I think the greatest thing about Model Railroading is that it’s so personal.
There’s a whole wide world of prototypes out there to model if you like, from the Railways of Ireland to the mountains of China to the land Down Under and everywhere in between. You can be as accurate as you want or as fanciful as you want. If you want to invent your own version of history, that’s great. If you want to model a land of complete “what-if,” you certainly can do that, too.
You can spend as much or as little as you want. If you can’t afford what the manufacturers offer, you’re always free to build your own. Sometimes you might build your own, even if you CAN afford what the manufacturers offer. You can build or buy in whatever mix pleases YOU.
You’re the only one who can really decide when you’ve done something wrong. Didn’t want a drill track for your main yard? Hey, it’s your railroad! Got the Acela pulling those old-time box cars? Hey, it’s your railroad! Thomas the Tank Engine pulls your crack passenger train? Hey, it’s your railroad!
Roundy-rounder or prototype ops to the nth degree? Mayvbe a little of both, or none of the above? You make it whatever you want it to be.
There’s a whole world of modelers out there, and every one has different idea of what Model Railroading is to them. That’s why every layout is different. That’s why Model Railroading is so personal. And that’s why it’s so great.
Mark,
I saw the title, but when I came here to add my [2c] you’ve already done an excellent job of covering what I might sum up as my opinion – model railroading is the ideal hobby in terms of allowing the participant to choose their own path.
It and the related hobby of being a fanatic of real trains is a hobby unique to us, and we are a proud lot. I am very glad to defend my hobby against people that don’t understand it, that’s just fine with me. Maybe we spend our time chasing trains or following long gone lines, but hey it’s history too. This, however, brings me back to why I never was a fan of “World"s Greatest Hobby” campaign. We don’t need every body to know or be involved in it, there are certainly enough of us out there. Don’t believe it? Just Google Trains or Railroads and see how many “hits” come up. Its good to be a train fanatic!
Yes, I agree. Let us encourage one another to find the pieces that fit the puzzles we set for ourselves, and not be so quick to judge the different pictures that are the finished product, whatever that ideal may be.
I have to agree with everything mentioned. At first, I got into Model Railroading for the art and the smaller scale objects that resemble real life things, and I have to say that MRRing has unlimited possibilities!! It is very fun and very interesting, and now I have turned into a huge railfanner! -beegle55
Actually, the greatest thing about model railroading to me is the people I’ve met along the way. It’s also the worst thing about model railroading (I’ll explain).
Pro:
My father and I are both model railroaders (which is why I still use my “III” in all my posts…if someone’s gonna punch a Paul Cutler over anything I say, I want it to be the right one). We have both been in the same RR club for about 16 years, and both of us are involved with the NH’s historical group, the NHRHTA. Along the way, I’ve made some life-long friends.
Through my friends with these two organizations, I have done things that I never dreamed about when I was only 15 years old and getting into this hobby for real. I’ve operated a B23-7, an S-4, an S-6, and an SW9. I’ve had cab rides in F40PH’s, ridden the balloon track outside Boston’s South Station in a Viewliner, ridden in a caboose, & switched cars out. I’ve stuck my head into an Alco 251 cylinder, ridden on a speeder or two, gone to Steamtown, Mt. Washington, Horseshoe, Cass, & Hyannis. I’ve rebuilt an ex-LIRR coach or three. I’ve met a lot of ex-NH employees and became good friends with at least some of them, had lunch with NH authors and read pre-production NH articles and books, got to know a couple guys in the model industry and helped bring about a few NH models and decals to market. All because of the friends I’ve made in this hobby.
When I go to a train show, especially something like Springfield (MA), I can spend hours just catching up with all the dealers and friends I meet that I’ve known for years. To me, model railroading is a real social hobby…it’s the greatest thing about model railroading to me.
Con:
However, it’s also the worst thing about model railroading. Nevermind the internet trolls and jerks one finds on just about every forum, the people I’ve met in person can be just as bad as the