Go ahead, try it. Would be nice to see how your interests compare!
A. Running trains
B. Collecting trains
C. Chatting about trains (such as on the forum)
D. Scratchbuilding trains or structures
E. Building a new layout (includes planning, benchwork, electrical, mountains, track, etc)
F. Other ___________
For example, mine would be a bit odd b/c I do toy trains outside (#1 is favorite activity & #6 is less favorite–although you might still enjoy it):
F. Other. I enjoy the rock gardening and landscaping aspects; something I recently discovered I enjoy.
D. I enjoy scratchbuilding and tweeking the power systems.
C. Judging from the time I spend on the forums, I’d have to admit this
A
E
B I suppose buying new trains could fall into this category, since everything we buy adds to our collection. I’m still trying to figure out how to use eBay to get a Lionel Docksider and my eventual goal is to get O gauge live steam
A. Love running trains. I run them fast, which isn’t prototypical, but it is fun! 2. B. I have to admit, I have purchased a few pre-and post war items partly because of their age and condition. 2 low-priced locomotives, several freight cars, and a couple of tin plate warning signs. Nothing expensive, but I like them, and use/run them all. At this point, with my kids at a somewhat destructive age, I’ll wait till later to delve into the really nice stuff pile. 3. C. Chatting about trains, especially on this forum, is a real treat for me. I’ve learned so much here and elsewhere online, met some truly wonderful people, and without question have had my interest in toy trains sustained by talking trains on the forums. 4. D. Scale modeling has always been a great interest of mine. Building and detailing structures is right up my alley. It seems to come easy for me. 5. E. I’m currently building my first layout, and have enjoyed it greatly. I’ve learned a heck of a lot along the way. I’m already thinking of starting layout number 2! 6. F. Garden Railroading is starting to appeal to me. Next summer might see the advent of that hobby genre in our backyard. Without trying to do so, I’ve ranked my preferrences in the exact order the catagories were presented in. But there’s so much more I could add. I greatly enjoy O27 trains and layouts, tinplate trains, and even watching toy train videos with my kids. I love attending train shows. Seeing what’s for sale, talking to the vendors and attendees, buying something at a good price. Just being around all of those trains and train fanatics makes me feel real good. Kinda like a woman with a credit card in a shoe store! I like making memories with my kids. Decades from now, long after I’m gone, they will remember (fondly, I hope) the times we shared building our layout and running our trains. I also enjoy reading CTT and OGR. It’s always a happy day when a new issue arrives. On the other hand, things that don’t appeal to me would include; 2 ra
Well Dave, when I got back into the hobby 16 years ago, it was the lack of current road names and either the lack of painted bodies (or enough color put into the plastic body material) that got me interested in repainting. Now it’s one of my favorite activities - by choice and by the continued severe lack of current roads on smaller train items.
Modeling on a budget got me started in kitbashing years ago. As my comfort level rapidly grew I got and into the design, creation and building of my own train accessories. My own custom designed iciing station still works after 15 years. Having limited space for a layout has forced me into the modification of many train items. My current layout design would NOT be possible if I did not chop down the 027 swtiches to just the actual track size… the as if footprint of the switches is very limiting on small layouts. I’ve made my MTH operating freight platform smaller as I have made other items smaller. I’ve built a number of 027-ized locos that are my favorites.
When I was doing shows, I always was flattered with the many comments and compliments on “where did I get that?” or “when did K-Line make a CSX Alco?” or “how did you make your milk car operate anywhere on your layout?” or “who made that good looking small Conrail loco?” It was also neat to have folks with kids look at all the layouts, even the big scale command layouts, and then come back and tell me mine was the best. Or to get notes from dealers thanking me for helping them to sell another train set. Those things were really nice and seeing the smiles of excitement on the kids faces over the very kinds trains the importers say kids don’t want not only proves them all wrong but was just great! Kids still like trains, they just have to be affordable and available for those kids parents.
I once sold a custom built 027-ized loco and then quickly realized what a mistake that w
A. Chatting about trains (on forum and phone)
B. Thinking, changing and working on the layout.
C. Running trains / trolleys.
D. Reading toy train and modeling and train magazines (got the latest MR and Trains this week).
I don’t think I collect or scratchbuild ‘well’. I do enjoy making something from items not intended for model railroading - like furnace filter trees or box-based hills.
c) chatting would eb first for me because i do more of this than anything. as i wake up looking to see the responses i check in the middle of the day for responses. and i check before i go to bed for responses also i check in between those times i named for responses. thats alot of time wasted on the forum instead of it going into me working om my layout.
b) would be next as you cant run trains unless you have them to run.
e) would be next as you have to have some type of layout to run the trains on wether it be carpey or benchwork.
a) running trains as thats why you bought them in the first place as that would be the enjoyment for you and also to get your moneys worth.
f) other would be the times i go upstairs and just look at my layout and say when am i going to do some work just to get the first train running which i should have by the weekend if i stay dedicated to working on my layout.
d) would be last as i have only thought about what i would like to scratch build once i get my trains up and running.
building a layout. I spend most of my time in the hobby planing and constructing or changing my layout.
Buying trains. Right now my roster is not very large so I enjoy looking for more trains, visiting diffrent train shops. My son loves to go with me. Plus there nothing more pleasing then finding a great bargin on a train.
Running trains. I believe this will move up the list as my roster and layout mature. I’ve only been in the hobby for about 3 years now.
Reading books about and mags about trains, layouts and sceanery.
Talking to other in the Hobby. (Sorry guys your last. No hard feelings I hope)
A. Running trains #1. I’ll go in the train room and run trains just to see and hear and smell them. When the grandkids come over, we spend a lot of train running time, especially on my grandson’s layout. When guests are over they love watching the old trains and accessories operate. Motors, gears, cams and solenoids. Not the first (computer) chip to be found anywhere and it works! There was life before PC’s.
B. Collecting trains #2 At this time everything is postwar american flyer. The new stuff is very interesting, but the vintage stuff, has me charmed, I guess it nastalgitic.
C. Chatting about trains (such as on the forum) #3 I’ll check the forum at least once a day. I love to read and talk trains, especially American Flyer!!!
D. Scratchbuilding trains or structures I’m not into this yet. Not to say I may not try it. That’s part of the beauty of this hobby, do what yu want when you want.
E. Building a new layout (includes planning, benchwork, electrical, mountains, track, etc) #4 I’ve got the layout built, and now I’m tweeking, adding here, detailing there, just taking my time having fun with it.
F. Other ___________ #5 Classes will start soon so that will take up a lot of my spare time.
Number one would be adding, building, changing, searching for “scenics” for my layouts. I recently joined a modular group so I could build things that were too large for my 5x8 layout…like a Drive-In Movie (to scale…not with small cars).
Number two would be watching other people run their hi-tech, super-detailed, expensive, looong trains on our huge modular layout. Joe
This is easy but it took me about 4 years to figure it all out. 1. E. Building and planning. I’m hooked, if I were younger I would hire out! But what’s most strange is that I enjoy the wiring part of it. 2. D. Scratch building structures or scene. 3. B. Collecting trains, especially once the layout is complete or collecting for a specific scene. 4. C. Chatting about trains with fellow enthusiasts. 5. A. Running trains and DREAMING about the NEXT layout Jon
A - love to run the MTH proto sounds, have many proro1, a few proto 2
B - Collecting - has to be pre-war Lionel Standard and O gauge
C - Chat - no time for that, I commute, makes for a 12+ hr day
D - Scratch Build - no, too many projects at home
E - new layout, under design, CTT has been very helpful, forum very helpful
F - other - I also have trouble keeping Houndzilla ( a beagle) away from trains.
Hate dealers who price things very high. Solved that problem for the forseeble future.
Recently purchased a HUGE collection of MTH trains, acces, buildings, many mint in box,
at very reasonable price. Took four loads in a GMC Jimmy to get it home.
Love good trainshows, York, Harrisonburg, Dulles Expo Center. Don’t think I will be purchasing many trains in the near futuer. Spent many years train budget last month.
C, I like to read the posts and topics in all of the different forums.
A, running trains is my escape from everyday life. I like to listen to the Railsounds System, the air whistle from my 1st Lionel Steamer, the wheels on the rails, Mel’s Diner from MTH, and the Lionel Singing Hobo water tower.
F, reading about other people’s layouts in CTT, looking and reading the wiring diagrams, reading the tips and tricks column. I am looking for a bunch of articles right now about hiding building bases under foam, making roads, cutting foam and then painting it to make scenery, and scenery techniques.
E
B, I don’t like to have trains sitting on shelves, I like to run them.
D, I don’t have the patience to scratchbuild anything.
A! I LOVE running my trains! I run them as TOYS. Faster than prototype, but not
TOO fast. (Remember the old Lionel and Flyer commercials, programs and films?)
B! I love collecting trains almost as much as running them! I primarily have PreWar
(Pre-WWI and Pre-WWII) trains that I have spent a lifetime gathering. I do have a
few favorite Post-WWII items from my childhood. The rest are from family members’
collections that I have inherited are collected with my late Dad at meets and such.
C! Self explanatory [:)]
E. Used to really be into building new layouts (Sectional track DOES have its’ good
features.), but now have two permanent layouts in my home. Now I just do small
changes and enjoy operating.
F. Other…I strive to re-create an era (Standard Gauge layout Pre-War tinplate) and
(O Gauge layout 1930’s thru 1950’s) where train layouts were department store dis-
plays and whimsical rather than “scale” or “scale-appearing”. I just like the look of
“Lionelville” and “Plasticville”. Everything was/is good there.
Footnote…This is why there are so many different types and brands of trains. Each
one of use enjoys them in a different fashion. In my book there is no “right” or “wrong”
way to enjoy trains…just different ways.
Once again, a very interesting topic, Dave. You’re always coming up with good ones. Well, here’s my ranking…
B. I’m very much a collector. Prewar and postwar toy trains are my primary interest (although I also have modern HO). “The Hunt” is one of the best parts of the hobby for me. I’m always checking antique stores, pawn shops, flea markets, garage sales, train shows, ebay and anywhere else where old trains might be found. Many times there aren’t trains at these places or they’re over-priced, but the trains I do find more than make up for that. Whenever I do find some new piece, I’m always on a high. There’s a great deal of excitement in not knowing what I’ll find next. Here’s one example: About four years ago, I was given the opportunity to purchase a 1930’s Bub (German) tinplate baggage car lettered for Canadian National, which is from a set sold exclusively in Canada and is very hard to find even here. It was a lot of money, but I doubted that I would ever have another opportunity to buy another one, so I got it. I later found the passenger car and tender for the set on ebay with a junk Marx set, which I picked up for only $20. Then, I found the engine alone on ebay and got it for only $30. Within a year of purchasing the baggage car, I had a complete Bub CN set, which in itself is something to be proud of, but also which altogether cost me far less than its full value.
It’s always great to complete a set, like in the example above, or find some new variation or item that I have been looking for or, better yet, didn’t even know existed.
F. Researching and studying vintage toy trains. Perhaps this goes along with collecting, but I’m putting this as a seperate activity. The historical aspect of the hobby appeals to me enormously and I’m always eager to learn more. I read anything I can on vintage toy trains. However, fin
I am mostly into HO logging for a layout, but one of my grand daughters manages a thrift store and gave me a box of Lionel last year that included a really good looking GG1, a good ATSF F3 and a broken F3 (I replaced the body off bay), a KW transformer, lots of freight cars and 6 turnouts. I was hooked on collecting. Now I have passenger cars, track, repair parts and some more freight cars off Ebay. For about $350 total investment (and climbing) I have around $2,500 for insurance purposes. I am hooked on post-war collecting and bidding.
I enjoy the forum every day.
The rest will wait until I am too old to make the little stuff, then I’ll sell the HO and set up tinplate.
I can honestly say patience was not once one of my virtues. Not to preach, but my walk with the Lord along with my train building adventures has changed all that. I didn’t jump into at first… I kinda walked my way into it. Plus I have the mindset that is always looking for ways to improve something or asking myself questions like “how can I make every box car I have into an operating box car?” Then I try to answer my own questions. Whenever I have bought a train item, the first thing I do is pull it apart to see how it’s put together and can I improve it.
When I first got into the hobby I noticed the cheaper dual can motored locos “growled” a lot, especially on curves. I noticed K-Line put traction tires all over the place with seemingly no rhyme or reason. I noticed MPC locos always had the traction tires on one side only. But they were single motored locos. So I wondered what if I removed traction tires on my locos to get them all on one side. And that helped.
When I got into running my layout on DC power, that was an accident too, because I had screwed up the circuit board on one loco. When I test ran it on DC, I noticed a very distinct improvement in speed consistancy and a reduction in growl noise. Now I’ve completely converted to DC operation. I figured out how to modify my operating cars to adapt to my new set up.
The kitbashing and scratch building started simple too but quickly grew. I mean, it’s not like you can go to college and take Toy Train Building 101. You just have to try it and keep at it. Early on I was very frustrated with the lack of modern types of smaller traditionally sized trains in current roads… that was another big motivation for me. Conrail is one of the greatest trun-around stories in American business and railroading. Conrail was all over the place at one time, yet was sorely lacking in toy trains. I realized I would either wait forever
a) I run my trains more than anything. It relaxes me after work and my girl friend thinks they are cool.
d) I build a lot of my structures myself. It’s kind of like my work where I build full sized buildings.
c) I like to talk to other interested people about trains. I have met some nice folks this way.
e) I am thinking about other layouts for the future when I get a house to buy. I’m renting right now
so I only have a 4x8 layout. I haver seen some nice pictures of layouts here that give me ideas.
b) I have a small collection right now. I don’t know if I really am into “collecting” as I don’t have
the big money that others here have. Besides I just want to get what makes me happy.
I hope this is what you were looking for in your survey.
Jon