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Things I hate about Model Railroading

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  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Rimrock, Arizona
  • 11,251 posts
Things I hate about Model Railroading
Posted by SpaceMouse on Sunday, August 14, 2005 1:09 PM
Glue Strings
Coupler Springs
Brass Mounts that hold handrail

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

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  • From: New Jersey
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Posted by UPJohn on Sunday, August 14, 2005 1:09 PM
money
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  • From: Rock Springs Wy.
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Posted by miniwyo on Sunday, August 14, 2005 1:13 PM
Or lack of...

RJ

"Something hidden, Go and find it. Go and look behind the ranges, Something lost behind the ranges. Lost and waiting for you. Go." The Explorers - Rudyard Kipling

http://sweetwater-photography.com/

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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 14, 2005 1:23 PM
Lack of space.
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 14, 2005 1:25 PM
The unfair ratio of N compaired to HO models [:(!]
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Posted by JohnT14808 on Sunday, August 14, 2005 1:26 PM
Chip...I actually had to replace a coupler spring during the Fair last week, so I share your dislike of coupler springs. I managed NOT to have it go "spronging off" into the dust bunny areas of the OMRS layout, but it did take me about 10 minutes to actually get the puppy to stay where it was supposed to be.

Since I'm not into brass, I can't comment on the handrails, but the glue strings I think you could resolve by purchasing better string, or perhaps better glue....One of the two. Should handle your problem.

My pet peeve right now is not being able to run ANY of my locos using DCC. OMRS went DCC in January and all my locos are still DC, and so are a BUNCH of other members' locos. So we are all fighting over who gets to run using 00, and how long they can run. This makes for interesting operation nights. One of these days, the funds will be available to purchase MY FIRST decoder and then I won't have to wait for 00 to be available. {If any of you GREAT modelers have an extra DH163 sitting around, send it to me, would'ya?? Burnt or questionable decoders need not be sent. Thx.}

John
  • Member since
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  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
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Posted by selector on Sunday, August 14, 2005 1:30 PM
Having other things like exterior painting, watering, dishes, vacuuming, teaching, hosting, and visiting interrupt an otherwise idyllic life. [|(]
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  • From: Dallas, GA
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Posted by TrainFreak409 on Sunday, August 14, 2005 1:34 PM
The ever-rising price of models.

The lack of quality steam locomotives in N scale.

The lack of affordable TURBINE models in any scale.

Scott - Dispatcher, Norfolk Southern

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Rimrock, Arizona
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Posted by SpaceMouse on Sunday, August 14, 2005 1:35 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by JohnT14808

Since I'm not into brass, I can't comment on the handrails,


These are the little brass goodies that hold handrail on models, not brass engines--although I gues they could be found there as well.

QUOTE: but the glue strings I think you could resolve by purchasing better string, or perhaps better glue....One of the two. Should handle your problem.
John


Glue strings magically appear from plastic cement, when you try to move your toothpick from the glue pile to your part. They are picked up by any breeze, etc. and drape themselves over whatever it is you are working on.

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

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  • From: Reading, PA
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Posted by rrinker on Sunday, August 14, 2005 1:59 PM
Gotta use more liquid cements like Tenex 7R and the Testors liquid, no strings with that kind of cement.

Coupler springs - use a #11 blade.s. Stab the spring in the middle, then you can use the knife to pry it over the pins on the shank and knuckle. Fingers and tweezers don't work.

FOr cheap decodering - NCE D13SRJ. I think they are a better general purpose decoder than the DH163. And go for as low as $12 each in 10-packs. Go in with some other club members if you can't afford or don't need 10 up front. At $12, vs $20+ for other decoders, it's hard to justify not converting anymore.

My main peeve is lack of time to do all the things I think up. At least I've gotten started on my yard, FINALLY.

--Randy

Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

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Posted by Darth Santa Fe on Sunday, August 14, 2005 2:07 PM
Wanting every single neat looking engine I see in HO.[:D]

_________________________________________________________________

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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 14, 2005 2:15 PM
Lack of accurate Texas & Pacific steam engines. No 2-10-4 available for under $500 that could be converted to the 610.
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Posted by loathar on Sunday, August 14, 2005 2:25 PM
I hate 4 things
1-Ballasting
2-Ballasting
3-Ballasting
4-Glueing in window glass.
Anyone try that liquid creat a window type stuff that Micro Mark sells?
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 14, 2005 2:30 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by loathar

I hate 4 things
1-Ballasting
2-Ballasting
3-Ballasting
4-Glueing in window glass.
Anyone try that liquid creat a window type stuff that Micro Mark sells?


You ever try ballasting? [:D]

I bought some of the Testors clear cement, haven't tried it for making windows, but it works great for glueing them in, and signs in windows. My LHS had never heard of such a thing, I WAS SHOCKED [:0]
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Posted by jimrice4449 on Sunday, August 14, 2005 2:36 PM
yes it"s basically white carpenters' glue and works about as well as you'd expect.
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Posted by loathar on Sunday, August 14, 2005 2:50 PM
Dthurman-You ever try ballasting? (I don't get it?[%-)])
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 14, 2005 2:56 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by loathar

Dthurman-You ever try ballasting? (I don't get it?[%-)])


It was a sarcastic joke, meant to be funning, you hate ballasting so I asked if you ever tried ballasting. Just me being [}:)] on a Sunday [;)]

Jimrice4449, is that true? mainly a white glue? Man if that's the case, I paid big $$ for a little bottle of Elmers [:(!]
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Posted by rexhea on Sunday, August 14, 2005 2:56 PM
Back order! Back order! Back order! Back order! [:(!][xx(][B)]

REX
Rex "Blue Creek & Warrior Railways" http://www.railimages.com/gallery/rexheacock
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Posted by loathar on Sunday, August 14, 2005 3:01 PM
O.K. Thought it was my spelling or usage. You actually made me get out a dictionary.[^]
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Posted by csxns on Sunday, August 14, 2005 3:05 PM
Molded on grabs.

Russell

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Posted by georgev on Sunday, August 14, 2005 3:16 PM
About the coupler springs...
Take a 24" piece of fine sewing thread and put the spring over it so it wraps around the spring wire about in the middle of the spring. Now take the #11 xacto knife, stick it in the middle of the spring to lift it into position. Put the spring over one nub in the knuckle, and use the blade to pu***he other end over the other nub. Now pull gently on one end of the thread to remove it.

With the thread in the spring, if the spring tries to fly away, it can't go far...

George V.

P.S. Ballasting is my least favorite task also.
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Posted by AltonFan on Sunday, August 14, 2005 3:17 PM
No provision for a MT coupler on the pilots of N scale Bachmann Spectrum locomotives. (A 2-8-0 needs a pilot coupler.) And Bachmann isn't the only offender in this regard.

QUOTE: The lack of quality steam locomotives in N scale.


Care to develop that thought?

Dan

  • Member since
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  • From: Dallas, GA
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Posted by TrainFreak409 on Sunday, August 14, 2005 3:55 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by AltonFan

No provision for a MT coupler on the pilots of N scale Bachmann Spectrum locomotives. (A 2-8-0 needs a pilot coupler.) And Bachmann isn't the only offender in this regard.

QUOTE: The lack of quality steam locomotives in N scale.


Care to develop that thought?


Care to develop that though? Sure.

There are plenty of great diesel models out there, for pretty decent prices. They have excellent pulling power, and great detail. And when you buy a diesel in N scale, especially from Atlas or Kato, you know you are going to get quality.

Now, when you buy an N scale steam, the quality is usally hit or miss. Too many steam locomotives die after a year or so of running. Too many steam locomotives have poor drawbar pull, requiring a cheating boxcar. There have been some pretty decent steamers, like Bachmann Spectrum's Light USRA Mountains, and Consolidations, but more so than not, they hardly rival the quality or value of diesels.

Scott - Dispatcher, Norfolk Southern

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  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
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Posted by selector on Sunday, August 14, 2005 4:35 PM
I'll add a more rail-specific one. Derailments. I don't get them very often, but lately they've been happening inside my mountain. Couldn't happen closer to me, or at least out in the open some place, oh no...not there...
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Posted by espeefoamer on Sunday, August 14, 2005 4:45 PM
Not enough money.
Not enough room for a real layout.
Has anyone else mentioned ballasting[}:)]?
Ride Amtrak. Cats Rule, Dogs Drool.
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 14, 2005 5:37 PM
Having to waste 8+ hours a day going to work...

Super Gluing myself to myself....
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 14, 2005 5:50 PM
Having to wait to start any of it at all.
Having it all just be on paper.
Having so many fix up and change overs just to get a space.
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Posted by ARTHILL on Sunday, August 14, 2005 5:56 PM
My talent level gets me down. I look at your stuff and say, "I can do that", but sometimes I can't. I don't like cleaning up either. I'd rather make a mess than pick it up. I learned that 65 years ago and still have it down pat.
If you think you have it right, your standards are too low. my photos http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a235/ARTHILL/ Art
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Posted by miniwyo on Sunday, August 14, 2005 6:46 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Earl Sporktong



Super Gluing myself to myself....


Super glueing myself to the bench.[V][V][V] Been there done that.

RJ

"Something hidden, Go and find it. Go and look behind the ranges, Something lost behind the ranges. Lost and waiting for you. Go." The Explorers - Rudyard Kipling

http://sweetwater-photography.com/

  • Member since
    April 2003
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 14, 2005 6:48 PM
Building Structures.
Building Detailed Cars.
Benchwork.
Not enogh time
not enough Money

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