Has any one read the book - Playing with Trains (A Passion Beyond Scale) by Sam Possey? And if you have what did you think of it?
I received a copy of it from one of my nephrews for Christmas a couple of years agoand have read through it twice now and think it very, good. Unfortunately, I have yet to find someone who has read it to compare notes.
GUB
An excellent book by an excellent auto racer. I thought the book was very entertaining and insightful. It’s been awhile since I read it but I do remember I was very impressed with his ability to create the image in my mind while reading a particular passage. I shared many of his experiences. I may have to dig it out and read it again.
Mac
PS…I met Sam at an SCCA National event many years ago and asked if I could send him the book to sign…which he graciously did. He is a good person. He also wrote The Mudge Pond Express, a good book about his racing experiences written in the same manner as A Passion Beyond Scale.
I didn’t hear about this book untill after it was published and sold out. Racing in SCCA events is my other hobby. Does anyone out there know where I can purchase the book? Thank you.
Dick
Texas Chief
I received Possey’s book last year for my birthday from my daughter. It was a good read. I think she got it through Amazon . com. Might check there.
Bill[^]
Playing With Trains, buy here only $11.44 USD.
I thought it was an excellent book, very good.
I actually got a copy from my local library and read it last year sometime. I thought it was well-written, insightful, and entertaining.
My only complaints (if you can call it that) are that: 1. It was obvious that Sam had a lot more financial resources than I probably ever will, and was able to get anything he needed whenever it was needed, was able to hire professional carpenters & electricians, etc. 2. He was also able to work on his layout all day, every day, pretty much whenever he wanted. Because of these two things, I felt I couldn’t relate to the story too closely. However, I could still relate to it in spirit, and if I had the time and resources he did, I would probably do it the same way [:D].
stokesda, I had similar feelings about the book too,until I found out Posey had MS at the time and had to have some of his fine work done. We should appreciate that layout and passion for Modelrailroading. It definitly comes under the heading of"If I had a million", but without going overboard. We should also appreciate others good fortune and willingness to share it with the rest of us.
I bought mine at a local Chapters book store in the spring so when I read it I knew about his MS. It puts a very different spin on the story and what he had to do to get things completed.
I will be re-reading this on my 14 hour flight to St. John’s on Saturday.
There was a lot of discussion when it first came out…
http://www.trains.com/TRC/CS/forums/297305/ShowPost.aspx
A customer let me borrow his copy. I was going through a period of being jaded and unmotivated with my model train hobby. (it’s true…when you run a model train shop, you don’t rush home and start modeling.)
So I had lost a lot of enthusiasm. After reading Sam’s book, though, I received a somewhat brief jolt of inspiration. Was glad to see someone else take some of the same views of the hobby that I have.
So when my family asked what I wanted for Christmas last year, I got that book. I can’t wait to read it again!
I think it should be required reading for a lot of folks new to the hobby.
One Track Mind, I know what you’re talking about. About 8 yrs. ago I went to work in management for Intermountain Railway in Colorado. After a couple of months there I was starting to get that same feeling. The Vice President in charge of sales at that time had owned his own hobby shops in the past and he told me it would happen. He was right.
Dick
Texas Chief
Yep. Everyone told me I would lose my interest in trains if I managed to get my own shop. I’ve been fighting it but you can’t help it.
I still railfan a little and I am working on a design for a small layout at home.
But my enthusiasm has waned. Maybe I need to get to re-reading Sam’s book in a hurry!
To me, Sam’s book was a great read. Tony Koester had an excellent review of this book in his “Trains of Thought” column in the December 2004 issue of MR. A more lengthy review by Don Spiro, appeared in the March 2005 issue of RMC. There is no doubt that this book really impressed me since MR & RMC published my reactons to the book (and their reviews) in February and May of 2005 and now here again, I find myself responding with positive comments. Do it again Sam! Peter Smith, Memphis
vsmith,
Thanks for the links. Interesting reading.
Reading “Playing with Trains” the first time reafirmed my decision to get back into the hobby after 40 years of absence. After reading it the second time I came to the conclusion that it should be required reading for anyone in the hobby, as well as spouses’ and close friends.
Someone mentioned that Sam Possey had MS. I thought it was Parkison’s. I guess I will have to read the book again.
Great book!
Thanks Again
GUB
One Track Mind & Texas Chief
I think it is quite common to loose interest when you spend most of your day working at something that doubles as your hobby. In my case I am a draftsman by trade. Early on in my career I would come home and do freelance work for others. I’m not sure when I began to loose interest, but I did and it has been years since I did any drafting at home. I’ve sold my board and most of my tools. pens etc.
“Playing with Trains” came along at the most opportune time. It’s given me some inspiration and insight into the world of model railroading as well as coping with my current proffessional career to some extent.
Has any read any similar books to this one?
GUB
You didnt answer my (and Posey’s) question? [;)]
Scenery man[:P] -or- Operator[:D]
?
vsmith,
Hardly a fair question considering my present situation. The Train Room is not finished and in reality hasn’t been started due to the renovations we are doing at the moment. However, since you asked twice now I guess I would have to say Scenery for the time being.
GUB