With the current on goings in the country this year, it has come as no surprise that train shows and swap meets (among other things) continue to be canceled or postponed. I've watched several shows I had hoped to attend this year be canceled due to health concerns and sadly it appears I won't be making it to any at all. The last show I had hoped to attend here in December has recently been thrown out as well. Still there are train clubs that are having small shows, but a lot of the local ones near me have either packed it up for the year or they don't allow non-club members to setup a layout. Needless to say, my Large Scale collection has not left home this year...
In other news, a friend of mine who is a member of a club out in Colorado recently told me that his club is starting to have public running sessions again at their local clubhouse on weekends. They are also preparing for their upcoming Christmas shows starting in the middle of November. Last night he sent me an email in regards to an article (titled "The Shocking Truth") from the club's assistant superintendent in the November newsletter. He was completely speechless and rather cheesed off by what he read, as was I after taking a read. I would like to hear some other peoples thoughts on this article and the matter of which it talks about. I have quoted it down below...
"THE SHOCKING TRUTH
It has amazed me the number of people that have continued to support our club during this challenging year by coming to our shows and donating to keep our organization running. Sadly, we've had to cancel many of our spring and summer running sessions, but slowly things are returning to normal. Although I've only been on the committee for two years now, I've experienced so much joy participating in these running sessions we've done. I've watched many young train fans come to these shows and even talked to their parents, some who came here when they were kids themselves and are now bringing their own children to these events. When the club's founder, Robert ******* started this great organization back in 1995, I don't think he ever imagined there would be so much support for our club from the community. I want to thank both our members and our fellow neighbors for keeping our organization running.
As we begin to prepare for our holiday running sessions leading up to Christmas, I would like to address something that has been a concern of mine recently. Because many children attend these shows, I think it's important that we do all we can to ensure their safety. Getting children more involved with these shows is part of how we continue to have such great success. We are essentially passing the torch to the next generation to take grasp of the hobby and appreciate it. I have done a lot in the last two years to help the little ones be more involved, including having my own children participating and put together a small layout of Lego trains that the other children can interact with when they come to our shows. While we are getting our younger ones involved, regarding their safety should also be a priority. Many children like to get close up to look at the trains running around our layouts, and most of these layouts are powered by high voltage systems. While these power supplies are needed to run the trains, they pose the risk of electric shock. I've brought this up with my husband, Rich, who understands my concerns and thinks it is something we should discuss with our club members.
The use of high voltage power systems at these shows is worrying as they pose the potential risk of causing injury to a child which could be fatal given the right circumstances. Rich and I would like to try and get our members to consider changing out their power supplies if the output of them is greater than one amp. This especially applies to any setups which are displayed at a child friendly height or on the floor like our members who run o and g scales. These setups need to be powered by a control system that will not harm a child should they touch the trains. We will be discussing this topic further at our next club meeting on Sunday, November 15 and I'm hoping more club members will agree with my concerns and want to get on board. We not only want to be able to enjoy displaying at these shows, but also keep them family friendly especially for our little engineers who attend.
- Irene *******
Asst. Superintendent"
Now I want to ask the question, is this sort of precaution really necessary? Will it actually be a positive for safety or just cause headache for those trying to run their layouts? I'll admit that I do see where it's important to get the younger generation involved in this hobby, but at the same time shouldn't we also expose them to the risks as well? I mean, these model trains could potentially present more hazards if you really wanted to get technical about it. They have small parts which can become choking hazards, some lubricants and cleaning solutions are poisonous, misuse of equipment could cause a fire, but it all comes down to everything happening given the right circumstances. Heck, some models out there have the whole "Warning this product contains a chemical known to cause cancer" on the package and not too many people seem concerned about that. I myself can think of things we use every day that are far more dangerous than model railroading equipment.
So while this change wouldn't have any effect on me, my friend on the other hand says it would cause issues with running his layout. He runs O Gauge and is currently using an MTH Z-4000 transformer which he likes since it has no problem running the size of layout he has. According to him though, should the club decided to enforce the "1 Amp Rule" (as he calls it) he wouldn't be allowed to use that transformer anymore. He doesn't think a smaller power supply would work for what he's running, which is why he upgraded to something better in the first place. I'm even sitting here scratching my head and wondering if a system such as O Gauge wouldn't just end up overloading a 1 amp controller and destroying it at some point.
I myself run Large Scale trains and I use 2 different power supplies on my railroad. A USA Trains Train Power 10 for analog and an MRC Prodigy Elite 10A for digital. Both of these systems put out 10 amps of power and I've found them to be very adequate for running my railroad. I've tried running Large Scale on smaller power supplies in the past which put out around 2 amps and they just can't handle the Large Scale models I have, especially if I'm running multiple trains at one time. I've also had one of Bachmann's 1 amp controllers that came in one of the first Large Scale starter sets I got, and it failed just by running a standard Big Hauler loco. Maybe these smaller units can run Large Scale and I'm just not doing it right, but if something out there has a better output, then that's what I would prefer to use.
Now in regards to child safety, I've had my Large Scale trains to 2 shows in the past and while that isn't really a significant number, I can still say I haven't had any issues. Like many of the Large Scale guys do, I set up on the floor for convince sake. Both times I was using the Train Power 10 (as I did not have DCC at the time) and no one, I repeat "no one" got bit by it. The kids mostly would just lay on the floor, watch the trains as they went past and sometimes follow them, but they knew enough not to touch anything. I do have signs around my setups asking people not to touch the trains, but that's only good for those who listen. In fact based on my own experience going to model train shows and/or diecast shows, it seems the kids actually listen better than the adults. What's up with that?
Given the right circumstances, yes it is possible to get a shock from the tracks. I've been bit before when doing something like cleaning or rerailing, but it's basically no different than someone building up static and then touching you. Other than a quick jolt, I cannot say I've been effected to the point where I'm in severe pain. Now I am aware that infants and toddlers have softer skin and could experience more of an effect, but again would a shock from one of these systems really cause injury to the point where it could be lethal? I mean, we're dealing with a 10 amp model train transformer, not a 6 joule cattle fencer. I wouldn't doubt that even a 1 amp controller would bite you too if the conditions were right.
I'm in no way agents the idea of making train shows more kid friendly, but to say that members running layouts must conform to a power supply under a ridiculous low rating regardless of scale seems to be taking it a little too far. People participate in events like this because they enjoy the hobby and want to share their collection and/or layouts with the public. However, when they begin having problems while trying to abide by the rules set in place, it takes all the enjoyment out of the hobby and most people just won't want to be bothered. Model railroading in general is a dying hobby and in my opinion, the people in charge of this club wanting to implement this new requirement just seems like good way to kill off your 15 year run. At the end of the day is this really a necessary change for child safety or is just a case of someone who knows absolutely nothing wanting to make decisions?
-Rusty
In other news, a friend of mine who is a member of a club out in Colorado recently told me that his club is starting to have public running sessions again at their local clubhouse on weekends. They are also preparing for their upcoming Christmas shows starting in the middle of November. Last night he sent me an email in regards to an article (titled "The Shocking Truth") from the club's assistant superintendent in the November newsletter. He was completely speechless and rather cheesed off by what he read, as was I after taking a read. I would like to hear some other peoples thoughts on this article and the matter of which it talks about. I have quoted it down below...
"THE SHOCKING TRUTH
It has amazed me the number of people that have continued to support our club during this challenging year by coming to our shows and donating to keep our organization running. Sadly, we've had to cancel many of our spring and summer running sessions, but slowly things are returning to normal. Although I've only been on the committee for two years now, I've experienced so much joy participating in these running sessions we've done. I've watched many young train fans come to these shows and even talked to their parents, some who came here when they were kids themselves and are now bringing their own children to these events. When the club's founder, Robert ******* started this great organization back in 1995, I don't think he ever imagined there would be so much support for our club from the community. I want to thank both our members and our fellow neighbors for keeping our organization running.
As we begin to prepare for our holiday running sessions leading up to Christmas, I would like to address something that has been a concern of mine recently. Because many children attend these shows, I think it's important that we do all we can to ensure their safety. Getting children more involved with these shows is part of how we continue to have such great success. We are essentially passing the torch to the next generation to take grasp of the hobby and appreciate it. I have done a lot in the last two years to help the little ones be more involved, including having my own children participating and put together a small layout of Lego trains that the other children can interact with when they come to our shows. While we are getting our younger ones involved, regarding their safety should also be a priority. Many children like to get close up to look at the trains running around our layouts, and most of these layouts are powered by high voltage systems. While these power supplies are needed to run the trains, they pose the risk of electric shock. I've brought this up with my husband, Rich, who understands my concerns and thinks it is something we should discuss with our club members.
The use of high voltage power systems at these shows is worrying as they pose the potential risk of causing injury to a child which could be fatal given the right circumstances. Rich and I would like to try and get our members to consider changing out their power supplies if the output of them is greater than one amp. This especially applies to any setups which are displayed at a child friendly height or on the floor like our members who run o and g scales. These setups need to be powered by a control system that will not harm a child should they touch the trains. We will be discussing this topic further at our next club meeting on Sunday, November 15 and I'm hoping more club members will agree with my concerns and want to get on board. We not only want to be able to enjoy displaying at these shows, but also keep them family friendly especially for our little engineers who attend.
- Irene *******
Asst. Superintendent"
Now I want to ask the question, is this sort of precaution really necessary? Will it actually be a positive for safety or just cause headache for those trying to run their layouts? I'll admit that I do see where it's important to get the younger generation involved in this hobby, but at the same time shouldn't we also expose them to the risks as well? I mean, these model trains could potentially present more hazards if you really wanted to get technical about it. They have small parts which can become choking hazards, some lubricants and cleaning solutions are poisonous, misuse of equipment could cause a fire, but it all comes down to everything happening given the right circumstances. Heck, some models out there have the whole "Warning this product contains a chemical known to cause cancer" on the package and not too many people seem concerned about that. I myself can think of things we use every day that are far more dangerous than model railroading equipment.
So while this change wouldn't have any effect on me, my friend on the other hand says it would cause issues with running his layout. He runs O Gauge and is currently using an MTH Z-4000 transformer which he likes since it has no problem running the size of layout he has. According to him though, should the club decided to enforce the "1 Amp Rule" (as he calls it) he wouldn't be allowed to use that transformer anymore. He doesn't think a smaller power supply would work for what he's running, which is why he upgraded to something better in the first place. I'm even sitting here scratching my head and wondering if a system such as O Gauge wouldn't just end up overloading a 1 amp controller and destroying it at some point.
I myself run Large Scale trains and I use 2 different power supplies on my railroad. A USA Trains Train Power 10 for analog and an MRC Prodigy Elite 10A for digital. Both of these systems put out 10 amps of power and I've found them to be very adequate for running my railroad. I've tried running Large Scale on smaller power supplies in the past which put out around 2 amps and they just can't handle the Large Scale models I have, especially if I'm running multiple trains at one time. I've also had one of Bachmann's 1 amp controllers that came in one of the first Large Scale starter sets I got, and it failed just by running a standard Big Hauler loco. Maybe these smaller units can run Large Scale and I'm just not doing it right, but if something out there has a better output, then that's what I would prefer to use.
Now in regards to child safety, I've had my Large Scale trains to 2 shows in the past and while that isn't really a significant number, I can still say I haven't had any issues. Like many of the Large Scale guys do, I set up on the floor for convince sake. Both times I was using the Train Power 10 (as I did not have DCC at the time) and no one, I repeat "no one" got bit by it. The kids mostly would just lay on the floor, watch the trains as they went past and sometimes follow them, but they knew enough not to touch anything. I do have signs around my setups asking people not to touch the trains, but that's only good for those who listen. In fact based on my own experience going to model train shows and/or diecast shows, it seems the kids actually listen better than the adults. What's up with that?
Given the right circumstances, yes it is possible to get a shock from the tracks. I've been bit before when doing something like cleaning or rerailing, but it's basically no different than someone building up static and then touching you. Other than a quick jolt, I cannot say I've been effected to the point where I'm in severe pain. Now I am aware that infants and toddlers have softer skin and could experience more of an effect, but again would a shock from one of these systems really cause injury to the point where it could be lethal? I mean, we're dealing with a 10 amp model train transformer, not a 6 joule cattle fencer. I wouldn't doubt that even a 1 amp controller would bite you too if the conditions were right.
I'm in no way agents the idea of making train shows more kid friendly, but to say that members running layouts must conform to a power supply under a ridiculous low rating regardless of scale seems to be taking it a little too far. People participate in events like this because they enjoy the hobby and want to share their collection and/or layouts with the public. However, when they begin having problems while trying to abide by the rules set in place, it takes all the enjoyment out of the hobby and most people just won't want to be bothered. Model railroading in general is a dying hobby and in my opinion, the people in charge of this club wanting to implement this new requirement just seems like good way to kill off your 15 year run. At the end of the day is this really a necessary change for child safety or is just a case of someone who knows absolutely nothing wanting to make decisions?
-Rusty