The end of a Rookie Season--a retrospective.

[SpaceMouse]

What a run!

We'll the first thing I want to get out of the way is a big THANK YOU. You guys should have been gotten sick up and fed of me within the first month or so. A special thanks goes out to Jetrock and a couple others who made sure I had a decent 4 x 8 track plan even though I could not get the concept of a yard lead no matter how hard they tried.

A couple days ago, someone bumped a question I had the second day on this site. It was kinda sorta embarrassing.

Don't worry, I'm not going to get all sappy. You guys are great and have been patient enough with me through my mitching and boaning sessions and have put up with my twisted sense of humor for a year and if you can do that you should be nominated for sainthood. Although

St. Trains.com

just doesn't seem right. And just as an update, Lil Guy is slated for an old cheapy MRC decoder and may show up in the old west from time to time. And for those of you sick-up and fed of waiting for him to get his wheel back on track, I've had a round tuit earmarked for that since March.

So I should get right to the stuff I've learned.

1) If you want something you are painting to look real, you need at least 3 different similar colors. More is better.

2) There is nothing as hard as it looks but it takes 3 times longer than you expect.

3) No one can understand the NWSL site.

4) It is not isolating the motor that makes a decoder install difficult, it is whether or not you have adequate space that makes it difficult.

5) It's hard to screw anything up so bad it can't be fixed.

6) You can't get a bargain on eBay until you understand what separates quality from junk.

7) No matter how much you may dislike pickles, it is after all, the only thing you can do with cucumbers.

8) There is nothing you can say so plainly online that someone will not misunderstand it–over and over again.

9) A good thread is one that is answered over and over because someone starts the conversation again by answering before reading what other people have already posted. Everyone then has to go back and repeat themselves.

10) There is always someone who can't ignore a troll.

11) A person who wants a layout without figuring out what they want will not get what they want.

12) MTH holds the patents on all Leonardo DiVinci's inventions.

13) Very few things can't be found out if you look hard enough.

14) EZ track is a one way trip to a dead end. It is only easy to snap together in the beginning. After that you have to constantly work to make it perform and look right. And you can't try a different brand turnout if your engine doesn't like it.

15) In the 1860's people typed too fast for typewriters. The keys would jam. Some enterprising chap took the New York Times and looked at letter combinations and placed them in such awkward positions that the typist was forced to type as slow as possible. That is why the QWERTY keyboard is arranged that way. In the 1920's, the sticking problem was solved and the Dvorsak keyboard was invented. Typists with a couple days retraining could average above 300 words per minute. Yet we still have the QWERTY keyboard. People don't want to change their ideas.

The 4 x 8 layout is like that.

16) If you are a good weatherer, you can have groupies.

17) There are some things I just can't do–like stand up in a hammock.

18) The Roadname you grew up with will not exist when you get older. If it exists now, remember there's time. You're not dead yet.

19) The number of stars you have does not make you smart. It does however suggest you need to get a life.

20) Painting all your locomotives red because your kids said they want a Hogwart's layout is a mistake. Except at Train Club open houses–then they are the hit for both kids and adults.

21) God never intended Camelback locomotives to be invented.

Well, here's to sophmores. Sorry, I didn't make it to 4000 posts, Tom.

[tstage]

That's okay, Chip. Congratulations, anyhow! [:)] It's been a good year all around! [tup]

Tom

[dougfearon]

Congratulations Chip, very thoughtful observations. The roadnames are still around and I thank God for life. [:)]

[Anonymous]

Good to know you, Chip. Like we say where I come from ..yer a purdy smart feller. Must be nice to have people bumpin topics for you, though. Mine just get lost.

[selector]

Chip, it has been a pleasure. I just hope that you can get to where you want to be some time this year.

BTW, you can perhaps add to your list of reflections: if you contribute time and thought towards helping a fellow modeler solve some problems, you will probably solve some of your own. If you are fortunate, you may also earn a new friend.

You did all that in spades. [:D]



Your friend,

-Crandell

[DigitalGriffin]

I'll add,

1) No matter how good you think your first layout you design is...it isn't. :-)
2) There's no such thing as too much room! (Except in the mousers case)

Here's to being sophmores. (AKA: Wise Fools in latin) *raises a drink*
At this rate Chip, you'll be valedictorian in 3 years. [:D]

~D

[ARTHILL]

If you think you are done, your standards are too low.
If you never start, your standards are too high.
If you're are having fun, you have no standards.

[Anonymous]

Chip, you're cracking me up over here!!!

[Anonymous]

Thanks Chip,
However I can't beleive I've been reading your posts for a year now. Where does the time go?

[andrechapelon]

The student becomes the master.

Good going, grasshopper.

Andre

[howmus]

As usual, your observations are "right on brother"! A happy second year to you, and may all your transitions be smooth! [8D][:D][:D]

[Don Gibson]

Here's to Chipper: A Philosopher, maybe - but
A ravin' maven he 'aint.

[cmrproducts]

Yes and we (The I80 group) would not have met another serious OPs person.

Happy New Year!

BOB H - Clarion, PA

[MisterBeasley]

It's been a pleasure to be freshmen together. Here's to many more years.

[Bill H.]

Almost 4000 posts in a year.

Did bring you a new ?

J-K... Congrats.

[andrechapelon]

Chip sez:

5) It's hard to screw anything up so bad it can't be fixed.

But not impossible. I managed to buy a brand new shovel with a lifetime warranty. Two hours later, I had to to return the thing to the store because I had busted the handle clean in two. Either I'm incredibly strong or shovels have a life expectancy of 45 minutes.[:D] My vote is for the latter.

6) You can't get a bargain on eBay until you understand what separates quality from junk.

Corollaries:
a) If it says "Vintage", it isn't
b) If it says "Rare", the majority of items offered in that category will be copies of the same thing.
c) If it says "Like New", it will look as if it came from an archeological dig.
d) If it's a steam locomotive model with any or all of the 3 above descriptions, the tender will be oriented the wrong way and several critical parts will be missing.

7) No matter how much you may dislike pickles, it is after all, the only thing you can do with cucumbers.

Well, actually, you can cut cucumbers up into slices and use 'em to garnish sandwiches. Quite tasty too. It's just than when they repeat on you, make sure that nobody's standing within 20 feet of you. And then only upwind.

12) MTH holds the patents on all Leonardo DiVinci's inventions.

And Union Pacific owns the trademark on the wheel, not to mention the copyright on the Code of Hammurabi.

Andre

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by andrechapelon

I managed to buy a brand new shovel with a lifetime warranty. Two hours later, I had to to return the thing to the store because I had busted the handle clean in two. Either I'm incredibly strong or shovels have a life expectancy of 45 minutes.[:D] My vote is for the latter.

Home owner tools with lifetime warrantee's are made with the assumption that the home owner will not use the tool that much. They then charge 2-3 times what its worth and therefore can afford to replace one out of 10 that gets used.

Craftsman tools are like that--yes even their mechanics tools. I've broken so many of those it's not funny and when I go to get them replaced (with the crew waiting on them) they never have the replacement. I now only buy Mac or Snap On.

[jwar]

Gads...another year down the track...BTW kinda disapointeddd ya aint going for 4000 posts, theres rumors that MR was going to give a BLI engine to the first person that did it[:D]

Wye (pun's intended) is it we have time to do things twice...but never have enought time to do it wonce.......Perhaps we get to soon old and to late smart.

Take care...John

[andrechapelon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

QUOTE: Originally posted by andrechapelon

I managed to buy a brand new shovel with a lifetime warranty. Two hours later, I had to to return the thing to the store because I had busted the handle clean in two. Either I'm incredibly strong or shovels have a life expectancy of 45 minutes.[:D] My vote is for the latter.

Home owner tools with lifetime warrantee's are made with the assumption that the home owner will not use the tool that much. They then charge 2-3 times what its worth and therefore can afford to replace one out of 10 that gets used.

Craftsman tools are like that--yes even their mechanics tools. I've broken so many of those it's not funny and when I go to get them replaced (with the crew waiting on them) they never have the replacement. I now only buy Mac or Snap On.

Judging from my experience with that shovel, I would opine that home owner tools are made with the assumption that the home owner will NEVER use them. OTOH, most other tools have given me no problems. The one exception is weed whackers, at least the electrical kind. After going through several, I finally broke down and bought a gas powered one. I've had no problem whatsoever with it. What's more, it actually does what it is advertised to do. It whacks the bejeezus out of them pesky weeds and just missed decapitating a gopher (he was too fast).

Andre

[cmrproducts]

Its called a 10ft piece of pipe on the handle!

Been there!

BOB H - Clarion, PA

[Bill H.]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TA462

Spacemouse, how in the heck did you break your Craftsman tools? I've broken one socket in 15 years and I use my tools 8 to 10 hours a day.[%-)]

I'm wondering that myself. I've never had one fail. [?][?][?]

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TA462

Spacemouse, how in the heck did you break your Craftsman tools? I've broken one socket in 15 years and I use my tools 8 to 10 hours a day.[%-)]

I was in the construction game. Breaker bars, Impact wrenches, you name it. Mostly broke on the thinpart of the socket. The power tools were the worst. With the exception of a router, most didn't last a day.

[andrechapelon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

QUOTE: Originally posted by TA462

Spacemouse, how in the heck did you break your Craftsman tools? I've broken one socket in 15 years and I use my tools 8 to 10 hours a day.[%-)]

I was in the construction game. Breaker bars, Impact wrenches, you name it. Mostly broke on the thinpart of the socket. The power tools were the worst. With the exception of a router, most didn't last a day.

CONstruction game? Sounds like you were in the DEstruction game.[;)]

And really good at it to boot.

Andre

[jwar]

Perhaps one should have invested in impack sockets, [%-)]

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jwar

Perhaps one should have invested in impack sockets, [%-)]

I had a set, but every once in a while we ran into a socket we didn't have. Like I said, never had a problem with Mac or SnapOn

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by andrechapelon


CONstruction game? Sounds like you were in the DEstruction game.[;)]

And really good at it to boot.

Andre

I like knocking things down. 12 pound sledge is my friend. Although a Macho II Impact Drill with a point is a lot of fun too. Bring it to the edge, let it teeter and deliver the crumbling blow.

Not like dynamiting a stadium, but fun all the same.

[jwar]

Thanks...been a rotten day...needed a good chuckle.

[Anonymous]

Cucumber & Onion sautéed in butter.

Don't forget Matco Tools. As a former distributer I could be biased but I think they are the best. Working as a full time mechanic for 15 years I have broken and worn out all manufacturers tools but Craftsman does wear out first. The only chrome sockets I owned were 1/4 inch drive.

[ereimer]

congratz chip , it's been fun following your progress . maybe soon you'll slow down and i can catch up [:)]

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bukwrm

Cucumber & Onion sautéed in butter.

Don't forget Matco Tools. As a former distributer I could be biased but I think they are the best. Working as a full time mechanic for 15 years I have broken and worn out all manufacturers tools but Craftsman does wear out first. The only chrome sockets I owned were 1/4 inch drive.

I didn't run into MATCO until I got out here in PA. Back in CA, everything was MAC or SnapON. Of course when I got to PA I was done with contracting. The whole trip out here in the U-Haul I kept seeing signs, "END CONSTRUCTION" and I haven't pounded a nail since.