Some ho modelers being too rigid

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davidone

Well-Known Member
I was over a friends house to run some trains and we were asked to bring over some of or our favorites. Well I like the modern era the best so I brought over what I liked. Basically a few others were appalled that we would and some others bring over modern era trains when the layout is set in 50's, 60's. The owner of the layout said it was ok as he likes to see all eras represented. This was just a get together of friends and acquaintances to run trains and meet each other.
The guys who complained all left saying they don't like the modern era and we should have known better.

The icing on the cake was when one guy brought over some locomotives in fantasy schemes and the complainers went on to tell us how we are ruining the hobby of model railroading. They then left in a huff.

Btw we had a great time running trains of all eras and showing what we owned. We are planning to get together again in another month to run again. The other guys will not and are not invited to come again. I thought trains are supposed to be fun. It is for me but it seems some others are too ridget!!!!

Dave
 
Dave-
I belong to a club that displays layouts at a children's museum during the Christmas season. During the public display, we try to run equipment for the late 50's to 70's.
During non-public operations, we will run Amtrac engines with 1880's steam at the same time. It is your layout (operating session), so do what you want to do(with the owner's permission).
We had one modeler on this forum who had a circle of track on a table with a diesel engine and 4 cars, His scenery was several cactus plants and a dinosaur. He posted pictures several times of different track configurations and rolling stock. That was his layout the way he wanted it.

Do what makes you happy, which is what a hobby is for!
 


Yeah, those types are probably going to be complaining about everything else as well, so probably best they don't come back. They would definitely have issues if they saw what I run.

D51 UP SMOOTHSIDES.jpg
 
I was shocked by the reaction of those guys by the fact that they were invited by the layout owner just to come over and run some trains. No other requirements were stated. But I have found out that they always act like they did if everyone who attended are not 100% prototypical and the years they think you should model.
They have no patience for us who model the modern era.
Btw the guy who invited us over his house and layout had let them know they will never be asked again.
 
I am kinda sorry I posted this thread but I felt bad for the gentleman who invited us over to house, had pizza and snacks and soft drinks. But in the end we had fun and it lasted into the night.

I'm still building my new layout modeling the modern era, I will run prototypical and fantasy locomotives and freight cars but my theme will be about having fun and running trains with my friends. Btw I'm 78 and I have been doing this my whole life.
 
I'm glad you posted this.

Model Railroading, like any other "history" based hobby, from Re-enacting, to table-top toy soldiers, has their share of rivet counters/button police. As hobbies grow, those grognards become a smaller and smaller minority.

That's the joy of this hobby. There is room for everyone. And if the rivet counters want to count rivets, they have their own locos and rolling stock to play with.
 


I was a friend of the guy who got us all together. Btw one of the guys that left in a huff contacting me telling me he did not appreciate me discussing what happened online. He on went on to tell me that that ho trains are not toys to be played with but more like historical artifacts to show how they made history in the past. I told him he can do whatever he wants and I will do what I want.

He also asked me to delete this thread, SORRY NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!!!

Btw any of you guys have any of the Broadway limited diecast locomotives, some of them are catching my eye.

IT'S ALWAY ABOUT THE FRIENDSHIP'S AND THE FUN.

DAVE
 
It's a lot like men still wearing pony tails. That was cool 45 years ago, just like mullets were about 30 years ago. Fashions and interests change, as do styles. Few of us avoid getting stuck on some aspects, and then the world marches past us, disappearing into the distance.

The old Roman aphorism goes, 'Qui non proficit deficit.' Who does not advance falls behind. I think these men have long since found what they liked, and they stopped walking. I'm mixed in that I really like the most recent versions of the SD70 with their chiseled noses, and I like the U-boats and RS2/3/4. I also have a single SD-45. But I'm 88% steam. If I invited people to come operate their two or three favourite engines, diesel or steam, they would be most welcome. If I heard some of my guests busting somebody's chops about their choice of action or gear, I would raise my voice just enough that everyone would find both my tone and message heard, and say that my guests are welcome to run what they brung. Anyone who objects to my choice can safely execute a withdrawal to the sidewalk out front. I'm the boss in my house, not a single one of them.
 
"They left in a huff!" I don't recognize that brand. Made in China? Or maybe Antarctica? My own HO layout is set in the 1940's-1962 because that is the era of my youth, when I actually rode in the Zephyrs and 400's. But I also keep some more modern stuff, in case any younger people, who don't relate to that time, want to see more modern stuff. People like those who are so rigid are a pain in the klarn, and I wouldn't invite them to see my stuff either.
 
Unfortunately I’ve read too stories like this before. Many different versions but it’s still sad. People have to understand, even though we might be trying to model the real world, its still a fantasy

I had an instance on my layout around 2016 where a retired paper mill director of operations gave me full sized drawings of the paper mill he worked at. I compressed it but still gave it the feel of the real thing. Lost a friend the day he came over to inspect the model and said none of that is my mill. We haven’t spoken since. His lost as I am a nice guy…
 


davidone said:
I was a friend of the guy who got us all together. Btw one of the guys that left in a huff contacting me telling me he did not appreciate me discussing what happened online. He on went on to tell me that that ho trains are not toys to be played with but more like historical artifacts to show how they made history in the past. I told him he can do whatever he wants and I will do what I want.

He also asked me to delete this thread, SORRY NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!!!

Btw any of you guys have any of the Broadway limited diecast locomotives, some of them are catching my eye.

IT'S ALWAY ABOUT THE FRIENDSHIP'S AND THE FUN.

DAVE
Click to expand...
This response if for the gent treating his model trains as "Historical Artifacts":

I beg to differ. It's a representation of a historical artifact. On your layout, you do what you want. Stay 100% historical, if that's what you want from the hobby. On other people's layouts, it up to them how much history is present, or not.

I say that as both a (former) historical re-enactor and (current) table top wargamer. Both can be educational pursuits, but none are "historical artifacts."

Gatekeeping won't grow a hobby.

But, you can build on someone's interest to grow the historical nature of THEIR hobby interest. What's the old adage? Honey or vinegar?

Walking out and snide comments had the vinegar effect, and I hope you can use this as a learning experience. You missed a chance to help some others see potential to learn the historical nature of the equipment you brought to run.

What you can bring to their hobby experience has to be in the ballpark of what they want to experience. Find that common ground and build on it. Don't tear their ideas down.

Case in Point: I got started in tabletop gaming in the FANTASY realm. Elves, dwarves, and dragons and such. Now, I'm building forces for the American Civil War, and I just completed a pilgrimage to Gettysburg. If you'd asked me 5 years ago if I were interested in the ACW or G'burg, it would have been a resounding NO!

But some gamers who embraced wargaming across genres and got me interested in the history of that period. Now, I'm looking forward to exploring the history beyond just watching a Ron Maxwell film full of speeches. (Seriously, watch the extended cut of the movie. I wonder if Mr. Maxwell let the horse playing Traveller give a soliloquy but cut it out later... ;) )

If you have the knowledge, and the experience to share, please do so. But do it without gatekeeping. Help us grow the entire hobby. Not just one little corner of it.
 
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