Think back now, to the college years…past the beads…the disco balls…big hair styles… to trains.[8D]
Here’s one just to keep things light. What are some ideas to keep railroading alive throught the college years? Should one retreat to building a Z scale empire (under microscope)? Build a HO scale switching layout? Squeeze in a N scale circle?
OR, what the hey, build a two foot G scale static diorama and buy a ticket for the “Imagination Railroad”?
Let’s hear it, now. College railroading. Is it possible? If yes, any good modeling locales? Any good stories of roomates driven to the point of railroad rage?
IF no, well then, you must of had a girlfriend. Okay…Just kidding. Let’s have some fun on this one.
I’d say this is possible, but only just. A board could be made that will fit under the standard single bed, which would give you enough space to build something substantial in N or a switching layout in HO. I’d advocate some form of cover to protect the layout from dust, beer, footballs, etc - it could be designed so the board sits on the cover to increase height during operating sessions. The layout with cover fitted would form a solid box with handles at both ends for transport purposes and it should be possible to fit trays inside the lid to hold stock, tools, controls, etc. Bear in mind that simple, solid locos will be preferable - Athearn Blue Box rather than Proto 2K - as the stock may well recieve some robust treatment. Athearn metal handrails tend to bend rather than breaking and the locos have fewer vulnerable detail parts.
Heck, you can fit an HO scale switching layout in a dorm room just fine… typically they come with a desk 4-5 feet wide, just plop a 1 foot wide board on the back of the desk, make up a mini-Timesaver type track plan (check www.carendt.com for inspiration) and some building flats and it’s time to start switching! Most college students aren’t going to be able to afford a lot in the way of rolling stock anyhow. Just remember that you have to stop spotting boxcars to study for your midterm!
N scale is another possibility–a 2x4 simple-oval plan will fit under a dorm bed.
I’m not sure if many colleges have model railroad clubs, but it’s worth a try (the only one that comes to mind is MIT’s old Tech Model Railroad Club, origin of the early 1960’s MIT “hacker” culture.)
College is when I got out of model railroading in favor of beer, girls and other besottedness, although I did a couple of pretty good reports for various history and geography classes on railroad-related topics, and I did fiddle around a bit with my dad’s N-scale layout when I went home for the summer.
My college layout was a 1.5’x3’ piece of 1/2" plywood, with a small N scale loop and switching puzzle on it. I stashed the layout under my bed when I wasn’t actually using it. The layout survived three years worth of college life, and I actually finished most of the scenery on it. I still have the trains and some of the buildings from the layout, but the layout bit the dust several years ago.
I’d say spend your time in your studies…so you can get a good job after college to pay for a nice big room to build your railroad empire in…disco???..your tell’in your age again!..LOL…Chuck[:D]
The 2003 edition of “Model Railroad Planning” included nine “bookcase” track plans, for layouts that could sit on top of a typical bedroom or dorm room bookcase. They were all switching layouts, of course, but there was quite a variety within that description. That issue is available through the “Shopping” section of this Website.
Keep the bunkbeds and use the loft for the railroad.
Set up a floor-level G guage to deliver beers, etc.
Fold-down or pulley-mounted 3x7 under the beds.
Just blast a hole through the wall, who needs the security deposit back?
But then again, who has time in college for hobbies?
-Jer
Michigan Technological University 1989
Michigan State University 1994
Siena Heights University 2003
From a 2001 graduate of North Dakota State University:
First, I used the time I was in college to bolster my locomotive and rolling stock inventory. I’d paint a bunch of stuff when I was at home and use the nice hard-surfaced studying desk to decal and detail. Get one of those self-healing cutting mats for such things. Don’t spill solvent-based paint on the floor or the desk, as you may have a cash penalty. Rolling stock assembly was also a quick and easy way to pass time. Mind you I didn’t have the bank to spend on the hobby then (or now) but an Athearn or two every couple weeks or a more complicated kit can keep you busy for an hour or two a night for a week.
Secondly, I was lucky enough to join the local Model Railroad Club. The dues were low, and I was able to do electrical, scenery, and rolling stock maintanence while not spending any of my own personal money. The materials were all there. It was a kind of like free modelling!
Third, do some research. It will hone your skills for that paper you have to write for that professor you can’t stand. Read up on a specific railroad or section. Study a locomotive or builder. Do a little railroad sightseeing in your area. Many colleges, especially around here, are steam-heated with coal. That coal has to come in somehow, and most likely in a railcar or two per week. I think at NDSU, BNSF would switch the generation building a couple times per week. Railfanning without leaving campus!
In case it sounds like all I did in college was MRR, I passed and have a job in my field. My efforts have paid off because I can now focus on my layout and the operation of it.
Model railroading is possable in college but hard. i am a sophmore now, and last year our dorm room really had no space for a railroad. i may have been able to fit something in, but instead i deceided to take a lil time off and only work on model railroad stuff when i came home, which ended up being often enough. as a result when i got out i felt a lil deprived so i spent quite a bit of the summer working on layout related stuff.
while in the dorms i did not totaly refrain from the hobby. i tryed to go to a local train show, but didnt get the address in time. i was always online looking up some kinda trian stuff, and since theres a UP mainline right next to our campus i went railfanning down that several times.
this comming year im liveing in an appartment wiht more room. so i’m planing on joining the local club, the dues seem resonable and i would find that fun. i also plan on building a modual to go wiht the club ones. i figure that i can squeese a 2 by 4 food layout secition some where in my appartment. as for trains i totaly agree with whoever siad it before, dont bring the best stuff. we broke a lotta stuff last year that was not fradgile. detailed trains would not last long in a dorm room. for this year im still not bringing down any good stuff. just a walthers trainline GP9 that i added some lights to and a few blue box cars.
besides haveing the layout to work on, our appartment has the UP main line right behinde it~!!! im really looking forward to getting some good train pics right from home =D
take care all
I’m pretty much going to ditto some of the things that have already been said. I came back into model railroading during my last semester in the dorms and I’m in an apartment now. During that time I worked on building my fleet up with modern equipment, since I decided to narrow myself down to an era rather than the mishmash of stuff I had as a kid. Now that I’ve got an apartment I’m going to get started on making a Free-Mo module or two and continue to slowly build up my roster as my budget will allow. My university also happened to have a railroad club, so I did work on their layout some and it gives me a place to run some trains.
I got out of the hobby during the first three years of college and started getting back in during my fourth. Now in my fifth year (I changed my major, I’m not stupid, I swear!), I plan on building a simple diorama of a stretch of track from back home. I’ll spend my dollars on detailing locomotives and rolling stock that I will display and photograph on my little diorama. I’m looking at 20" x 48" in size.
There’s also a club layout on campus and I plan on trying ot make contact with those guys.