I've learnt from yours, please learn from mine

Using TOMA to build a layout is a great approach because it allows you to make all your mistakes on one module, rather than your entire railroad. And while I'd like to think that I learnt from the mistakes of others, please let me share with you some of my own.

Testing awesome New Techniques at the Front of the Layout only to realise I am not awesome at it yet and should probably practice elsewhere

A mere band-aid to a bigger issue

I recently received Rapido's SW1200RS: this is a beautiful model that is fun to operate and sounds great. Unfortunately, as soon as you start doing some slow-speed switching and you hit a dead frog the locomotive stutters to a stop. While this doesn't happen consistently it happens consistently on those particular frogs. It's in Rapido's hands right now.

A commitment has been made

Questioning the quality of today’s models

This is not an apology.

Recently there has been a trend of commentary criticizing the nastier members of our hobby. You know the type: they are grumpy, they are never happy with your scratch-built model, your rivets are off, your colours are incorrect, your models are 1 scale inch too big.

While not representative of the majority, they are a loud turn-off for newcomers to the hobby.