layout building in general with the help of the kids of course, they benefit from doing something manual instead of watching the TV, we also go to train shows to get ideas
I like assembling rolling stock kits. Seeing as how I have very little space for anything, as an apartment dweller, I plan on building my equipment fleet as soon as I get the money to do that. Except the kinds of equipment I need and “available in kit form” are not usually in the same catergory.
I couldn’t vote, my favorite part about the hobby is the daydreaming involved, from trying to come up with a new layout or ideas for buildings, to pipedreams about the ultimate engines and cars…I spend more time dreaming about it at work and in bed than I do with my actual layout.
All of the above…PLUS…the two greatest things about this hobby are 1. The people. and 2. You can get into it as much as you want to and your skills and budget will allow.
I voted for planning but all areas of the hobbey are enjoyable. Now if I would spend more time on my layout instead of reading forums I might get more completed.
I simply love to lay track. Drawing that centerline and putting cork to tabletop and then laying track are the most enjoyable for me. Everything else takes second place. Just my own observation.
Archie
for me its modelbuilding and daydreaming about my super layout and most of all running the trains
I choose “Detailing”, as in trying to make a scene appear as realistic as I possibly can. I don’t know why, but I’ve always felt that way ever since I was a little kid back the late 1950’s/early 1960’s.
I also like scenery work as it apparently fulfills some sort of innate “need” for artistic expression. Additionally, I enjoy electrical work, and basically everything else you ask about in your poll, except Benchwork. I HATE BENCHWORK! and any kind of woodworking in general. As I tell people, “Wood and I don’t get along.” I’d much rather work with metal or plastic, but in my experience, “wood’s no good”.
how about a section in these polls for multiple answers??? wouldn’t that be nice?
Personally I like the opperating… watching a train go around a layout while you are controlling it is awesome… of course building is a great thing as well.
of course I don’t have a layout up and running at the moment because I just got back into the hobby.
Buying stuff!![:D]
I voted for ops session because the absolute best part of this hobby is the people. Making friends and sharing with them is great. Other aspects are also good, but I really like being around my friends that I’ve made through the hobby.
Locomotives!
I love collecting stuff, and then the idea of watching it run pleases me much.
Alvie.
Well yeah, there’s that fun part, too. [8D]
The down side is having to pay for it! [:(]
I voted for watching trains, as I also needed other.
My best thing is the time my kids and I get to be together. I don’t care what we are doing as long as its together. We build track, work on building, work on benchwork, and play trains.
Tim
I said train waitching, model train watching, but have done my share of drving and looking at trains, related buildings. Have done a lot of learning since getting into model trains as a hobby, love some of the layouts in MRR, etc. Can’t model iit if I don’t know what real is. I like having running models of my favorite locos, trains, cars. In N scale, I don’t have to worry about a lot of detailing, I know my limitations.
I like buildings, seeing a kit go together and sit on the layout/plywood plain. I’m going to scratchbuild, want to get to that point. At first, wasn’t sure how to do what I wanted, couldn’t come up with a trackplan that felt right, rairoady. Like using RTS to design small layouts, see what will fit, went through a lot of tries and I’m glad I didn’t build too fast with 9.75 radius N scale curves, and tried the Kato Unitrack before building with it or Atlas.
The least favorite part of modeling is derailments, picked points, and having to decide what/when to pre-order or buy before it’s gone forever.
Love to see all the different locos run, RS-2, F7A/B, E7A/B, E8A/B, FA1/FB1, FA2/FB2, GP9TT, GP18, SD7, SD20, SD35, SD40, SD45, SD50, SD60M, SD70, GP38, F40PH, F59PHI, PA/PB (SP/UP/ATSF), E6A/B, SW900/1200, and the passenger trains, Lark, Daylight, ATSF, Superliners, tankcars, corn or soybean oil, corn syrup, honey, sugar, vinegar, oil, chemicals, cabooses, flats, stockcars, covered hoppers, and piggy back trucks. A good session if several hours of running various locos, SP, ATSF, UP, B&O, NYC., and a Brill trolley. Somewhere between LA and Chicago or Chicago and DC or NYC, or Cincinatti, OH., Kasas City, St. Lewis, Omaha, Tucson, El Paso.
Here’s another vote for watching trains but, as many others have said, I really enjoy all aspects of model railroading. My current “most favorite” is taking pictures of my layout.
One other thing I really enjoy and have gotten my wife hooked on as well is looking at the old brick buildings for ideas on weathering, usage, size, etc.
Thanks for starting an intersting thread. [tup]
Tom
I like all the curvy, blonde supermodels it attracts. Oh…I’m awake now, sorry! I like “tinkering” on the layout. Fine turning trackwork, etc. I also enjoy operating sessions, benchwork can even be fun sometimes. I like experimenting with my DCC system to see all the amazing things it can do.
The groupies… [:)]
I have to agree with all of those who had a difficult time picking a favorite activity from the list of choices. Depending on my mood, I like them all. It would be much easier to do the poll in reverse, and choose a least favorite activity from the list.
Though I don’t dislike weathering, it is the area where I have the least experience.
I guess I’ll take layout design as my favorite.