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cats and model trains

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  • Member since
    September 2012
  • From: Fraser Valley, BC
  • 538 posts
Posted by Rastafarr on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 10:03 AM

One of my earlier forays into our hobby was thoroughly derailed when the family hairbag -- in one night -- chewed through every single power feeder on the 4x8 i was building. Either Ma's cat went or teenage Stu's trains did; guess how that turned out?

Stu

Streamlined steam, oh, what a dream!!

  • Member since
    June 2007
  • 8,892 posts
Posted by riogrande5761 on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 10:05 AM

DAVID FORTNEY

I found a good way to keep them off my platform. It is 52" Off the floor. Plus there is no other places to jump first then to the platform. Problem solved. The height is perfect for me Being 6'3".

Problem solved maybe for you - but my layout is about 52" off the floor and my cat can jump up there just fine when I let here once, which is why we keep the door closed and limit her access. 

I've found cats can get into mischief in some pretty high up places, especially when you aren't looking - at least cats which are in relatively decent physical shape.  Maybe your cat isn't like typical cats and can't jump that high for whatever reason (age, weight etc.).

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • 28 posts
Posted by I like Vintage HO on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 10:37 AM

HA, HA, HA, HA!!!!!!!!  Love it!!!  When I was little, my dad and I would put up a track on the dineing room floor. It was a big room and we could make 12 foot long straightaways.  I still have the Athearn Hustler that our old cat, named Peter, would chase around and around the layout.  He would chase it untile he started to get tired and then would turn around and wait for it to come to him and then pounce!!  

I restore old trains and believe me, I find plenty of cat hair wrapped around in the trucks!!

  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 618 posts
Posted by DAVID FORTNEY on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 1:21 PM

riogrande5761

 

 
DAVID FORTNEY

I found a good way to keep them off my platform. It is 52" Off the floor. Plus there is no other places to jump first then to the platform. Problem solved. The height is perfect for me Being 6'3".

 

Problem solved maybe for you - but my layout is about 52" off the floor and my cat can jump up there just fine when I let here once, which is why we keep the door closed and limit her access. 

I've found cats can get into mischief in some pretty high up places, especially when you aren't looking - at least cats which are in relatively decent physical shape.  Maybe your cat isn't like typical cats and can't jump that high for whatever reason (age, weight etc.).

 

I have two cats but both of them cannot get on my platform. Both are young but both had their front claws removed so not to use the furniture as a scratching post. That helps not jumping to the platform. 

  • Member since
    March 2016
  • 1,553 posts
Posted by PRR8259 on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 9:02 PM

I simply assume the cat will get on the layout...it's just easier that way.  

Since she doesn't have front claws and is basically gentle I dont really worry about damage happening.  She likes to sit on the edge and watch...

  • Member since
    July 2002
  • From: Jersey City
  • 1,925 posts
Posted by steemtrayn on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 10:40 PM

If your kid played with your trains without your permission and caused damage, would you have his fingertips removed?

http://www.declawing.com/

 

  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 618 posts
Posted by DAVID FORTNEY on Thursday, January 19, 2017 6:54 AM

steemtrayn

If your kid played with your trains without your permission and caused damage, would you have his fingertips removed?

http://www.declawing.com/

 

 

And what is that supposed to mean? 

  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: Lancaster city
  • 682 posts
Posted by cats think well of me on Thursday, January 19, 2017 9:35 AM

I agree with Howard's idea that coining the term "catastrophe" had likely been the result of cats interacting with a model railroader's pride and joy. 

I've learned over the years to keep the cats and the trains seperate. Where I live now, the trains are kept inside a closet and in their boxes to give no chance of the cat knocking the trains over on to the floor, or chewing on the trains, or peeing on them. I never leave trains anywhere where there's a remote possibility of the cat damaging them if I can help it.

One not catastrophic moment, is somewhere, I have a photo I'll have to post of Triton "supervising" me while working on a BLI K4. He's just sitting there watching me, while numerous parts of the model are in pieces on the dining room table.I do not mind cat company while working on a model, though when one tries to walk all over my work, I'll just gently remove the cat and get back to work. After about 2-3 times the cat gets a clue. I also work to give the cat time and attention too before hand. Some time and attention throughout the day, and the cats will be less likely to get in the middle of something you're working on all the time. They've gotten some attention from you and though cats in my experience may love and seek a lot of attention and time from us, they will not want it all the time.

The worst incident with a cat and trains for me happened when I was 18, and I had a bunch of freight cars in a homemade carrying case. I'd been out for the day, and when I get home, I get to the box, sitting in my bedroom, and find a big, nasty-smelling, p-- on top of a some Proto2000 cars, plus several cars with missing parts the cat scratched off. I think a couple pieces could never be fully rehabilitated. My heart sank, and I nearly cried. A lot of work ruined by one cat who decided the train box could sub as a litter box. Suffice to say, I'd been more careful after that.

Alvie

  • Member since
    June 2007
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Posted by riogrande5761 on Thursday, January 19, 2017 10:34 AM

DAVID FORTNEY
 
steemtrayn

If your kid played with your trains without your permission and caused damage, would you have his fingertips removed?

http://www.declawing.com/

And what is that supposed to mean? 

At face value, appears steamtrayn is responding to your comment that your cat is declawed.

The website linked appears to speak for it'self if you are wondering.

I'm not taking a position on this but many people feel it's cruel to declaw a cat.  My wife and I got our cat through a rescue organization in the Washington DC area and one of the terms of adoption is we would not declaw the cat.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

  • Member since
    November 2016
  • 196 posts
Posted by khier on Friday, January 20, 2017 3:51 AM

Both cats and model trains are extremely cute. While cats are mischief world champions and MRR requires utmost order. Therefore, cats and MRR do not mix.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: North Dakota
  • 9,592 posts
Posted by BroadwayLion on Saturday, January 21, 2017 9:22 AM

One does not argue with the cat...

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, January 21, 2017 9:59 AM

Our last cat was amazing. She couls jump on the model buiding desk, walk all the way across, and jump to the top of the filing cabinets and noit disturb a single model or anything on the desk. When my youngest daughter moved out three years ago she took the cat with her.

.

The previous cat was a destructive tornado of breakage. I was glad when the previous child took that one.

.

I will never have another animal in the house again. I am finally building how I want to, and nothing will be allowed to damage any of it.

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

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