BRAKIE wrote:Why is it adults can ask hairball questions like"Did you guys build all of this?" From a old lady "Do you put this train set away every night?"Do you guys ever wreck your trains for fun?Do you ever race your trains?Who has the fastest train set here?No kidding..I have been ask those questions by ADULTS!
Why is it adults can ask hairball questions like
"Did you guys build all of this?"
From a old lady "Do you put this train set away every night?"
Do you guys ever wreck your trains for fun?
Do you ever race your trains?
Who has the fastest train set here?
No kidding..I have been ask those questions by ADULTS!
My favorite is "Do they run on batteries?" I've been asked that several times about HO scale.
Dave Vollmer wrote:Here's me enjoying some time with a visitor, who is being a very good spectator in that she is preventing her young one from dismantling my layout.
Here's me enjoying some time with a visitor, who is being a very good spectator in that she is preventing her young one from dismantling my layout.
Yeah, but that kid behind the mountain is up to no good.
Nelson
Ex-Southern 385 Being Hoisted
Spikejones52002, you certainly have had some bad luck with your camera locations. I hope that was unusual, and not the rule.
Good hunting.
Too funny and apparently true.
secondhandmodeler,Is that supposed to be humorous? If so, here's my take on it (as a veteran club member):
Welcome to the train show folks. Come on down to see the worlds greatest hobby! Please interrupt any club member you see running a train. Heck, they don't need to pay attention to their train, and if they wreck? Well, that's part of the fun! They are only cheap toys, so it's not like it's a big deal or anything. If you are not an experienced modeler, try to ask these engineers the most complicated questions possible while also sprinkling in the story of your life while you're at it. That your mom threw away your trains, that your great-great grandfather used to work for the Central Pacific, that you always like the blue engines over the yellow ones, and so on. Also, please rest your elbow on the track, after all, that's why we built that benchwork so high. And kids? Oh, encourage them to run around all day, zooming under the layout and yanking wires like it's taffy. If they break anything, just say you'll sue for making little Johnny curious about electricity. Please help yourself to play with any model autos on the layout, too. It's no different from Matchbox cars when you were a kid, so just fling them about without a care. Remember, we build model railroads to entertain you! If you want to treat our layout like a toddler in a sand box, why just go ahead. It's all just toys. It's not like they're important or anything.
Paul A. Cutler III************Weather Or No Go New Haven************
Well. I had to walk away from that post and decide if I was offended or not. However be that all chips fall where they will, I think that the topic of train-show behavior and personality traits should go onto it's own thread. I dont want to elaborate with my take on the trainshow stuff without totally wrecking this thread.
At the recent show in Pine Bluff I over heard one of the operators admonish another "Slow down." That operator had his head deep into the DT400 he was holding with total concentration. That would not be a good time to say "HI! My name is SV! Whatcha doing?" If he loses the train mentally and gets distracted bad things happen.
Also it can be difficult for someone to pull out a crown jewel worth a kings ransom for a few laps at the show. A few oohs and aahs later it goes back into the box. I feel that if you bring something to show, run it for all to see. If it gets broke.. well... you dont have a heart issue do ya?
Now the people that comes to the show cannot get off scot free either. Some folks dont understand the true cost of some of the higher dollar equiptment and just how much money is literally rolling down the track. Let's say a 400 dollar engine or engines towing 20 cars at up to 40 dollars apeice retail. **taps calculator... that is 1200 dollars rolling on that track driven by another few hundreds or thousand more dollars in associated control system. the list goes on but you get my idea. The structures can be expensive and the scenery is 5 dollars a shake bottle out of what you get sometimes.
I think that if there is adequate insurance for shows, there should be no problem.. except that these products are one off- limited run- OOP never will be made again and in some cases like Life Like, bought out and no longer in existance except with a totally different support system.
No wonder the show people are nervous like a teaser at a foaling barn.
The public might go to walmart and buy a trainset and run it for an afternoon, decide that nothing works and pick up something else to do.
Tell me again about what people think and do at shows one more time please.
Well, I wasn't so much offended as I was trying to point out the other side of the coin. It's easy to knock a club for not being "friendly" as it's totally subjective. Sometimes I get to the point where I think that if I wish someone at a train show "Good day!", I get the "What do you mean by that?" kind of look.
See, here's the other thing, too. I have worked in retail since I was 14 (and I'm 32 now), and I've seen some crazy customers come in the door. But you can bet your bottom dollar that these folks don't go home and tell their friends and family that they were complete loons. "Yeah, you should have seen him, Ethel! I had that guy twisting in the wind so bad he should have changed his name to Dorothy. It got to the point where he just let me keep the product, gave me my money back, and gave me a coupon rather than listen to me wail and drop f-bombs on him. Woo hoo!"
Nope, it's more like, "That guy at the store was so mean to me, I had to beg and plead for mercy. Boo hoo! I got barely a crust of bread from that meany. I will never shop there again, and you shouldn't either." You just know that they paint themselves as the hero, with the retailer cast in the role of the bad guy. BTW, we call these people, "Customers of the Week"...or, even worse, "Customers of the Month". And, rarely, those that are "Customers of the Year" are the one's where I have one hand on the phone to call the cops (like the one ranting, loudly, about some quasi-religious/gov't conspiracy). My fav of all time, however, is the one that tried to return merchandise without a reciept to my store for a full cash refund. No big deal, you say? Well, the capper is that she had bought the item at a completely different store! She couldn't understand why I wouldn't give her $15, because after all, I could then turn around and sell it for $15 and I wouldn't lose any money, right? Heh. You have got to have some brass ones (and I don't mean trains) to try to pull that one off.
Sorry, but I digress...
As for why we have the show, there are several reasons (in no particular order):1). We like to show off. We're proud of our accomplishments, and want see it enjoyed by others.2). We need the money. It's not much of a secret that the train shows for our club brings in the most money. More than dues, more than club car sales, more than anything else. No show = no club layout.3). To recruit new members. The best way to get new members is to show off what we can do and stir up their interest in us.4). To create goodwill in the town we're in (we're in a town park).5). As a 501(c)3 Non-Profit, we are educational. You can't educate anyone if they don't come and see you.
As for stupid questions, no question is truly "stupid". However, there's just so much free information available on the web these days (and most any public library will give you internet access), it does make one wonder why people don't use it for basic (and I mean basic) knowledge of model railroading. Like, how do trains change tracks? Or, what's a scale? That kind of basic question. It's totally different if someone wants a judgement call (as in, what's the best flex track to use), but when folks don't know what flex track is... Sigh.
secondhandmodeler,I will echo want Paul said..There are times when questions should not be ask especially the stupid ones and yes there are stupid questions..I expect intelligent questions but,my golly keep those "how fast do they go,do you wreck your trains for fun to yourself so you won't show your ignorance after all I EXPECT KIDS to ask such questions but,not mature adults.Besides what does those questions have to do with any hobby or help questions? None that I can see..
Try answering ANY question while dispatching and there is 8 trains on the layout and yardmasters are requesting permission to foul the inbound and outbound leads plus you have engineers calling out signals! Did I mention the local wants track time so he can do his work?.Think you have time? Yes we "WOW!" them with our operations.You will be surprise how many ask how we keep so many trains moving without wrecking?
So,our club uses 3 greeters/security that wonder around and welcome our guest and will answer any questions they may ask.
* Security is needed to keep folks from wondering into the wrong areas such as the club room,tool storage closet(its a walk in) and the locker room.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I can appreciate your frustration with the " do you wreck them for fun" questions. I just thought that this might have been some peoples first exposure to model trains. Knowing that you have greeters to interact with the visitors changes my thinking. Sorry again for offending anyone. I have never been on your side of the benchwork.
secondhandmodeler wrote: I can appreciate your frustration with the " do you wreck them for fun" questions. I just thought that this might have been some peoples first exposure to model trains. Knowing that you have greeters to interact with the visitors changes my thinking. Sorry again for offending anyone. I have never been on your side of the benchwork.
No offense, just having a healthy discussing are we?
Once in a while it's good to talk about something that no one wants to deal with as a subject from time to time.
secondhandmodeler wrote:I can appreciate your frustration with the " do you wreck them for fun" questions. I just thought that this might have been some peoples first exposure to model trains. Knowing that you have greeters to interact with the visitors changes my thinking. Sorry again for offending anyone. I have never been on your side of the benchwork.
I remember reading years ago about a club that "lost their lease". As their final operating session they ran trains made up with the cheap cars and locos and shot at them with BB guns as they went around the layout.
One thing I remember about Gomez was how much fun he had with his trains.
So while these are not things I would do, I'm not so sure they are stupid questions. After all, to much of the public we're a little odd to begin with, they're just trying to find out much.
Enjoy
Paul
Shot up by BB cannons!!!?, that is no way for engine and cars to die.
The proper way is have to truss Span Bridge failure right over your 100 gal Aquarium.
Pretty dramatic for the fish, and instant dramatic scenery on your seafloor.
secondhandmodeler wrote:Sorry, I guess I can see where you are coming from. One question, why go to a show if you can't be bothered? I just thought that the comments about stupid questions were rather.....stupid. I realize that some questions probably get asked over and over. What I don't understand is, how are these people suppose to realize that their questions are somehow invalid? Yes my post was a wise guy attempt at humor. I am sorry if I offended you.
Secondhand,
Stop apologizing, you hit the nail on the head.
Being the hosts, there is no excuse for being anti-social and rude, period.
IRONROOSTER wrote:One thing I remember about Gomez was how much fun he had with his trains.
I can understand frustration with destructive behavior, like touching or derailing equipment, damaging scenery, or pulling wires; these should not be tolerated. Short of those things anything goes. The average person who has no contact with model trains is going to ask questions that might make most of us want to roll our eyes, but ignorance isn't necessarily stupidity. I always liked the Gomez Addams questions; if someone asked if I ever blew them up, I usually told them there are days when I'd like to.
Don't try to convince me that even the most sober modeler doesn't have an inner Beavis and Butthead that thinks "Uh-huh-huh-huh - that was cool!" when a harmless derailment occurs on their pike.
At any kind of show the majority of people are just passing through, so we have to accept the fact that they're not going to take it as seriously as we do.
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.
Big Beast wrote: 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.
Big Beast wrote: 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.
I don't.
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.
You go and wreck if you want to.
I spent 8 of my 9 lives fighting to keep my 40 ton 18 wheel ramming sled out of other people's vehicles and can attest to several lives directly saved by my or other's actions via radio etc.
I am angry with your casual attitude to wrecks.
Edited, story too disturbing to some.
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.
You must just live for You Tube then. Sad...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Maybe you use train set cars I use cars that cost $10.00-22.00..Think I want to wreck those high dollar cars to impress the crowds? If you do there is a bridge I would like to sell you.
I must protest your lack of better judgement..During a open house should we not put our best foot forward as ambassadors for the hobby? After all don't you think for one minute the public doesn't judge us AND THE HOBBY by our actions? We are trying to show the public that model railroading is a ADULT hobby and we should act like mature adults and not like Gomez Adams.
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.
Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.
Big Beast wrote: 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.
I don't watch Nascar. And as a combat veteran who has seen the impact when people's lives are ended violently, I don't much care for death or crashes.
Also, I find operating my railroad the way it was intended to operate is a far more relaxing experience when I'm stressed than it would be to smash engines and cars together. But then, I've custom detailed and weathered every locomotive and car I have, so I don't have any "throw-aways" to crash if I wanted to. But my point is I don't want to.
I would also up the ante by suggesting that perhaps ramming F7s into parked freight cars falls outside of the consensus of what is defined by model railroading.
SteamFreak wrote: I can understand frustration with destructive behavior, like touching or derailing equipment, damaging scenery, or pulling wires; these should not be tolerated. Short of those things anything goes. The average person who has no contact with model trains is going to ask questions that might make most of us want to roll our eyes, but ignorance isn't necessarily stupidity. I always liked the Gomez Addams questions; if someone asked if I ever blew them up, I usually told them there are days when I'd like to.Don't try to convince me that even the most sober modeler doesn't have an inner Beavis and Butthead that thinks "Uh-huh-huh-huh - that was cool!" when a harmless derailment occurs on their pike. At any kind of show the majority of people are just passing through, so we have to accept the fact that they're not going to take it as seriously as we do.
Nelson,There is a time for a chuckle over a derailment..However,its not during a open house where the viewing public as a whole come to see trains run and not derail.
During our 3 day open house this past weekend I had a gentleman tell me he never saw model trains run so nicely(or words to that effect)..He then ask how we keep them on the track..I then explain how its done and showed him a NMRA gauge and KD coupler height gauge.I then took one of my cars and demonstrated the technique we use.I also told him good smooth track work is a must as well for derailment free operation.The gentleman was impress and thank me for showing him.
Questions and demonstrations can be done during a open house especially on a modular layout when trains are running smooth and free of derailments..
Now had I been at the other club DS'ing or working one of the yards there is NO time for such pleasantries.
See the difference?
BRAKIE wrote: We are trying to show the public that model railroading is a ADULT hobby and we should act like mature adults and not like Gomez Adams.
We are trying to show the public that model railroading is a ADULT hobby and we should act like mature adults and not like Gomez Adams.
Hear THAT kids! It's an ADULT hobby. NO FUN ALLOWED!!!
Maybe that's the attitude the OP ran into that started this thread in the first place.
loathar wrote: BRAKIE wrote: We are trying to show the public that model railroading is a ADULT hobby and we should act like mature adults and not like Gomez Adams.Hear THAT kids! It's an ADULT hobby. NO FUN ALLOWED!!!Maybe that's the attitude the OP ran into that started this thread in the first place.
Good grief man lighten up and understand the majority of the public sees our models as kids toys and sees us as adult playing with toy trains or reliving our childhood..