[PRCo] Re: West Penn Cars at PTM

[Macmarka at cs.com]

In a message dated 11/9/01 5:38:10 PM !!!First Boot!!!, 
j_swindler at hotmail.com writes:

<< Railfans are wanted.  It's arrogant railfans that are not wanted.  No, let 
 me take that back.  It's the railfans that take it too seriously that are 
 not wanted (and where do you draw the line).  An example might be Fred's 
 story about the TMS member who complained about a Porto car being restored. 
 (it's my right to tell others what to do) Also, Dennis C.'s comments about 
 railfans that try to turn a discussion towards that which they know 
 (hardware, so they can show off their knowledge??). >>
I agree with John about the arrogant railfans. On my first trip to PTM I was 
very agitated by a "Joeknowitall" railfan. While the  conductor was 
explaining things, this guy just kept flapping his gums. He had a child with 
him also. What kind of message is this giving the little boy. How to be rude. 
How to talk in class while your teacher is explaining a lesson. I felt sorry 
for that little boy. Even after the trolley ride, while in the storage barn, 
he still kept flapping those lips. I wanted so badly to tell him to "shut the 
hell up", but for the boy's sake, I kept quiet. It's nice to have an 
abundance of knowledge about traction,  but please fellow railfans, keep 
quiet until the docent is through speaking. There are a number of us who are 
trying to hear and learn the "lesson".                                          
Mark McGuire