Where do you draw the snob line?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I don’t think anyone will admit to being a rivet counter.

Are you an ops guy that looks down on roundy-rounders?

Do hate anyone who thinks a layout can exist without staging.

Do you not understand why anyone would want to leave their engine squeeky clean?

Do you think DC/DCC is for the birds?

Do you skoof at 40’ boxcars on a 1900’s layout?

Personally, I have trouble running my 1910’s Shay and Heisler on my 1885 layout. I can do it for short periods of tie then I have to put it back in the box.

I have trouble with people who want you to design them a layout and then when you ask them what they want they don’t know.

I can’t understand why anyone would not want staging if they have the space for it.

I like sound, but not so loud it flakes the paint off the walls. Sometimes at the club it’s hard to tell who’s driving what train and where it is on the layout. They all sound right next to you.

2

i’d better not say anything- you guys might hate me if i did

3

Chip,

The nice thing about living where I do is that there seems to be a fair amount of “historical society” equipment and it runs around frequently. And since the UP wants nothing to do with it (beyond the fact most of it is based in one of their yards, a legacy of SP) the railroad I follow as my prototype (Willamette & Pacific/Portland & Western) ends up seeing it a lot more than your normal shortline might.

You just never know where a railroad museum might plant itself… there is one forming in Sweet Home, Oregon (on the Albany & Eastern) now.

4

When it comes to model railroading, I’m am pro-choice. I have my preferences for my railroad but I would never criticize the choices made by others. There is no one correct way to pursue this great hobby. Some people work hard to build a great layout while others are happy collecting equipment. Some people like to build large layouts with a good enough approach while others like to build small, highly detailed layouts or dioramas with a craftsman’s touch. Some people like to freelance while others like to model a prototype as faithfully as possible. Some people like to operate their layouts prototypically while others like to just watch their trains roll over their layout. In addition there are numerous choices to be made regarding scale and era. There is only one rule in this hobby. Do what makes you happy.

5

  1. I think you’ll find quite a few who will admit to being rivet counters!

  2. Since roundy-rounders out number ops people at least 2 to 1, if they’ve put their best efforts into building their layout it’s all the same to me.

  3. Staging is great if you have room for it but it certainly isn’t an absolute layout necessity.

  4. Not weathering because you don’t own an airbrush, or find that you mess up your chalk weathering every time you touch your equipment, is reasonable justification for leaving them pristine.

5.Nothing wrong with either DC or DCC, as long as you don’t allow yourself to become a raving zealot for either!

  1. About the only example offered that might truly bother me. Why expend time researching and carefully modeling all aspects of specific era without including appropriate era RR equipment in that plan? Whatever era one chooses today there is suitable equipment available, albeit some may need a little re-working by the hobbyist.

CNJ831

6

Not even if I was [:-^]

Nope… I like roundy-rounders… They always look like they are having the most fun…

No…

I understand… Some like them shiney…

I think the argument is…

Then I have to wonder why you own them…

Me too… But I try to point them in a direction of learning what it is they Do want.

It’s a matter of what kind of traffic I want and what else I can do with the space. I’m perfectly happy running local freights out of the freight yard in an out and back fasion… Trains DO do that you know…

This is, of course, only my [2c]

Jeff
[:)]

7

I find it a challenge to spray mud on a mint train but every time I did I loved the look
its true the more info we get (rivets) the more we want to make our models look correct
whats ok for me is not good for larry its how devoted you are to the hobbie

juust my 2 cents

8

Are we so concerned over an exact year, day, or even minute of time in that past that it forces us not to run our stuff?? Say it isn’t so…and who would really care if your F-7 just blew the doors off a post 90’s CSX on the line next to it. Or your 2-4-4-2 can haul more than your 2-4-4.[?]

9

No I really don’t count rivets

I like the roundy round thing, I do it for hours on end

My staging yard is in place but never used for staging, it only holds whats not running at the time

I like a dirty engine, you guys have seen one or two of them and it was one of my P2K’s. I like em dirty!!

DCC, I may find another way

It is my intention to be era specific. I just sold Kato AC 4400 UP because it wasn’t around in the 50-60 time period.

10

I was gonna fire off a nice reply to this thread, but the good fella above pretty much hit on the head. I find the only people who I look down (which is easy when your 6’7") are those one that give grief or try and look down on those that have the above feelings. Regardless how or what you run, if it makes you happy, then the hobby is doing its job. if I wanted stress and worries, I would have stayed at work.

11

I’m a rivet counter.

Unfortunately, I only have ten fingers and ten toes. [:I]

12

When Teffy came to see me over a year ago he handed me a framed 8x11sign which simply stated

“Those who find fault with the way these trains are being operated are kindly asked to note the mistletoe hanging off the owners shirt tails”.

Yes I operate my trains as I see fit and yes I’m starting to get carried away with detail but it’s my railway and I’m enjoying it.

Bob had a way of approaching shortfalls when he sees them.

“If you don’t mind some input…” I listened and made the changes as I saw what the advantage were.

Fergie

We all have something to offer we all look at the hobby in different ways and in ways we will benifit best from. So…

Some are operators
Some are runners
Some are Artists and hobbyists
others…
Are firmly seated in their Arm Chairs

Fergie

13

I think whatever makes you happy goes. Just don’t complain to me that what I do, “can’t” make me happy, cause it not how you think things should be done.

Nick

14

I look at it this way…it is “my” railroad, I have it please ONE person…“me”. It is “my” hobby, and I do not feel unhappy about any era I model, or what locos I will run on it, nor whatever cars I use .
If some people just cannot live with that because they are “perfectionist”, well build a 4x8 module for each era, then you can be in full compliance. However, the odds that any of us on this forum will ever see your layout are 10,000,000,000:1, so have a ball, knock yourself out, do your thing and stop worrying about fooli***hings, life is far too short my son.

15

I won’t draw the line any where! Unless someone wants to run a Bachman or Lifelike loco on my layout.

If someone wants to be a snob, I’ll let them.
I will admire the work someone has put into a project, I’ll admit that.
If what they suggest makes sense to me to make my layout better, I may use the info as I see fit.
A few years ago I wouldn’t even consider getting a Proto locomotive & now I have 6 + 2 RDC’s.

I’m not out to be prototypically correct. I don’t think I ever will be.
I don’t/won;t have the time to research everything to be prototypical.

Gordon

16

SpaceMouse,
I don’t know if I’ve ever counted rivets for real, but I’m a stickler at times for what I consider “right” for my own models. Just don’t tell me that a model of yours is an exact replica of a New Haven locomotive…because then I’ll look for what’s wrong and tell you. [:)]

I don’t like roundy-rounder layouts. To me, it’s totally boring…not unlike watching paint dry, but to each their own. Just don’t try an tell me that you are accurately re-creating XYZ road on such-and-such a date, because I’ll tell you why you aren’t.

Hating non-staged layouts? Who would hate a layout?

I don’t weather my models too often. I like to change eras, and once you start weathering equipment, you are locking yourself into a specific time frame that you can’t escape from unless you have a lot of stuff, weathered and unweathered.

As for DC & DCC, I’ve done both. DCC is for me, but DC’s ok…just don’t try to pretend that DC gives one better/more realistic performance.

What does “skoof” mean?

As far as the rest goes, I’ll keep my trap shut on just about anything if my opinion is not asked. However, if one tries to present oneself as an expert on a RR (or it’s equipment) or in an era and then presents bogus info, then I’ll try to gently correct them.

For example, a fellow I met at a local RR meeting presented an MBTA F40PH and proclaimed that it was an accurate model. Well, I couldn’t let that go because 1) it was the wrong number, 2) it was the wrong color, and 3) it had dynamics when it’s not supposed to. So I told him. He took it well.

For another example, I saw this guy’s layout this year that was beautiful…built in the 1950’s, it was a real roundy-round layout with great scenery, but not much in the operations part. But the topper was that the guy was still using X2F horn-hook couplers. This gentleman actually makes his own brass steam engines from scratch, yet th

17

I enjoy trains, but I enjoy them more if they are correct! (BTW, it’s Scoff)

18

raises hand

Some people like them, but it aint for me. I watch the train go round a few times, and the next thing I know, somebody’s picking me up off the floor. I find it much more engaging to switch some industries, and head back to the yard.

19

I don’t think anyone will admit to being a rivet counter.
What if they do? Does that make them a bad person?
Are you an ops guy that looks down on roundy-rounders?
No. You build what you have room for or what you like.

Do hate anyone who thinks a layout can exist without staging.
Why would I? I don’t have it . Does that make me less of a model railroader?

Do you not understand why anyone would want to leave their engine squeeky clean?
I say that is personal choice (1 ) Like em that way (2 ) Lack of confidence in thier abilities.Who am I to judge?

Do you think DC/DCC is for the birds?
What ever you are happy with

Do you skoof at 40’ boxcars on a 1900’s layout?
I don’t SCOFF at anybodys layout.

The bottom line is I don’t have a snob line. Do you? I could be way out of line here but how did you answer your own questions? If you answered yes then I find that strange coming from a guy with less than a year in the hobby. I’ve been in the hobby for 55 years. I guess I just under stand that evrybody does what makes them happy. Is"nt that what its all about? If I’m out of line then I apoligise. I just find this a rather strange & elitist post.IMHO
Tom

20

I found once on the back of a buisness card that stated:

Rule #1 This is my layout

Rule #2 While illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, in the event of a visitor-perceived anachronisms, detail discrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE #1!!

This is ment as a joke but I follow these rules when I visit other’s layouts. That is THEIR layout.

I dont count rivits ( I cant really I am modeling a freelance fictional railroad the South Massey)

I am a roundy rounder but I like some ops too. There are days I feel like I need to get something done and I move freight drop off cars, get passengers to their destinations and make sure those doublestacks get to the pier in time. Other days I just need to veg and want to relax by watching my trains meander through my little town.

Staging what staging did any one see any staging at South Massey?? oh ya I didnt have any room for it so I dont have it. No biggy I just have to put the cars that I dont want on the layout in the box till later. Cant fault some one for not having staging even if there is room. it is nice ot have but not a must have.

Clean engines. I am not that great at weathering yet. Going to get better before I dirty up my $150-$250 locomotives. I would rather mess up a $20 box car first. Do they have to be weathered, nope they are just fine looking new.

Personally Iam a DCC guy. I love technology and I like the idea of controlling trains over track. Am I against DC no way if it was not for DC layouts we would not have out trains today, you have to start somewhere and DC was the starting point (well maybe a key and clockspring was the start but that is not an electric train).

as for the equipment. Run what ya want. Because of my club rules I have to put a caboose on my trains. My trains and cars are presant day, I have NS BNSF and some CSX equipment that show up on my club l