Ahh, know-it-alls! A typical model railroad club contains a variety of personality types, and there’s always a know-it-all or two in the mix. You know the type: the guy with all the answers that you never asked for. The guy who relishes calling you out for some perceived shortcoming in your hobby activities. If you’ve ever wondered why “Rule #1: It’s My Railroad” has become such a popular refrain within the hobby, it’s because of this guy. So what if some hoppers in my 1949-era coal train have the Pennsy “shadow keystone” logo from 1954? So what if my Lackawanna Trainmasters are equipped with Mars lights? So what if my North Coast Limited is pulled by Alco PAs, instead of F-units? Maybe I don’t know it’s wrong, but even if I do, I don’t care. It’s model trains. I like what I like. Lives do not hang in the balance.

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