Re: Model railroading differences between English & American

No, Jim is right...

Generalizations and stereotypes are often inaccurate. Your comparisons are statistically inaccurate (or at least unsupportable) and the implications border on inflammatory...

And you wonder why a flame war breaks out?

By starting this up all over again, you've become a 'Net Arsonist...

--Dan

On Mon, 30 Jun 2003 15:18:07 -0700, "Dan O'Connor" wrote:

And what on Earth are you talking about? The man flamed no one and never said anything to cause my hackles to stand up. He wants to get a thread started that will compare *nglish (British actually) and North American model railway philosophy. I think it would do well to add Australian to the mix as well. What in the name of Heaven is wrong wi' that? Different does not mean wrong. Different often means interesting. I think there are many of us who need to learn to do word substitution. We need to learn to substitute "Inquisitive" for "Defensive". There is no "Right" way to practice the art of model railroading.

Although I do not generally have a burning interest in European or British railways or equipment, I am interested in observing how that group conducts its pursuit of the hobby. I find that it is very different from mine. Not wrong, different. When I first discovered the Dyserth Road I was awed. I thought then, and I think now, that it is a beauty. I was surprised to learn of its size. Yes, it does have limited operating capability, but it is beautiful none the less. It is quite difficult and expensive to model this way on a large North American model railway. The essence of this hobby is to work with what you are given. If you consider large spaces an asset, then many North Americans are twice blessed. You will observe, however, that this state of affairs is drawing to a close. We are increasingly becoming concentrated in the manner of Europeans and I expect our philosophy of the hobby will change accordingly over the next decades. Modular model railroading is becoming increasingly popular in N.A. Are not these modules very much like what we see in Europe? In many ways we are oceans apart, but in others, maybe not so far as we might think. Once you get down to the nitty-gritty of true, hard-core modeling at the craftsman level, you will find it very difficult to top the Brits. (STEREOTYPE) Say what you will, they make some amazing stuff. That it is not North American prototype matters not at all. It is the craftsmanship that counts and that is appreciated and enjoyed. LNER, LMS, Southern, GW........all very modelable roads with interesting equipment. In a more modern era the ESW and others are likewise highly modelable. In fact, I would like to fabricate a reason to have some 59 class and 66 class locos on my side of the pond. Especially the 59s they are my favorites.

So, let's look at this from an inquisitive perspective and quit trying to knock the chips off of each other's shoulders, shall we?

...................F>

No S*it, that was the best reply so far

Look again, gentlemen. *nglishlver said that American railroads were poorly made while everyone (not only his personal) should prefer the *nglish style of modeling. Definately trollbait.

My response is that there are many different styles of model railroads and that everyone is entitled to their own intrepretation.

Further, why limit the comparison to *nglish? There are many interesting railroads in the world.

Finally, for all the author's professed expertise, he never mentioned one railroad in either country as an example. I believe he does not know a Bellare boiler from a Worthington pump.

Jim Stewart

Ach, I missed that part

The ONLY sensible position

I would like to see more from Australia. The problem there is that so many of them model US prototype. I know why. It's because there is so much more available. I have seen some Australian prototype model railways though and I find them very interesting. In fact, I even have some double-ended F7s that were inspired by their Class A and Class B Clyde-built EMDs Go here to see a Class B:

If you don't know anything about Australian railways, then you should go look around. they have some very interesting stuff down there. Try to find a class CL or a CLP and see what you think of it.

..............F>