So I think a lot of modelers have secondary modeling interests apart from their “main” layout or hobby focus. For example “If I had more space I’d model…” or, “If I weren’t modeling X, I’d do a freelance layout based on…”. Some people have secondary layouts/models/interests in different scales or eras as well.
What secondary modeling (prototype or freelance) interests do any of y’all have?
My primary modeling focus is the Union Pacific Ord branch in 1958, but I have a large number of coal hoppers so I’m thinking about a freelance coal hauling shortline as well.
Apart from my primary layout, which is a trip down memory lane into my childhood days, I´d love to build a small OO9 scale British inspired narrow gauge light railway layout in a container and a Nm scale (that´s N scale metre gauge) layout based on the Swiss Rhaetian railway - that´s the one operating the famous Glacier express and Bernina Express trains .
Unfortunately, I have a very broad interest in model railroading which makes it difficult to focus on a single theme and stay with it.
Well, my primary interest is S scale and now that I’m settled into my new basement [:D] I plan to start the layout based on the Maryland and Pennsylvania RR in the early 50’s - probably Fall of 1953 (but I my stretch that a year back to 1952 thru 1953).
Secondary interest are HO and O. I have enough stuff in both scales for a layout. I plan to do a small layout in each scale once the main line is up and running. But those won’t follow any particular prototype or era other than steam/early diesel and will use kits from 30-50 years ago mixed in with more recent stuff.
I’m warming up to the idea of a narrow gauge layout. Probably not the next layout, maybe the one after next. I’m hopefully moving in the next couple weeks so when we get settled I’ll continue on with my current layout that I’m taking with or starting a new standard gauge ho layout.
In addition to model railroading I’m interested in model cars, trucks, ships, etc. Below is the truck Santa brought me a couple years ago to work on my painting skills. Don’t zoom in on the picture or you’ll see just how much practice i actually need [:$]
My primary railroad interests are traction and railcars in HO scale and European/Austrian narrow gauge in G/Large scale. My other hobbies are Ham Radio and antique Wheel Horse brand garden tractors. Mike
In addition to my two “Freelance” road’s ( Demon’s Hollow & Pacific, And the Wyler’s Gulch & Western ) I am seriously concidering building a “Gilpin Tramway” narrow gauge layout.
I also build model car’s , truck’s ,plane’s, ship’s, figure’s ect…
But I have a HUGE interest in WWII German Submarine’s…
( I just can’t figure out how to get them to “fit in” with a steam era logging railroad … )
Over the spring/summer I started building Tamiya 1/12 scale Formula 1 cars. Not cheap on eBay but they have some heft when finished, and scratch that itch of having a project with a definite point of completion. Unlike our railroads, at some point there is one last part, decal, paint touch up or whatever—and then it’s done. Then you realize you can’t do anything more with it, which in turn scratches the itch to get back to the ever evolving railroad. Balance. ‘Tis a wonderful thing.
I consider what I do in the spring and summer as my “other” hobby. Working on and building our place in the North woods of WI. is my main summer hobby, and in 2nd place is working on, and restoring garden tractors. Mostly Symplicity and John Deere.
Mike.
EDIT: I guess I didn’t answer the “secondary modeling interest”, which for me would be On3 and S scale-gauge. I have some of each I just haven’t done anything with, as of yet.
I have worked as a small engine mechanic most of my life before getting hired by FCA at one of the local transmission factories, so I do have many of those special tools for working on lawn and garden tractors. Mike the Aspie
If I had a much larger room to build in, like 15’ x 30’, I would love to do another double deck layout, only this one would have on one level modern era homes, automobiles, businesses, factories, both flat and mountain scenery using both very large steam and diesel prime movers and the other level would be the old west with mountains, ranches, mines, old towns and all steam prime movers.
I also wish there was a scale between N scale and HO. HO takes up more space, but N is just too small for me to manage. Also, N scale seems to be more suseptable to dust and dirt electrical problems.
Primary interest: SCL and ACL railroads with emphasis on their passenger trains (and the New Haven RR).
Secondary interest: Trucks, cars, and buses from the 1960’s-70’s! I’ve been a BIG fan of fishbowls since early childhood. Have been working on several Busch units over the past few years, freelancing paint schemes. Even with their errors, they’re not bad looking units and are easy to “hop-up”.
However, Once produced, I will be buying several Rapido fishbowls with the single-panel rear exit doors.
There is a scale in between N and HO. It’s called TT scale (1:120 or 1/10" eguals 12"). It’s called the Orphan Scale, N scale beat it out in the mid-60’s. There is a forum dedicated to TT scale called TTnut. Do a search for TTnut scale forum to find it.
This happens to be another part of my hobby of model railroading. Main interest is HO, HOn3 & HOn30. Have a high interest in mechnical things thus an interest in animating model railroad items such as conveyors to actually carry things such as gravel to load rolling stock.
Not sure if this qualifies, but what I sometimes call my ‘hobby within the hobby’ is collecting old “how to” model railroad books. My oldest goes back to the 1930’s.
Been spending most of my hobby time on HO, but I’ve been a long time wargamer. Mostly in 28mm (a sole to eyeline measurement for figures) which scales very close to 1/56.
Lots of painted figures but my favorite activity was the building of Sci-Fi buildings and terrain from junk and broken toys. Searching for “Karl” or “Terrain” at our club’s blog will bring up most of my work.
My primary layout is an HO scale layout set in southern California in the 1990s featuring the Santa Fe and Southern Pacific railroads. My secondary interest is in the Virginia and Truckee set in the 1890s. I have a trackplan and have started collecting locomotives and rolling stock including locomotives from the V&T as well as the Central Pacific, but I haven’t built the layout yet and I’m not sure if I ever will but I like collecting the equipment which I can run on my Santa Fe layout when I want to.
I have started planning a sci-fi layout set on Mars in the 2090s. I have space for it because it will be rather small but it is still in the day dreaming stage of development.
My other hobbies are large scale models that feature TV and movie monsters or musicians. I hope you can see this picture from Facebook.
I also build model airplanes and hang them from the ceiling. And I have built a few large scale trucks.
My secondary interest is in the Virginia and Truckee set in the 1890s. I have a trackplan and have started collecting locomotives and rolling stock including locomotives from the V&T as well as the Central Pacific, but I haven’t built the layout yet and I’m not sure if I ever will but I like collecting the equipment which I can run on my Santa Fe layout when I want to.
