Two basic rules of model railroading

[BNSFNUT]

RULE 1:
Its your hobby and layout you can do anything that you like.
RULE 2:
If someone tells you that you are not doing it right. Refer to RULE 1.

[dehusman]

The problem is that there are some things you can do wrong. Electrical and wiring. Track standards.

Dave H.

[Anonymous]

Rule number one- We do not talk about MRR Club

Rule number two- We do not talk about MRR Club
Sorry couldn't resist.

but really th only rule for me is- If you enjoy MRRing then continue doing it
Andrew

[Anonymous]

For me, there are "a lot" of rules about railroading-which is why it's such a stressful hobby for me...
No joke. I go to great lengths to make sure that everything on my layout is by the book including scenery, tracks, electrical, structures, minor details, etc. Even my trains have to match the same era as my layout or I get spastic. But, if other people don't care as much, more power to them. I personally can't enjoy it if it's not right.

trainluver1

[Roadtrp]

I try to keep all my equipment consistent with the era and location that I model. Other than that, I don't worry if something isn't entirely realistic. I am pretty much a beginner in the hobby and I have little art/craft skill or experience. Everything I try has a MAJOR learning curve associated with it.

My first layout is my layout with "training wheels". I can strive for perfection on future layouts. Right now the main thing I like to do is run my trains. Perfection can come later.

[:)]

[Fergmiester]

How about....

Don't put your tongue on the rails

[IRONROOSTER]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Fergmiester

How about....

Don't put your tongue on the rails

Or your nose. Once our cocker spaniel was sniffing the track around the Christmas tree and made contact with the middle and side rails. There was just enough current to surprise him. After that he left the trains alone except to bark at them.[:)]
Enjoy
Paul

[Virginian]

If you don't follow the basic rules, don't come whining around
here.

[CNJ831]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSFNUT

RULE 1:
Its your hobby and layout you can do anything that you like.
RULE 2:
If someone tells you that you are not doing it right. Refer to RULE 1.

And if you are a newbie and follow those two rules religiously, your layout is likely to end up a poorly operating, error-filled, joke!

CNJ831

[Anonymous]

Don't assume that "DCC Ready" on the box means you won't need a soldering iron and a few resistors...

[RedLeader]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSFNUT

RULE 1:
Its your hobby and layout you can do anything that you like.
RULE 2:
If someone tells you that you are not doing it right. Refer to RULE 1.

This apply to anyone out there that fancy a roasted decoder, derailed trains, broken gears, ill looking scenery and so many other thing that may go wrong and can cost you big money if you think experienced fellow MR's advice is not important. A poorly (or wrongly) wired reverse loop may cause a fried decoder or even damage your engines and transformers, but hey Refer to RULE No. 1, anyway, is your layout and is your money.

Sorry, I couldn't control my toungue [}:)][}:)][}:)]

[selector]

First, I'd like to make a brief comment. Rules seem to drive off young people. They get enough 'rules' in school, at home, and in their team and youth organizations. So I have to be honest and say to everyone that I wince when I see questions like this, entertaining though the answers be. I DO, also find it enlightening to read all of your answers. What a variation.

All that said, I will play along and add my own rules, but I will phrase them like military orders:

1. You WILL have fun; and

2. In the event you do not have fun, you WILL cease all MR-related activity until your mood resets. [:)]

[tatans]

The ONLY rule in model railroading is "Imagination" and remember, you cannot buy it at your LHS.

[cacole]

There has to be more than just two basic rules -- some I have heard, for example, are:

If you think you can do better, why didn't you?

Hey, you thought of it, you do it.

If you're here to criticize what I'm doing, please note the following number: 725,392
I'm now listening to complaint number: 3
You're welcome to stand around and wait for your number to be called, but I suggest that you just go away and never come back.

[Anonymous]

When I started my last layout in 2002, which is now mostly complete, I approached my layout like a artist would approach a blank canvas. Imagination sets the direction, but basic rules and skills set the quality. Mix the two like blending paints, then paint away.

[yellowducky]

cacole,I like that, but I think I'm still trying to read #1. I never did listen too well, so I tell people to put it in writing, and who has time to open the suggestion box. Honey, where did I put that box that was labeled MRS? Oh you thought it meant "Mrs." and threw it away. Well, so much for criticism.

BNSFNUT, I think I get what you are saying because I'm "into" all gauges and scales.

So my rules are:
1.This is fun.
2. Let's rePLAY rule #1.

So lighten up and LIVE, everybody.

[Don Gibson]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSFNUT

RULE 1:
Its your hobby and layout you can do anything that you like.
RULE 2:
If someone tells you that you are not doing it right. Refer to RULE 1.

If you truly believe that, then WHY are you on the forum - if it isn't to learn? - or haven'y you noticed the overwhelming number of post's asking for help??

QUOTE: "What is the longest equipment I should run on 22" radius curves?"

Sound familiar?

[RMax1]

Sure there are things you should do electrically. There are ways of making scenery etc. etc. Not everyone is a historian or master modeler. I have several sets of trains I group together by time period. I try to run them as a period but then there are days I will break something out and just run it. Big deal it doesn't bother me. I like the Lionel layouts where they run several trains at once of all different kinds like you see on RFDTV. And then again it is my layout! As long as itdoesn't catch fire, electricute you , your happy with the way it works and looks so be it.

RMax1

[MAbruce]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSFNUT

RULE 1:
Its your hobby and layout you can do anything that you like.
RULE 2:
If someone tells you that you are not doing it right. Refer to RULE 1.

Seems simple enough for me to understand. What perplexes me is how many people here have shot this down because they are not reading it for what it means.

I don't think BNSFNUT is expecting anyone to do something like attempt to defy the laws of physics with these rules! Lighten up people (but not in the physical sense … [:p][;)])!!

[davekelly]

I'm thinking that folks don't realize what rule #1 is all about.

trainluvur,

You have lots of rules. The idea that you've decided to do that follows Rule #1. You've decided to do it that way because it's what you like.

CNJ831,

Following those two rules don't mean you'll have a poorly constructed, poorly operating layout. If you are unhappy with it - you improve it. You are then doing what you want - thus following Rule #1.

RedLeader,

Doing what you you like to do (Rule #1) doesn't mean you ignore advice, books etc. I've decided I don't want fried electronics etc. thus I seek out advice from here and books etc. I've decided to do that - hence follow Rule #1.

Don,

I do appreciate your willingness to help folks and respect the knowledge that you have are happy to share with folks. If someone is asking a question it's because they want to do something in a way that works. Isn't that following Rule #1? I would think that most folks here that want to learn do so because they want to - Thus they are following Rule #1. When folks criticize the hobby as being "too much work" compared to watching the TV 24/7, we ignore them (Rule #2) and continue to research, construct, modify and improve - thus doing what we want to do. (Rule #1).

[Anonymous]

Heh heh,
I model in post- apocolyptic so there are no rules.
I model private military post-apocolyptic so the rules are dictated by the train with the biggest gun.

Rules? We don't need no stinkin' rules.

My imagination is in overloaddddddddddddddddddddddddddd...
Squawk
Rattle
PFFT.


[:D]
Murphy

[davekelly]

Murphy,

Of course you know the rule that seems to apply to about all my modeling is the one named after you! [(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]

have a great one!

[yellowducky]

I think Murphy's loosing his touch. Like the time I threw some #1 track and switches down on the kitchen floor and everything worked ok, even though it had not been cleaned and had sat a year and 1/2 since being soaked. That defied Murphy's rules for sure.

[tigerstripe]

1) I have more than enough trains already, I'm not gonna buy any more. I have to many unfinished projects already.

2) "So & So" has just released a model/kit of a "this & that". OH I really need one of those then I'll be set for life.

[Anonymous]

Two basic rules of model railroading:

1. Don't tell everything that you know.

2.


Bob Boudreau [:D]

[Anonymous]

I can't believe no one mentioned the KISS principle: Keep It Simple Stupid! If there is only one rule, there are many helpful guiding principles. Several I've learned through experience.

[davekelly]

Bob - that had me laughing out loud!!! Too funny!!!! Thankfully no one on this forum seems to follow those rules!

[selector]

Yes, that was pretty clever, Bob. I got a good chuckle out of that. [:D]

[AggroJones]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tigerstripe

1) I have more than enough trains already, I'm not gonna buy any more. I have to many unfinished projects already.

2) "So & So" has just released a model/kit of a "this & that". OH I really need one of those then I'll be set for life.

So true.

[espeefoamer]

Rule #1. Whatever you're doing,someone will tell you, "the real railroads never did that."
Rule #2. The next week, you will find photographic evidence that it happened at least once.