Accident prone railroader...

[Tracklayer]

I have a friend that got into model railroading a couple of years ago. Since then he's dropped and broken just about every loco and piece of rolling stock he has. I mentioned to him the other day that some of his cars and locos were missing thier details-like their grab irons, steps, etc. His reply was, "yea, they make em too fragile for someone like me"... I wanted so bad to tell him what you all are probably thinking, but kept my mouth shut for the sake of maintaining our friendship.

Any of you guys know anyone like this ?.

Tracklayer

[Anonymous]

Yep, medical term is dropsious la trainness, had it for a while cause I'd been cherrie picking, and the only thing you do all day is pick the cherrie, then drop it in a bucket. Is it cause he's too afraid to hold them tight? I'm too scared to hold them to loosely, so they all go dents in them(just joking) ;-DD

[Rotorranch]

I have a buddy like that! He can screw up a cast iron anvil with a feather!

This guy has broken everyhing he touches!

Some folks are just that way!

Rotor

[Anonymous]

Sounds like the character in the "Thumbz" cartoons that used to be in the NMRA Bulletin! A walking disaster! A person like this should stay away from expensive and highly detailed equipment and stick to the toy-like models.

Bob Boudreau

[IRONROOSTER]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FundyNorthern

Sounds like the character in the "Thumbz" cartoons that used to be in the NMRA Bulletin! A walking disaster! A person like this should stay away from expensive and highly detailed equipment and stick to the toy-like models.

Bob Boudreau

I remember that cartoon. I always like the character because even though he couldn't do anything right he was always trying.
Enjoy
Paul

[Leon Silverman]

I wonder if these klutz's know how to carry a newborn baby. I suspect not, since the trains would not be broken if they were properly supported like a newborn's head.

[Anonymous]

Seemes like this fellow is a candidate for owning only Athearn BB stuff. Hard to break what ain't there. Definately don't give him any P2K rolling stock kits for Christmas.

Bob DeWoody

[scubaterry]

Well I have had my share of "dropsees" over the years. I commend the gentleman for continuing in the hobby dispite his "problem". But if he is happy who are we to judge!
Its all about having fun.
Terry

[tstage]

Mark,

Is this the same fella you mentioned before, who spends way more money than he has on trains? And then you end up fixing them for him because he drops them? Maybe he should start investing in those new Model Power metal cars. They are definitely sturdy and heavier* than standard kit, or even Athearns! [:0]

*Course, if he does, it may be a good idea for your friend to also invest in a spare of steel-tipped boots because those puppies would hurt if they fell on your toes. [xx(] I wince just thinking about it.

Tom

[Tracklayer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tstage

Mark,

Is this the same fella you mentioned before, who spends way more money than he has on trains? And then you end up fixing them for him because he drops them? Maybe he should start investing in those new Model Power metal cars. They are definitely sturdy and heavier* than standard kit, or even Athearns! [:0]

*Course, if he does, it may be a good idea for your friend to also invest in a spare of steel-tipped boots because those puppies would hurt if they fell on your toes. [xx(] I wince just thinking about it.

Tom

Hello Tom. Yes, it is. I'd forgotten that I'd brought this up once before. I went by the other night to check on him, and he had a shoe box full of broken items-some of which have been broken before... I'd just like to tell him "YOU DON'T HAVE ANY BUSINESS BEING A MODEL RAILROADER!!!!", but that's the last thing he needs to hear. He always says he was tired and/or, it just slipped out of his hand. He may actually have some type of nerve problems in his hands and fingers that cause him not to be able to feel the amount of grip or pressure he has on things because he drops water glasses and other items also.

Tracklayer (Mark)

[JBCA]

We should all probably tread easily with this poor guy. Mark may be right that he has some kind of nerve problem.

I've been recently diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration, and I'm really trying to enjoy the details of my trains while I still can.

We should all be thankful for the faculties we have, while we have them.

[tstage]

JBCA,

My suggestion about the Model Power metal cars was more a suggestion about sturdiness of the product than jeering this poor fella because of his mishaps. (The stirrups and grab irons are pretty hearty.)

If I'm correct, Mark's friend is beyond retirement age and may be suffering from what you and Mark have suggested. Yes, sometimes you have to walk the fine line between encouragement and speaking the truth. "Speaking the truth in love" is always a good commandment to live by.

Tom

[Budliner]

I bet most crashes came off the track
sometimes we get ahead of the curve and things get on the track
cars get unhooked the trick here is more freinds to help with the trackwork
find the problem areas and if nothing else make it so the same problem wont happen twice add some safety rails on the side of the layout and lets all try to run the trains slower dont think I ever dropped a train out of my hand but at least 10 have hit the floor in the last 3 years I have been back in the hobbie how bought a safety net
or less turnouts



Ken-

[Tracklayer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tstage

If I'm correct, Mark's friend is beyond retirement age and may be suffering from what you and Mark have suggested. Yes, sometimes you have to walk the fine line between encouragement and speaking the truth. "Speaking the truth in love" is always a good commandment to live by.

Tom

Actually, he's 37 years old... And yes, I've always tried to be patient with him because though he has a really bad case of butterfingeridous, his heart's in the right place and he dearly loves model railroading. When I get angry with him, I excuse myself, step outside for a moment, have words with the ground, then go back in and pick up where I left off. That's about all a person can do with a fella like this...

Every time I buy a new loco or piece of rolling stock, he'll say - Wow man!, I've got to get me one of those, and/but within days, I get a call from him telling me - uh Mark, I had a little accident here. Do you think you can fix it ?. So I'll go by in the next day or two, pick up the item or items and repair it or them as close to original as I can get. One thing about it, I get lots of repair experience...

Tracklayer (Mark)

[Billba]

Mark, I believe that we all have our "klutz" attacks. Just hope it is not with a brass locomotive, or momma's good china!!

It sounds to me like you are truly being a friend to your buddy. Keep it up!!! The world can sure use some more of it!! [tup][tup][tup]

[DavidJ611]

Mark,

Since the problem is primarily due to his inability (for whatever reason) to handle his trains with the necessary care, is there any way to help him set his trains up to minimize the amount of manual handling required? Then again, if he can't manage to leave well enough alone (has an irresistible urge to pick them up, move them about, etc.) regardless, that approach might be in vain.

I don't remember from your earlier thread about this friend of yours, but have you suggested (or has your friend considered) a larger scale that's more rugged? I believe you mentioned previously that money is somewhat of an issue, but it sounds like the possible extra cost of larger scale stuff might be offest at least somewhat by not having to repair his trains as often.

-Dave

[Tracklayer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DavidJ611

Mark,

Since the problem is primarily due to his inability (for whatever reason) to handle his trains with the necessary care, is there any way to help him set his trains up to minimize the amount of manual handling required? Then again, if he can't manage to leave well enough alone (has an irresistible urge to pick them up, move them about, etc.) regardless, that approach might be in vain.

I don't remember from your earlier thread about this friend of yours, but have you suggested (or has your friend considered) a larger scale that's more rugged? I believe you mentioned previously that money is somewhat of an issue, but it sounds like the possible extra cost of larger scale stuff might be offest at least somewhat by not having to repair his trains as often.

-Dave

First of all, thank you for the kind words Billba. I always try to treat people the way I like being treated, with patients and kindness.

As for what Dave suggested about a larger - not so fragile scale. Yes Dave, I thought I might buy him a larger scale set one of these days for his birthday or something and see if I can get him into it that way rather than lose my temper with him and put a dent in his feelings. Like I said, he's really a good guy, but just accident prone...

Mark (Tracklayer)