Letting Off Steam- No Pun intended

[Green_Elite_Cab]

G.E.C.,

I can understand your frustrations. For decades I was the only one whom I knew who was a model railroader. I built my models at home, alone. On the occasion when I would go to a hobby shop, the people there were always friendly (although some were ... "different") but none friendly enough to strike up a conversation, get to know you and invite you over for an operating session.

Even for the two years when I managed a hobby shop in a big mall, it was so much of a job (including cutom painting and custom building for customers "on the side") that I never had time for my own model work and absolutely no social life at all (I got divorced during that period as well, making life even more solitary and putting me at risk of becoming ... "different.")

Yeah, i would think a hobby shop would be one of the best places to come in contact with legitimate modelers in the area, but i caan also see how you get all the other sorts as well. I know i got a few emails and things, and there was one normal local guy who had already hung catenary wires, though he used plastic stock instead of brass. I'm not sure how well its held up. Apparently, he changed his email, and while I HAD the new email, I haven't heard from the guy in a long time.

Whenever i go to protoype meets, i try to connect with the people. Some of the guys i recognize from the previous year, and they seem to get along with me pretty well.

I can remember being disappointed when my train from Suburban Station back out of the City in the evening would be Silverliners rather that the old Red Cars because you couldn't open the window!

That kinda makes me laugh. when I go into philadelphia, and i'm at Market East station, its always exciting to see some of the older Silverliners, and not the IVs (i only ever saw one test set of the newest ones in person). How times have changed, i think those Silverliner IIs are getting nearly as old as those MP54s were when they started retiring them.

I understand your feelings ... and I have an appreciation for "things with pantographs that run under the wire." When I was in the Army and living in a barracks with 43 other guys, although model building was difficult due to space constraints and lack of non-military storage, I did manage to build two Walthers Mp54 Commuter Coaches, with pants (one powered) and I still have them (packed away in boxes.) My models and model working tools were kept in a box in the trunk of my car.

So, if you wish to discuss Juice Jacks, PM me ... I'll welcome the discussion!

Ah, I have a pair of kits just like that, both unpowered. Still don't know what i'm going to do with them! Combine and Coach.

Still, i think thats is the problem i encounter, There are the few of us here who are great, but when i go to some shows and things, it seems my electrics attract the kind of people that make my head hurt. Again, i'm not trying to be mean, but i feel like amongst use Model Juice Jacks, there are a lot of "different" people and i just can't connect with any of them. I'll still talk with anyone who is friendly to me, its just hard to find good conversation.

thank god for you guys on the Gauge, lol.