Anybody else getting annoyed........

[Anonymous]

Kinda torques me off, too. I really enjoy scratch building things, but had it not been for Bachmann's Spectrum RTR On30 series locomotives, I likely would not have gotten into that scale. Now, I have scratch built several On30 locomotives. I'll buy at least one or two more RTR locos, and I'm sure a lot of my rolling stock will be RTR. I think people need to mind their own beeswax.

[bwftex]

Not me...............

I recently bought an RTR Trainman boxcar that I was really pleased with. It’s the first RTR car I've bought since I was a kid. It’s a very good-looking, very well made and painted model. Even the cast on detail is excellent.

I've got nothing against RTR. I'm only a little disappointed. Even though I live not far from one of the better model train stores in the country car kits have almost completely disappeared from the shelves, locomotive kits have completely disappeared, and scratch building supplies are fewer every time I visit. The store has a massive inventory but it's almost all RTR, scenery supplies, built ups, and Walthers plastic kits. The one hobby shop in our area that did have almost everything for a person who likes to build his own stuff closed a few years ago. Fortunately it’s easy to find supplies and parts on the Internet.

I think that some guys get upset that things are changing in the way people and manufactures approach model railroading. They miss the old ways of sharing the same interests and goals as most everyone else in the hobby. A few don’t seem to understand that some folks are not interested in building models, don’t have a 20 + year collection of tools and skills or simply have not reached a point where they are ready to bash and scratch locomotive’s, cars or structures. Unfortunately it appears a few can't project their feelings in an articulate and non-abrasive fashion either.

People such as myself who take a more craftsman type approach to the hobby are few. We typically spend less, nit pick more and are not the main group supporting the hobby. People who approach the hobby from an operational or collecting interest are much greater and now dominate the hobby. But every one loves trains and we can all still pursue our individual interests even if we **** off each other once in awhile. I remember about 40 years ago when I was about 10 some guys bashing RTR and telling me that my little Docksider was junk. In retrospect it was junk but it was exactly what I wanted then and it served me well. Thirty years ago I visited a club that was starting up and brought along my HOn3 models to see if they might be interested in possibly having a narrow gauge branch. They laughed me out of the room. You can still say “narrow gauge” and some folks will look at you like you’re a leper.

Some things change some don't. I wouldn't worry about it much or get too annoyed, as there is little benefit in it.

Bruce

[tigerstripe]

Just tell them that you are following prototypical practice, I think they get all of their loco's from GE & EMD, RTR. Sometimes they even get them "undec" primer grey or without stripes and numbers. I have seen a few that came from "kits" from EMD and assembled by Conrail. But the vast majority are ready to run.

[tangerine-jack]

I don't see what right anybody has to tell somebody else how to enjoy something. I have mostly RTR, and a few kits, but I don't understand what all the fuss is about. I simply tell the close minded idiots where exactly on their anatomy a kit or RTR will fit with the proper forcing. Do these knuckle draggers (on BOTH sides of the non existent argument) have no lives? Do they really get a kick out of controlling what other people want to do?

I buy what I want, when I want, and from whom I want. I tell the naysayer to get stuffed and just enjoy my hobby.

[howmus]

I have built locos from kits, and I have RTR. At this point in my life, I prefer to buy locos ready to set on the track and run. Of course I will still have to add a decoder, do some minor changes, add some details, and weather and decal the locomotive for my road. The only person you have to pease is you! I let stuff like that go in one ear and right out the other. I often nod my head approvingly, say thank you, and then go home call my son and say, "You should have seen the jerk I was talking with at the LHS..... What an @$$hole!".

Have fun with you're trains!

[Anonymous]

All of my Locos and much of my rolling stock is RTR. I get great satisfaction out of assembling structure kits, scratch building trees and scenery and painting and weathering.

But assembling a loco is a little much for me. If I mess up a part on a building, I can usually "weather it" away or, move the building to a not so obvious location. If I messed something up on a loco, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself!

[fievel]

I'm glad there are plenty of RTR locos and freight cars, as it gives me more
time to build structure kits. I built several n scale Roundhouse kits ( rolling
stock ). They were all right, but RTR seems to not wobble around as much.
I'm not sure if it's my fault, or MDC's, but I do prefer RTR. Maybe it'll cost me
a little more, but it usually runs well.

[elauterbach]

Love running them, hate building them! That is why I buy mostly RTR.
Eric

[railroadyoshi]

I am all for RTR locos. I just don't have the skill for Loco building. Heck, i don't have the skill for maintaining RTR locos. However, I don't buy RTR rolling stock or structures.

I don't push my belief on anyone else, and I expect they won't push on me. And that applies far beyond railroading.

[Anonymous]

I get annoyed whenever someone tells someone else what they should do or believe. (except you really cannot divide by zero)

I get annoyed that there are not N scale kits so I can at least try one.

[UNIONPACIFIC4018]

I didnt realize everything was avaiable in kit form. Well unles you are doing PRR then Bowser has most of them. I mean 90% of locomotives are assembled, you should of asked them how many brass locos they had.
Those seem to show up assembled.

[RedGrey62]

Its your money and your time, do what you want. I've done both and I have to say that if I can get an RTR loco with the paint scheme and features I want, I'm going to get it. Better yet, my wife is going to get it, happily, cause she won't see it on the "kit shelf" and she won't hear me grumble when I 1) lose a part, 2) need a tool I don't have (like the right size bit for the pin vise), and 3) I figure out how to screw it up!

There are alot of "holier than thows" out there. I have another term for them, "haters", no matter what, they'll hate something. Have fun.

Rick

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 4884bigboy

I'm getting really sick of people putting down RTR equiptment. Just the other day I was looking at getting an Athearn RTR SD60 and the 3 guys I was talking with gave me a dirty look and said "Don't go wasting your time on that Athearn or Kato or Atlas***, buy a kit and build it yourself". This made me lose it. I replied "Well, I don't really have the time to build kits, not to mention locomotive kits are usually somewhat challenging, and the RTR is way better looking than I could ever make it look". They were infuriated by this and yelled "How are you ever going to know if you don't do it yourself!?" After that they made a quick leave. What's the big deal with RTR locomotives and rolling stock? They offer a quick way to get your trains running and look great. I would consider Kato locomotives RTR, too, even if you do have to apply the detail parts. Most people including myself just don't have the time, the skills or the patience to build kits. And mind you I'm just talking locomotives (kit rolling stock is fun, but RTR is nice once in a while). So lay off, pro-kit builders.

Anyone else feel the same way as me?[V][?]

My thought as I read this was what business is it of theirs how you enjoy your hobby? Ignore them.

[Anonymous]

i love RTR engines and freight cars but i'm willing to buy either RTR or kits to get what i want- i'm in this hobby beacause i want to run trains, not to build kits (although i'm willing to build them if neccesary)

[TrainFreak409]

I'm all for Ready to Run locomotives. I feel that I don't have the skill to build them yet. Nor do I have the space. I don't have a workbench, and I'd rather not do it at the kitchen table with dogs and brothers running around. Nor do I want to do it at my computer desk. And I'm N scale, and there aren't many loco kits in my scale. Before I work on locomotive kits, I'm going to start with kitbashing and playing around with building stuff.

I wish Athearn had an N scale blue box series, because I loved opening a blue box and building the HO models.[:D]

[Anonymous]

I'm getting really sick of people putting down RTR equiptment. Just the other day I was looking at getting an Athearn RTR SD60 and the 3 guys I was talking with gave me a dirty look and said "Don't go wasting your time on that Athearn or Kato or Atlas***, buy a kit and build it yourself". This made me lose it. I replied "Well, I don't really have the time to build kits, not to mention locomotive kits are usually somewhat challenging, and the RTR is way better looking than I could ever make it look". They were infuriated by this and yelled "How are you ever going to know if you don't do it yourself!?" After that they made a quick leave. What's the big deal with RTR locomotives and rolling stock? They offer a quick way to get your trains running and look great. I would consider Kato locomotives RTR, too, even if you do have to apply the detail parts. Most people including myself just don't have the time, the skills or the patience to build kits. And mind you I'm just talking locomotives (kit rolling stock is fun, but RTR is nice once in a while). So lay off, pro-kit builders.

Anyone else feel the same way as me?[V][?]