The Ultimate War - HO v N, or HO v any other scale I might have inadvertently skipped a page or even a post, but to me a very real war is HO guys vs N scale guys. Although we are not in a fighting mode these guys use every trick in the book to treat us as second rate mr's, intimidation, attempts to convert us, and on and on. This war is promulgated by several clubs across the nation and even the NMRA, which is very well evidenced in their latest issue of their rag. Check the sole N scale article in months which is a 2 page narrative from a supposed N scale repairman in Denver about how bungling, inept and stupid we N scalers are bringing in broken locos for him to fix. It seems to be intentional, as the supposed repairman is only mentioned by nickname, and the hobby shop he operates from is unname but aptly described. The article is decorated with a large color photo of an N scale truck mechanism surrounded by enough cat hair to bald a complete tabby. In South Florida this attitude prevails, evidenced by the resistance of all of the local clubs to install an N scale layout; even if financed and installed by the members, but 2 finally capitulated after incredible resistance and becoming aware of the growing pressure brought on by multiscale modelers, or HO guys going into N. I probably may be labelled as a warmonger, but frankly I have taken this @#$#@$ long enough and it has ticked me off so bad that my HO scale layout and trains are stored in a closet I rarely use. All of my N scale friends, which are many, have even considered this "par for the course", and it is quite common. I was recruited into a club after members saw my N scale layout on a convention tour, and they matter-of-fact told me I would be converted. (fat chance) I even am ashamed to admit that I still have HO equipment and projects. This is a shame. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman
Oh yes, Horribly Oversized versus any other scale. That was a prevailing attitude when I lived in Rockford IL. The local NMRA chapter was HO. Zero N scale in that city.
I get all sorts of humorous to borderline rude comments from HO modelers at meets all the time. I do what the Z-scale club members do - humor those who are genuinely just ribbing me and taking more of a "thanks for your opinion, I am busy" attitude with the rest. I have no problem with HO at all. Several wonderful techniques have been pioneered by HO modelers and since our scales aren't super far off from each other a lot are applicable directly or with some modifications to N. As far as publications, I don't understand the scale-based myopia of so many modelers. So much of what I see is applicable to nearly any scale, including basic electronics and DCC principles, weathering, scenery, prototype research, operations, and (most) kitbashing. I just don't see what gives when modelers of X scale complain that most articles in the most recent issue of PickYourRailPublication were in Y scale.
In theory the scale wars are at the top of the latter because everything falls under them. DCC - so much better in HO Details - so much better in HO Bla Bla Bla - so much better in HO Bite me! er, um, I mean, ok, and your point?
Ya had to go there didntcha Joe? BarstowRick should be posting shortly... :tb-wacky::tb-smile::tb-biggrin:
The REAL WAR we all are involved in and face..... All of the posts, including mine, are incredibly real and relevant, but we sort of missed the mark. We all face a war everytime we visit our work areas which is fought on 4 fronts, and none of us realized how prevalent it is or important to the success of our endeavors. Here it is in a nutshell....... What do you listen to while you are working on your models? This is not a survey, but a choice made based on competing elements available to us.... Television Radio Music media (like CD;s) Quiet Brought to you with tongue in cheek...... Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman
"Hair Nation" on Sirius Satelite on the TV :tb-cool: Fairly low volume...more background then anything.:tb-wink: I hate total "quiet" :tb-wacky: .
