I was having operating sessions on my AF layout in the 1960's using car cards and waybills. The size of the rail and flanges never precluded having an operations oriented layout. I must admit that the AF couplers did make it harder to operate, but then lifting cars up to uncouple them is not that much worse than using a skewer to uncouple Kadee couplers.
It seems to me that the S fraternity is forever tripping all over themselves trying to decide who is "us" vs. who is "them". If an AF layout is designed for realistic operations, I would say that that is a scale layout. If an AF layout has realistic scenery and realistic structures, I would say that that is a scale layout. On the other hand, if an AF layout is designed to look and act like a department store Christmas display, that is a different hobby altogether -- not a "bad" hobby, just a different hobby. Or if the hobby is defined as storing AF models on shelves, that is a different hobby altogether. I have been having regular operating sessions on my B&O layout now since last year, and I can report that I have never enjoyed model railroading as much as when I see my layout being operated in a realistic manner by a group of fellow modelers, who are having a great time. I would encourage anyone out there to not let roadblocks get in your way of operating your layout. No matter how large or small the layout, no matter how complete the scenery and structures are, no matter how detailed you equipment is, I can pretty much guarantee that you will enjoy the hobby more as soon as you start holding operating sessions on your layout. Enjoy. Dan Vandermause Ellicott City, MD --- In [email protected], "Roy" <royhoffman@...> wrote: > > "I use a lot of AF bodies to fill out the rolling stock roster on SHABBONA > RR." > > Bob, > So do I. It's funny but I never had a person in another scale point one out > and say "You're using AF cars on your scale layout" <G>. > > Reminds me of the old Pogo quote. > > Roy > > --- In [email protected], "shabbona_rr" <user141771@> wrote: > > > > Roy; > > > > This only validates my contention that accurate scale models are not a > > prerequisite to realistic operation, that realistic operation can be > > achieved with Marx 4-wheel tinplate rolling stock and slot and tongue > > couplers, if need be. There is nothing unrealistic about AF equipment in > > proper context, as this layout demonstrates. I use a lot of AF bodies to > > fill out the rolling stock roster on SHABBONA RR. > > > > I'm giving serious thought to joining this group! > > > > boB Nicholson __________________________________________________ > > > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
