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No respect for Thomas modeller

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  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Little Rock
  • 487 posts
Posted by One Track Mind on Monday, October 16, 2006 10:46 AM

Something else needs to be pointed out about snickering in a hobby shop, in case you are relatively new to the atmosphere...I don't see it as much anymore...but in the old days you'd see Missouri Pacific modellers making fun of Rock Island modellers and vice versa.

I'm not saying that makes it right to snicker at you, but for some folks in a hobbyshop, some of the snickering just comes with the territory.

Plus you should be thanked for supporting, and hopefully continue to support your local hobby shop. Although that was a good suggestion about maybe confronting the owner or manager about the ungratefulness shown.

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • 1,377 posts
Posted by SOU Fan on Monday, October 16, 2006 10:39 AM

I have never modeled Thomas but when I was a kid I checked out all the videos from the library.  I now have a nephew who likes trains.  He is 5 years old and loves the HO scale 4 x 8 layout the uncle sets up, but I suspect he loves Thomas also.

If you like Thomas go ahead and model it.  The "hobby shop" that thinks your nuts, well I think they just lost a customer.  Am I right??  They have no right to laugh at you since you model Thomas whether you are forty or four.

My 2 cents [2c]

-dekruif

  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Wake Forest, NC
  • 2,869 posts
Posted by SilverSpike on Monday, October 16, 2006 10:32 AM

I support your decision all the way! If you and your son are having fun doing the "Sodor" line then that is all that is important. Any chance you can get to bond with your son is worth more than the snickers and jeers that the LHS is giving you.

It really surprises me that they are not giving you the support especially since you are spending good money on things you like.

Hobby shops are a dying breed and if you are not comfortable with them I am sure there are plenty of online options available to you. One of the main reasons I enjoy my LHS so much is the one-on-one contact I can get in supporting and answering all my questions, but if I did not have them I would be going online again.

If I were in your shoes and the next time I went to that shop to spend some $$$ on items and I got a jeer or a snicker from them I would have to assert myself. I would have let them know that it makes me uncomfortable when I spend my money at their shop and they are making rude comments. I would also ask to speak to the owner or manager and let them know that I can take the business elsewhere.

In today’s shrinking local hobby shop market it makes good business sense for them to make their customers feel welcome and want to spend money in their shops.

Ryan Boudreaux
The Piedmont Division
Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger era
Cajun Chef Ryan

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Rimrock, Arizona
  • 11,251 posts
Posted by SpaceMouse on Monday, October 16, 2006 10:24 AM

I started out modeling Hogwarts so that my kids would be involved. Who cares whether your hobby shop likes or dislikes what you are doing. Besides, you can probably get what you want cheaper on the Internet.

Doing things with your kids is far more important than your LHS's opinion of your road name.  

Chip

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

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Little Rock
  • 487 posts
Posted by One Track Mind on Monday, October 16, 2006 10:24 AM

Model what you want. Model what you and your son will enjoy.

Yeah you might be the only 40 year old who models Sodor, but so what?

And at 40 I'd quit worrying what other people think.

I am disappointed that any hobby shop snickers at a customer who is buying something. I guess that's to be expected in your case, especially from other customers...but in the case of a LHS employee making fun of your Thomas purchases...that may well be on the immature side, but it's also not a real good business practice!

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Jones County, Georgia
  • 1,293 posts
Posted by GearDrivenSteam on Monday, October 16, 2006 10:21 AM
Yes, Thomas is the Rodney Dangerfield of model railroading. I think it's all BS though, because Thomas is cool. I got my grandson a Thomas plastic set from Wal Mart and it's his favorite toy when he comes to visit. I think that Thomas the Train makes it very easy to introduce children into the world of model railroading. Nothing wrong with adults modeling him, either. You're correct about DCC conversions. They are easy. Cheap, easy to work on, the children love it and it's reliable. I don't think you could ask much more. To hell with the LHS if that's how they feel. At least you're modeling.
It is enough that Jesus died and that he died for me.
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Monday, October 16, 2006 10:21 AM

My solution would be to use mail order, save money in the process, and avoid the hostile local hobby shop crowd.

  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: Poconos, PA
  • 3,948 posts
Posted by TomDiehl on Monday, October 16, 2006 10:19 AM
You may be the "only 40 year old modelling the "Sodor" road," but connections like this are a great way to get the younger generation exposed and possibly involved in the hobby. I'm sure in the next decade or so when we read about great model layouts, we're going to start seeing "I got started with a small Thomas the Tank Engine set" as a lead in to the builder's background. Programs like "Shining Time Station" and the Harry Potter movies have brought to the market several specialized theme sets that can be the intro needed to start people in model railroading.
Smile, it makes people wonder what you're up to. Chief of Sanitation; Clowntown
  • Member since
    April 2003
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No respect for Thomas modeller
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 16, 2006 10:14 AM
I started model railroading 2 years ago because my son got hooked on wooden Thomas the Tank engine.  In fact, it's because of wooden Thomas that I got into the hobby.  Now, after going through a couple encarnations of my HO scale layout, I have decided to build my own HO Scale Island of Sodor, Thomas layout.  I have been buying the Bachmann Thomas equipment, and for the most part I am impressed with the running quality of what is for all intents and purposes a "toy" train.   It converts well to DCC.

The funny thing is, (and the point of my post) when I go to my LHS, the staff give me the impression that I'm not as respected as other model railroaders because of my choice of "road".   I've seen the raised eyebrow, and heard the little snickers.  To be honest it seems a little immature to me.  I mean they had no issues when I was dropping big bucks on a HO scale, DCC/Sound equiped, CN F3A-B.  If the store wasn't so well stocked, I'd probably take my business elsewhere.  Am I being overly sensitive or do you think this is as wrong as I do?

Am I the only 40 year old modelling the "Sodor" road?  I don't really care about that point, I'm just curious.  My son and I love it and are having a lot of fun modelling Sodor, and that's really what it's all about.

I look forward to reading your responses.
Trevor

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