used by Accurail to hold the trucks on older cars. Last night, a box car I was switching lost its two trucks at the same time. I found the pegs a few inches away.
Guy
Modeling CNR in the 50's
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Things that irritates me are.
Show the family a new freight car or locomotive and say " Don't you have that already?"
Small parts flying while installing them.
Not buying the locomotives and freight cars you need until you have money for, and find out that its sold out. Then try to find one on EBay
A have a few more but can't remember.
The one that irritates me the most is not enough information on the time periods that you're working on, specifically on freight car paint schemes.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
SouthPennI'll start with the metal clip that Athearn uses to hold couplers on. They don't pop off very often, but when then they do, they can cause a mess
I would put this near the top of my list, too! I have been systematically sorting through my freight roster and weeding out some of my old "friends" — rolling stock that has been with me for over thirty years, so some of the Athearn BBs with the clips are being retired. Worse yet are some of the Atlas cars with the two-piece plastic couplers (I don't know the brand of these**, I don't mean the EZ mate or McHenrys) and the box cover is glued on so as NEVER to come free without destroying the draft gear! A few of the Proto and Accurail cars have glued boxes, too but seem to pry open and can be re-glued if necessary.
** edit: I looked them up, Accumate
Another thing that bugs me are, well — BUGS. I don't know how many of you have basement layouts, and my basement is nice and dry, well lighted, has a frame wall with drywall and insulation, carpet, ceiling and spiders! Every time I have to get under the layout, or even in an aisle, I'm fighting off cobb webs. I've used all sorts of sprays, vacuumed, dusted and broomed and still... they're everywhere. I even have little tan spots on my cars from some sort of insect "droppings".
Not quite as bad as Mark H with a black widow derailing a train, although I chased a mouse out of a tunnel once with a fast US Mail train!) AND like Mark mentioned, the gremlins that show up only when you have visitors. Happens to me all the time!
Like Guy, I also find parts along the right-of-way and I wonder where they come from. I found a couple of Accurail pegs... and still haven't found the cars they fell out of! I have a huge can of various screws that I've salvaged from old computers and lots of other electronic gear that I find screws that I can use in place of those poor fitting pins.
Some other manufacturer has a sort of "brake beam" made out of "slippery engineering plastic" that I keep finding along the r-of-w. It looks like a shiny black TV antenna. Fortunately they haven't caused any derailments that I know of... at least until I have visitors again!
For any Digitrax users, I sure wish they could design the throttle so you could keep the rechargeable battery in place and just put the throttle in a charging cradle... like my cheap cordless phone has. Sure, it only takes f few moments to put batteries in, or out, or back in again... I use four throttles when I'm operating. It gets old real fast!
Still, the pleasures of this hobby outnumber the hassles by 100:1 (I do have my beer, and a bathroom near the layout ) so I have learned to deal with the inevitable oops moments!
I'll remember a few other things to add to the list but I have to go look for my fancy wire strippers right now... I think I left them—no wait, maybe I used them in the garage? I'll get back to you on that.
All In Good Fun!!! Ed
To get something that is a roadname that isn't produced much and having to pre-order 3-6 months ahead of time
Having passenger cars cost more than $30.00 as I think passenger cars are over priced.
I'm going to add my votes to the small part conundrum - I'm good getting them off the sprue safely, and storing them in a small box so they don't vanish during construction, but still they can spring out of tweezers during construction. I have reduced losses a great deal by a) adding a small wall of styrene around the sides and back of the work area and b) adding a section of gutter (with ends capped) across the front of the work bench so parts propelled only by gravity (e.g. "dropsies") end up there. Still, I can't really build a roof for the workarea (I'm sure someone has do so for their workbench), so maybe I need to get an large floor mat with a color that will match no small part I ever would conceivable work with - maybe hot pink? Blue tape works for securing the parts when cutting them off sprue, but its too cumbersome to use when they need to go into position.Even though I clean, repaint, and keep my fine point art brushes stored bristle up, after a (too small) number of uses the bristles start going all over the place and I can't keep a nice point after that.
A model structure containing 24 window openings, 24 window castings and 23 pieces of glazing.
What davidmbedard said!
-Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
Have fun with your trains
BRAKIEAnd above all accidentally dipping my paint brush in my coffee!!! Bang HeadAngry
Those Model Power "removable tanks" that keep showing up on ebay.
Just be glad you don't have to press "2" for English.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ_ALEdDUB8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hqFS1GZL4s
http://s73.photobucket.com/user/steemtrayn/media/MovingcoalontheDCM.mp4.html?sort=3&o=27
Nobody has even mentioned ABSOLUTE ENEMY #1 (at least mine). Everything else mentioned, and yes, I can relate to many of them, all combined still pale in comparison.
The one thing I absolutely HATE in regards to this hobby is multiple metal wheels riding on all metal rails and somehow failing to produce a path of electrical conductivity.
That is far and away the single most annoying problem I face, and it alone has made me feel that if I had to start over, I wouldn't.
Yes, I clean my track and wheels fastidiously, and it works. For maybe a couple weeks. I live in a dusty area, and there is no way around it. And I pack weight into my locomotives to help.
My eyesight becoming blurry? Wear glasses. Coupler fails? replace with Kadee draft gear and "whiskers". Flinging tiny parts, I can deal with that. Losing that tool for 15 minutes? In 16 I'll be back under way. Derailments annoy, but the problem can be isolated and corrected. Snobs, know-it-alls and attitudes don't phase me the least.
Locomotive stalls? AAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGGGGEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Enemy # 2, is following at a fair distance. As already mentioned, it is that the worst failures are when someone's watching. Often, that's because of enemy # 1
I probably have close to 40 locomotives. If I could somehow do so, I would trade 35 of them all for a magical way to make my choice of 5 that would just never stall. Or heck, anyone do the choosing, I'll take what I could get.
I run DC. If DCC absloutely guarenteed this, I'd switch tomorrow.
You asked. Dan
What really seriously irritates me those are those miserable so and sos who are so convinced that their blinkered narrow ideas are the only correct way to model railroads and then make it their duty to loudly disparage others.
Is that akin to complicating simple fixes or when HO modelers tries to answer N Scale questions base on antiquated knowledge or has no real time hands on experience?
Some of the complicated answers to a simple question really irks me as much as "its my layout" or "do whatever you want" especially in discussions on prototypical operations.
After all what does "its my layout" or "do whatever you want" have to do with a operation discussion?
SouthgateI run DC. If DCC absloutely guarenteed this, I'd switch tomorrow. You asked. Dan
I have found DCC/Sound is very touchy when it comes to dirty track so,if I will be using one of my DCC/Sound engines I break out the 91% alcohol,rags(actually I use 12 gauge shotgun cleaning patches) and bright boy before operation..No need for cleaning if I use the DC engines.
Not including what others mentioned, other things that annoys me in model railroading is inflation, and the time when you forgot to pretest the spray can for clogs/chunks. (I had to rebuy an expensive engine, because the shell was covered with paint that came out chunky/grity. )
Charles
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440
Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440
'What really seriously irritates me those are those miserable so and sos who are so convinced that their blinkered narrow ideas are the only correct way to model railroads and then make it their duty to loudly disparage others."
BRAKIEIs that akin to complicating simple fixes or when HO modelers tries to answer N Scale questions base on antiquated knowledge or has no real time hands on experience?
Dan:
DCC is actually making big strides in terms of reducing engine stalling. The relatively recent developement of 'keep alive' technology is changing the 'stalling engine' problem significantly. My personal experience is with tiny two axle switchers (critters if you will). I love building them but in the past getting them to run consistently has been very frustrating. Every time I wanted to put one of them on the track I had to vigorusly clean the track or stalling was a given, particularly over turnouts. Then I decided to remove the flywheels and put a Loksound Power Pack in the space. The difference was amazing! Literally, there was no stalling. The critters would crawl through turnouts at speed step 1 without hesitation. One of them had code 88 wheels (since replaced) that caused the switcher to almost fall over as the narrow wheels dropped into the gap at the frog. Still no stalling even at the lowest speed.
Here are a couple of videos showing the switchers going through turnouts. The yellow boxcab has the keep alive. The CP 25 tonner did not have it installed when the video was made:
Maybe it is time to consider DCC. At least keep yourself up to date on the keep alive technology.
I have absolutely no desire to model three rail tinplate of any prototype, Swiss metre gauge, German Marklin, British OO, Lego trains, any scale other than HO, roundy roundy layouts and the Union Pacific.
I've seen a Lionel O-27 layout built on 36" x 80" hollow core door that featured Santa Fe trains.
Oddly that got my attention and should I ever need to change to a larger scale due to poor eyesight I kept that idea in mind..
steemtrayn Those Model Power "removable tanks" that keep showing up on ebay.
Dave,
I had to search eBay and see what these things were, exactly. Now I see what you mean! The silly things must be reproducing themselves. There's even a seller that has a flat car with a pair of them in a Walthers Proto box!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Model-Power-Gulf-Gasoline-6225-with-Tanks-/121482520215?hash=item1c48ec2697
Too bad you couldn't use them for fishing bobbers...
Ed
"For any Digitrax users, I sure wish they could design the throttle so you could keep the rechargeable battery in place and just put the throttle in a charging cradle... like my cheap cordless phone has. Sure, it only takes f few moments to put batteries in, or out, or back in again... I use four throttles when I'm operating. It gets old real fast!"
Digitrax throttle battery covers. As often as you need to replace batteries, the cover could have been made a bit less fragile.
If everybody is thinking alike, then nobody is really thinking.
http://photobucket.com/tandarailroad/
My list:
People who do difficult things well without apparent effort. Especially if they are young. Grrr.
Being absolutely certain an article in an old MR exists and not being able to find it using the index. (Sometimes the indexing is at fault. Sometimes the article turns out to have been in the NMRA magazine )
Buying the same thing twice when I only need one. Bad enough with structure kits or rolling stock. Really annoying with books! And really really annoying when I buy the same thing more than twice.
Dirty track/wheels bring operations to a halt during operating sessions.
How-to articles which I read and re-read and still somehow cannot grasp what the author is trying to convey to me (happens most often with wiring articles). Related gripe: clinics where I simply am not understanding what the author is saying (again happens most often with wiring or DCC clinics, particularly where the clinician has an engineering background).
And somewhat related to the above - incoherent kit instructions.
Coupler draft gear boxes which seem to have been designed with the primary purpose of defeating the installation of Kadee couplers (admittedly this was more common decades ago).
Dave Nelson
Don't write those off so fast..You an make a decent looking septic tank cleaning truck with those tanks or if you model a farming area you can make a decent looking non-potable water truck.
BRAKIE steemtrayn Those Model Power "removable tanks" that keep showing up on ebay. Don't write those off so fast..You an make a decent looking septic tank cleaning truck with those tanks or if you model a farming area you can make a decent looking non-potable water truck.
Well, you could cut off the domes, repaint a bit, and start hauling Soy Sauce
Forumites that begin a post with "I've been modeling for xx number of years" and
thinking that anyone with less should never question anything they say.
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
I consider myself friendly and cool headed, yet, one thing that really annoys me is whenever a visitor comes over..............sees a colorful piece of rolling stock or locomotive on my shelf...........and just HAS TO PICK IT UP! On two occasions detail pieces have fallen off.
I'm much more alert to the "gotta-grab-gotta-see!" syndrome, and immediately caution the visitor the split second I see a hand reaching towards the shelf.
In the old days when my fleet was 90% Athearn Blue Box it was no big deal since, both, rolling stock and the "wide boy" locomotives were virtually indestructable. But this is the day and age of $100-$200 priced rtr locomotives, $300 "high end" locomotives, $25-$80 priced freight and passenger rolling stock, and LOTS of thin, fragile parts. Strange wandering hands can quickly create a stress inducing disaster in just a few seconds.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
SouthPennWhat irritates you in model railroading?
Seeing an otherwise great looking picture in Trackside Photos, then seeing an unsightly rail joiner. As good looking as track can be--"it's a model itself" etc.--something needs to be done about rail joiners that are a scale 4' long and 1' thick.
When the little spring pops off the coupler.
Bounces around when it lands, and if you manage to find it, its hard to back in. Many times has one flung itself into oblivion while I am tring to slip it back in place.
-S. Connor
Dave, your videos most definately got my attention! I wasn't exactly bluffing when I said I'd switch, but the part about tomorrow, well I don't have the bucks today. But I have built some critters too, and want them to work like yours there. Bigger engines too. I am now willing to give DCC a very serious look.
The only problem this could create, I'll be at the workbench working on locomotives, running them, running them, running them...I'll never get my scenery done!
Thanks for the enlightenment. I will look into it. Dan
Dust on the layout. Cleaning dust off the layout. Even covers in a finished room fail to eliminate the insideous menace.
Buying enough supplies to start and finish a scene only to realize you miss calculated and your local hobby shop is out of what you need to finish the project.
davidmbedardTamyia glue bottle seal ring coming out. Running out of flex. Running out of cork. Friends who enjoy and process beans then come over to model. Shipping costs to Canada. Ebay sellers who refuse to ship to Canada. The C word. Atta-boys. People who expect an Atta-boy. A falling exacto knife hitting my foot. Detail parts that get lost in the carpet. Plastic couplers. Dull blades. Bad lighting. Not having a toilet in the basement. Dried paint in the bottle. Paint bottles that refuse to open. Being told not to bother because mfg X has announced the particular model. Mfg X producing said model and passing off a foobie as the waited for model. CA cement on your fingers. CA cement on the model where it should not be. Engineering plastic and it's inability to be bonded. Haters. Posers. Know-it-alls. Having to source out NOS to build a kit. People who buy brass and pass it off as their "work". MRC decoders. Tsunamis with no CV5. Factory light boards. Athearns use of bulbs. People who start a thread with a question and leave it unresolved. Trolls. Thin-skinners. Over weathering. Graffiti on RTR taking up room on LHS shelves. Loud furnace fan. Time flying by. Posters who finish part way through a wo
Ditto. Also add limited runs of products.
Mike
Receiving a birthday present gift certificate for your local hobby shop a week after it closes suddenly and without notice.
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
About Digitrax throttles: For one thing, you can't compare hobby products to mass produced ones (like cheap cordless phones). Those cheap cordless phones are cheap to you, but they are very expensive to tool up. The reason why they are cheap to you is that they sell millions of them, so the tooling cost can be spread out. Meanwhile, in a hobby like ours (with perhaps 250,000 of us in the USA in all scales), tooling up custom throttles can't be spread out over too many units. That's why Digitrax buys their throttle bodies from SERPAC (they have their own website). Also, to modify the throttle would actually require an all-new application to the FCC, which is both time consuming and expensive.
To solve the battery issue, why not install a toggle switch at the top of the throttle? I've done dozens of them at my club, including three of my own. A simple sub-mini SPST toggle is all you need.
Showing off your latest whatever and receiving the response:
"Oh, isn't that cute."
Irritated modelers. Never had this before the Internet forums.
I have read many model railroad magazines since the late 1940's and never saw anything like all the Rants I see in forums now.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Medical and car repair bills that come out of nowhere to obliterate my carefully-hoarded spending money. This always seems to happen just as long-awaited items are due to arrive, so that, thanks to ¥€&*¡¢ limited runs, I'll miss these and therefore be forced to wait 4-5 years till they *might* be run again.
richg1998 Irritated modelers. Never had this before the Internet forums. I have read many model railroad magazines since the late 1940's and never saw anything like all the Rants I see in forums now. Rich
I think you forgot to read the Railway Post Office that used to grace Model Railroader's pages. That whole section was usually a complain fest. Heck, you only have to look at this latest issue to see a reader rant against a certain advertisment....
Geared Steam Forumites that begin a post with "I've been modeling for xx number of years" and thinking that anyone with less should never question anything they say.
Or owned and ran a hobby shop x number of years. *ad nauseum*
+1000!!!
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Yeah, well that's me too. And all this time I thought I was losing my mind! Could it be just a cluttered work bench?
Hobby Police!! And their pronouncements on how one should properly enjoy ones hobby.
Bob Bochenek
arbe1948 Hobby Police!! And their pronouncements on how one should properly enjoy ones hobby. Bob Bochenek
I have had several of those to pm me over the past 14 months and advise me that my Slate Creek Rail or Summerset Ry could not exist .
Well so much for prototype switching roads like Progressive Rail.
I had one chap to tell me I was a disgrace to the hobby.. Oh well..I guess I wasted (at that time) the 52 years I spent in the hobby.
BRAKIEI had one chap to tell me I was a disgrace to the hobby..
JaBear BRAKIE I had one chap to tell me I was a disgrace to the hobby..
BRAKIE I had one chap to tell me I was a disgrace to the hobby..
richg1998 I have read many model railroad magazines since the late 1940's and never saw anything like all the Rants I see in forums now.
And is that a bad thing? The mags are still great, but they are a one-way communication. Go back to th e1980s and try to find a bad review. "The starting speed was 20 SMPH, the handrails are a scale three feet to thick, and the molded-on grilles look like they were cast in the wrong scale. Overall, this is a fine model that will look great on any layout."
For modeling how-tos, layout reviews, etc, I still love the mags, but if I want to know if a product is any good, I'll ask in the forums. :)
I just got back into the hobby after a 25 year absence, and it feels like the modeling has gone out of model railroading. Used to be you bought a good-running model and detailed it to your hearts content. Now you bay 3-4x as much for a model superdetailed with fragile plastic parts. I bought a couple of used P2K Geeps, but I'm almost afraid to put them on the club layout. We *run* our trains, and the ones that are out there on the pike look terrible from rough handling.
And if you do still want to detail, good luck finding parts at the LHS. My local doesn't seem to have ordered DA or DW parts in decades, and what there is, is relegated to a few small boxes. Still at original prices 9half of today's), but how many Alco cab armrests do I need?
And I suppose I don't blame them. Why devote a bug chunk of space to $150 worth of bits and pieces when you can put $5,000 worth of locomotives in the same display area? Problem is, those of us who still want to detail have to buy retail or hunt at shows for what we *might* need.
I suppose there is *some* upside... I just bought Athearn handrails for an old RPP CF7 shell (on an OMI drive with sprung trucks!).
And if ever finish said CF7, instead of the answer I'd get 20 years ago ("Cool model!") I'll get "How much did that cost you? Why didn't you just buy an Athearn?"
One more rant: For all the money we're paying for locomotives these days, are the drives any better? Not really -- the 30-year-old Kato drive seems to be the pinnacle of performance.
Sigh.
[/rant]
this is a great topic.
1 - model companies that put paint schemes on locomotive for railroads that never had that type of locomotive
2 - lack of a tractor trailers such as grain hoppers, cement hoppers, etc for N
3 - people who criticize someone else's layout that do not have a layout of their own OR boast that something you built is not prototypical, at which point you politely inform them that what they are looking at is a model and by the way it is my ^&%$$^&*(*&$# railroad and I will do as I %&%#%*(( please.
I feel better now. Thank you.
Ted
BRAKIE I had one chap to tell me I was a disgrace to the hobby.. I hope you felt suitably chastised Larry.
Yes,I got all teary eyed and choked up over it.Couldn't sleep for several days.
theodorefisk 3 - people who criticize someone else's layout that do not have a layout of their own OR boast that something you built is not prototypical, at which point you politely inform them that what they are looking at is a model and by the way it is my ^&%$$^&*(*&$# railroad and I will do as I %&%#%*(( please.
I can criticize your modelling all i want, because my layout is so much better than yours. I'd like to share pics, but I can't because it's still in my head.
Going back to what people have said about running out of supplies, how about running out of supplies when you don't have an LHS and everything hobby-related has to be ordered?
Another one for you (and this happened to me): Finding a certain paint that you loved working with, is a main color for your railroad, etc. and the company discontinues it and are unable to find anything to replace it. (A certain color of Polly Scale paint and no other line has it where it can be brush painted. I don't own an airbrush. Additionally, Montana's weather doesn't permit painting outside a good part of the traditional modeling season.)
Getting distracted while working on one project by finding other ones that need to be worked on.
[edit]
Also somewhat going back to what was already mentioned, how about having a shopping list but realizing you're finding things that weren't on the list, but you need anyway?
AutonerdI just got back into the hobby after a 25 year absence, and it feels like the modeling has gone out of model railroading. Used to be you bought a good-running model and detailed it to your hearts content. Now you bay 3-4x as much for a model superdetailed with fragile plastic parts. I bought a couple of used P2K Geeps, but I'm almost afraid to put them on the club layout. We *run* our trains, and the ones that are out there on the pike look terrible from rough handling.
[rant] I'm so sick of people complaining about how the hobby has gone to poop because there are no "real" modelers left.[/rant]
I've been in the hobby long before RTR stuff, since the early 1970's, and I got news for you, not every one "enjoys" building and detailing kit stuff - we did it because we had to. I still build a few kits here and there but love the nice prototypical RTR cars on the market - big time saver and they look better than many of the kits I've built.
If you want old school trains, I see TONS of blue box and other kit trains at trainshows on the secondary market. Folks like you can be happy by going and getting that stuff which is plentiful. If you live far away from a big city with a big train show, do yourself a favor and go visit one and stock up. There, everyones happy - no need to rant! (where is my Staples Button "that was easy")
There are some tables at the train show I go to that are full of parts such as Details West or Details Associates - not everything there but a lot to look through. Join HOSwap or HOInterchange yahoo groups email lists and ask for parts - some may have some they want to sell. I sold some parts such as Farr Air grills, 36-inch EMD roof fans, Cooling coils etc that I no longer needed.
One more rant: For all the money we're paying for locomotives these days, are the drives any better? Not really -- the 30-year-old Kato drive seems to be the pinnacle of performance. Sigh.
Now I can tell you've been out of the hobby for 25 years. There are definitely drives out there that are very smooth in HO - my Stewart Drives (ok, made by KATO). My Athearn RTR SD45's run like KATO's, and many of my Athearn nicely. Oh, how about Atlas drives - top notch and among the best. Athearn Genesis run nice. Intermountain SD40-2's, nice.
Those are prety much all the things I hate, and I have a few more. I hate running out of CA glue, especially in the middel of a project. There's also a hobby shop near us that overprices stuff way high (ugh).
I also hate shopping. Shopping is terrible.
Knocking over paint bottles when doing brush work. Twice last night, Grrr!
God's Best & Happy Rails to You!
Bing (RIPRR The Route of the Buzzards)
The future: Dead Rail Society
When you're favorite railroad website won't connect, even though you know that its not down.
To make a good kitbash or stretch build structure, and not having supplies to make it until three months later and you totally forget what you're building because you forgot to draw out the plans in the first place.
bing&kathy Knocking over paint bottles when doing brush work. Twice last night, Grrr!
Presbyopia and general lack of finesse.
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
Having the vacuum cleaner suck up details and parts from layout.
South Penn
Having two Chessies that think of n-scale rolling stock as really neat dog crunchies.
Favorite scales: HO and G
Favorite gauges: anything in HO and G scale
Favorite era: anytime trains roamed the tracks, but I prefer steam
Favorite railroads: any railroad, but the Alaskan RR is on top
Favorite layout configuration: any layout that makes a continuous circle
Freelance vs prototype: freelance, kinda obvious from above
Why can't Kadee put a larger hole in their trucks? I always worry that I won't get the pad level and straight. Maybe that's why a few pieces of my rolling stock look like they are leaning to one side.
For me it is perfectionist. There is nothing wrong if you are one but for me I try my best to get it right but if I like some thing I do it. My pockets are not as deep as some so I make do with what I can. So in my world if something is a little wrong too bad. In my HO world everyone is happy. A fellow railroader once told me in his world he is God so he doe's what he likes and the rest can____ well you can fill in the blank. Have fun life to too short.
Missing coupler springs!!
Smacking the back of my head getting out from under the layout bench.
Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry
I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...
http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/
blownout cylinder Missing coupler springs!! Smacking the back of my head getting out from under the layout bench.
Inability to install new coupler springs||||
davidmurray blownout cylinder Missing coupler springs!! Smacking the back of my head getting out from under the layout bench. Inability to install new coupler springs|||| Dave
Yes and Yes!
What irritates me is having a locomotive (or rolling stock) that has been on order for months arrive damaged. When returning the item, you end up waiting six more months only to receive another damaged replacement item.
What is currently annoying is when you see a thread appear on a forum that sounds interesting, but when you click on it to read it, you find that you've already replied to it months ago. Sometimes, it's years ago. On other forums, when this is done it's called "Thread Necromancy":"Oh forgotten thread,Lost to the ages,Arise and return,To the frontmost pages."Paul A. Cutler III -
When you start a thread only to have it go off on a tangent and not having anything to do with what the OP posted.
Too many so called experts who think their way is the only way.
Condescending replys to your questions or opinion.
Taboo topics nobody wants to discus, i.e. Different command systems like dead rail, dcs ( believe me nobody here knows anything about it ), blue tooth. If you bring anything up like the above be ready for all the naysayers and why can't we just run DC or DCC And be satisfied.
Who wants wifi? The younger generation does, they want to be able to run their trains via their smart phone or tablet. If you don't , stay away from the discussion
Want to bring the younger generation into the hobby, read my comment above.
End of rant.
DAVID FORTNEYWant to bring the younger generation into the hobby, read my comment above.
Younger generation is in the hobby and they like the high tech stuff like DCC/Sound,correct cars and locomotives and yes wifi and smart phone control. The majority of their shopping is done on line by using a smart phone.
Slow ebay shippers.
Jim
DAVID FORTNEY Who wants wifi? The younger generation does, they want to be able to run their trains via their smart phone or tablet. If you don't , stay away from the discussion Want to bring the younger generation into the hobby, read my comment above. End of rant.
Some of us elderly also like new technologie. I am 76 and i brought to the club computors, JMRI and WiFi. I will also install bluetooth in one of my locos when and if Bluerail put a workable chip on the market.
Jack W.
Those who will claim to know something, then ignore your proof that they are incorrect. (Especially when they are claiming that you are the one who is wrong..)
Those who insist that this product is the best, if you don't agree you are wrong.
Those who can't be bothered to use correct, proper "spelin an gramma". ()
Lack of space, time, and/or funds to devote to modeling. (And when all three happen, the trifecta....)
Dust. (It's everywhere, and refuses to be "in correct scale".)
Having allergies/asthma. (No indoor painting with an airbrush when using anything with any kind of smell. No indoor brush painting with said paint either...)
Small parts that fly into "never-never land". (Because they can never-never be found when they land!)
Having a $30 locomotive include an engine crew, but the $300 one not.
Spending the next 2 hours trying to install said engine crew.
Athearn Genesis models still coming with miniature bulbs instead of LED's.
Having said bulbs blow.
Think that's enough.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
jalajoie DAVID FORTNEY Who wants wifi? The younger generation does, they want to be able to run their trains via their smart phone or tablet. If you don't , stay away from the discussion Want to bring the younger generation into the hobby, read my comment above. End of rant. Some of us elderly also like new technologie. I am 76 and i brought to the club computors, JMRI and WiFi. I will also install bluetooth in one of my locos when and if Bluerail put a workable chip on the market.
I am also 70 and the younger guys are pushing us old guys into the 21st century when it comes to our trains. I have a smart phone and a tablet and I use them at the club. I will be adding them to my home layout in the near future. We also have a couple of guys who are putting batteries in their Ho scale locomolives and running them. They are dead rail guys and what they have done so far is pretty impressive.
Knock off Kadee Couplers made of plastic. The things do not work well.
+1000
Well, since Athearn was mentioned...........
Current, beautiful Athearn HO RTR hood diesels with smooth decks instead of with treads or "diamond plating".
SouthPenn What irritates you in model railroading? I'll start with the metal clip that Athearn uses to hold couplers on. They don't pop off very often, but when then they do, they can cause a mess South Penn
I'll start with the metal clip that Athearn uses to hold couplers on. They don't pop off very often, but when then they do, they can cause a mess
mmmm....my so-called benchwork...that is immediately put in question when confronted with the plywood cut so perfectly. [headbang]
AntonioFP45 Well, since Athearn was mentioned........... Current, beautiful Athearn HO RTR hood diesels with smooth decks instead of with treads or "diamond plating".
Considering what you get for $99, you get a darn nice diesel with lots of prototypical details. You can add the diamond tread plate on easily enough if Athearn doesn't re-tool those diesels into their Genesis line - at accordingly higher prices I might add.
People who push new technology without understanding the old technology and then refuse to accept that there are legitimate barriers to nacent technology that may cause people to not want to adopt it until those barrier are overcome.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
People that post political rants on model railroad forums (fortunately this doesn't apply to the MR forum, but there are forums that allow posts and threads that are downright racist).
I work for a real railroad, modelers that get so wrapped in things that they make rude remarks concerning various prototypes. Over the years there have been several occaisions where I've seen how rude, ignorant and abusive model railroaders can be. People that in one post are challenged to operate a loop of track on 4x8 sheet of plywood and in the next post know everything there is about operating a real railroad and cursing those that do.
-Websites that don't ever really tell you that they don't have anything in stock when you place an order.
-Oddballs Decals still has my $36 from 2009
Mine doesn't move.......it's at the station!!!
Not having the time to expend on model railroading like I wish I had !
The following sentence when uttered by an LHS employee: "We don't have that but we can order it four you."
I don't mind "We don't have that but we can order it for you."
What I mind is "We don't have that and don't care to order it for you or help you find it. You're on your own, Sucker." They don't usually end the statement with "Sucker", but it sometimes feels like they did.
dehusman there are forums that allow posts and threads that are downright racist).
there are forums that allow posts and threads that are downright racist).
Really?
When people say that model railroading isn't a hobby.
My favorite railroad historical society is now a member's only website. I liked looking at pictures of locomotives, freight cars, and information.
riogrande5761Really?
Russell
What? Where?
dehusman ............... but there are forums that allow posts and threads that are downright racist).
............... but there are forums that allow posts and threads that are downright racist).
What does this mean... on freight cars?
Leased from Equitable Life Assurance
Well, this has certainly been an eye opening thread. I thought I was the only one that keeps dropping things.
I thought I was the only one who could make tools disappear like a magician in seconds.
I thought I was the only one whose trains came out of tunnels with the loco covered in spider webs.
I thought I was the only one who had a chipmunk trapped in the garage, running all over my layout, knocking stuff over and leaving a couple chipmunk nuggets in my scenery.
I thought I was the only one switching from reg glasses, to reading glasses, to no glasses for various distances.
But I have mastered the Kadee coupler springs pretty well, if I do say so myself. I use a round toothpick to pick up a spring, push it on the tiny pin, and another toothpick to guide the other end on to the other pin. Getting pretty good at it.
What does this mean... on freight cars? Leased from Equitable Life Assurance
Insurance companies invest your premiums in various things like locomotives, freight cars, ships, etc, for additional income. Then they raise your premiums to pay claims!
Locomotive sound effects in the layout room drive me up the wall - particularly when I have more than one engine operating. I run DCC but no sound decoders or speakers. Additionally, it saves a lot of money. Sound-equipped models are much more expensive than DCC-ready versions. The normal sounds my trains make running on the layout are fine for me.
Okay, folks, I don't want to see any more thinly veiled posts that boil down to "I'm irritated by certain people on this Forum who I won't name but we all know who I'm talking about." Keep it civil or I'll shut it down.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Recently, I find myself becoming irritated by long posts, usually by newbys, describing the layout they would like to build and asking for suggestions. I mean the ones that do not include at least a sketch of their proposal. I might like to help, but usually can not figure out what they want to do.
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
#80 bits... that is all I'll say about them.
No matter how many clamps I have, I always need one more!
Tim
Blownout Cylinder,
I concur!
I'm embarassed to say how many #80 drill bits I've broken in both, the pin vise and Dremel rotary tool! I want to install handrails and grabs on my metalilzed Walthers units and, for me, it's a challenge.
I tip my hat off to modelers that drill holes with #80 bits and install those hand rails on their varnish without breaking a sweat.
I'm switching over to #79 bits and see if that works out.
blownout cylinder #80 bits... that is all I'll say about them.
hobo9941 Well, this has certainly been an eye opening thread. I thought I was the only one that keeps dropping things. I thought I was the only one who could make tools disappear like a magician in seconds. I thought I was the only one whose trains came out of tunnels with the loco covered in spider webs. I thought I was the only one who had a chipmunk trapped in the garage, running all over my layout, knocking stuff over and leaving a couple chipmunk nuggets in my scenery. I thought I was the only one switching from reg glasses, to reading glasses, to no glasses for various distances. But I have mastered the Kadee coupler springs pretty well, if I do say so myself. I use a round toothpick to pick up a spring, push it on the tiny pin, and another toothpick to guide the other end on to the other pin. Getting pretty good at it.
Same here. But I have not mastered the coupler spring.
Mice that chew your scenery, drag it into a tunnel and build a nest.
SouthPenn Mice that chew your scenery, drag it into a tunnel and build a nest.
Mice and other pest's period...... Four legged or more......
I get irritated when I drop my bacon and my dog grabs it before I can get it.
It's also irritating when people call my hobbies "toys"
I used to get irritated with the Kaddee springs but since they are just around the corner they are always more than willing to give me extras. Awesome people.
And since negativity sucks I'm going to end on the top three things I love about the hobby that don't irritate me.
1. Give me huge quality time with my dad that I would never be able to get in any other way. It's something we both love and I'm revelling in the memories we are making every weekend.
2. DCC and all the features are amazing. I am so happy with a 7 loco consist! It brings me nothing but giggling like a little girl when I can get all 7 locos to work in combo at the exact same speed.......
3. Finally. This hobby knows no age. I have friends that come over that are 14 and 80. They all have the same interest and even though there are different knowledge levels, the "old dogs" are always more than welcome to school the youngsters. It's cool to have a hobby that no matter what your deal in life, if you like trains you're in. Simple as that. Not too many things like that in this world that I've found.
Mr. Positive
I want to throw these in:
Roadname being so popular it's never on sale, or goes out of stock before you can get it (Union Pacific)
Roadname not being popular enough (I hear this all the time on the boards, I feel for you folks)
Roadname being popular but the proto roadname in question wants so much money for licensing, no one can afford to manufacture it (Chicago Metra)
Julian
Modeling Pre-WP merger UP (1974-81)
AntonioFP45 Blownout Cylinder, I concur! I'm embarassed to say how many #80 drill bits I've broken in both, the pin vise and Dremel rotary tool! I want to install handrails and grabs on my metalilzed Walthers units and, for me, it's a challenge. I tip my hat off to modelers that drill holes with #80 bits and install those hand rails on their varnish without breaking a sweat. I'm switching over to #79 bits and see if that works out. blownout cylinder #80 bits... that is all I'll say about them.
I concur with using #79 bits instead of #80s. I also found them to be a bit sharper and did the job a little quicker. I just made one bit last through doing three different models. I just got a set that are titanium coated, and look forward to seeing how they do when my current #79 breaks. I only use a pin vise myself.
re: Hobby called toys. I think it bothered me years ago. Now I recognize my trains ARE toys. What's the old saying - the main difference between men and boys is the price of there toys. It's true! :-P
I look at it this way: model trains (toys to some) are cheaper than skidoo's, ATV's, and snowmobiles (toys) are.
I will take my "toy" trains over your "toy" vehicles.
Out of focus over size pictures.
New York, Vermont & Northern Rwy. - Route of the Black Diamonds
protolancer(at)kingstonemodelworks(dot)com
people who say "Oh, that's not right" when you do a freelanced locomotive for a prototypical company....so what if I want to do a SD70ace in Wheeling and Lake Erie.
(My Model Railroad, My Rules)
These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway. As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).
People that must touch things. I do appreciate their interest and curiosity. My water feature that they must touch to see if it is real water. But my wife's brother putting a finger through the roof of a station is too much and Super Trees are way too fragile to be felt up.
Trying to strip some 30awg wire under your layout when your wire stripper will only go as small as 26awg, and using the wire-cutting part of your wire stripper, only shortening your wires with every attempt. AAAAAAARGGGGH!!!
measure twice, cut once.
Not here ...it is measure 4 times, cut.....too short/long.
Mosquitos, of course.
Why should modelers be any different than anyone else?
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Wanting lots of Red Caboose PRR REA X29 boxcars and seeing none turn up. Same goes for Intermountain Pfaudler 40' steel milk cars lettered for Sheffield.
Manufacturers/importers announcing a model and then the delivery date gets pushed back months and sometimes years.
Also that manufacturers/importers of certain steam engine models do not offer their models without sound decoders.
steam locomotive models that have the valve gear in neutral. The radius rod doesn't move.
LED headlights. They just don't look right, and they don't brighten when the dynamo starts up.
Sound units without doppler.
CajonTim No matter how many clamps I have, I always need one more! Tim
Ditto. I have lots of clamps. Never the right sized one. Always too big or too small for what I need at the time.
Made in China
Bear "It's all about having fun."
Being told "Oh don't bother making something/customizing/etc, buy the expensive already-made thing". Not everyone in this hobby has a checkbook the size of a real locomotive.
On that note, I despise that the market of new stuff is full of these models that cost a fortune because of being pre-weathered and having some (often fragile) superdetail parts (I think the worst offenders are Intermountain's $80 autoracks and their door hinges that make saltine crackers seem durable by comparison)... and only such models. The manufacturers anymore seem to take the attitude of "Oh, are you someone who's into model trains but has a small budget? Ha ha! Screw you! People without deep pockets aren't real people!" If not for the secondary market and old stock still on hobby shop shelves...
Snobs who sneer at and bash people for freelancing or for era-mixing or for not buying the aforementioned high-price models, etc.
The extent to which Model Railroader magazine's staff tend to be outright shills in their articles.
Paint drying rough
Parts and tools playing hide-and-seek
Discovering that the previous owner of a model has unnecessarily cemented a snap-together passenger car kit with excessive amounts of glue without having so much as fit a rudimentary interior or lights, and the glue joints being obnoxiously hard to separate without breakage even when using a fine, sharp blade.
The ability of shoes to suddenly make your feet clumsy near models that had to be set on (or slipped down to) the floor
The fact that the presence of track on the floor somehow gives normally-not-clumsy parents the foot coordination of someone who's been drinking strong liquor all day.
The fact that O.K. Models decided that their 60' shorty streamlined passenger cars didn't need doors
Krazy Glue drying up in the bottle
The propensity of red and yellow paint to either dry up or turn gummy in the bottle
Steel-alloy-rail track. It's rubbish that takes far too much cleaning and isn't that great a conductor even when fully clean (and of course, DO NOT abrasively clean it because then some of the conductive coating is going to come off).
Walthers' track-cleaner reefer. The only car I have bought and actually regretted.
Interiors and people figures make such a difference. Especially the people.
Mr Positive; You say they (Kadee) are just around the corner... Does that mean you live in the Medford area? I gotta get over there and see the place. I'm in central Oregon.
OK, to stay on topic; There's nothing that irritates me about the hobby enough to make me wanna leave it. Even the worst problem (to me) as I mentioned earlier, the track/wheel electrial barrier can be dealt with. Dan
What irritates me about this hobby? Lots of things. Probably the #1 would be the general poor quality of products even high end. There is way to much junk sold at premium prices.
never mind.....
gunkheadWalthers' track-cleaner reefer. The only car I have bought and actually regretted.
Whats the issue with it?
Soo Line fan gunkhead Walthers' track-cleaner reefer. The only car I have bought and actually regretted. Whats the issue with it?
gunkhead Walthers' track-cleaner reefer. The only car I have bought and actually regretted.
It's disappointingly crude - the only cleaning mechanism it has is an abrasive block. No pad, no reservoir for cleaning fluid, just an abrasive block glued to a metal plate suspended from the chassis. And speaking of the chassis, that thing's metal chassis is stupidly heavy. I think it weighs more than my Mantua Pacific. I have elected to scrap mine - the shell will become a storage shed or somesuch, the trucks will be used to help get some cars that I bought as shells-only onto the rails, and the roof walk can be cut up to make grilles for things like steam chests.
Why does my space always shrink?
Kiboshing my noggin upon getting out from under my benchwork....oooo...that smarts...
Buying things over the internet and realizing the item well be here Monday; when its hits you a holiday and have to wait another day.
Mosquito bites.
angelob6660 when its hits you a holiday
when its hits you a holiday
Or worse, the items you've been waiting for over a year came in stock at your favorite online vendor while you are flying overseas (items that typically sell out in a matter of hours!) I had been tracking those on Athearns site and sure enough they came in stock the day I was flying overseas to England and was at the airport in Paris France when they showed up in stock. (I knew this was going to happen!)
Thankfully, by some quirk, I was able to wait until I could borrow a laptop when I got to England and order the engines. (they happened to be the Athearn Genesis D&RGW GP40-2's). By early January they were pretty much sold out everywhere, but thankfully I managed to get all 4 numbers. I guess D&RGW is VERY popular, but what a fiasco getting them.
My favorite. UPS or DHL both cannot find my address. But yet I get the sticker saying where I can pick them up?!?!??
FWIW, my club owns half a dozen of the Walthers track cleaning cars. We've found them to work great for us.
Before we got them, we'd clean the track before an Open House with the CMX Clean Machine (brass tank car) dripping mineral spirts, laquer thinner, or alcohol (we tried all three) on the pad. However, half way through the 7 hour Open House, the track would get so dirty that we'd have to send out the Clean Machine again during the show. And, the lead loco of every train needed cleaning at some point in the day or else.
Now, we try to put one Walthers track cleaning car in each freight train and drag it around for the show. As a result, we no longer have to clean the layout during the show with the Clean Machine, and trains can run all 7 hours without the need for cleaning wheels in the middle of the day.
Our club's dirty track problem is caused by dust, with forced air HVAC, ceiling fans, dehumidifiers and hundreds of people walking through the doors. So a simple pad as on the Walthers car works well for us after the track has already been cleaned with the Clean Machine.
Oh, and I had a new annoyance last night: I dropped a part, and not only did it hit the floor, it hit two different floors. I'm in an old house, and there's a floor vent under my workbench on the second floor. The part I dropped fell onto the vent (I heard it hit), then it dropped through it all the way to the first floor.
So not only did I have to get on my hands and knees to look for a dropped part, I had to descend a flight of stairs to do so!
Paul3 Oh, and I had a new annoyance last night: I dropped a part, and not only did it hit the floor, it hit two different floors. I'm in an old house, and there's a floor vent under my workbench on the second floor. The part I dropped fell onto the vent (I heard it hit), then it dropped through it all the way to the first floor. So not only did I have to get on my hands and knees to look for a dropped part, I had to descend a flight of stairs to do so! Paul A. Cutler III
Ouch.... I hate things hitting one floor.
How about this one: Having to reverse engineer a sound system in a locomotive because the manufacturer used a part with a extremely high failure rate.
If I am paying $250 and more for a single locomotive, the parts present better be good, and not a "high failure" item....
ricktrains4824 Paul3 Oh, and I had a new annoyance last night: I dropped a part, and not only did it hit the floor, it hit two different floors. I'm in an old house, and there's a floor vent under my workbench on the second floor. The part I dropped fell onto the vent (I heard it hit), then it dropped through it all the way to the first floor. So not only did I have to get on my hands and knees to look for a dropped part, I had to descend a flight of stairs to do so! Paul A. Cutler III Ouch.... I hate things hitting one floor. How about this one: Having to reverse engineer a sound system in a locomotive because the manufacturer used a part with a extremely high failure rate. If I am paying $250 and more for a single locomotive, the parts present better be good, and not a "high failure" item....
MRC sound decoder formerly used in Athearn Genesis loco's?
blownout cylinder My favorite. UPS or DHL both cannot find my address. But yet I get the sticker saying where I can pick them up?!?!??
In that vein, FedEx never being able to get packages to the right door in your apartment building the first time that a particular type delivers to the building. (The latest was a 2-day package being put by my landlady's door. She wasn't home and I was able to find it, but still it is annoying.) I called the local Ground hub and explained exactly how to do it. But I hadn't had a 2-day package before, so the problem happened again.
gunkhead Soo Line fan gunkhead Walthers' track-cleaner reefer. The only car I have bought and actually regretted. Whats the issue with it? It's disappointingly crude - the only cleaning mechanism it has is an abrasive block. No pad, no reservoir for cleaning fluid, just an abrasive block glued to a metal plate suspended from the chassis. And speaking of the chassis, that thing's metal chassis is stupidly heavy. I think it weighs more than my Mantua Pacific. I have elected to scrap mine - the shell will become a storage shed or somesuch, the trucks will be used to help get some cars that I bought as shells-only onto the rails, and the roof walk can be cut up to make grilles for things like steam chests.
I have been using one for many years and went through several cleaning blocks. I love mine, would not trade it for anything else on the market.
SETH CRAWFORD - A lack of models for an entire region (Southeastern US) while favoring another region (Pacific coast needs to be watered down, seriously the market is oversaturated with them)
- A lack of models for an entire region (Southeastern US) while favoring another region (Pacific coast needs to be watered down, seriously the market is oversaturated with them)
I'm stuck on the east coast and not seeing much of this Paciifc coast stuff. Pray tell, I was raised in northern California and don't see much of it around here but would like to; mail order FTW.
a lack of good research photos in case you want to re-number or repaint something to look a certain way
Once you learn how to do effective searches on rr-fallenflags and railcarphoto's, it's pretty amazing what you can turn up in terms of photo's.
Rivet counters
If riviet counters annoy you, maybe time to change hobby's? They will always be with us in the train hobby cause they are really really into trains!
overpriced models (I'm looking at you Bachmann regarding your passenger cars)
Hasn't the overpriced models shtick been beaten totally to death a few years ago already? instead of dead horse emoticon.
Well another another one and a first for me.
Yesterday evening a wheelset flew out of my hand and I could not find them anywhere after looking high and low and around and about..
I finish my coffee..Guess what I found in the bottom of my cup? Yup a set of wheels.
What irk me is the wheel face had been painted yesterday morning. Thank goodness for quick drying Acrylic paint.
Soo Line fan gunkhead Soo Line fan gunkhead Walthers' track-cleaner reefer. The only car I have bought and actually regretted. Whats the issue with it? It's disappointingly crude - the only cleaning mechanism it has is an abrasive block. No pad, no reservoir for cleaning fluid, just an abrasive block glued to a metal plate suspended from the chassis. And speaking of the chassis, that thing's metal chassis is stupidly heavy. I think it weighs more than my Mantua Pacific. I have elected to scrap mine - the shell will become a storage shed or somesuch, the trucks will be used to help get some cars that I bought as shells-only onto the rails, and the roof walk can be cut up to make grilles for things like steam chests. I have been using one for many years and went through several cleaning blocks. I love mine, would not trade it for anything else on the market.
I love mine, too.
BRAKIEI finish my coffee..Guess what I found in the bottom of my cup? Yup a set of wheels. What irk me is the wheel face had been painted yesterday morning. Thank goodness for quick drying Acrylic paint.
So it didn´t spoil your coffee!
What still eats me up that I have to install a dozen of tiny detail parts, made out of cheap and brittle plastic, on my $ 400 loco!
Sir Madog BRAKIE I finish my coffee..Guess what I found in the bottom of my cup? Yup a set of wheels. What irk me is the wheel face had been painted yesterday morning. Thank goodness for quick drying Acrylic paint. So it didn´t spoil your coffee! What still eats me up that I have to install a dozen of tiny detail parts, made out of cheap and brittle plastic, on my $ 400 loco!
BRAKIE I finish my coffee..Guess what I found in the bottom of my cup? Yup a set of wheels. What irk me is the wheel face had been painted yesterday morning. Thank goodness for quick drying Acrylic paint.
I don't have any $400 locos - at least not any that I paid $400 for.
And I don't mind the plastic detail parts, applied by myself or the factory.
But what do I know......Nothing about the hobby bothers me much - it's all fun
Sheldon
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Sir Madog BRAKIE I finish my coffee..Guess what I found in the bottom of my cup? Yup a set of wheels. What irk me is the wheel face had been painted yesterday morning. Thank goodness for quick drying Acrylic paint. So it didn´t spoil your coffee! What still eats me up that I have to install a dozen of tiny detail parts, made out of cheap and brittle plastic, on my $ 400 loco! I don't have any $400 locos - at least not any that I paid $400 for. And I don't mind the plastic detail parts, applied by myself or the factory. But what do I know......Nothing about the hobby bothers me much - it's all fun Sheldon
I dislike breaking said detail parts while having to perform maintainance work on certain manufactured units when the cheap light bulbs they use burn out.... Never heard of LED's evidently....
Brakie: Can't say I have ever had anything land in my coffee, as I don't care much for it. (Although, I will drink it when my asthma is really acting up, as the steam and caffeine both help relieve asthma symptoms.) Other beverages however.......
While cleaning your layout, finding a set of wheels inside a tunnel. Not a truck, but a brand new set of wheels.
Not enough Amfleet cars for your Amtrak trains in Phase III and IV. Including Viewliner Sleepers.
I would like to have Superliner II's in Phase IV and IVb.
More prototypical Conrail coalporters and gondolas with correct rib panels.
SouthPenn While cleaning your layout, finding a set of wheels inside a tunnel. Not a truck, but a brand new set of wheels.
How in the world did that happen?
Don't know how it happened. Mice? It wouldn't be the first time mice have given me head aches.
Paul3 What is currently annoying is when you see a thread appear on a forum that sounds interesting, but when you click on it to read it, you find that you've already replied to it months ago. Sometimes, it's years ago. On other forums, when this is done it's called "Thread Necromancy":
What is currently annoying is when you see a thread appear on a forum that sounds interesting, but when you click on it to read it, you find that you've already replied to it months ago. Sometimes, it's years ago. On other forums, when this is done it's called "Thread Necromancy":
angelob6660 Not enough Amfleet cars for your Amtrak trains in Phase III and IV. Including Viewliner Sleepers. I would like to have Superliner II's in Phase IV and IVb. More prototypical Conrail coalporters and gondolas with correct rib panels.
There's plenty of Superliner IIs out there in those phases. Less luck when it comes to a Phase IVB baggage car, though.
But the Viewliner is a myth. I'm not sure it ever happened.