[Charles]

Posted By Dan Pantages on 14 Mar 2010 10:55 PM
John, you need to buy many more Aster engines, or maybe just the Challenger that will be coming out to classed as an Aster Snob. Now I just know who will be very happy to help you gain such a fine title. Being an Aster Snob cannot be all that bad, Accucraft must find it to be a business model they would like to follow....i.e. trial balloon: Challenger!

 

[Charles]

Posted By Dave -- Use Coal on 15 Mar 2010 09:25 AM

It is my understanding that to be an official Aster Snob you must be anointed by Steve and have received a comment from John.
I do not know where I stand as related to being an Aster Snob, as while I own Aster engines, I also own Roundhouse Engines and I am a very big fan of Roundhouse Engines.

Aster snob confirmation can also be denoted via one or more of the following along with ownership and a bank account (as per TAC):


-Attending Diamondhead International Steam up
-G1MRA membership
-Received the Flying Aster recognition

-Received the "official" Aster towel
-Meet the President of Aster (I doubt Bing would be at a steam-up event)

-Seen the advance drawings of a potential locomotive offering
-Able to recite the factory building specs of any given Aster locomotive (you cannot do that with Accucraft...)

-Be on quick dial phone list of the powers to be (Hans, Andrew, dealers, etc)

-Have catalogs of the various locomotives offered by Aster
-Have a bookmark links to Aster Japan, Aster US, Aster UK, etc
-Have written an RR article that is central to Aster products
-Gotten someone to buy an Aster over an Accucraft or other manufacturers

-You believe that 1:32 is the only true scale for Standard gauge locomotives

-Write about being an Aster Snob....


Such things are trivial to the true reason to enjoy Aster, Accucraft, Roundhouse, etclaying with live steam trains!

 

[Charles]

Posted By Bills on 15 Mar 2010 05:32 PM
what's an Aster? It is not a flower in our world....

 

[Charles]

Posted By Shaylover on 15 Mar 2010 05:49 PM


Phew! Charles had me worried there for a while but it looks as though I might be safe.
Y'all behave yourselves over there!

John
Sure enough...tell Gordon howdy for Ryan and myself.

 

[Charles]

Steve
How about a personalized license plate with the ID of Aster!

 

[Charles]

Dan
I would think one would see: A SNOB!

 

[Charles]

I forgot one very important check list item that all Aster owners have available to them that most others would peg them as snobbish:

A tube of the Official brand of Japan bathroom caulk issued through Aster


So, Jeff you are a member given the caulk and towel combo.

 

[Charles]

But Steve, in the event that one must "fine tune" (an Aster Snob would never use the word repair or fix- there is never such a situation) an Aster then getting an "official" tube of that white stuff would help in keep the Aster locomotive pure as would your steam oil and Japanese water. I would highly recommend that you call Hans ASAP to place the order so that you will be in good standing!

 

[Charles]

Andrew
On this side of the pond, where we are less formal....can one substitute an official Aster Shirt for a tie? Given my line of work, I associate neckties with 9-5 not hobbies

 

[Charles]

An Aster Snob (by definition) would insist on being know as an Aster Guru but an Aster Guru would not be an Aster Snob...(IMHO). Each Guru has the quality of one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others.


I am aware of many, many Aster Gurus from whom having given a certain "Steam Whisperer" his start and now an established Aster Guru. Wonderful hobbyists that shared their knowledge and skills such as:
Hans Huwyler, Kevin O' Connor, Dick Abbott, John Shawe, Yves Gullauine, Norm Saley, Gordon Watson,Larry Bingham, Jerry Reshew, Andrew Pullen, Dan Pantages, David Leech, David Kirby Morgan,David Bailey, Robert Hekemian, Mike Moore, Ross Schlabach, Jeff Runge, John Garrett, Harry and Paul Quirk, Bob Moser, Richard Finalyson, Jim Pitts, Murray Wilson, Peter Comley, Tom Myers, Fred Gandofi, Jim Curry, Bruce Price, Jim Stapleton, Alan Wright, Tom Rowe, Roy Ganderton, Jim Overland, Steve Speck and the list goes on via the experiences and interaction of other Aster owners (please excuse if I missed anyone given my recall ability due to age).



BTW- the "Steam Whisperer" who has had many, many Asters pass through his hands (for example- K4, Mikado, Glaskasten, Mallard, GS4, French Mike, Schools, King Arthur, JNR C11, S2, Berkshire, Shay, JNR Mogul, Climax, Reno, Frank S and others) thus proven ability (such as building an Aster Berk in 36 hours- first build and done right!) can be found at http://www.realsteamservices.com/

Each of us can add their own list of those who (be they Snobs or Gurus) made their hobby experience an ongoing pleasure based on service and sharing of Aster products.