Sep-Oct N Scale Railroading. way to go MiNi-ModuTrak/Skibbe

[altohorn25]

That's pretty cool Mike. ;D

Nate

[wm3798]

Picked up NSR, and what can I say, it was Skibbe-licious.  (I think that's a far more appropriate nickname, by the way...)

You really appreciate the quality that Mini Modutrak is going for when it's juxtaposed to a code-80 just for fun roundy roundy.  If I recall correctly, the last Skibbe article was the railfan tour of the Cumberland Valley, which I think shared the edition with "Unitrak Heaven"...

I think I see a trend here.  I guess it should be a feather in Kirk's cap that he fearlessly showcases the diversity of interests within the scale. 

Lee

[John]

The editorial by Mike is also rather interesting. I can see the need for a place where you can discuss exacting standards, and improving skills with like minded people ..

In some fora you would be called an elitist .. thumbing your nose at the unwashed masses. 

Keep up the good work .

[shawnleon]

Reading on the comments, I decided I need to pick up a copy of this issue. While it has been said before, I wanted to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the layout - there's some serious modeling on display! And the video ties it all together neatly. I am particularly fascinated by the almost fraternity-like rush to recruit like-minded modelers.

Last thought: your shameless defense of settling on 53 in. was hilarious!

Shawn

[Sokramiketes]

If I recall correctly, the last Skibbe article was the railfan tour of the Cumberland Valley, which I think shared the edition with "Unitrak Heaven"...

Lee

No no, I think my name was mentioned in the article, but Bill Denton gets all the kudos on that one.  He was the one that spent many long hours will Bill Reid setting up photos.   

[Sokramiketes]

The editorial by Mike is also rather interesting. I can see the need for a place where you can discuss exacting standards, and improving skills with like minded people ..

In some fora you would be called an elitist .. thumbing your nose at the unwashed masses. 

Keep up the good work .

Thanks John.  Some in this fora would probably say elitist too, I used the word rivet counter similarly.  I'll still take the time to explain things to a complete newbie at the shop, and come on here and Atlas and a couple others to answer questions and share knowledge.  But, there's still a need for a less public place to hash out the layout stuff with only the group that's building it.  So, I guess someone could argue the case for being elitist, but I'd be ready with some pretty good counter points!

[wm3798]

That was a very good point, and it could have been illustrated even more vividly by comparing it less to the more general forum environment, and more toward the idea of a focused group of artists collaborating on a project.

I like to think that the Railwire is a lot more focused than say, Atlas, and way more focused than MR.  There are occasions when some RW members who share an interest or are in the same region to chat amongst themselves, too.

Either way, good call. 
Lee

[sirenwerks]

Some in this fora would probably say elitist too, I used the word rivet counter similarly... So, I guess someone could argue the case for being elitist, but I'd be ready with some pretty good counter points!

I wouldn't say elitist. I think it's important to tune out the noise when you're working on a project with such a clear goal. That being said, I would love to be a fly on the wall for the discussion. Surely I have gained from the postings made about the project here. I sense a kindred idealism going on and could learn a lot by listening in. Since that's not an option, you guys need to post more of the outcome here. I need my fix! Or offer a 'gagged' forum membership.

[Sokramiketes]

Since that's not an option, you guys need to post more of the outcome here. I need my fix! Or offer a 'gagged' forum membership.

The beatings will continue until the modeling improves!   

Like Jamie said in his build thread... once fall hits and the Oct/Nov train shows get closer, we'll get moving again.  I spent the weekend, in between house projects, getting my Shelby Charger roadworthy again.  Once the snow hits, it will be put away again and I can get back full time to trains.   
 

[asarge]

I wouldn;t say "elitist" either.

In order to achieve the results you guys have, you need to have strict standards in order to maintain the incredible scenery continuity you have achieved and also maintain operational reliability.

In my experience in our LHS, most rivet counters are not concerned with advancing prototypical reality or reliability as much as showing off that they think they know more than anyone else and their opinions somoehow are more important than the rest of us. Most people are not going to go off the deepend on whether a car is a perfect match to the prototype.

Mike, Bill, Jamie and the gang seem to have a more focused idea on "Rivet Counting" that might benefit the scale in general for us modellers. By showing off there layouts at shows and meets, hopefully they can move people beyon the idea of compact coffee table layouts and more to the room or basement sized pikes that can soak up alot of equipment.

[John]

Maybe I wasn't clear

In order to achieve the results you guys have, you need to have strict standards in order to maintain the incredible scenery continuity you have achieved and also maintain operational reliability.

I agree, and what I read was that to have those standards, you can't just allow anyone into the club .. it means the participants have to be like minded, be able to interact in the social environment of the group

In my experience in our LHS, most rivet counters are not concerned with advancing prototypical reality or reliability as much as showing off that they think they know more than anyone else and their opinions somoehow are more important than the rest of us. Most people are not going to go off the deepend on whether a car is a perfect match to the prototype.

yea ... thats probably true

Mike, Bill, Jamie and the gang seem to have a more focused idea on "Rivet Counting" that might benefit the scale in general for us modellers. By showing off there layouts at shows and meets, hopefully they can move people beyon the idea of compact coffee table layouts and more to the room or basement sized pikes that can soak up alot of equipment.

Maybe .. but I got the distinct impression that these guys are building these modules for themselves .. hence the 53" height .. not really caring if the little rug rat can see it or not .. different mission than NTRAK .. I am sure Mike will chime in if I missunderstood what he was saying ..

[lashedup]

For what it is worth, I think our group is good about showing any techniques we use with nothing to hide - good or bad. We don't keep it all internal to Modutrak and you'll find that Bill, Mike, myself and others will regularly contribute to sunday night photo fun threads and such. The private forums we use might rub someone the wrong way at first glance, but by and large they are primarily used to have long discussions about prototype research or new standards (like signaling) and I think a lot of people would be bored out of their skull. 

I only got back into this hobby in the last five years and when I started I found a TON of great resources but also a certain level of frustration in that some of the better modeling techniques or those that are fairly new or unique almost seem to be protected secrets at times. Maybe some people aren't that good at explaining something they are doing or don't want to take the time. On other forums I've actually asked a question and sometimes never get an answer. To me, if you appreciate good modeling, you want to tell others how you did something so they too have a shot at advancing different techniques which makes our scale even more impressive as a whole. That's why I started that Franksville build thread so that I could show both the good and bad stuff that I try and to also glean tips and tricks from people in here. Some of the things that people here on Railwire have suggested saved me time, money and multiple headaches. Some of those solutions are ingenious - Railwire has some great contributors.

Thanks again for all the kind words!

- jamie

[asarge]

Maybe .. but I got the distinct impression that these guys are building these modules for themselves .. hence the 53" height .. not really caring if the little rug rat can see it or not .. different mission than NTRAK .. I am sure Mike will chime in if I missunderstood what he was saying ..

Very true. However the little rugrats aren't the onesd building the larger layouts......at least not by themselves. Big brother, Dad, Grandpa and increasingly Mom and Grandma are going to provide the the adult power to both build the dream and real-in the imagination of said rug-rat.

Jamie, you theadf on Franksville is a huge help and inspiration!

[sirenwerks]

.. hence the 53" height .. not really caring if the little rug rat can see it or not ..

That's what Dad's, Grandpa's, Big Brother's, etc. shoulders are for. Not only are they promoting good modeling, but familiar bonding. Extra points, because that way the little brats aren't running all over the place too. (Oops, did I say that?  )

[csolivais1979]

The editorial by Mike is also rather interesting. I can see the need for a place where you can discuss exacting standards, and improving skills with like minded people ..

In some fora you would be called an elitist .. thumbing your nose at the unwashed masses. 

Keep up the good work .

Know I’m new here and all, but here’s my 2 cents:
I wouldn’t call anyone here an elitist, as Sirenwerks said, to me an elitist or rivet counter is a modeler who either knows a lot or thinks he/she does and refuses to share what they know, and I don’t see that here.  One of the great things about this place to me is that someone like me who has no modeling experience or railroad knowledge can come and feel just as welcomed as Lee, David K. Smith, Tom Mann, and a great deal of others.
That being said, I understand having a place where only advanced modelers could post on each others projects.  Me telling anyone here that they are doing a good job only does two things, strokes your ego and elevates my post count, and neither of those things benefits you as a modeler. 
All that I ask is that if such a place was started, especially here, while I understand that I couldn’t post in such a place, at least let us be able to go and look at what you guys are up to.