If someone asked you about your hobby, and why you are in it, what would you say to them in 30 seconds or less?
The sense of accomplishment from making something I like.
The December 1996 issue of MR. That is the sole reason I am a model railroad fan. I bought a used copy at my library as a kid and fell in love. I would re-read that magazing over and over and dream about the day I could model like Lance Mindheim.
the “buzz” lasts longer than drinking & cheaper in the long run too! [:P]
Gordon
It is a mind-challenging medium that allows me to express my creativity and have hours of enjoyment - and it doesn’t cause cancer or add to my waistline.
But how would you promote the hobby? There’s a lot of misconceptions about us I think.
BTW: Good to see you again Ken. How’s the steel mill these days? 
I like tinkering and building stuff. I tried RC airplanes and RC cars and they almost always seemed like they were breaking, running their gas powered motors was not very neighborhood friendly and the having to drive some place to play with them got old. If my train crashes, most of the time it is nothing more than put them back on the rails. And the worst thing I have had break is a couple couplers and that is an easy fix. And there is the scense of accomplishment of turning a bare piece of plywood into a realistic looking scene.
Simple, I love building stuff and running trains.
Enjoy
Paul
To your original question:
I like trains, I like history (I model the past with little interest in current railroading), I like machines in general, I like to and am reasonably skilled at building things.
I like to work alone at my own pace and own goals - model railroading fills all that and more.
As to your second question above:
I don’t, and am not one bit modivated to promote the hobby beyond what ever happens by natural contact or accident.
Sheldon
I think of model railroading as three dimensional art. It is also a portal back in time, to a place I would like to visit. But, most important, I LOVE TRAINS!!![swg]
Can’t be done!
Give me a couple hours… Yes! [:-^][swg] (Just ask the Scouts that visited a few days back…)
Thanks Don, glad to be back! As for the steel mill, it’s still there - but the layout surrounding the mill has been totally gutted and renovated [to eliminate duckunders]. The tracklaying and wiring is 95% completed but has taken up all of my ‘uncommitted’ time, which explains my recent absence from the forum.
The hobby of the love of trains. Looking at them, following them around the country, models of them, pictures of them, their history and influcence on the world. Why - I was Born with the love of trains.
It’s relaxing, creative and interesting. I enjoy it.
RMax
Sheldon speaks for me as well.
The only thing I can add is that I don’t feel any need to justify myself or my lawful acts to anyone.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - when, as and if I feel like it)
Answer: it’s interesting, educational, and fun.
Because I love trains and it requires more skills than most hobbies thus making it educational and sharpens your attention to detail.
I’ve always enjoyed MRRing ever since I grew up with American Flyer. I enjoy trying to re-create a moment in time in an era of a fallen flag (The New York Central during steam and early diesel) that I will only be able to view through books and visual media. History becomes alive as I research the prototype. I also view creation and man-made objects, and the world with a different set of eyes- i.e. a modeler’s eyes. There isn’t another hobby that I know of that uses such a variety of disciplines as MRRing; disciplines that are also useful and beneficial in other areas of life, as well.
That’s it in a nutshell. Did I go over the 30 seconds???
Tom
It`s a disease . RON
My 16 yr old grandson just asked me, why I liked trains so much, this past Sunday.
I asked him, why he liked girls n trucks so much, and he said, I just do. There was his answer.
Then I told him, that trains were cheaper to take care of than girls or trucks.
inch