Dave Vollmer wrote: 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.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.
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.
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.
To the majority of casual observers, model railroading is not a serious subject. I would bet that a lot of people view it as playing with trains. I would also imagine that a fair amount of people come to shows to entertain their children. Some of these adults only exposure to model trains is from tv. What do you see people doing with trains on tv, crashing them. If you can get past their "stupid" question, their next questions may be more intelligent. Can you imagine if somebodies only exposure to golf was Happy Gilmore? There would be a fair amount of correction needed when that person arrived at the golf course!
Then I guess I pre-suppose too much intellgence in some people.
Nevertheless, having done half a dozen shows, most folks ask good questions, but some people (who otherwise look and sound as if they should know better) ask some really stupid questions.
People sometimes forget themselves. They'll sometimes talk about you and your layout as if you're not really there (that's the TV effect) or will sometimes say completely rude and insensitive things.
I had one guy stand at my layout for several minutes pontificating about how "N scale is too small, you can't se the trains, they don't run well, and you can't even get them on the tracks, etc." to the other folks at my layout. I politely reminded him that, in fact, my trains were doing a fine job running and staying on the tracks, and even though I wear glasses, I have no trouble doing work on them without the aid of an optivisor. He eventually agreed that N scale "might be for some people." Hopefully my layout spoke louder than his words to the other people at my layout.
Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.
TA462 wrote:Sometimes when I'm in a Golf tournament at work I'll put a hockey stick in my Golf bag. I get more then a few comments, lol.
Suffice it to say I have a Athearn 50' double door boxcar that weighs over a pound..The wheels are glued..Many a new member has had his pride and joy sit and spin its wheels as the new guy gets bombarded with cat calls like "Sheesh,get that junk off the layout since it can't pull! I would be ashame if my locomotive couldn't pull 15 cars! Etc,etc.
We then shout "Welcome to the club!"
I was cuss out once by a sourpuss.He later apologized for his out burst over a harmless joke..
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
BRAKIE wrote:Suffice it to say I have a Athearn 50' double door boxcar that weighs over a pound..The wheels are glued..Many a new member has had his pride and joy sit and spin its wheels as the new guy gets bombarded with cat calls like "Sheesh,get that junk off the layout since it can't pull! I would be ashame if my locomotive couldn't pull 15 cars! Etc,etc.We then shout "Welcome to the club!" I was cuss out once by a sourpuss.He later apologized for his out burst over a harmless joke.
I was cuss out once by a sourpuss.He later apologized for his out burst over a harmless joke.
Brakie, I'm surprised at you. I thought this was a mature adult hobby, not an opportunity for immature frat pranks. Tsk, tsk.
Nelson
Ex-Southern 385 Being Hoisted
loathar wrote:I am "lightened up". I didn't make the MATURE ADULT HOBBY post.
Well take a CLOSER look at the next open house or train show..What do you see kids? Sadly no..You see adults running trauins..This is what the none modeling public sees as well so,as adults we must show the public that we are not reliving our childhood or adults playing with toy trains..We are in fact mature adults enjoying what can be a adult hobby.
Understand now?
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.
SteamFreak wrote: BRAKIE wrote: Suffice it to say I have a Athearn 50' double door boxcar that weighs over a pound..The wheels are glued..Many a new member has had his pride and joy sit and spin its wheels as the new guy gets bombarded with cat calls like "Sheesh,get that junk off the layout since it can't pull! I would be ashame if my locomotive couldn't pull 15 cars! Etc,etc.We then shout "Welcome to the club!" I was cuss out once by a sourpuss.He later apologized for his out burst over a harmless joke.Brakie, I'm surprised at you. I thought this was a mature adult hobby, not an opportunity for for immature frat pranks. Tsk, tsk.
BRAKIE wrote: Suffice it to say I have a Athearn 50' double door boxcar that weighs over a pound..The wheels are glued..Many a new member has had his pride and joy sit and spin its wheels as the new guy gets bombarded with cat calls like "Sheesh,get that junk off the layout since it can't pull! I would be ashame if my locomotive couldn't pull 15 cars! Etc,etc.We then shout "Welcome to the club!" I was cuss out once by a sourpuss.He later apologized for his out burst over a harmless joke.
Brakie, I'm surprised at you. I thought this was a mature adult hobby, not an opportunity for for immature frat pranks. Tsk, tsk.
Well there is a time to act crazy..We all do that but,not when the non modeling public is watching us.Well maybe a little laughter or prank is harmless but,not train wrecks,trains at running at hyper speed etc.Thats what I am talking about
Even Thomas is ok for the kids.
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.
LOL! LOLROF! Gotta try that one!
Can't we all just get along??,,,, or can we agree to disagree??
Adios Wyatt
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
Have fun with your trains
BRAKIE wrote: loathar wrote:I am "lightened up". I didn't make the MATURE ADULT HOBBY post.Well take a CLOSER look at the next open house or train show..What do you see kids? Sadly no..You see adults running trauins..This is what the none modeling public sees as well so,as adults we must show the public that we are not reliving our childhood or adults playing with toy trains..We are in fact mature adults enjoying what can be a adult hobby.Understand now?
The last show I went to was about 50/50 (adults/kids) I was surprised to see quite a few kids in the clubs too.(under 16 I'd say) THEY were the ones that seemed happy to be there and explained things to people. (really good young modeling talent too) It was the older club guys that acted like they had been sucking lemons all day. This is what turned me off on the club thing when they tried to recruit me. They were bad mouthing each other to me and the rest of the audience.(NOT cool!)
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.
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.
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.
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
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
Holy broad, sweeping generalizations, Batman!!!
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!
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!!
TONY
"If we never take the time, how can we ever have the time." - Merovingian (Matrix Reloaded)
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.
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!!
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. 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.
Enjoy
Paul
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.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.
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!
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.
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.