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Hey Mark, Erik, et al at Trains.com

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Posted by wallyworld on Friday, April 2, 2004 1:39 PM
When you consider most of the public considers we railfans abit off balance with all the hootin and a hollerin about to begin about the particulars of trains or see us as just plain ole obsessive-compulsive. "Bean counters, " if you mean them those types of management fellers on the pesky end of things who get too particular about nothin, well, okay then I dern admit the obvious I count them little beans to a fault every chance I get to it.

Nothing is more fairly distributed than common sense: no one thinks he needs more of it than he already has.

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 2, 2004 1:26 PM
Really, I have a lot of Harvard stuff..i'm not an alum.
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Posted by Mookie on Friday, April 2, 2004 12:03 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

Jim, so is Wallyworld the bean or Mookie?


Not Mookie. [:)]


grumble, mumble, life ain't fair!

I don't get tiaras, I don't get beans, I don't get chickens, dirty or otherwise....

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 2, 2004 11:37 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

Jim, so is Wallyworld the bean or Mookie?


Not Mookie. [:)]

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Posted by Mookie on Friday, April 2, 2004 10:32 AM
Jim, so is Wallyworld the bean or Mookie?

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 2, 2004 10:14 AM
Mookie, that is the BEAN COUNTER approach. [8D]

Someone has to play Devil's Advocate. [V]
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Posted by Mookie on Friday, April 2, 2004 10:12 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by wallyworld

The last corporate identification I carried on my person as a member of a club was at the age of 12 when I unwrapped my Mr Peanut Mug for which I proudly used any excuse to display my prowess at collecting coupons. The one problem with this is that you cannot make a club member endure a battery of psychological tests to ensure they are not a moron or a psycho – terrorist.
When I managed large groups of employees who wore an identifying logo for the safety of hotel guests, it was a strict policy that these were to be removed before leaving work. Why? Because there was an incident where a employee broke the law wearing his company ID and we were inundated with both undeserved and horrific media coverage that made the public squirm and think, what kind of company is this to retain sociopaths? In a better and nicer world, it’s a terrific idea and would be a lot of fun. Unfortunately in a era of frivolous lawsuits, all you need is one knucklehead walking in front of a oncoming train, and you would be possibly sued for promoting irresponsible behavior of “foamers” or worse, your image would be tarnished in both the eyes of the railroads and the public.

And if I commit murder on my co-worker, wearing a t-shirt that advertises In and Out Burgers and a hat with the Nike Swoosh and my shoes say SAS and my pants are -
well, you see where I am going - does that reflect badly on them?

Just because the driver used to wear a baseball hat with the Chadron State College logo on it, didn't make him an alum.

Mook

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by wallyworld on Friday, April 2, 2004 7:48 AM
The last corporate identification I carried on my person as a member of a club was at the age of 12 when I unwrapped my Mr Peanut Mug for which I proudly used any excuse to display my prowess at collecting coupons. The one problem with this is that you cannot make a club member endure a battery of psychological tests to ensure they are not a moron or a psycho – terrorist.
When I managed large groups of employees who wore an identifying logo for the safety of hotel guests, it was a strict policy that these were to be removed before leaving work. Why? Because there was an incident where a employee broke the law wearing his company ID and we were inundated with both undeserved and horrific media coverage that made the public squirm and think, what kind of company is this to retain sociopaths? In a better and nicer world, it’s a terrific idea and would be a lot of fun. Unfortunately in a era of frivolous lawsuits, all you need is one knucklehead walking in front of a oncoming train, and you would be possibly sued for promoting irresponsible behavior of “foamers” or worse, your image would be tarnished in both the eyes of the railroads and the public.

Nothing is more fairly distributed than common sense: no one thinks he needs more of it than he already has.

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 2, 2004 6:50 AM
I think I'ts A great Idea

I wouldn't mind a baseball cap, or a pin or somehitng along those lines.

I like it..

Good morning By the way [:)]
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Posted by Mookie on Friday, April 2, 2004 6:22 AM
I think they abandoned us. We are being monitored by a puter; no humans involved....

All the puter has to do is put up more stars and make sure we don't throw rocks at each other.

hmmmm

[alien]

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by mvlandsw on Friday, April 2, 2004 4:10 AM
Somebody could design a badge that could be posted online to be printed by the user.
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 1, 2004 10:49 AM
So far the "Yeas" outnumber the "Nays". [:p]

How about it Mr. H. [8D]

Come on Erik, lets hear from you guys. [;)]

Could also be used as a Train.com promotion. [:)] WOW, what a super idea. [;)]
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Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 1:26 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by zardoz

I would guess that Trains would not want to get involved in any type of system that would link them with any of our behaviors'. Think "Missouri".


Hence my comment about abuse.

Even if said pin/bumper sticker/patch made no reference to a specific trademark, it would still be nice to have a consistent form of recognition. Wearing the badge would simply mean that we had an interest and had taken the time to acquire it, though.

Without all of the rigamarole that would go with any sort of background check, we are very much at the mercy of the good behavior of all who wore the insignia. A local ATV club here who rides an old RR bed was recently banned from a portion of their trail when an obnoxious rider had a run-in with the new owner of property through which the trail runs. Doesn't sit well when one tells a property owner to get off his own property.

Still, it would be nice to have. If I get more hassle with than without, I just take it off.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
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Posted by zardoz on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 12:24 PM
Of course, I'm easy to spot. Just look for the red Ford Ranger with "zardoz" on the plate.
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Posted by zardoz on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 12:22 PM
I would guess that Trains would not want to get involved in any type of system that would link them with any of our behaviors'. Think "Missouri".
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Posted by Mookie on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 12:18 PM
Trains.com must be in a big...meeting trying to figure out how to do this...or they are at a long breakfast, early lunch!

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by wcfan4ever on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 11:04 AM
I like the bumper sticker idea. I have one from the WCInfo group at YahooGroups. There was some made up and members of the group had the chance to buy one. They are noticeable and when another member see's you, you'll know where thier from. I've already have a few new people join the WCInfo group including Mike Yuhas due to the fact he saw the WCInfo sticker on the vehicle while train watching. They do get people attention.

Dave Howarth Jr. Livin' On Former CNW Spur From Manitowoc To Appleton In Reedsville, WI

- Formerly From The Home of Wisconsin Central's 5,000,000th Carload

- Manitowoc Cranes, Manitowoc Ice Machines, Burger Boat

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 10:56 AM
I'll agree

DOGGY
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Posted by Mookie on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 9:36 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Modelcar

...A nice badge professonally made and with the TRAINS logo on it and the owners forum name. All purchased through TRAINS in some way.....A badge or nice looking pin of size to install such on it...
And you know, I am just brash enough - I would buy one - and display it proudly!

Let 'em look through the window!

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by Modelcar on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 8:29 AM
....It really would be neat when one of us chooses to be at a special place to rail fan and perhaps another railfan would just happen to be there and the pin would identify right away....Would be great...

Quentin

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Posted by Modelcar on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 8:26 AM
...A nice badge professonally made and with the TRAINS logo on it and the owners forum name. All purchased through TRAINS in some way.....A badge or nice looking pin of size to install such on it...

Quentin

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Posted by zardoz on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 8:14 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Limitedclear

Nah. Just introduce yourself. No need for this "Club Member" stuff. I still remember the great laughs we used to get passing some FRNs wearing Amtrak hardhats along a track that had never seen an Amtrak passenger train...



Been a long time since I've seen or heard the term, "FRN". It used to be quite popular until the oddball term "foamer" became popular. (Why "foamer"?)
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Posted by Mookie on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 6:21 AM
plus you must remember the ladies of the forum.

Who would want a scruffy-looking old man, with a camera around his neck and a silly grin on his face, looking in your window to see if you had your "pin, hat, bumper sticker" on?

I would rather have someone pull up in a car, use a magic marker and write a sign that sez " Ed, Joe, Modelcar, Dan from the left coast, Brother Carl, whatever - are you Mookie?" But then, if you are in Lincoln and it is female, and it is Saturday - it probably is Mookie! So just use your noodle and a little common sense we are giving away free on the forum!

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 10:21 PM
Nah. Just introduce yourself. No need for this "Club Member" stuff. I still remember the great laughs we used to get passing some FRNs wearing Amtrak hardhats along a track that had never seen an Amtrak passenger train...

As my dad always said...Fools names and fools faces are often seen in public places...he was referring to graffiti, but the idea is the same...

LC

LC
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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 10:03 PM
Great idea. We just have to watch out that it's not abused - thus negating any goodwill we might engender by wearing it.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by dave9999 on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 9:18 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Jordan6

Maybe a bumper sticker or ..................


Actually, I did see a Trains.com bumper sticker on a vehicle at the GATS in Pensacola, last December. Dave

It didn't include the owners username though [8D]
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Posted by Nora on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 9:06 PM
We could all just get tattoos on our foreheads. Whaddya think?
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Posted by zardoz on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 8:48 PM
All good ideas so far....

How about some sort of a "Membership Card"?
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Posted by Jordan6 on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 7:59 PM
Maybe a bumper sticker or ...................HEY oh, i got a good one, how bout a hitch cover for our vehicles that has the TRAINS.COM logo, but heres the kicker, make it from a slice of rail!!!......A teeshirt would be great also, and inexpensive.

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