While I think model railroading is a cool hobby, I just don’t think it’s for me. After gaining much interest around Christmas and getting the Bachmann EZ Command for a starter set, it is now in the closet.
It’s too permanent and limited for me. One of my previous hobbies was R/C planes and what I liked was being able to take my plane from it’s storage area, fly it all over the sky and then store it when I got home. With trains, you put so much work and time into a layout and then your stuck with that layout unless you change it. Room is also an issue for me to do anything more than the standard 4 x 6 layout.
I still like trains and will pull my set out from time to time but I don’t see it becoming a full time hobby of mine. Then again, I might wake up tomorrow and feel differently.
Sorry to hear that, but everyone has their own wants/needs. Good luck in your future endevors!
You can still come to the forum and post some Polls! [}:)] [:D]
Peter
I see nothing wrong with your choice, and think I understand. Good for you for coming up with a reasoned argument to leave MRR for a bit. I have had a number of intense interests over my adult life, and have been grateful for the shear pleasure of learning about each new hobby. Luckily, I was agog over trains when I was a toddler, and lived near steam operations until I was in my early teens…in the Peruvian Andes. So, my “regression” came naturally when I left the military and settled in one place…for once.
I predict that a time will come when your interest in trains will peak anew.
Good luck, and thanks for letting us know what you have concluded.
The main problem is people see these awsome layouts at train shows or see some really great locomotives and say hey thats a hobby for me. But when they start they figure it will be a 1-2-3 project and it isnt. Hence the term Model railroad. You have to model buildings etc. And you have to build a layout. Some people dont sit down and read up on the hobby before they start or they dont do any research to find how how they can get from stuff in a box to a layout they dont figure the time needed. Unlike most other hobys such as R/C vehicles any shape or form you can purchase those ready to go or kit. Dont get me wrong I think R/C cars, and planes are awsome got a couple of Nikko cars from the 80’s and 90’s I still drive around just to do something different. And my dad has an old Airplane that we are redoing with the new skin has an old Cox motor and we want to make it remote (use to be on guide wire). I say start small witht he layout such as your 8X6 you dont wont to go to something large, hone your skills, and during the spring and summertime isnt a good time to start since the weather outside is beautiful for running R/C equipment. So take your time and see how you feel about before you say hey it aint for me. And if you dont want to forced to do all the work see if their are local people into trains and get together with them for ideas or help.
I respect your decision, and i’m very glad that you are clear on what you want and what you don’t.
Now, a little food for thought.
Is there any nearby club? What seems to be perfect for someone like you is a module. These are usually 2x4, and allow you to interconnect with others and create huge layouts temporarily. And, it fits in a closet[:)].
This might be the solution for you; perhaps it’s better that you put model railroading aside for now.
The other thing i’d like to mention. Many modelers see the beautiful layouts featured in MR and aspire to them. When they try to build, they realize they cannot do it, become discouraged and lose site of why they joined (I was one of 'em).
Whichever path you choose, they all can lead to happiness. It’s the journey, not the destination.
I know how you feel. Sometimes I wonder if I’m just wasting time and money. But I guess I stuck with it because I really like to fabricate and build things. When I was laid up from surgury, it kept me active and sane. Working a fifty hour work week, I like being home doing some model building, hanging out with my animals and taking the dogs to the park.
There other aspects of the hobby besides models. If you still like trains, then you might make train travel a hobby. There are a lot of tourist railroads to visit. Check out the back of Trains Magazine for a listing. Something to do if the weather’s bad for flying.
model railroading is a life-long hobby , that means as long as you’re alive you can still come back to it [:D] .
yoshi suggested a club , that’s a great idea . you might not have to build your own layout and there’s plenty of people to hang out with , and you can follow whatever other hobbies might interest you
i suggest buying and building a craftsman kit , either a freight car or a building . you might find the modeling aspect of the hobby more fun than running a train around in circles
I’m sorry you feel this way. I on the otherhand could not imagine my life without the hobby. Over the years, I’ve met some really great people because of it, which now includes the folks of this forum. I often hear this alot from younger people. Perhaps it’s because we live in a world of “Instant Gratification”. As stated in an early post, Model Railroading is a life long hobby. That is why it’s called “The Worlds Greatest Hobby”.
Many of us can name fellow modelers by heart. The latest polls can tell you that. But did you know that Walt Disney, Frank Sinatra, Gary Coleman, and many other famous people were Model Railroaders. In Fact, Disneyland originally intended to operate Walt’s live steamer which is today displayed inside Main Street Station.
However, the dicision is your’s to make, and I can respect whatever that may be…
I love trains and could not be with out them but i am in no ru***o finsih my layout I just want to make progress and hve fun with my trains. So what ever you do make sure you enjoy doing it!!
This is not the first time I’ve seen BOTCHMANN crap chase somebody away from our hobby. It’s too bad you couldn’t find a good hobby shop with someone who could help you get started the proper way and with quality trains and advice.
Good luck,
gtr
No wonder you’re bored. Putting some track on a board and running trains around in circles is VERY boring. But, it is not model railroading, it is just playing with toy trains. A model railroad to be interesting might be really interesting if it was at least patterned after how a real railroad operates. Why are you trying to turn a wire plane into a remote controlled one? For the same reason. Flying it around in circles also gets REAL boring after a very little while. To get a good taste of what model railroading is really about, take the advice of those that suggest you join a club. If that doesn’t get you the “bug” then nothing else will either. I was bitten by the “bug” seventy years ago and am still at it because I operate how real railroads function, only in miniature. There are so many variables in activities it NEVER gets boring.
I’m no fan of Bachmann lower end stuff, but this is a bit harsh since JBK76 made no mention at all about problems with the equipment being a reason for leaving the hobby.
Space, time, and money are not insignificant resources to devote to a hobby. It is not altogether suprising that it is not the hobby for some.
PERMANET AND LIMITED??? ESPECIALLY LIMITED!!! In no way shape or form is it permanet, because a railroad is never permanet. And it is especially not LIMTED!!! It has a huuuuuuuge selection to choose from! Oh well, to bad about your luck and feelings, and good luck with whatever hobby you choose!
One thing about R/C planes is they often don’t last very long! A friend of mine made one some years ago and had and experienced pilot get it up in the air for him. He then took over the controls and made too quick a turn. Both wings fell off, and the hours he spent in making it were dashed as it plunged into the ground in pieces.
At least that doesn’t happen too much with model trains!
Thats the second worst sound a man can hear is a locomotive hitting the floor (OUCH!) have that one happen a couple of times. Thankfully, I was able to repair said locomotive.
As to the post, space, time and money are set backs. However, each can be over come if you know were to look. Ofcourse, I’m still trying to get my HO railroad into an 11 1/2ft by 13 1/2ft space. Not easy when you want 4 tracks of continuous running along with a point to point and switching. I’m getting closer in a design!!!
Model railroading is like spinach. It isn’t the best thing for every taste.
Getting out of this hobby isn’t like giving up your citizenship, or blowing up a bridge. Any time you feel the urge, come on back, whether for a visit or for a lifetime.
In the meantime, good luck in all of your endeavors, whatever they might be.