Do you really believe that? You do understand that you are stereotyping without even much of a post hoc fallacy to support it, right?
What’s the old saying, “Whatever floats your boat”.
But every week I get to see an amazing “HO” layout and it is built and operated in only one standard. Prototypical. Hey, if that makes 'em happy why should I complain. However, if our 3r club were to try to implement the same type of operations there would be an absolute revolution. That operating style would bore me to tears, hmmmm RR Rage maybe. [(-D]
Gentleman, they are only toys.
But that’s exactly the point. HAVE we simulated RR operations or just done something with our model trains that breaks the monotony of watching a train run in a loop for hours on end? I would argue – and feel free to disagree – that this is no more a simulation of railroad operations than playing a computer game is a simulation of reality. It’s intended to be SOMEWHAT realistic, without letting reality trump fun. So I would say that what most of us do is “play” in a manner that approximates real railroading, without attempting to simulate railroading.
I enjoy having a good laugh with the kids when I bury the flatcars 10 cars deep in the yard, then have an “event card” task me to run up the mountain for a load of logs. In my (admittedly limited) experience with “simulating” operations – by my definition – someone would be having a conniption because I had delayed someone else’s departure, or (gasp) wasn’t taking things seriously enough.
I think it all boils down to sacrificing reality / realism in favor of fun, or whether you
Fife, well put. You barked up the right tree that time. [;)] Doug Wallace [Dougsnotagrump] took me to see that fabulous HO layout. Really outstanding and big. Almost went to sleep watching a tank train move from one side of the mountain to the other. SO SLOW!!!.
I think you may be splitting hairs (or rails [:)]). We are basically saying the same thing. Just by turning the trains on and letting them run in a continuous loop one can be argue the activity as a form of simulation. Lionel marketed his products in this manner from early on. But in the end I agree with you, hobbyists are able to choose the level of detail that gives them the most enjoyment.
Regards,
John
I agree with everybody,that’s without sounding like a politition. We got the edge on the true realist.I just remind them,how the whloe thing got started. It was a big hung of metal running around a tree in a hardware store. Without Lionel there would be no realist. Hopper
I’m not really trying to split hairs, rails, infinitives, atoms, or anything else.
I guess you have to have a bad experience with a club / group “operating” session to really realize the lengths to which some people want – even enjoy – carrying their simulation.
Of course, I have been very firmly told, by people looking down their very long noses, which were pointed at the ceiling, that what I do on my layout is NOT simulation, and shame on me for even suggesting it!
It’s actually nice to see some affirmation that most people are in MY camp, not the anal one.[:)]
“Anyone who plays with trains differently than I do is not having any fun and is an anal rivet counter.” Do I have it right?
LOL, a good reminder, Bob - that what I prefer isn’t necessarily what everyone should prefer. [;)]
I’m not saying that, by any means. I firmly believe that if it’s fun for you, you should do it. Just don’t demand that it be fun for everyone.
OTOH, I have had people imply that very strongly in their statements to me. After my first operating session, one of the older members (and I’m no spring chicken, by any means) took me aside and told me that I had to take it more seriously. [sigh] And I was dumb enough to think it was a bad night and try again two weeks later. D’oh!
Bob,I think it was this until I said it was a little harsh and he went back and editied it. [:-^][(-D]
Careful!
Long noses and what??
I personally enjoy setting up a circle of track on my carpet, lying on the floor, and watching the train pass by my face at 250 scale MPH.
I also love turning the voltage up to 20 volts and sending milk cans and logs across the room.
I still get a kick out of an 18 scale foot tall man flying out of a shack after the 100th time.
After a stressful day I run my trains and feel like Im 8 again…no worries at all.
In the future, I will have a layout that has some characteristics of real railroad operation (stations, industrial areas, etc) but will still concentrate on the TOY in toy train.
I think its awesome if you have a layout that you can simulate real world train operations. It just depends on what your looking for from this hobby. I want to feel like a kid…so I collect and play with toy trains.
I simulate chaos…and do it well.
One of the most honest posts I’ve seen in a while.
[#ditto] Well said… AND I ENJOY IT. Heaven forbid if everyone enjoyed it the same way I do, then there wouldn’t be anything for me to learn from, marval at, envey, and even laugh. Gosh, I love this hobby.
Simulating railroad operations using O Gauge 3-Rail Track and Trains is done only in a visual sense, like a motion picture. We would not keep track of everything so closely. The Train List and Train Orders would be simply a computer generated visual on an LCD Monitor. It would be more about the intensity and speed of Railroad operations rather than the dry, stiff bureaucratic methods of those N Scaler guys.
Andrew
FIFE, you forgot, All while drinking a cold OLD MILWAUKEE BEER?
laz57
[;)]
WOW!! I just realized after almost four years, why LAZ has a great train collection. He drinks cheap beer and spends the money he saves on expensive trains. I [bow] down to you buddy. What a smart strategy. [tup][tup][tup][tup]