I’m just in it for the fun.
Oh yah, and the Articulateds, LOL!
Tom [:P]
I’m just in it for the fun.
Oh yah, and the Articulateds, LOL!
Tom [:P]
I’m a prototype modeler and always strive to improve and raise my standards. That’s MY business and I don’t expect anybody else to comply. I’m not lowering my standards because somebody else has a thin skin. This whole argument hits a sore spot with me because I’ve caught crap over it at the local club and hobby shop - a couple of people rude enough to suggest that I ruin their hobby because I have standards on my layout, that I don’t impose on anybody but me. Last time I hosted for the club layout tour, one of them made a big deal out of telling people he refused to come because of all this. I’d never even met this guy it turned out, he just didn’t like the idea of anybody taking an approach to the hobby that didn’t match his own.
It’s the same type of silly peer pressure mentality that you shouldn’t try to get straight A grades in school, because that might intimidate somebody. Just be happy with what happens on your own layout, it’s all that should matter. Maybe you can come by my place, grab a throttle and run a train; you may have so much fun you forget the chip on your shoulder.
I am always in search of excellence, but I have yet to find it [swg]
I am in this hobby to please no one else but me, but that does not mean I am not open to justified critique. After all, learning never stops.
When I returned to the hobby and via this site 5 years ago, that is what I thought as a re-newed newbie. That everyone’s work was masterpieces! ANd I would never live up to it!
Then one day when my father showed an interest in playing with my old childhod/early teen O-O/27 layout I dug out some of the stuff I had packed away. I looked at some of attempts and mused out loud, “boy I didn’t do a very a good job, did I” {at scratchbuilding buildings and structures}. My father said “well you have got to remember your abilities and what you had to work with at the time”.
That kinda stuck with me. I was new again to stuff. SO it’s my railroad and I’ll run what I wanna! I’ll paint my buildings with what colors and paint I wanna.
I can do certain things the “acceptable way” but others I shall DO what I wanna!
Any resemblance to perfection in my endeavors is purely coincidental. I only try to approach it when laying trackwork - secure in the knowledge that I may approach, but will never attain.
What, me worry?
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Before this thread dies, let me say that there are three important variables that modelers have to take into consideration:
Hand - eye coordination and dexterity: some modelers are clumsier than others (such as myself).
Tools and equipment: you have to have the right tools and equipment and take safety precautions when building and painting models. (I have no designated work area, no airbrush, and no place to spray paint models).
Money: all the equipment, tools, parts, and materials can get expensive, so budget and resources are important factors in being able to produce contest-quality models. (Locomotives are my favourite aspect of model railroading, and as of late I’ve been buying factory painted models and just adding a few detail parts to make them look a little more prototypical).
Why does this topic continue to rear it’s ugly head? There will always be a chasm between the prototype modelers, the freelancers and those in between.
There are:
A. Model Railroaders
B. Railroad Modelers (including prototype modeling)
C. Freelancers
D. Toy Train enthusiasts
Almost all of us that socialize here are in the A category. We have model trains, are looking to build a layout, have a layout or belong to a club with a layout. We enjoy running trains, structured as in operating sessions or otherwise.
Many people who love trains and build layouts and buy model trains are in the C and D category. They are happy keeping things light and simple. Prototypical accuracy is not their main concern.
People in the B category are modeling from a retrospective, historical point of view; they are fascinated by the history of the railroad, the purpose of the motive power, rolling stock and structures. The accuracy of the model lends itself to learning the history of its prototype. They enjoy the challenge of creating a model that closely resembles the real thing. Brass models are aimed at this group. Companies such as Details West and Custom Finishing develop products for this type of modeler. There are prototype modeling meets held every year all over the U.S. (and other countries). Clinics are held to share ideas and to educate. Knowledge is as valuable a tool as an Xacto knife for this group.
Some of us are in between; we enjoy prototype modeling but also enjoy simply opening a box, placing the loco or cars on the track and run down the line!
You can have fun if you are A, B, C, or D types; do what makes you happy. But know this, the foundation of this hobby is to model the prototype; otherwise this would be the toy train hobby. How many of your non- hobby friends think you are silly to “play with trains”? Millions of dollars are invested each year by the manufacturers, to build quality models and accessories.
Thanks for your comments, Carl. Very good points and worth noting. [Y][:D]
I agree with and am similar to Carl in my approach to this hobby of ours. I push myself for prototype accuracy, find enjoyment in learning about the history of the prototype (in my case, the NYC), and also enjoy helping others by sharing what I’ve learned in my short time in the hobby so far. Thankfully, I have run across VERY few (if any) MRRers that would fall into the category as those described by the OP.
I’m in this hobby for enjoyment and learning and realize that I will NEVER achieve “perfection” on my own layout; nor do I expect it on other’s layouts. I push myself to be the best I can be - without pushing that demand onto others around me. And, although I may not choose to model like someone else because I don’t particularly care for their modeling “style”, choice of scale, or techniques, I can still learn from them and glean from their experience.
Actually, I find that I’m so busy with learning about the New York Central - how it operated, what it owned, what important details give a layout that “NYC look”, etc. - I have little to no time nor concern for criticizing others about their layouts. Besides, what good will that do. They can find plenty of things to criticize about my own layout. LOL!
Tom
My two cents worth for today,
Those than can should- Those that can’t should atleast try.
Just remember it’s Your hobby not mine,if your happy who gives a rip if Joe Expert likes it.
While I strive for a fair amount of detail and accuracy in my modeling -
I also want to have an Operarting Layout and have twice monthly OPs Session - this is the only reason I built the layout in the first place.
If I spend all my time getting everything super accurate I won’t have time for OPERATIONS!
And with building a Club sized home layout by myself - scenery sort of takes a backseat as does getting all of the buildings scratch built or kitbashed (as I am doing a Prototypical design layout)
So super detail will come - when I have nothing better to do - which might be a while!
BUT - At least I have an OPERATING layout and can then detail it as I get time - instead of trying to super build everything and NEVER have an OPERATING Layout as so many seem to have (or not have)!
And as for OPs - when I put out the e-mail that I am having an OPs Session - I can get over 30 replys wanting to come run the layout - so Scenery and Super Detail building and rolling stock- and unfortunately have to turn some away!
MUST NOT MEAN THAT MUCH to so many modelers as they would much rather have an OPERATING Session instead of looking at a bunch of super detailed stuff that doesn’t make the trains run one bit better!
BOB H - Clarion, PA
Catt,
How 'bout this?..
“Those that (desire and) can should (have the freedom to do so); Those that can’t should at least (give it a) try”. And neither party should criticize the other openly for their approach to the hobby.
Tom
There really should not be this urge to make everyone do things the same way you do…it’d be incredibly boring if that happened.
My layout I build to mine own expectations…which is high to begin with…that is what I strive FOR. Heaven forfend someone do the exact same dang thing if they do not feel like it…
All on the same layout I have Erie Lackawanna passenger trains, Atlantic Coast line freight, Amtrak Passenger, Delaware and Hudson Freight, PRR steam, NYC subway, Thomas the Tank Engine, and Hogwart’s Express.
I am probably not the best person to discuss prototypical perfection.
While I mostly follow a particular railroad, I am most interested in getting a layout up and running. To that end I will use as much RTR as possible to become operational. For each building activity, I always do the best job that I can on each project in a reasonable time frame - always keeping in mind the overall goal. While I am interested in being reasonably accurate to the prototype, I also include stuff that I like even if not exactly correct, so you’ll see billboard reefers on my 50’s layout. I also have some phantasy road names from the NMRA’s Heritage and Living Legends series. Once I’m operational I’ll work on the kits I have accumulated over the years, scenery, and do some scratch building.
While some people love a competitive hobby, I do not. My modeling pleases me. Which is not to say I’m stagnant, I always look to improve my skills. But I’m not really interested in competing with others or going through a certification program.
I have found the happy middle ground that pleases me. My layout will be my interpretation of the Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad - yours may differ. But in the end it doesn’t matter if you’re having fun and not hurting others.
Enjoy
Paul
Frankly, I’m surprised Model Railroading hasn’t (de)evolved into a contact sport…
[:-,]
John
Put up your dukes…
Anyone who sees a “perfect” model railroad and throws their hands up in despair should quit the hobby at once. This hobby is not meant for you. You will only become frustrated by your insecurities. Leave this hobby now and go find something else that can satisfy you or you will become bitter and miserable.
Anyone who sees a “perfect” model railroad and says, “That’s what I want to do! How can I learn to do that?” is someone who will make this a life-long hobby. This is a hobby where striving for “perfection” leads to a life-long hobby goal of trying your best and improving your skills. This chase for “perfection” is itself part of the “fun” of the hobby, and figuring out a solution or finding that nugget of information or completing that hard-to-build model can lead to a satisfied feeling that can last for years…which makes for a happy hobbiest.
Being intimidated by quality work is a mark against the observer, not against the work.
Paul A. Cutler III
Great response.
You obviously have not been to a large crowded train show.
I once argued with a person over what material MY modules that I built were made from. This went on for about 20 minutes. He finally plunked an elbow onto one of them and dented the foam real deep. I then thanked him for wrecking it and suggested he have a few more beers before attending the next time. The crater with the pink showing through proved it was foam and not plywood. The next show had a crashed HO scale (?) flying saucer stuck into the crater. That’s as prototypical as I wanted to get.
Pete
I wonder if the OP was mistreated somewhere in his hobby ventures to say such a statement. No where in any magazine article, NMRA bulletin, or web site is there a rule etched in stone concerning what way to model is best. You strive to do the best you can. If you’re happy with your results, that’s as far as it goes. If you’re not, you try harder the next project. There are some top notch modelers here, Dr.Wayne and Jon Grant are two examples, I never see them posting about perfection,the costs, the hobbies dying. Maybe they just know how to be great modelers and model…mh