What to do about Mikey when he's too big to lay across your Knee?

[Fergmiester]

This happened to me a day ago. I've made some good progress on the layout as of late, more steps forward then back, then it happens. "Mikey" removes one of the spans because "His Diesel" can't make the turn without clipping the bridge. I tried to explain to him "hey listen, it will handle a Challenger, An Allegheny etc. It just can't handle your RDC!" But "Mikey" sits there and pouts and as I said before I turn my back and off comes the span. Yes I realize he's disapointed because it's his diesel that he bought with his own money But....

Now realize this "Mikey" isn't one of my kids, if he was, it wouldn't make a difference as I don't believe in corporal punishment. Flogging maybe, banishment, stern word and sent packing more then likely.

But when "Mikey", who knows better, just looks the other way when you stare him down[:-^] and [:I]what are ya gonna do?. What are ya gonna do when he's your 80 odd year old Dad[V]?

Dad! Please keep away from the bridge!
[:(!][:(!][:(!]

[CP5415]

YIKES!
Sounds like you have a dilemma of a dilemma Fergie.

Good luck!!

Gordon

[Anonymous]

HA!!!

I had all kinds of great advice for you right up to the zinger at the end. So I guess there's only one person that knows what you should do. Right Mikey?

Wayne

[Anonymous]

If the bridge will handle a Challenger and an Allegheny, why can't it handle a Budd RDC?

[Attaboy]

Hey, Fergie, I vote for rolling your eyes and getting on with your life. He's your father and you never know when he will no longer be around for you. My father passed away almost five years ago and I still miss him. If he was here I'd let him tear out bridges to run his Lionel trains on my HO layout if he wanted to.

[selector]

I kinda hafta side with Attaboy on this one. Dad is with you but a little while, as will his enjoyment of your layout. When he is merely a memory, you can always put in the bridge that suits your purposes.

Still, I can feel your frustration. [sigh]

[rexhea]

Fergie,
Well, now that I know who Mikey is, my action of banishment doesn't apply. Dad's do have a tendency to do it their way and only their way. We just have to be patient, grin and bear, and love'um while we got them. I wish mine was here to have this problem.

REX

[Paul W. Beverung]

Fergie; Maybe you should think back a good number of years. It could be that this is pay back time.

Paul

[grayfox1119]

What will happen when you are at sea Ferggie ??

[trolleyboy]

Hey Fergie I kinda agree with everyone else Dad's are very speacial things that have to be cherished.So I guess the eye rolling is the best action. Hey on tthe bright side at least your Dad is interested in the hobby,I haven't been able to convert mine yet. Rob

[twhite]

Gee, Fergie--brings back some cool memories about when I got my late father interested in model railroading, after he retired. He chose N scale, but he'd always be down to help me on my first HO garage layout. My fondest memory was when he hooked up my Rio Grande 2-10-2 to the 'California Zephyr' cars I had at that time, and was happy as a clam watching those dome cars behind that steamer. "Won't this *** thing go any faster?" he muttered. "Dad, I use it to haul coal trains." "Well, time you let it step out a little," he said, and hit the throttle. All at once. Thought my 2-10-2 was going to have a heart attack, the gear noise almost gave ME one! "Mine go faster," he said over the whine.
I say this to you as a friend and admirer, Fergie--bridge spans can be replaced.
Best,
Tom [^][^]

[TurboOne]

I like Paul's answer. What did you do Fergie ? c'mon you can tell us.

Enjoy, the joy on a dads face is worth any price. Mine has to give me something everytime I go to his place. Last time, an old chocolate bar that went bad months ago. Told him it was ok, but getting old. I still call him on fixing things. I know how, but he always wants to help. Gives me a warm fuzzy feeling.

Take care Fergie, good luck.

Tim

[Anonymous]

Roll your eyes and move on, bridges can be rebuilt, fathers cant, unless you have a robot-dad but thats a very limited case.

[Fergmiester]

Not to worry My eyes rolled and I shook my head and yes there was a bit of a rattle. I'm still trying to widen the bridge at one end and have worked out the logistics. This "opening up" the upper loop has also caused me to realign another track to allow the RDC to pass the logging train. The MESS is getting a second RDC next week to add to the fray.

Yes Dad I do love you dearly and this is probably pay back for the "Berk" I once totalled (Not)[:O] . I guess we still have a long way before we're even!

Fergie

[Leon Silverman]

Buy yourself an RDC of your own, along with an 89' flat car, a DD40 and maybe a full length heavyweight passenger car . Use these models to verify that the replacement bridge has suitable clearances.

[Anonymous]

You're always going to be the youngester and need to be told what to do so LIVE with it. After meeting him I can see his side against all you young wippersnappers.

Look At ***'s question and think what he and Lisa will do the next time you're out.

Have a good day
Bob

[tomwatkins]

Fergie, I thought this would be a tough call, right up to the end. Roll your eyes, bite your tongue, and get on with life. Be glad your Dad's interested in trains and that you can still spend time together. Enjoy it and make the most of it. Paul just might have something there, and Calif Tom surely does.
Enjoy it while you can,
Tom Watkins

[Virginian]

If you don't believe in corporal punishment more power to you and good luck.

[Fergmiester]

I don't have to worry about Dad playing with the trainset when I'm gone since he can't figure out the Digitrax, though I have tried to show him several times. His life and mine even thoughintertwined for the last forty so years is so different. Talking to him and his boyhood memeories and experiences is like living a book. His experiences with his trainset and so on.

Yes it will be a very sad day indeed when he departs and one I will surely regret. My hopes are that he lives long enough to see the layout progress to a point of near completion as it is something we both enjoy together.

To be honest with you the bridge incident is so out of character for him as he normally just sits back and enjoys seeing the trains go around and around. When I told Lisa about it she just smiled and chuckled. Ah parents what to do?

And Leon a DD40, that's one of those oversized irregular hormonal Diesel thingies isn't it?

BTW: The bridge is fixed and as always Bigger and Better!

And yes I hope to have many more happy years with Dad!!

Fergie

[cwclark]

I think he needs a good "horse whipp'in" and a term of "Hard Labor" repairing the damage he caused to the bridge... that way, maybe you can get it fixed so the RDC will work the next time he tries it...Chuck

[MisterBeasley]

I'd raise the bridge. When he's gone, part of his soul will end up in that RDC, and you're going to want to run it forever.

[Ibflattop]

Hey he is Dad. Just cant say "NO" to Dad! He brough you into this world and he can take ya out of this world! Besides there is nothing wrong with dad playing with your toys, at least hes interested in what you are doing too..... Kevin

[twhite]

Mr. Beasley: I think you hit the nail on the head about that RDC, my friend. I know that part of Dad's soul resides in my Rio Grande 2-10-2, it's always looking VERY longingly at my passenger trains when they slide by his coal train on the mountain.
Tom[^][^]