Letting Off Steam- No Pun intended

[Green_Elite_Cab]

The vast majority of modelers that I have met in person seem to be a bit "not all there". This is why I frequent this forum, and one or two others online, and in the real world I model at home by myself.

I've found a few good people locally, through my club, and thats about it. The one guy was just about three years older, but got a night job and haven't seen him around (hes gotta get his train out of my way if i'm going to start on my own projects at the club. I'll probably end up moving it to a differen area, but we'll see).

I definitely stick to just a few of the forums, but sometimes the forums are the most shining examples of why it can be frustrating. There are individuals my age who i honestly thought were like, young teenagers or something, since they were all over the place. Its additionally frustrating because i rarely poke fun, and I usually just want to give helpful advice, not necessarily rivet counting, but more like painting techniques, how to make the camera take close pictures, etc. This is usually met with more frustration on both sides.

I remember one couldn't figure out how to get decals to set onto the models, so he was trying to figure out how to make metal "stencils" of logos and things. When people tried suggesting to practice the decals, and to use setting solutions, he got all inflamed insisting on going with the stencils because "decals don't work". Mind you, no one had even made a "flame" or negative comment. Eventually, we figured out that he had been doing things wrong (not wetting down the surfaceof the model, hadn't ever even tried a setting solution, etc.). Last i checked he could actually apply decals just fine, but it was an arguement just getting there.

I know a few individuals like this in person as well, and i try to work with them, but it gets hard.

As far as passenger ops go, I don't have a lot of space. I don't run auto racks, 5 unit intermodal cars, 89' flats, and I only have half a dozen Tuscan Red passenger cars. I don't know why, but I am also much more interested in moving freight than people. I am interested in PRR heavy electric ops, but it is a very complicated aspect of the hobby to model, with limited availability (except the GG1 of course) and catenary is very complicated to model. I therefore choose instead to model what I know.

I can feel your pain there, I'm lucky to have the fleet that i have. on an unrelated note, they apparently nicknamed a P5A Modifed the "Puddlejumper". Not sure if that was the reference in your handle (because i thought those little switcher steamers also had that name). just thought that was interesting.

I can tell you, though, If I had a million dollars and a warehouse I would build my dream layout. I would need to hire line crews to build all of the catenary that would be involved. It would be based in Phily, there would be heavy freight and passenger as well as commuter. And the focal point would be "30th Street" to "MANTUA" AKA "ZOO" interlocking, including the West Philadelphia Elevated line/Delaware Extension. Now THAT is... or at least was in Pennsy's prime... the epitome of electric railroading right there.

You let me know when you do, we'll have to get together for operating sessions! some people around me were planning on making a Modular NEC, but it seems to have floundered out. I'll have to go see if there is still interest in it. Maybe the key is to just start building, and then people will join in.