BRAKIE wrote:I wish we could get junior members..One club has 3 the other has 1 only because Grandpa goes there.We need young blood because none of the members is getting any younger.At one club we have a wide age group from 16 to 75.Both HO clubs I am a member we believe in behave in front of our guest.The N Scale club is still untried as far as open houses.It is my belief we will do well.
I wish we could get junior members..One club has 3 the other has 1 only because Grandpa goes there.We need young blood because none of the members is getting any younger.At one club we have a wide age group from 16 to 75.
Both HO clubs I am a member we believe in behave in front of our guest.The N Scale club is still untried as far as open houses.It is my belief we will do well.
Where is your club? If it's in MA I'll join!
Brakie,I think it's due to the fact that some people are just too sensitive. For example, say you are a visitor to a club, and a club member rushes past you without stopping, making eye contact or saying so much as "Hi!" Now, is it because the club member is A). An unfriendly jerk, or B). He has to go to the bathroom in a big, big hurry?
Or, say you are that visitor again, and you see another member standing near you working on the layout but doesn't say anything to you. Now is this member, 1). a rude, obnoxious person, 2). a little shy, or 3). busy working on the layout as he only can get to the club 4 times a month for his $28 monthly dues.
This is sort of like the glass being half full or half empty (but to engineers, the glass is too big ). Each person reacts to certain situations differently (optimist or pessimist or engineer). And what may be perfectly benign and drama-free may seem off the charts of bad behavior to someone else.
I've said it before...clubs are not for everyone. You have to have a thick skin, you have to be able to accept someone else's ideas over your own, you have to be able to think about what's good for the club over your own personal needs, and you have to sacrifice something of yourself (ego, money & time) for the greater good of the club. Not everyone is built that way, and that's okay (it would be boring if everyone was the same). But to join any club, you have to be the type of person that can check your ego at the door, or you (or the club) won't last long.
Paul A. Cutler III************Weather Or No Go New Haven************
Paul,I agree when it comes to clubs there are those that use a mighty wide paint brush to cover all clubs that they have never visited.I am in 3 wonderful clubs(2 HO 1 N Scale) and from your many "my club" replies in our pass discussions on clubs I read yours sounds as nice.
I do not know why many think clubs are full of terrible folk.Grant it I have met some sourpusses in clubs I have visited most members I spoke to was open and friendly.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
cordon,I'd like to know what "groups" you're talking about. There aren't that many RR clubs in NH, MA or ME, and since I'm in one of them, I'd like to know what you have against us. Here's a guy (Spikejones52002) complaining about some G-scale club in Indiana, and here you are out of right field tossing darts at three states' worth of RR clubs not only 1000 miles from Indiana, but even further away than where you are (Texas). What did we ever do to you? BTW, please be specific. If you can't remember names of people, at least tell us which clubs gave you a hard time.
We don't know what Spikejones52002 was like to this club in IN. As far as we know, he could have come across as a jerk or a saint to these people. I know that if a new person came into my club and started questioning things we do, I don't think they'd get a very favorable response. That's basic human nature. If you go into a club, realize that it's you joining the club, not the club joining you.
Spikejones52002, that about takes the cake. Are you sure you were not in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, or Maine? Several groups of people are like that there.
Yep.
Enjoy
Paul
Does this one sum it up, too?
Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.
I hope you all have been following the cartoons at toy trunk http://www.toytrunkrailroad.com/
...you mean, uh...that we're not supposed to wreck the trains?!!! OMG, I've got to redo my track plan!
So this thread seems to have established:
1) many model railroaders are socially inept introverts.
Knock me over with a feather.
2) when going to hobby shops or shows one can sometimes encounter an attitude
See point 1.
3) a lot of the general public think model railroaders are adults playing with children's toys.
See point 2.
Somewhere in there its a bit of a vicious circle.
I started My "G" collecting when I moved to N.W. Indiana.
There are several "HO" clubs around. One day I found out about a "G" gauge club, Illana RR In Valpo, In. I found out when they are meeting and was asked to attend.
It was a typical Winter Evening for N.W Indiana. I fought the Ice and snow to attend.
I got there just early enough. I found the meeting room and found a seat.
Just before the meeting started. I introduced myself.
Everone looked up at me and NO ONE responded with a greeting.
During an interesting meeting. I made several comments and asked several questions. The comments and questions were answered.
Besides that NOT ONE PERSON SAID A WORD TO ME.
After the meeting in the back of this persons factory was a large "G" floor layout and some riding RR rolling stock.
Refreshments was available and enjoyed. One person walked by me and said, " look at the names on the (riding) cars."
I told the Person (NEVER MET) (that E-mailed me the invite) to take me off his mailing list.
Dave Vollmer wrote: jasperofzeal wrote:When you're asked these stupid questions do you answer them to their face the way you are answering them here? How do you deal with the situation?Reading some of the posts here about how train guys are at shows makes me glad I didn't get exposure to this hobby by visiting one of these open houses/shows. As rude and stuck-up that some of the behavior seems, I would have lost all initial interest in the hobby since I would have assumed that ALL train modelers are like that. I guess seeing a club layout or whatever is out the door since I don't want to deal with those types of people or attitudes. I've dealt with the faces and snooty attitude from the LHS when I first started to go there. After they see me spending loads of money do they change their attitude to their superficially polite and helpful ways. Thank goodness for online stores!!In fact, if you'd like to know exactly how I conduct myself at shows, please read this thread:http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/1141249/ShowPost.aspxWhat you're missing is that all I'm doing is griping to fellow modelers who have probably also experience the same thing. That's not the same thing as how I would act around spectators at a show.We all have or pet peeves, and we should be able to share them with one another from time to time without it calling our characters into question.I wouldn't do shows if I didn't enjoy interacting with the public.
jasperofzeal wrote:When you're asked these stupid questions do you answer them to their face the way you are answering them here? How do you deal with the situation?Reading some of the posts here about how train guys are at shows makes me glad I didn't get exposure to this hobby by visiting one of these open houses/shows. As rude and stuck-up that some of the behavior seems, I would have lost all initial interest in the hobby since I would have assumed that ALL train modelers are like that. I guess seeing a club layout or whatever is out the door since I don't want to deal with those types of people or attitudes. I've dealt with the faces and snooty attitude from the LHS when I first started to go there. After they see me spending loads of money do they change their attitude to their superficially polite and helpful ways. Thank goodness for online stores!!
When you're asked these stupid questions do you answer them to their face the way you are answering them here? How do you deal with the situation?
Reading some of the posts here about how train guys are at shows makes me glad I didn't get exposure to this hobby by visiting one of these open houses/shows. As rude and stuck-up that some of the behavior seems, I would have lost all initial interest in the hobby since I would have assumed that ALL train modelers are like that. I guess seeing a club layout or whatever is out the door since I don't want to deal with those types of people or attitudes. I've dealt with the faces and snooty attitude from the LHS when I first started to go there. After they see me spending loads of money do they change their attitude to their superficially polite and helpful ways. Thank goodness for online stores!!
In fact, if you'd like to know exactly how I conduct myself at shows, please read this thread:
http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/1141249/ShowPost.aspx
What you're missing is that all I'm doing is griping to fellow modelers who have probably also experience the same thing. That's not the same thing as how I would act around spectators at a show.
We all have or pet peeves, and we should be able to share them with one another from time to time without it calling our characters into question.
I wouldn't do shows if I didn't enjoy interacting with the public.
I guess the way I phrased my question did give the impression that I was questioning your character. I hope you understand that was not my intent. I agree that we all have pet peeves about whatever and we should vent it out sometimes, but in doing so, a lot of people will always give their two cents and sometimes not help the situation. Again, I hope you understand that I wasn't trying to question your character, I guess I should have just asked the second part of my original question which read: "How do you deal with the situation?" Thanks for your response to that by the way.
Good thread about how to prepare for a show. What I wonder is, if these shows are meant to recruit potential members to a club or whatnot, why not just make it so the trains can run around with minimal supervision, that way a higher amount of attention can be devoted to the public? A "scheduled" op session can be planned for later in the show that way the public can see what a typical op session is about. Specifying that nobody operating a train at that time should be bothered with questions would possibly eliminate the appearance of arrogance or any other negative message that may be conveyed. Also, why not place the layout behind a protective shield (maybe plexiglass) so as to discourage the public from touching anything on the layout? I know it's probably not cheap to do this, and I realize that basic manners would avoid a stranger from touching anything that is now theirs, but we all know that is not always the case. I guess the plexiglass might also impede throwing switches or other needs from the operator, but it would probably prevent small nuances that you guys see.
TONY
"If we never take the time, how can we ever have the time." - Merovingian (Matrix Reloaded)
vsmith wrote: Dave Vollmer wrote: on30francisco wrote: vsmith wrote: We can all agree to disagree about the disagreement we're agreeing upon.Not too long ago I went to an promenent local HOn3 club's open house and was completely ignored even when I asked questions. I'm in my 40's, so its not just youngsters getting the brush off at these open houses, needless to say I left unimpressed by their attitude. This is not the first time I have encountered the brush off attitude at an open houses or at a train show, in fact, over the years its been one of the most consistent things I've come to expect in the smaller scales. One of the main benifits of switching to large scale is that everyones a whole lot more friendly in LS than the ever were in HO or N, must be all that sunshine and fresh air from working in the garden I have noticed that also - that the Large Scale community is a whole lot more friendly, tolerant, and laid back than the small scalers. NOTE: Besides modeling indoor LS from a model railroader's point of view (super detailed and as close to fidelity as practical - good running takes priority over detail) I still dabble in On30 and HO.Holy broad, sweeping generalizations, Batman!!!Dave, I wish it was a generalization, but I've been in this hobby since a teen, and thats over 20 years now, and I was a lone wolf modeler almost all the time I was in HOn30 just because of all the sour people I encountered at shops and shows. I switched to large scale, and my oh my, it was like day to night! I have run into a few sourpuss's in LS also, but overall, it is a very much more freindly crowd.
Dave Vollmer wrote: on30francisco wrote: vsmith wrote: We can all agree to disagree about the disagreement we're agreeing upon.Not too long ago I went to an promenent local HOn3 club's open house and was completely ignored even when I asked questions. I'm in my 40's, so its not just youngsters getting the brush off at these open houses, needless to say I left unimpressed by their attitude. This is not the first time I have encountered the brush off attitude at an open houses or at a train show, in fact, over the years its been one of the most consistent things I've come to expect in the smaller scales. One of the main benifits of switching to large scale is that everyones a whole lot more friendly in LS than the ever were in HO or N, must be all that sunshine and fresh air from working in the garden I have noticed that also - that the Large Scale community is a whole lot more friendly, tolerant, and laid back than the small scalers. NOTE: Besides modeling indoor LS from a model railroader's point of view (super detailed and as close to fidelity as practical - good running takes priority over detail) I still dabble in On30 and HO.Holy broad, sweeping generalizations, Batman!!!
on30francisco wrote: vsmith wrote: We can all agree to disagree about the disagreement we're agreeing upon.Not too long ago I went to an promenent local HOn3 club's open house and was completely ignored even when I asked questions. I'm in my 40's, so its not just youngsters getting the brush off at these open houses, needless to say I left unimpressed by their attitude. This is not the first time I have encountered the brush off attitude at an open houses or at a train show, in fact, over the years its been one of the most consistent things I've come to expect in the smaller scales. One of the main benifits of switching to large scale is that everyones a whole lot more friendly in LS than the ever were in HO or N, must be all that sunshine and fresh air from working in the garden I have noticed that also - that the Large Scale community is a whole lot more friendly, tolerant, and laid back than the small scalers. NOTE: Besides modeling indoor LS from a model railroader's point of view (super detailed and as close to fidelity as practical - good running takes priority over detail) I still dabble in On30 and HO.
vsmith wrote: We can all agree to disagree about the disagreement we're agreeing upon.Not too long ago I went to an promenent local HOn3 club's open house and was completely ignored even when I asked questions. I'm in my 40's, so its not just youngsters getting the brush off at these open houses, needless to say I left unimpressed by their attitude. This is not the first time I have encountered the brush off attitude at an open houses or at a train show, in fact, over the years its been one of the most consistent things I've come to expect in the smaller scales. One of the main benifits of switching to large scale is that everyones a whole lot more friendly in LS than the ever were in HO or N, must be all that sunshine and fresh air from working in the garden
We can all agree to disagree about the disagreement we're agreeing upon.
Not too long ago I went to an promenent local HOn3 club's open house and was completely ignored even when I asked questions. I'm in my 40's, so its not just youngsters getting the brush off at these open houses, needless to say I left unimpressed by their attitude. This is not the first time I have encountered the brush off attitude at an open houses or at a train show, in fact, over the years its been one of the most consistent things I've come to expect in the smaller scales.
One of the main benifits of switching to large scale is that everyones a whole lot more friendly in LS than the ever were in HO or N, must be all that sunshine and fresh air from working in the garden
Holy broad, sweeping generalizations, Batman!!!
Dave, I wish it was a generalization, but I've been in this hobby since a teen, and thats over 20 years now, and I was a lone wolf modeler almost all the time I was in HOn30 just because of all the sour people I encountered at shops and shows. I switched to large scale, and my oh my, it was like day to night! I have run into a few sourpuss's in LS also, but overall, it is a very much more freindly crowd.
vsmith, I have had the same experiences you had in regards to hobby shops and shows. I've been in model railroading since I was a kid in the 60s. I have always inquired about help and other questions at public train shows and LHSs - politely and at the appropiate times - and have been given the attitude. I feel that at a public show, modelers should be much more congenial and show some positive spirit provided you ask your questions at the appropiate times. Those that don't want to meet the public should stay in the background or at home since the main idea of a public show is to present the positive aspects of modeling to the public. Grouches and sourpusses further alienate potential modelers from taking up the hobby.
I've had this experience at many LHSs also. Since LHSs are in business to make a profit, they should treat every paying or potential customer with respect regardless of their interests or the amount of time they wish to spend in the shop. I usually zip in, get what I need, and zip out but my money is just as green as those who wish to spend all afternoon there. My money is also just as good (and worth more) at online shops. True, there are some rude or pushy customers but the majority come there with the intent to purchase something - either now or in the future. I have noticed since I switched to Large Scale and even when I started in On30, that I have met many more positive and congenial people - both online and in the LS and On30 sections of the LHSs.
BRAKIE wrote: Think of those few "mature" adults and that causes derailments by pushing on the side of a freight car.. Then how about the HO car or truck that shows up on a road crossing waiting for the next train? Think that was done by magic? The perpetrator knew exactly want they wanted to do and moves along to watch the show.Still we grit our teeth and rerail the train or replace the car or truck in its rightful place. Of course visitors can be rude as well in many ways..Not speaking when spoken to,snickering and making rude comments.
Think of those few "mature" adults and that causes derailments by pushing on the side of a freight car.. Then how about the HO car or truck that shows up on a road crossing waiting for the next train? Think that was done by magic? The perpetrator knew exactly want they wanted to do and moves along to watch the show.
Still we grit our teeth and rerail the train or replace the car or truck in its rightful place.
Of course visitors can be rude as well in many ways..Not speaking when spoken to,snickering and making rude comments.
Brakie, best way to discourage this sort of behavior is give them a result. For a bit on the club layout we had "issues" with a canal. Cars a people kept ending up in it. So finally we put a couple of junked cars in it and a junked car along a mainline, that looked like it got tagged. Now the only problem is keeping the junkers in the water. Parents keep pulling them out and placing them on the apron, because they think thier kids put the cars in the drink. Caught two or three parents scolding thier kids, and had to intervene.
Dave Vollmer wrote: You would be very surprised at the insanely stupid questions adults sometimes ask. I go to shows for the 95% of questions that are insightful, or at least not obvious. I enjoy shows very much.It's the 5% of questions from adults (not children... their questions/statements are nearly always forgivable) that makes your jaw drop.Unfortunately there is such thing as a stupid question.Such as (from an adult): "Who bought this for you?" Um, me , I guess! Although, technically I was just the middle man. The money flowed from the Air Force to the hobby shop through me. So, your tax dollars bought it for me, right?Also from an adult: "Do you ever run them head-on into each other on purpose?" Yeah, that's what I do.Here are the real questions I expect and enjoy answering:"How long did it take to build?" "How much did it all cost?" "How did you build the table?" Etc.
You would be very surprised at the insanely stupid questions adults sometimes ask. I go to shows for the 95% of questions that are insightful, or at least not obvious. I enjoy shows very much.
It's the 5% of questions from adults (not children... their questions/statements are nearly always forgivable) that makes your jaw drop.
Unfortunately there is such thing as a stupid question.
Such as (from an adult): "Who bought this for you?" Um, me , I guess! Although, technically I was just the middle man. The money flowed from the Air Force to the hobby shop through me. So, your tax dollars bought it for me, right?
Also from an adult: "Do you ever run them head-on into each other on purpose?" Yeah, that's what I do.
Here are the real questions I expect and enjoy answering:
"How long did it take to build?" "How much did it all cost?" "How did you build the table?" Etc.
Let's face it: dealing with the public can try anyone's patience. I worked enough retail years ago to speak from experience. Then again, I enjoyed talking to the majority of customers, as I seem to have a knack for schmoozing them, even the irate ones.
It all depends on the attitude you carry into it. If you walk in with a chip on your shoulder, determined to bristle at the first dumb question someone asks, you're probably going to be miserable. If you take a more positive approach, you can look at a dumb question as an opportunity to educate someone, and show how much you do know. The person who asked "Who bought this for you?" may have simply been amazed at the level of craftsmanship in your layout, and convinced that one guy couldn't have done it on his own. In that light, it's a compliment, albeit a clumsy one.
You're dealing with the uninitiated. EXPECT STUPID QUESTIONS. Your blood pressure will thank you.
As for the destructive ones, keep a wooden ruler at the ready at all times.
Edit: Didn't realize when I posted this that the thread had spilled onto its seventh page!
Nelson
Ex-Southern 385 Being Hoisted
jasperofzeal wrote: Dave Vollmer wrote: You would be very surprised at the insanely stupid questions adults sometimes ask. I go to shows for the 95% of questions that are insightful, or at least not obvious. I enjoy shows very much.It's the 5% of questions from adults (not children... their questions/statements are nearly always forgivable) that makes your jaw drop.Unfortunately there is such thing as a stupid question.Such as (from an adult): "Who bought this for you?" Um, me , I guess! Although, technically I was just the middle man. The money flowed from the Air Force to the hobby shop through me. So, your tax dollars bought it for me, right?Also from an adult: "Do you ever run them head-on into each other on purpose?" Yeah, that's what I do.Here are the real questions I expect and enjoy answering:"How long did it take to build?" "How much did it all cost?" "How did you build the table?" Etc.When you're asked these stupid questions do you answer them to their face the way you are answering them here? How do you deal with the situation?Reading some of the posts here about how train guys are at shows makes me glad I didn't get exposure to this hobby by visiting one of these open houses/shows. As rude and stuck-up that some of the behavior seems, I would have lost all initial interest in the hobby since I would have assumed that ALL train modelers are like that. I guess seeing a club layout or whatever is out the door since I don't want to deal with those types of people or attitudes. I've dealt with the faces and snooty attitude from the LHS when I first started to go there. After they see me spending loads of money do they change their attitude to their superficially polite and helpful ways. Thank goodness for online stores!!
No, clearly I don't. I answer as a gentleman would. I offer nicely that I paid for the materials and constructed it myself over the period of several years, and that this was a labor of love.
For the other question, I smile and say that "sometimes it's tempting," but that I try to follow real railroad practices when possible... and the real railroads typically tried to avoid head-ons.
I've been around as a military officer long enough to know how to be polite.
I've never lost patience with, nor dismissed, a spectator at my layout. At most I will politely suggest that there are other folks with questions and that I need to pay them attention as well, if someone is monopolizing me.
Have fun with your trains
SteamFreak wrote: Dave Vollmer wrote: on30francisco wrote: vsmith wrote: We can all agree to disagree about the disagreement we're agreeing upon.Not too long ago I went to an promenent local HOn3 club's open house and was completely ignored even when I asked questions. I'm in my 40's, so its not just youngsters getting the brush off at these open houses, needless to say I left unimpressed by their attitude. This is not the first time I have encountered the brush off attitude at an open houses or at a train show, in fact, over the years its been one of the most consistent things I've come to expect in the smaller scales. One of the main benifits of switching to large scale is that everyones a whole lot more friendly in LS than the ever were in HO or N, must be all that sunshine and fresh air from working in the garden I have noticed that also - that the Large Scale community is a whole lot more friendly, tolerant, and laid back than the small scalers. NOTE: Besides modeling indoor LS from a model railroader's point of view (super detailed and as close to fidelity as practical - good running takes priority over detail) I still dabble in On30 and HO.Holy broad, sweeping generalizations, Batman!!!I guess that would make Z-scalers REALLY vicious. If cornered, throw down some red meat and RUN!
I guess that would make Z-scalers REALLY vicious. If cornered, throw down some red meat and RUN!
Nah, just wave the red meat in front of them quickly then throw it into a corner, the Z gaugers will try chasing it, but becuase their trains are so small and they have to constantly squint to see them, they cant refocus their eyes when they chase after the meat and invariably run straight into the wall, just keep repeating this when they get back up again, its hours of fun!
I freely admit I can be one of those people that dismisses other people, but only at shows, and only if I am running. Explination: Unlike most groups at shows ours is actually able to sit outside the layout and run, wireless throttles are great, but because of this ease members of our club like to see how many trains that they can cram onto the two mainlines. The club record is 14. Being distracted during these operations can be...intresting. I also freely admit that I have border line anxiety issues. This makes operations in large crowds very intresting. A mixture of not liking crowds, claustiphobia, near panic can make for a very irritated me. Since I am actually trying to over come these issues (it's tough being a caver when you have claustiphobia) without meds, I know I have snapped at people. I have tried to make it up to them, by appologizing and generally giving them a guided tour of the layout and trying to explain things.
On the other hand when it is just me and one other person on my main, I don't usually have a problem talking to people about the setup or the engines themselves. Though my wife generally gets different reactions when she is running. I gotta say that the "Girls don't run trains." bit is getting old; FAST.
Often times it not the questions that bother me it's the timing that bothers me. Spotting reefers to a siding, tapped on the back, "Watcha doing?" Um...you couldn't have waited 20 seconds for me to spot the cars, uncouple and get moving again? Ah well.
Strangely enough the dumb questions don't really bother me. Try teaching kids to down-hill ski for a coupla years and pretty soon the dumb questions become the fun ones to answer... and lets face it often times we can begin to tell when the person is being purposely dim or really doesn't know.
The things that bother me the most are the touching or disrespect shown towards things that aren't theres or couldn't fathom doing. I mentioned the "girls don't run trains" thing. Word to wise...DON'T say that. Whatever your beliefs about women in the work place or the things that are supposed to be "girlish" my wife, my niece, my mom and one of my aunts have all taken dispatches on either my layout or the club layout and aside from my mom's lead foot, have all done a very good job and had fun doing it. The other thing that REALLY burns me is the, "let's walk my fingers down the track right in front of an engine" I have had this happen to me, and other's on the club layout at shows. My initial reaction is a glare and if that doesn't work I explain to thier parents (because invariably it's kids) how much of thier kids lives I will own if any thing happens to the engine and train. Most parents are truely shocked at how much the engines and cars cost and have had no real idea how much a steamer and 40 cars is really worth.
jasperofzeal wrote:Reading some of the posts here about how train guys are at shows makes me glad I didn't get exposure to this hobby by visiting one of these open houses/shows. As rude and stuck-up that some of the behavior seems, I would have lost all initial interest in the hobby since I would have assumed that ALL train modelers are like that. I guess seeing a club layout or whatever is out the door since I don't want to deal with those types of people or attitudes. I've dealt with the faces and snooty attitude from the LHS when I first started to go there. After they see me spending loads of money do they change their attitude to their superficially polite and helpful ways. Thank goodness for online stores!!
Many years ago when I was about 17 and not into the hobby I was going by a model railroad store in Washington D.C. I was curious so I went in - the owner and the customer were so unfriendly I left and never went back. It wasn't until 8 years later I got into the hobby after finding a copy of Model Railroader in the PX newstand in Germany.
I realize that people don't become model railroaders in order to hone their people skills. Still if you're going to exhibit or sell to the public, you should be willing to exercise tolerance and show friendliness. Otherwise why bother. Also, remember that not everyone who comes by has great people skills either so they may not be intentionally insulting.
Tony asks: When you're asked these stupid questions do you answer them to their face the way you are answering them here? How do you deal with the situation?
Seeing these folks are our guest during open house we treat them with respect and with courtesy.We will answer all questions regardless-even the one about crashing..
Now at one club we added a sign at the DS office doorway that reads in bold letters:
Please Do Not Disturb The Dispatcher..
IF you have questions about this operation
please feel free to ask any member.
Thank You for your cooperation.
jasperofzeal wrote:Reading some of the posts here about how train guys are at shows makes me glad I didn't get exposure to this hobby by visiting one of these open houses/shows. As rude and stuck-up that some of the behavior seems, I would have lost all initial interest in the hobby since I would have assumed that ALL train modelers are like that.
vsmith wrote:We can all agree to disagree about the disagreement we're agreeing upon.Not too long ago I went to an promenent local HOn3 club's open house and was completely ignored even when I asked questions. I'm in my 40's, so its not just youngsters getting the brush off at these open houses, needless to say I left unimpressed by their attitude. This is not the first time I have encountered the brush off attitude at an open houses or at a train show, in fact, over the years its been one of the most consistent things I've come to expect in the smaller scales. One of the main benifits of switching to large scale is that everyones a whole lot more friendly in LS than the ever were in HO or N, must be all that sunshine and fresh air from working in the garden
Big Beast wrote:Brakie questions like How fast or do you wreck on purpose are legit questions. Seriously think about it. Most people like speed. We see high speed trains in movies all the time. So why wouldnt they askhow fast does it go?How many times have you watched Nascar on TV hoping to see a killer wreck? "Ofc we want everyone to walk away from it" I do if I do not see a wreck inside of 5 minutes I change the channel. Remember how cool the train wreck was on the Fugitive? I have yet to see a train wreck in a movie or show look as realistic as that to me or others. Some people do not know the difference between a Bachman and a Walthers or Athearn. I know when ever I get into a rampage mood I grab my cheap Bachman f7 put the cheap boxcar in the way and see how far I can send that box car creaming into a set of life like cars I set in my yard.
Brakie questions like How fast or do you wreck on purpose are legit questions. Seriously think about it. Most people like speed. We see high speed trains in movies all the time. So why wouldnt they askhow fast does it go?
How many times have you watched Nascar on TV hoping to see a killer wreck? "Ofc we want everyone to walk away from it" I do if I do not see a wreck inside of 5 minutes I change the channel. Remember how cool the train wreck was on the Fugitive? I have yet to see a train wreck in a movie or show look as realistic as that to me or others. Some people do not know the difference between a Bachman and a Walthers or Athearn. I know when ever I get into a rampage mood I grab my cheap Bachman f7 put the cheap boxcar in the way and see how far I can send that box car creaming into a set of life like cars I set in my yard.
Although I run the trains at the appropiate speed and an serious, I sometimes get in the mood and put a cheap highly-geared engine hooked to a few cheap, toy-like boxcars on the track and turn the throttle up full to see it zip down the track and wipe out on the curve. I've done the same by putting a hopeless boxcar at the intersection and ram it with a cheap loco that I could care less about. Although I'm serious about my modeling, I like to mess around occasionally - as long as take precautions that these incidents don't wreck anything important. I would never do or advocate this at a public show or train meet.
Safety Valve wrote: Now, Pranks I can do.I was taught to drop a box of parts behind a operator intense on concentration at a coupling.See the man jump 5 feet.
Now, Pranks I can do.
I was taught to drop a box of parts behind a operator intense on concentration at a coupling.
See the man jump 5 feet.
That's like standing behind a printing press operator and crumbling up a hand full of paper real loud. They make a mad dash to shut the press off.