Well, you have seen them on your dining table/workbench. :tb-wink::tb-biggrin: And if I hadn't made Swiss cheese fondue with wine tonight, I would have driven to your village this evening with my two house projects.
Mark, Way to many projects and broken locomotives to worry much about at this time. My focus right now is on the layout... getting the hooptiy do's out of my track work and preparing for DCC. Is it just me? Or does it appear the N Scale, TrainBoard, is turning into a newbie's hitching post? Seems to me we have a high number of inexperienced first timers. Oh, don't get me wrong...I think it's great. I just get a little tired of playing the role of teacher. I need to be rubbing shoulders with others of similar experience and background...if you get my drift. Just doing a little perception checking and wondering if others share the same observation? For Model Railroaders, "Fun" defined: Fun,__________(you fill in the definition)_______________! It's your model railroad, you make the rules and you decide what trips your trigger. Now back to the bench work on my layout.
Rick, I think the past few weeks have seen quite a few "newbie" questions, but I also think (my perception) that they were generated by only a few folks. As a relative newbie, I've greatly appreciated the support and comments of the experienced modelers here.
Haw, haw, haw, Another twist of the same theme... Be careful talk like that can earn me the title of, Official TrainBoard Fartulating Flatulater or Old Fart for short. Hummm, that smelled like a fresh one to me. Tony, You are so right. I do resemble that remark. So, I guess I best wear it with pride.laugh: LOL Now if we could just convince the newbies to change their mindset to:
Rick, You are a newbie? I find that hard to believe. Glad you are here. That sounded selective but I'm glad Rick is here. Oh, I'm glad you tight minded radius types are here too! I need a challenge ever so often. So what's on my work bench? Well, I'l get to all them projects, when snow closes off access to my train shed.
Yep - just started, for real, this past winter. Have had some G-scale "toy" trains, for the girls, for a while, and have always been fascinated by Model RR, and now with the girls off at school, finally decided it was time to do something fun for myself. Plus, I absolutely fell in love with the Kato Morning Daylight and GS4 when I saw them at a store, last year, so figured, what the hey, spend my retirement savings now. Thanks for the kind words. To all other "newbies" out there: There is nothing wrong with asking questions, but the way to not seem quite so green is to also use the search functions of TB (and Google). It is amazing how many questions have already been answered numerous times. Even if you are not sure of the answers you've found, ask about them. If you are requesting information on a specific item, versus a generality, I find that you will always receive better answers. And don't ask rhetorical questions unless you expect all the Ricks that live in California to provide smart-ass responses.:tb-biggrin:
:tb-biggrin: On this " first timer" desk is only the computer! Trying to design a shelf layout that is "fun" and have that "wow" feeling for me. Became a member of this forum in case of questions, afterall building a us-layout in the Netherlands is asking for questions. And you cannot find all the answers on the internet or just that "one" picture you need to make it all clear to you. So I hope you are not too tired to answer them and I do promise not to ask the easy ones. ( lol ) Perhaps there is some hope for me because I am not a " newbie" , not in n-scale ( more than 30 years ) and not in age ( little bit more than 30 ) :tb-biggrin: Regards. Ron.
If I had to choose between hanging out with a group of similarly experienced modelers, or with a group of inexperienced modelers, I'd choose the inexperienced group almost every time. First of all, it would be an ego boost to know I'm the most experienced. But mostly this is a selfish decision. Teaching is the best way to learn. I find the more I share my experiences and lessons learned with new members, the better results I get in my own work. That's what makes this place that "hitching post" for new modelers. So many of us veterans (happy military veteran day by the way) are more than happy to share our experiences. :thumbs_up: As for new questions, yes it's a good idea do the quick search before posting, however its always great when those "typical beginners questions" pop back up. It allows everyone a fresh look, and often times new techniques, perspectives, and solutions are born. Also, sometimes a question will be asked that a simple Google search would have found the solution. If it's an interesting question though, I rarely mind doing the Google search for them, as it builds my knowledge on the subject as well, more so than the original question poster because remember, teaching is the best way to learn. Anyways, back on topic.. whats on everyone's workbench this week?
This week I'm working on a 44 ton & a NW2 switcher. I'm going to turn the 44ton into Petaluma & Santa Rosa #1. It will be in SP tiger stipes. The NW2 will be turned into SP 1312 in the Halloween Scheme http://espee.railfan.net/nonindex/sw_photos/1312_sp-nw2-don_jewell.jpg. Also trying to finish up my GP9TT painted up as SP 5623 in Black Widow. Cameras not working for me right now, I'll post pic's when I can.
If it wasn't for newbies, we'de forget half of what we know, cause we would never have a reason to remember... :tb-biggrin: That being said, sometimes I feel like a newbie when I start on something and have to remember how in the heck I do that. Like now, I've got a 16' x 11' room and I'm debating between narrow guage or an N scale Los Angeles Junction. My interest in both is really high right now, so it's a tough call. Maybe after I kitbash a CF-7 I'll make up my mind...
I have about seven GP9s that need the Beardon mod (removing the inside worm bearing) to make them run smoother. It still amazes me how much that modification helps. Also, I am trying to shim the drive shaft with some thrust washers and I am running out of those. Just ordered some. Nice, quiet, pleasant evening working on the trains. Have to baby sit the grand daughter tomorrow (14 months). It does help to instruct others. Usually, there is a good discussion of "why?"
And in case of emergency: I live about 10 km from your house, so you can always ask me the dumb questions. :tb-wink::tb-biggrin:
Nick, the tool box was scratch built and the sunshades were made using a wire frame, regular printer paper, stained tan and soaked in CA to make them rigid.
I had forgotten about this technique. I have made full size snow plows using paper cut to shape and made rigid with CA glue. That's a great looking model. :thumbs_up: