Will the end of the world in 2012 affect the hobby?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

If you think about it, if the world explodes into micro-particles and we are floating in the vacuum of space, it might be a little difficult to glue an air horn on a GP7. I could be wrong. Some of you are pretty resourceful.

But zero gravity air horn application should be a different thread. In fact, the whole topic of zero gravity anaerobic model railroading opens up a lot of good discussion topics.

Of course, if the world were to explode it would be 10 years before Western Pennsylvania hears about it. I have 12 years good left before I have to think about it.

Good luck to the rest of you.

2

Even more imporant: Will the IOC have it coordinated and choreographed with the extinguishing of the Oympic torch?

Tom

3

Since it’s suppose to happen just before Christmas, should I even bother writing a letter to Santa or leaving a copy of the list for my wife (never understood why she needs a copy[%-)])?

Ricky

4

No problem for me. I’ve got it all figured out. When the Aztec Calendar expires in 2012, I’m switching to the Playboy Calendar.

5

I have to keep that date in mind when it comes to renewing my subscription!

[:D][:D][:D]

6

Well, since my MR subscription is good until 2013…[:-^]

-George

7

Who cares? I model the Transition Era.

This would only be a problem if you’ve pre-ordered from BLI. [:-^]

8

WOW! Thanks for the laugh! I was laughing so hard I almost fell off my chair.

9

Chip, I think it would bite the big one. For one thing, I am a sound guy, and steamers don’t chuff in non-atmospheric conditions. They can puff, but they can’t chuff. I’d have to install a wireless transmitter and use headsets in my space helmet. Of course, I wouldn’t have to move at all since the engines would just spin in place…and that’s if they stayed oriented like they were ‘on’ the rails at all. Things tend to drift apart in space.

Entropy wins by the way.

-Crandell

10

The MRC Sound System might be just the thing for a space helmet.

11

I was originally from western PA… I see you’re from Indiana. I haled from Washington, Pa. I can’t say it is any improvement based on my last trip back there. Indiana, Pa is really a very nice area - used to travel quite a bit in that region especially the Conemaugh line.

1-20-2013: The End of An Era Error

HeritageFleet1

12

Suppose, instead of being blasted into ground foam by some cosmic cataclysm, that time simply turned around and went the other way?

Within a few years, we’d be rid of Conrail and Amtrak. Fallen flags would rise again - the Pennsy, the NYC, the Santa Fe, the Milwaukee Road. Like magic, roofwalks would re-appear on the tops of boxcars. And then, someone would re-discover The Steam Engine, and diesels would go back to the future where they belong.

The Caboose shall rise again!

Think of the wonderful past that lies ahead of us. Instead of waiting for politicians to allocate millions of dollars to study mass transit and high-speed rail, we would see it being built, or rather un-removed, right before our eyes. A vast Interurban system would spring up, freeing us from the tyranny of the automobile, and intercity passenger service would run at a hundred miles an hour, roaring through the night behind Challengers and Hudsons, faster than the so-called “high speed rail” envisioned by the small-minded bureaucrats of Washington today.

Eventually, tranquility will return to the countryside once more, as we return to those thrilling days of yesteryear, and put the Industrial Revolution ahead of us, or is it “behind us?” Yes, in a couple of hundred years, trains will be only dreams. But, we’ll get back to the era of the Romans eventually, and we’ll be able to finally settle the question of whether or not Standard Gauge is really the tail-to-tail measurement of a couple of chariot horses in Caeser’s Legions.

The hobby has a great future, uh, past, uh, well, that’s why they call this a paradox, right?

13

If the world explodes, it will do quite a number on those super-delicate plastic models with 1,000 separate details. Better stock up on Athearn BB if you want to keep your railroad! And maybe some Mantua/Tyco steam engines. I bet those will last through a worldwide explosion.[:D]

I’m always amazed at how gullible people are with these kinds of things. The Mayans made a long calender to replace the short ones that had come and gone in the past. When 2012 hits, it will only be the end of a cycle, and the beginning of a new calender. And apparently, it’s more likely they thought something super good was going to happen. Could it be that the Mayans predicted the end of the recession?[:D] Oh well, this is a pretty good page on 2012.

14

Come back and ask me that question on 12-“22”-12…I’ll have the correct answer for you.

Mark

15

Isn’t 555- 2012 the phone number for the ex-wife’s lawyer? Coincidence? Only they could bill you AFTER the end of the world :wink:

16

With all this talk of doom and gloom, I thnk someone should point out the bright side.

-Track cleaning will become obsolete

-No one will be complaining about Malcom Furlow’s layouts.

-Everyone’s structures will be weathered like George Selios’s.

-There won’t be any equipment made by the Chinese.

-You won’t have to worry about switching to DCC.

-Cat’s won’t pee on your layout and mice won’t nest in your tunnels.

-N scale won’t appear too small.

-Your engines will have exactly the same number of rivets as the prototype.

-Your neighbor won’t poke fun at you for not being able to reach the turnout in the corner.

-No one will be running Tyco cars.

-You’ll finally get to meet John Allen.

17

Kinda reminds me of an old Twilight Zone episode where Burgess Meridith finds himself as the sole survivor in a devastated world. Being a non-sociable type, this is fine with him, especially when he finds an intact library where he can indulge in his favorite pastime - reading. Then he breaks his very thicjk glasses and can’t see.

“It’s not fair”!!!

OTOH, I think you’re asking the wrong question.

The more apropos question is will the end of the hobby affect the world?

Andre

18

It will also answer - once and for all - the question if MRR’ing is a doomed hobby. [:-^]

19

I wouldn’t worry about gluing air horns in space. The whole hobby will be moot point since the whole “trains on rails” thing doesn’t work very well in zero gravity. Discussion closed. [}:)]

20

All I know is that God is a big time Model Railroader, I mean why wouldn’t he be? Wouldn’t you be if you were God?

When you pass through the Pearly Gates the type of accommodation you end up with will depend on your modeling skill, and how much help you’ll be with his layout. I know I’ll be sleeping in the woodshed.[(-D]

Brent