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Subject: 
Got NMRA? (was Re: New Interurban/Trolley model, perfect for those downtown scenes)
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.trains.org
Date: 
Tue, 26 Sep 2000 17:36:06 GMT
Reply-To: 
johnneal@uswest.net/AvoidSpam/
Viewed: 
1814 times
  
Larry Pieniazek wrote:


To your point about the NMRA and AFOL sentiment, I think you may be on to
something. I don't think John Neal was a model railroader, although I could be
wrong. Or Mike Poindexter either, and those are the names that come to mind as
thought leaders in the "we don't need the NMRA" camp.

I was never formally associated with the NMRA, although I grew up with model
trains (my dad had a Marklin table layout) along side of LEGO.  Never really
remember seeing a LEGO train until about 1986.

But as far as the NMRA goes, here is my feeling.  If TLC decides to step up to
the bat and invest some serious effort into the Trains theme, then I think that
we would be okay on our own and wouldn't need the NMRA.  We could become a SIG I
guess, but would keep to ourselves and continue to show at NMRA and
other model railroad shows.

BUT, if TLC bails on Trains, then I think we should kiss the NMRA on the lips!
If TLC refuses to produce the basic elements needed to sustain a LEGO train
hobby, then I'd be the first one on the horn to Kadee to try and convince them to
produce LEGO compatible trucks, couplers, and track.  I would lobby heavily to
all Train AFOLs to adopt "0" scale, which would instantly make it easier for
manufacturers to produce components for us.

For instance, Kadee could modify an existing O scale truck to accept a 2x2 plate
with  pin on top-- no need to worry about tubes and studs and patents and all--
we would just superglue it and viola!- new LEGO element.  It would then behoove
us to toss around any influence we have as a group to convince manufacturers who
normally cater to model railroaders that we are a viable market-- we're dealing
with a toy, kids will be drawn to the hobby, the NMRA is graying, blah, blah,
blah, etc.

Of course, this would be a huge step in a very different direction from where
most of us are now, especially with respect to purity issues.


Hm... wonder if we could get Kevin L to make it a survey topic.

Yeah, that's a great idea-- poll whether or not someone would accept non-LEGO
components designed to be used with LEGO if TLC discontinued the Trains
theme, or would they continue to remain "pure".

<pause>  And the real crime here is the TLC could do all of the things we want
*so* easily!  I'm thinking, what if all of the time and energy that was expended
on ZNAP had been directed into Trains.... {:~^(

-John



Message has 4 Replies:
  Re: Train Purity (was Got NMRA? (was....
 
In lugnet.trains.org, John Neal writes: ....whether or not someone would accept non-LEGO (...) Hey, the concept of 'purity' itself could be greatly debated. What's the difference between string supplied in the Pirate sets and track used for train (...) (24 years ago, 26-Sep-00, to lugnet.trains.org)
  Re: Got NMRA? (was Re: New Interurban/Trolley model, perfect for those downtown scenes)
 
Even though I agree that we (LTCs) don't "need" the NMRA, I do enjoy attending the meetings here locally. I find it very educational and really pick up a lot of good ideas that I might have missed. I do understand that a good bit of the topics and (...) (24 years ago, 26-Sep-00, to lugnet.trains.org)
  Re: Got NMRA? (was Re: New Interurban/Trolley model, perfect for those downtown scenes)
 
(...) No matter what TLC does, if a third party manufacturer stepped in with a quality product, I would abandon purity in a minute. I don't think I'm the only one either. I think track, wheels, and couplers are the area most ripe for non-TLC (...) (24 years ago, 27-Sep-00, to lugnet.trains.org)
  Re: Got NMRA? (was Re: New Interurban/Trolley model, perfect for those downtown scenes)
 
A funny thing happened while I was reading this thread. I got a call from the local chapter of the NMRA, the SER-Piedmont Division. They called and asked if I would do a workshop/presentation on LEGO trains at their December meeting. I thought that (...) (24 years ago, 27-Sep-00, to lugnet.trains.org)

Message is in Reply To:
  Re: New Interurban/Trolley model, perfect for those downtown scenes
 
(...) yours will not work for anyone else or even for you after your session/context expires. Deja is making it really hard to give references to particular posts, not like it used to be in the old days before they realised they had to make money. I (...) (24 years ago, 26-Sep-00, to lugnet.trains.org)

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