Re: Empathy for my Saturday Experience

-----Original Message-----
From: scott A Smiley <sc.smiley@juno.com>
To: ttat-members <ttat-members@aoot.com>
Sent: Thu, Sep 26, 2013 11:27 pm
Subject: Re: Empathy for my Saturday Experience - Reply To Dano

This will be a discussion item at the next board meeting. back up components would be a good idea to know if it is a component of something that we have no control over.

Also on the scenery/accessories, Daniel, I try not to monopolize the available space in a layout plan and indicate my flexibility when I sign up for the show. However, we do want as many scenes as the layout will support so the sign up is critical to know you and what to bring. I really like what you have done and will gladly reduce my scenes if I know that you are coming. Please sign up with your scene intentions. if more scenes are wanting to come than space then the show coordinator should help sort that out. It does not need to be first come.

I am thinking that this Monday is still Sept. so the board meeting would be another week.

Daniel, I hope you get your issues sorted out with the VA.

Scott

On Fri, 27 Sep 2013 00:07:39 -0400 (EDT) rick <rbd1949@aol.com> writes:

Ricky and I are in agreement as well. We have several TMCC, Legacy, and DCS locomotives. I also have several conventional locos that I do run on occassion. The club needs to have all systems working so that everyone can enjoy running trains. We have a show in 2 weeks. I hope that we can solve some if not all issues before then. We also need more people qualified to trouble shoot the power cart in case Ira is not available. Everyone should at least be able to know how to turn everything on and off. We have come a long way from running the entire layout on ONE ZW! Let's put our heads together and figure this out so we can continue to grow.

Rick

-----Original Message-----
From: Daniel Eaton <dano1219@gmail.com>
To: ttat-members <ttat-members@aoot.com>
Sent: Thu, Sep 26, 2013 4:36 pm
Subject: Re: Empathy for my Saturday Experience - Reply To Dano

Thanks Ira

As for signing up late, I wasn't sure if I would come, because of my leg issues. I'm going to have these issues until the VA figures out the best course of action, as there are several factors involved. Medicine and therapy are on the menu right now. I guess for right now I'm going to forget about accessories, but with our command issues for LEGACY and MTH , I might not run any trains anyway, because I will not run in conventional mode AT ALL. Saw the conversation between you and Bill and believe our group needs to figure out whats going on, as some of us guys have LEGACY and MTH Proto 3 engines. We have to much money involved in command systems, not to work these issues out before shows. We need more people involved with DCS and LEGACY, because when you're not there and something goes wrong with DCS were out of luck. More of our leaders need to relate as much to LEGACY and DCS as they do to TMCC, because this club needs to be as diversified with the latest and greatest . I guess Monday should tell what kind of club the AUSTIN TINPLATE TRACKERS wants to be.

DANO

On Thu, Sep 26, 2013 at 12:12 AM, Ira Schneider <ira_schneider@iname.com> wrote:

Hi Dan,

I would like to clear up some misconceptions.

First of all, the club doesn’t have an attitude. Individual people have attitudes,

feelings, perspectives, points of view, etc.

Second, scenery on the layout. I designed the layout based on the requirements stated in

the event coordination document and sent a proposed layout to the membership inviting

comments and suggestions. At that time you had not signed up to participate in the show.

I modified the proposed layout based on the feedback I received from Rick and Scott.

I didn’t receive any other feedback.

You signed up for the show on Thursday (the night before the show). You indicated

“Daniel Eaton: Accessories! Maybe! Depends if I come Sunday.” I didn’t take that as

a request for any specific space for your scenery. In fact, I commented to Scott that

since the layout was completely full, if you wanted to bring some scenery we might

have to replace Scott’s Harry Potter scenery module with a space for you.

When I saw you on Saturday and asked if you wanted to set up some buildings,

you gave me the same answer – maybe. I replied that it was probably a good thing

since the layout was pretty full and I didn’t think we had room for more scenery.

Later on, when we actually started setting up the layout we expanded the layout by

one module (since they gave us a slightly larger space than expected), which gave

us an empty module on which you could have put your buildings. Also, Rick added

small blank modules at the ends of the industrial sidings which could have held buildings.

You never said anything about setting up “few lighted accessories,” which could

have easily been accommodated. If you had asked at that time, I would have

given you the blank accessory module which I wasn’t using and told you to set

up behind the extra module, but you didn’t ask.

Third, setting up DCS at your home. You asked me about how to create a block

using a toggle switch. I not only explained to you that you only needed a simple

SPST (i.e. two terminal) toggle switch, but I drew a diagram to show you how to

hook it up. You later mentioned that you would like some help setting up DCS

and Legacy at home. You are correct in your assessment: I do not have the time

to help you at home. I am happy to provide support via email or talk to you at

a show (when I am not busy).

Just because I don’t have time to help you at home doesn’t mean that somebody

else can’t assist you with your layout. There are other people who are experienced

with DCS and Legacy, like Bill and Ricky. From your note, it appeared that you

only asked me and were disappointed that I can’t help you. In fact, your note

implies that you feel that nobody is interested in assisting you, which is simply

not true. You just have to ask.

I don’t understand your statement that “I really don't feel like a club member.“

You contributed to our layout several times in the past, setting up lighted

buildings, vehicles, and helicopters, which were well liked by visitors to our

layout. You ran several interesting trains on the layout. You are just as much

a member as the rest of us, and you contribute as much. Please reconsider

your declaration “I guess if I go to any more shows, I just go for the vendors.”

I am sorry that you decided not to participate in the show on Saturday or

Sunday.

Ira