The discussion on the MT heavyweights with their body mounted couplers got me to thinking about those things in this hobby that irritate you or bug you the most. The list could be very long I'm sure so let's keep it to those that come immediately to mind. Mine are as follows: Copper colored coupler trip pins. An easy fix, a little black paint will go a long way here. Coupling distance between cars. Short shank MT's are the way to go. Tight radius curves and #4 switches. Bigger is better both visually and operationally.
Hmmm .. let's see. Not in any particular order -- just as I think of stuff. 1. I am my own worst critic. - This drives me nuts. 2. Manufacturers that are stuck on sound only versions of their locomotives -- not all of us are into sound. (I do have a few sound equipped locos-- but...). 3. I'll add to the unpainted trip pin thing --- come on folks -- paint them. 4. Guys that insist that their way is the only way - and, if we do not use the products or methods as they do -- we are less of a modeler -- phooey!! 5. I'm sure there are more --- These are my personal opinions - and, not to be forced upon anyone --- model as you enjoy. As that is the most important thing--- it's a hobby!! Wolf
I thought about this for some time now. The more I thought about things that bug me...the more depressed I got. Then I kept coming back to the same comclusion...It's just a hobby ! If I start nit picking everything and/or everybody...I am no longer enjoying the hobby. Sure...people need to vent from time to time and I dont see a problem with that. I just refuse to let anything get to me that bad that I dont even want to go play with my trains. See my tagline in my signature below...
Well, when George and I get into it, it's just for fun. We do this on the phone, if we get a chance. I do respect what he's done and the spirit in which he does it. He's all about promoting the hobby. That can't be all bad. I get bothered and seriously bothered when I hear or read what I consider to be false news about a model railroad manufacturer and the product they produce. Then I stand back and look at what's been presented. I may vent and/or say something. I may attempt to redirect. Nonetheless, I always land back on. It's your layout, you make the rules, you set the standard. Standard being whether you buy this brand or the other and whether or not you want to re-engineer it. For some of us it's the re-engineering or the building part we enjoy most. For newbies in the hobby I really want to help them, to avoid making the same mistakes I have. Here again, I land on. Your first layout will be a teaching layout. It will teach you much about the hobby. Also: We all learn at our own pace. For me it's the University of hard knocks and lessons learned. It used to be School of...I've been in the hobby so long it should read...University. Now I have no fear of letting someone know what I've learned or what works best for me. However! It's up to you to take what you want from me and leave the rest behind. I advise you do that with every presentation made. Love me hate me. You got to know...I'm usually to far away from you, for it to matter. As a good friend would say and I echo it, "I DGAS ending with I don't care". And yet, Well that's not entirely true and I do care. I care about how you are or aren't enjoying this hobby. Lastly, If you don't like something then change it. I warn you, you may not like the results. Now go and enjoy the heck out of this hobby. I know, I know...toooo long.
Limited spare parts and very few items for scratch building in N scale...I am trying to figure out how to scratch build a unique Pacific Electric tank car (really too early for me) and I can not find appropriate frame parts....if I was an HO modeler, I would use a Titchy flat car kit like Joe D'Amato did...
I know it's business but limited runs and extremely long pre orders that may or may not ever materialize are what bug me. I was going to agree on the trip pins but then realized to my shame, that I have yet to paint any of mine
" Mine are as follows: Copper colored coupler trip pins. An easy fix, a little black paint will go a long way here. Yup, or just snip the damn things off! Coupling distance between cars. Short shank MT's are the way to go. Generally agree, especially in the case of passenger cars, but on the other hand, I also object that there are no products to simulate the appearance of extended draft gear. Tight radius curves and #4 switches. Bigger is better both visually and operationally.[/QUOTE] Who would have thought that, here in the twenty-first century, we are still held prisoner of a thing that dates back to the sixties. i blame that on magazines, especially MR, that has always presented N scale as only for the space challenged. inkaneer, continue to fight the good fight.
1. Yes. I find myself there at times. 2. Yes. Myself, I am not interested. 3. I cut them off. I have not used any remote uncoupler in decades. 4. Agree. 5. Always. Ha ha.
As already noted, limited runs. They also limit hobby growth and potential for larger runs; thereby preventing increased profits such that the only way to make more money is to raise prices- which circles the wheel back to inhibiting growth of the hobby.
for me its lack of somebody responding to your post just because they dont like they way you model. old farts are the worst. man oh man i have a lot to say but im just gunna shut up .
Well I in my elderly years am satisfied. My motive power is just what I want with locos able to take my tight radiuses and suitably small. A lot of my trip pins came with blackened trip pins from MT. The rest are slowly being given a dab of black paint. What I have not been able to get because it has not been made I have scratch built. And that includes some cars and motive power. My medium sized layout, the last I will ever build, is nearing completion with some track work tweaking remaining. And I am satisfied with the layout that is combining my maritime interests with my railroad interests.
Dont understand this one. I checked your posts (21)...everyone was replied to. I am an old fart and even gave a suggestion on Unitrack #6's and the point rail screw. You seemed to appreciate that info. Hmmmmmmmm millennials....
How a loco/train takes the wrong route through a switch when, by all odds, it SHOULD go the way for which the switch is set. Doug
Yep, Agree with the loooong wait times for products to reach the market and what makes it worse is when it includes poor quality control. I have received products that should never had been shipped. Also HO scale sized glue globs is another thing that's upsetting. OTOH, I really am excited to see companies like ScaleTraines who keep raising the bar in N scale and producing outstanding detailed products and really good service like them and Fox Valley Models who also has pushed N scale to a new level. Also I really like the move that most companies are now going to body mounted couplers. Just my attempt to be fair and balanced Ralph
Hmmm.. Bright trip pins Unpainted rail on sceniced layout Rude dealers at train shows,( I don't haggle for the best price) Modelers saying N scale is for,,,( fill in the blank) I know and have seen N modelers blow other scales out of the water. The lack of 70's-80's vehicles
More forum related (not necessarily this one) but, for me, it's thoughtfully replying to a post only to have one or more people reply after you with the same info as if you never posted anything at all, with no acknowledgment whatsoever.....and it's not just the "must have been typing at the same time" thing. 5....4....3...2...1....