N Gauge Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: austinbob on September 15, 2015, 07:57:46 PM

Title: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: austinbob on September 15, 2015, 07:57:46 PM
We all know it is SOOO... important to wear the right clothes when operating your model railway - just to get that authentic feel.

So I've just ordered a Drivers Bib and Brace, Jacket and Greasetop Hat to add the proper authenticity to my model railway (when I get round to laying the track that is!!)

Check out this website for some really great railway garb..
http://footplateequipment.co.uk/index.php/footplate-clothing/footplate-clothing.html (http://footplateequipment.co.uk/index.php/footplate-clothing/footplate-clothing.html)
Once I get my kit I'll do a selfie and post it here.

I'm really looking forward to wearing this stuff down my local!!
:D :D :D :beers:
Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: JasonBz on September 15, 2015, 08:04:15 PM
Interesting site that :)

For really authentic "railway operation" the Tea Brew Can for a tenner is essential!
I know a driver who still uses one
Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: austinbob on September 15, 2015, 08:08:09 PM
Quote from: JasonBz on September 15, 2015, 08:04:15 PM
Interesting site that :)

For really authentic "railway operation" the Tea Brew Can for a tenner is essential!
I know a driver who still uses one
Good spot. Must get one..
:beers:
Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: Komata on September 15, 2015, 08:47:50 PM
And here I was in my naivete, thinking that it was only the Americans who indulged in 'dressing up' while running their model trains  :no:  :no:

The things we learn.... :)

Thanks.
Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: guest311 on September 15, 2015, 08:58:18 PM
afraid I have to disagree....

don't think it matters what you are wearing as long as you have the right equipment......

timetable....

track cleaner.....

set of screwdrivers....

wee dram  :beers:
Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: Luke Piewalker on September 15, 2015, 08:59:27 PM
Every time I see an 'Engine Driver' hat in the shop at Bo'ness I'm sorely tempted...
Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: MJKERR on September 15, 2015, 09:15:30 PM
What to wear...

As a trader I wore a shirt and tie, a little overdressed, but it worked!

First time operating a layout, I wore a T-shirt with a Classs 37 on the front
People thought I would be cold and need a jumper, but after two hours other people were taking their jumpers off due to the heat

Next time I might wear my Star Trek uniform...
Although that might detract from the actual reason for attending, to view the layouts, people remember it as "the layout with the Trekkie", and everyone would know who and what layout you were on about!
Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: Newportnobby on September 15, 2015, 09:39:20 PM
Many years ago I spent a wonderful New Years Eve in Polperro, Cornwall as the whole village turns out in fancy dress. I went as a mad doctor c/w white coat, stethoscope and various other accoutrements.
Maybe I should wear these when operating my layout(s) and repeat loudly every few minutes "Dr.Mick at your cervix" :-X
Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: austinbob on September 15, 2015, 10:03:01 PM
Quote from: class37025 on September 15, 2015, 08:58:18 PM
afraid I have to disagree....

don't think it matters what you are wearing as long as you have the right equipment......

timetable....

track cleaner.....

set of screwdrivers....

wee dram  :beers:
All those, but you've at least got to have the hat - and preferably a whistle!! (must get a whistle)
:beers:
Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: austinbob on September 15, 2015, 10:06:27 PM
Quote from: Luke Piewalker on September 15, 2015, 08:59:27 PM
Every time I see an 'Engine Driver' hat in the shop at Bo'ness I'm sorely tempted...
Just go for it matey - Every N gauger has to have one!!! - Stamp your authority on your layout!!
:D
Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: DELETED on September 15, 2015, 10:20:01 PM
Just been looking up old pics, think some dignified facial hair is obligatory also and some smudges of coal if you're a kettle driver :doh: :P
Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: austinbob on September 15, 2015, 10:28:19 PM
Quote from: RST on September 15, 2015, 10:20:01 PM
Just been looking up old pics, think some dignified facial hair is obligatory also and some smudges of coal if you're a kettle driver :doh: :P
So you think I should grow a tache? Misses didn't like that when I had a tache many years ago. She said she got bitten by flees!! Not true of course it was just the spikey bits that caused the problems.
:beers:
Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: DELETED on September 15, 2015, 10:45:32 PM
....Some women apparently like the tickle LoL but fair enough.  I do think a good tache mite be quite authentic as a loco man though...

(http://[url=http://www.llangollen-railway.org.uk/Ray%20Davis%20Llangollen%20Station%20ca1900%20during%20rebuild%20600P.jpg%5Dhttp://www.llangollen-railway.org.uk/Ray%20Davis%20Llangollen%20Station%20ca1900%20during%20rebuild%20600P.jpg%5B/url%5D)

(http://www.nrm.org.uk/img/nrm/worksphotos/Bow/1996-7310_NL_159.jpg)

...I'm all jesting of course.  I have a short beard -you have to persevere but beats scraping a razor across it every day.  But I don't have sideburns bushy enough to call myself a real engineer yet.
Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: MalcolmInN on September 15, 2015, 11:29:31 PM
Proper attire you ask !
I'd say - depends who is looking   ?

If it is just oneself, , ,, 


Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: JasonBz on September 15, 2015, 11:39:17 PM
Quote from: RST on September 15, 2015, 10:45:32 PM
....Some women apparently like the tickle LoL but fair enough.  I do think a good tache mite be quite authentic as a loco man though...

(http://[url=http://www.llangollen-railway.org.uk/Ray%20Davis%20Llangollen%20Station%20ca1900%20during%20rebuild%20600P.jpg%5Dhttp://www.llangollen-railway.org.uk/Ray%20Davis%20Llangollen%20Station%20ca1900%20during%20rebuild%20600P.jpg%5B/url%5D)

(http://www.nrm.org.uk/img/nrm/worksphotos/Bow/1996-7310_NL_159.jpg)

...I'm all jesting of course.  I have a short beard -you have to persevere but beats scraping a razor across it every day.  But I don't have sideburns bushy enough to call myself a real engineer yet.

Interesting that at that period Drivers used to fasten only the top button of their jackets.
Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: Bealman on September 16, 2015, 01:39:52 AM
I know a certain railway modeller who operates his layout in a uniform that is, well, let's just call it equine looking.  :D ;)
Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: petercharlesfagg on September 16, 2015, 09:02:55 AM
In the summer months when operating or constructing, well more constructing than anything else, I wear my own special birthday suit!

And I'm willing to bet that no-one else has got one just like it and it was free!

Peter.

Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: MikeDunn on September 16, 2015, 09:05:02 AM
I bet that keeps the neighbours away !!!  :o
Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: D1042 Western Princess on September 16, 2015, 09:06:43 AM
Even I, who regard not operating as closely as possible to real railway operation (and almost any application of so called 'Rule One') as 'playing trains', think wearing a railway uniform to run a model layout is a bit 'naff'  :unimpressed: !

But then to each his own.

So far as shows are concerned yes, I do think that, sometimes, operators could look a bit smarter although things do seem to be picking up a bit from the situation a few years ago - jeans and ill fitting tee shirt do little (again, only my opinion) to enhance the image of model railway fans in the eyes of the general visitor.

Now, I must admit to (occasionally) wearing my FGW (and before that BR) uniform to run my layout but only because I hadn't changed out of it after getting home from work! It's not something I'd change into just to take the 23.45 sleepers from Peltin Down to London, for example!

Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: Bealman on September 16, 2015, 09:21:30 AM
Returning things to a serious note, people who operate those sit-on steam locos that haul passengers wear all that gear for very practical reasons.... hot cinders!

I know from being allowed to drive one once... in shorts and T shirt, I had hot cinders in me hair, holes in T shirt, burns on legs...

When it comes to model railway exhibitions, I always think it's good to see exhibitors in neat attire behind their layouts... if it is a club, then they should be in their matching logo shirts, and even if it is a lone operator, a shirt with the layout's logo is always impressive.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: austinbob on September 16, 2015, 09:54:58 AM
Quote from: D1042 Western Princess on September 16, 2015, 09:06:43 AM
Even I, who regard not operating as closely as possible to real railway operation (and almost any application of so called 'Rule One') as 'playing trains', think wearing a railway uniform to run a model layout is a bit 'naff'
Agreed if you're on your own but the grandchildren will luv it!! :)
Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: Newportnobby on September 16, 2015, 09:59:42 AM
Quote from: petercharlesfagg on September 16, 2015, 09:02:55 AM
In the summer months when operating or constructing, well more constructing than anything else, I wear my own special birthday suit!

And I'm willing to bet that no-one else has got one just like it and it was free!

Peter.

About time it was ironed, Peter  :P :D
Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: Agrippa on September 16, 2015, 10:09:52 AM
No  :photospleasesign:
Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: petercharlesfagg on September 16, 2015, 10:24:34 AM
Quote from: newportnobby on September 16, 2015, 09:59:42 AM
Quote from: petercharlesfagg on September 16, 2015, 09:02:55 AM
In the summer months when operating or constructing, well more constructing than anything else, I wear my own special birthday suit!

And I'm willing to bet that no-one else has got one just like it and it was free!

Peter.

About time it was ironed, Peter  :P :D

How would you know?

I have this craggy, macho face but the rest? :D
Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: railsquid on September 16, 2015, 12:48:07 PM
I've got this slinky little black number...

















...a Kato D51...
Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: Michael Shillabeer on September 16, 2015, 12:59:13 PM
Does anyone remember the Model Railway Journal exhibition in Central Halls, London in the early 1990s?

All the operators wore white lab coats.

At the Swindon show this weekend I was asked several times where to get my T-Shirt - "Keep calm and build model railways". Answer, on eBay!

best regards
Michael
Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: Newportnobby on September 16, 2015, 02:07:04 PM
Quote from: Michael Shillabeer on September 16, 2015, 12:59:13 PM
Does anyone remember the Model Railway Journal exhibition in Central Halls, London in the early 1990s?

All the operators wore white lab coats.


No, but Peter obviously does and it gives me a reason to get mine out of mothballs again :)
Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: D1042 Western Princess on September 17, 2015, 12:34:48 PM
Quote from: austinbob on September 16, 2015, 09:54:58 AM
Quote from: D1042 Western Princess on September 16, 2015, 09:06:43 AM
Even I, who regard not operating as closely as possible to real railway operation (and almost any application of so called 'Rule One') as 'playing trains', think wearing a railway uniform to run a model layout is a bit 'naff'
Agreed if you're on your own but the grandchildren will luv it!! :)

:(  Sad to say we don't have grandchildren - long story and not really for publication, but I take your point.
Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: steve836 on September 19, 2015, 09:50:17 PM
I've got an outfit similar to Peter's. At least one isn't tempted to put a soldering iron in the pocket. There aren't any.
Title: Re: Proper attire for operating model railways
Post by: Newportnobby on September 19, 2015, 10:19:27 PM
My white coat was obtained due to me working a lot in the food industry and had pockets on the inside :worried: