Ken Patterson & "What's Neat" tackles N scale!

[trainzluvr]

I think the podcasts are pretty useful as background noisemakers.

Since most are made to be a single shot, sitting around the table, you just leave them running and listen on, while doing your own hobby related activity.

[CRL]

I picked up at least one good pointer… using the foam spray adhesive to join sheets of foam. But I cringed when he was soldering his rail joiners and it looked like he was applying solder to the inside of the rail.

[w neal]

I noticed that too. It may come back to haunt him.

[sirenwerks]

Seriously.  Complain about lack of N scale content from the guy and then complain when he does do N scale content.  Sheesh.   

My 'hate' comes from his emotive characteristics makes his approach to the project just another "oh, look at my cute and novel N scale" project.  I'll prick up my ears when he switches scales and goes through the same trials we all go through as regulars.

[Dave V]

I've had a few replies up here that I've since thought the better of and deleted.  I understand the passion that many of us have toward our scales and interest areas.  I used to be a cheerleader for N scale over on Model Railroader's forum way back before I was called up to the majors (the Railwire) and there were times I got pretty bitter about what I considered shabby treatment by the HO community.

These days I have a foot in both worlds (HO and N), but more importantly I've come to really appreciate good modeling and helpful tutorial videos in any scale or genre.  I'm even in several O scale groups despite my not having a single piece of O because I still have so much to learn from other, better modelers working all across the hobby.

As for Ken, I think like all "influencers," he's an acquired taste.  God knows I am (not that I consider myself an influencer...just a hack)!  Ken's work was brought to my attention by @John--as I recall--because I was musing over the lift-out section in the early planning stages of the HOn3 RGS.  Ken's lift-out design just happened to be for his HOn3 branchline so I didn't give any thought to "scale-ism."  But the work and techniques he showed are solid.  And, quite frankly, he has a much better presentation style than so many other well-meaning model train guys who do how-to videos.

In the end we're all in this hobby for the love of trains and the desire to recreate them in miniature.  Ken's never slighted me personally, and if N scale is neither his main interest area nor where he's most comfortable, he's under no obligation whatsoever to do anything in N scale.  Now, he does title his show What's Neat in Model Railroading, and model railroading clearly includes N scale, so I guess I can see why that causes heartburn for some.  He doesn't do a lot of S or Z either FWIW.  His show is produced by Model Railroad Hobbyist, and so I gather Ken's material is probably reflective of the interests of MRH writ large.

I'll be checking in on that project railroad with interest.  Ken's a decent modeler and I might learn something else from him.

[peteski]

As for Ken, I think like all "influencers," he's an acquired taste.  God knows I am (not that I consider myself an influencer...just a hack)! 

How can you say that Dave?! 
Seeing lots of your *EXCELLENT* multi-scale modeling examples here on TRW I can, without any reservations, say that you are anything but a hack!! You have skills and talent!  I don't understand why so many very talented people practice so much self-deprication!  Please, stand up and admit that you are good, dammit!   I wish more talented people would stop being humble and be proud of their accomplishments! 

Of course, if overdone it makes you look like a pompous a$$!  But stop saying that you are a hack!! 

[Dave V]

How can you say that Dave?! 
Seeing lots of your *EXCELLENT* multi-scale modeling examples here on TRW I can, without any reservations, say that you are anything but a hack!! You have skills and talent!  I don't understand why so many very talented people practice so much self-deprication!  Please, stand up and admit that you are good, dammit!   I wish more talented people would stop being humble and be proud of their accomplishments! 

Of course, if overdone it makes you look like a pompous a$$!  But stop saying that you are a hack!! 

Well thanks, Peteski! 

[TravelingCarpenter]

     I think of Ken as white noise,,with my trained N scale ears I can hear useful info miles away!! So if there is any info that I can use,, I write it down, as most of the KP podcasts are not very memorable, but on the other hand I understand Patterson models what pays the bills.

     I used to be subscriber to the MRH you tube page, and also to running extra ( which costs money). One day I said no mas.

     I just dont care for KP.

     TC

[CRL]

@Dave V - I agree with @peteski that you are not a hack… at least as respects your modeling efforts displayed to date, but maybe you have some projects hidden away that demonstrate true hackery. As far as KP is concerned, it is difficult to make a video that conveys information such as modeling techniques without sounding “X”, with X being whatever bugs you the most since we all possess idiosyncrasies that rub some folks the wrong way. I commend him for doing something in n-scale, and we will see as the series progresses how he handles it.

[trainzluvr]

Personally I don't doubt Ken will handle his N scale layout project any differently than any other ones prior - he's got lots of experience and no matter how much some of us dislike him for predominantly focusing on HO, he still has useful information to dispense. We are all learning from each other, no matter what.

I would even venture to say that he might have been the first to offer quite a few of various techniques that were seen in his videos, but of course I could be totally wrong, and, I don't even have nearly as much experience as he does.

[davefoxx]

[Ken’s] got lots of experience and no matter how much some of us dislike him for predominantly focusing on HO, he still has useful information to dispense. We are all learning from each other, no matter what.

Exactly.  I do not understand why anyone would dislike someone, because they don’t model in his or her preferred scale.  It’s all model railroading, and we’re all in this together.

DFF

[sirenwerks]

I used to be subscriber to the MRH you tube page, and also to running extra ( which costs money). One day I said no mas.

That's exactly where I came from.  Not to mention I spent 25 years working in the arts, amidst over-emotive people (read: dramatic); and that draw has worn off me.  Funnily, all of his magical Vanna White hand moves, Snidely Whiplash eyebrow raising, and old timey CBS Radio tonal emphasis is very Midwest community theater, and it seems to be getting more flamboyant.  You can even see it in the looks of some of his guests, as they can't hide their wonder about his 'style'.  I prefer the likes of Joe Fugate to KP.

[davefoxx]

That's exactly where I came from.  Not to mention I spent 25 years working in the arts, amidst over-emotive people (read: dramatic); and that draw has worn off me.  Funnily, all of his magical Vanna White hand moves, Snidely Whiplash eyebrow raising, and old timey CBS Radio tonal emphasis is very Midwest community theater, and it seems to be getting more flamboyant.  You can even see it in the looks of some of his guests, as they can't hide their wonder about his 'style'.  I prefer the likes of Joe Fugate to KP.

FIFY

[w neal]

All I can say is that he was very nice to me when I got to meet him 2 years ago at the Spring Creek show, as some of you are already aware. He was quite complimentary to my modeling on my portion of the Galesburg City Job layout. I suppose thats why I've been ribbing him a bit here. I think he just goes into "PR mode" when on the mic. I think we all tend to do so when in public at a show. Some people find Tony Koester a bit "arrogant" in his column. But I found he was quite friendly and complimentary in public. I had a couple friends who disliked Ken's on line persona, until they met him. I think he has tried hard to present different topics to us all. The cool thing is he often does so through other modelers. Note how he states he has new respect for N scalers.

[chuck geiger]

So I went to LOMBARD HOBBIES page. All KATO N track, nothing else. Not a lot of N.