At the outset, this is a philosophical question, so I don’t expect a huge number of replies…it is meant to be a fun hobby, and this post is meant to give those interested an opportunity to share some of their self-discovery.
As the host of the topic, I’ll offer the first response:
Depsite my lifelong experience, and considerable misgivings, I found that I can build skills later in life. I must say, though, that I will need two lives to master soldering.
I have confirmed that I am basically an impatient person, but I can persever if I need to. My layout was ambitious, and a great challenge for me. My professional life had me producing policy and documents in a few days at most, so beginning a months-long project was new to me, and unsettling.
Despite my mother’s best efforts to make me believe that I am special, I found, for the umpteenth time, that there is little special about me. I made the same mistakes that others have made in building my layout, and still felt a great deal of pride once I deemed it ready to run trains.
Finally, I learned that model railroading really is the world’s greatest hobby. Like golf, the game is much bigger than what it seems.
On a macro sense I find that I am impatient. However, on a micro-level I find I am extremely patient.
What I mean is I want to be working on the layout and running trains and working out operations. But there are major obstacle to overcome before I can start building. But when I can get into the basement to work on models and trains, I can practice the patience of craftsmanship and do what needs to be done right.
I have learned that planning ahead is something that I have been able to use throughout my life and Model Railroading taught me at a very early age.
Also I find that correcting problems with manufacturers equipment is much easier than sending the items back and complaining. Finding a solution to a problem and making something work is much more rewarding than not wanting to deal with the problem.
selector, we are all very special just for starting something like this!! I know others that would love to attempt a huge dream in their lives but never get off the couch.
I’m the same as others who have replied, IMPATIENT. Made the same mistakes, too much too soon, but I’ve learned alot!!
I have mostly found that I do the work of 3 men…Moe, Larry and Curley. [D)]
I’m 43, and I guess I have confirmed things that I probably already knew. Like that I love to figure out how things work and apply that to new problems. And that once I start something, I will bust my backside to get if finished (including doing stupid things like working without any reference to time, food, etc.). Also, I will look at a problem and find a solution. I do indeed like and understand the workings of electricity and computer logic (I work as a Systems Engineer, so one would hope so).
I actually like carpentry (benchwork and assembling subroadbed sections), something I would have not guessed. I can actually use power tools without jeopardizing digits! [:O]
I’ve been at this hobby on and off since I was about 8. I’ve learned how much I remember for my early days (seeing stuff collecting dust at train shows brings back fond memories). It also has reminded me how much my dad really taught me, and how great he was at being a dad. He got me involved in this, for which I sing his praises and curse him, depending on how much I am doing the work of 3 men at the time!. He’s been gone more than 20 years now, and I am reminded how much I appreciate him to this day.
And I don’t call it soldering, selector…I call it tie customization!
I’ve learned that I have the artistic skills of a squirrel where scenic work is concerned[:D], however, I seem to have a knack for repairing broken stuff and hunting down the information and parts that I need to do this. DCC has given me a whole new useful set of skills, such as precise soldering and being able to splice resistors into factory wiring (it says “DCC ready” on the package - it is, so long as you don’t mind your headlight melting the bodywork around it…). I’ve also learned the value of buying high-quality equipment and searching for reviews - I now do this with everything else, so before any new appliance is bought here I’m hunting down reviews and opinions on it. I also now view broken items as repairable, and get annoyed when parts are not available (I can find parts for a 15 year old Fleischmann diesel loco, so why not a 5 year old washing machine?). Useful skills for countering the “throwaway society” trends and saving money as well as resources!
I’ve learned I’m even more artistic than I thought I was in the early days. Which is a pleasant suprise to me.
I think I want too much too quick. I’m very impulsive. Things alway take way longer and are much harder to do than I imagine, and this takes away from my joy.
Thank-you for your thoughtful replies, all of you. You have made my day!!!
I’d like to respond to the observation that several of you have made about doing your own problem-solving and repairs. Here is where my confidence pales, and I feel a deep sense of admiration for you. When I first joined this forum, I recall seeing several posts form the ‘older’ roaders who were lamenting that the newer folks were impatient and unresourceful. They all stated that they had no practical choice but to do their own repairs…or run no trains! You are at the point in your railng where you see the value of diagnosis and correction before you’d even think of sending the item away or (shudder), holding it over the open trash can. I only hope I can get there before long.
I learned a few days ago,That I can do minor repairs on an Athearn diesel.I got several at thier recent garage sale,and one wouldn’t run,even though the motor was running.I popped off the shell and found that the connecting shafts between the motor and the trucks were not connected.I was able to fix it while constantly muttering under my breath,using words that would never be printed in MR.I also found out that building an Athearn “Blue Box” kit streaches my model building abilities.
I guess I have simply reinforced what I already knew; I am a greater planner and only a mediocre doer. Having said that I have loved planning the model railroad my grandson and I are building and I have loved the doing also, just wi***here were more time for doing and that I would do more when I have time.
That I will never be able to match the greats of this hobby. I will make my layout the best it can be for me and me alone. That probably means not to many visitors. I’m petrefied of doing scenery, while others seem to thrive on it. Oh well, such is life. Have fun and enjoy.
Archie
MR has reined me in a lot, slowed me down. It has taught me
its OK to dream but don’t try to build ALL of it
you can’t have everything (though I’m trying)
I’m not as smart as I think I am
I’m not as adept as I think I am
you’ll pay for compromises later
time taken now is grief saved later
plan lots but don’t expect to have planned for everything
you just gotta wait for good things
I’ve also learned that I don’t give a *** when others think less of me. I love to have approval and praise, but I couldn’t care less when I’m teased or thought less of or criticised for my hobby. I’m sure I wasn’t that way when I started out: it’s a sure sign of advancing age
Things I learned about myself is that I was more creative and imaginative that I would have ever thought. Since I retired 2 years ago, I have pretty much buried myself in my miniature world and found it to be ever changing just as the real thing. Now I am planning to replace it with a “bigger and better” world.
I have found immense pleasure in taking ordinary items and converting them to believable model representations of real life items. It is fun to create detailing parts from “junk.”
I use pieces of plastic sprues to model electric meters, electronic parts from dead circuit boards to model breaker boxes, transformers, relay cabinets, etc. I make my trees out of weeds, ground foam and spray adhesive.
I have made all my own street lights using mico bulbs, brass tubing, steel washers and liquid electical tape! Although these items are not “exact” replicas of the real thing, they have proven to be believable representations, just like our locomotives and rolling stock.
I have also learned patience and when to walk away from a frustrating project. The power lines on my layout, after many hours of trial and error and frustration are finally done. This latest installation taking about 40 hours all together.
I have experimented with lighting my cabooses, locos and passenger cars using generally no kits except in my newest Rivarossi’s. I have made all the parts myself other than the bulbs and leds.
What I learned, in short, is to free my mind and accept different ways to do things.
I suppose it has given me somethings . t has given me a relaese, which I really needed from work. It has been great therapy. It has given me something to bond over with my new step son. That in itself has been priceless.