What kind of modeler are you?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

OK let’s hear it. What kind of modeler are you?

There are many different facets to this hobby, and all kinds of different modelers.

So I’m wondering, which one are you?

Are you a builder? You are working on the layout more than you run the trains. You like to work on scenery, structures, etc.

Are you runner? You like to run trains. You would rather just kick back and run the trains, even if your layout doesn’t have scenery.

Are you an operator? You run your layout with prototypical operations like a mini transportation system.

Are you a railfanner? You have a nicely detailed layout, but like watching the trains run through the scenery instead of operating.

Are you a tinkerer? You’re not satisfied with anything, and always thinking what to change next. Pull out this structure here, move these tracks here.

Are you a locomotive guy? You like locomotives, lots and lots of locomotives. You’re layout mainly consists of engine facilities.

Are you a rolling stocker? You like lots of rolling stock, building kits, weathering. Your layout mainly consists of yard operations.

Are you a collector? You may not even have a layout but have a nice collection for display.

Are you an accumulator? You keep everything, you have old stuff in boxes, you buy more than can fit on your layout. You are buying things for a future layout.

Are you show modeler? You take your module layout to shows and display them.

Let’s see, for me right now, I’m in build mode. So I’m a builder. I work on the layout more than I run trains. Even though my trackwork is completed. I’m also a tinkerer. Even though my layout is new, I know I’ll be always changing something.

I like engines more than rolling stock. I’m trying to start a nice collection. Starting from completely nothing just 9 months ago, I know have 12 engines.

2

I think it depends on where someone is in the hobby. For example, some people start out in this hobby with a train set and begin collecting more rolling stock and locos in order to build up their fleet.

I am a rolling stock and locomotive collector. I have 130 cars and 14 loco.

I plan to be a builder someday.

3

Michael,

one of the nice things of our hobby is that it has so many different aspects to it and people with different interest can participate in it. Each “category” has its own justification and right and there is no need to look down on someone who enjoys the hobby in a different way.

Questions like yours do have a lot of potential to start a flame war on who is the better modeler, which we should, in any case, avoid.

I used to be a builder/operator, with an emphasize on operation. Since my childhood days, I always wanted to be an engineer, and model railroading was my way of living this dream.

Due to the global economical crisis, I now don´t have the means to build and operate my own layout anymore, condemning me to armchairing. I have thus converted into a planner, developing elaborate plans for a future layout, when times improve. Over the last year, I have developed a number of layout ideas that I could fill a book on small layouts. Although this is also fun, it is not as rewarding to me as operating a layout. But it is all I can do…

4

I understand where Ulrich may be coming from as far as a flame war about which facet of the hobby is “better”, but I didn’t take the OP’s question/comment that way at all. Too me they are all necessary to some degree. I guess I am in more of the aquiring portion of the hobby. Mostly rolling stock as of late. I have been working on the locomotives, though. I was starting to build a layout but circumstances caused that to be abandoned - for the time being.

Chris

5

Operations. I love the challenge of serving fictional customers and being paid fictional money.

6

I’m a builder. I like to make my layout run well, but my priority is on the creative aspects of the hobby. The only thing I buy RTR is track, everything else is either from a craftsman kit, or from scratch. My locomotives all came into my life as distressed brass models - requiring repair/restoration before operation. For me, my workbench is my favorite place and building is what I love, and what I do best.

7

I’m a runner. My layout is far from finished but I can operate!!

But I’m a builder too. I like scratch building turnouts and more. Now I’ve build a H0n3 module. And here comes a runner too. I like to go to FREMO meetings and operate the layout. Next week I go to the anniversary for the FREMO Netherlands. There’s a hall with 6.000 square meters (about 64.000 square feet) for the layouts, mainly the big European FREMOs.

Wolfgang

8

Ulrich,

Sorry to hear about your financial situation that is preventing you from having your own layout. I was in that situation about a year ago when I got laid off from my job. Now I have a new job, a new hobby, and money to spend on trains. You will get back there, don’t worry, things will turn around. You have helped me tramendously numerous times, I really appreiciate that.

I don’t think any flame wars will become of this thread. Just asking what people’s interests are…

9

In my best Jimmy Stewart voice.

Well gee whiz Michael,I’m a collector,a operator and I never got into that change game unless it was necessary and I enjoy doing scenery work…I hate building a layout and in that light I won’t tear out a layout when its “finish”.

10

Tinkerer.

I can never leave well enough alone.

I am always thinking about moving a turnout or crossover, adding another tier, looking for ways to turn my trains around (i.e., wye, helix, etc.).

I drive myself nuts.

Rich

11

Mike, I think that for many of the more serious hobbyists among us it is difficult to have only a narrow focus within the broad range of aspects offered by the hobby. I can honestly acknowledge being seriously involved in every one of the categories you posted, except perhaps “runner”, since my approach there would be better classed as “operations”. Plus, I regard myself as a model railroad photographer of some skill and hobby historian to boot. In my opinion, enjoying the model railroading hobby to its fullest really demands acquiring the skills and knowledge that allows the hobbyist to pursue all these facets simultaneously.

CNJ831

12

Good question Micheal.

I mainly just like to watch the train’s run. Part of my layout is pretty well done, lots of tress and hills / Mountains but, lot of it is thin out door carpet. I enjoy watching the trains as much on the carpeted section as I do on the nicer section.

I kind of gone in phase’s. When I first got started I was in to tinkering with old engines and cheap rolling stock. Reason was I did not have the funds for new, so I was E bay happy. Learning to fix things early in the hobby has served me well. My fleet of Tyco Old dutch Hoppers roll and track as well now as my Inter Mountain hoppers.

In this first phase, it was all so about numbers, how many Engines and Rolling Stock could I have. At one point I had around 50 engines and 300 cars. I cut back after I went DCC and gave away around 20 engines and some where around 50 cars.

Next came the scenery stage, started buying and building Kits, I have around 70 buildings now, most are sitting in boxes. Next I started making tress, probably around 300 + now. Then I started on the K-10 Mining and Grain Elevator section. I started this section after I had been on the this site for around a year and a half. Used foam on top of plywood, has a grade and cliffs are up to 14 inches. Looks pretty good.

Stage I am in to now is adding a small yard, passing spurs and a Passenger Train section. All so starting to rip out the carpet a section at a time.

Cuda Ken

13

Nice list.

I would separate the collector into Collector (capital C). Usually collects Lionel/American Flyer toy trains, but they exist in all scales. For the Collector, the collection is the thing - frequently they specialize and buy multiple variations. Usually has multiple display cabinets and shelves to display the collection in an organized fashion.

Then there’s the collector (little c) or better known as the Accumulator. Some are impulse buyers, some accumulate for that future dream layout. This group has way more than they can use on the layout. If they switch scales they keep everything from the old scale. They usually have everything they ever bought or were given. The “collection” is stored in boxes stuffed under the layout (if they have one), in closets, the garage, etc. These are the guys who buy back issues of Model Railroader (and other mags).

As noted above I would add the Operator category for those who try to operate the layout as a transportation system in miniature.

Then there’s the Railfan who likes a nicely detailed layout, but likes watching the trains run through the scenery instead of operating…

Currently, I am an Accumulator. Sometime this winter I’ll be in Builder mode for the dream layout and once I have enough of the layout built in the Operator mode as well.

Enjoy

Paul

14

Lately, I’ve been finding myself in the category of “I’ll-get-to-it-some-day-er”. I don’t really consider myself a dreamer, because I have a concrete list of “to do” items for my layout. I’m not a collector, because I’m not acquiring any new stuff. With a couple of exceptions, I have everything I need. Nor am I an operator, because my work has stalled in a spot that leaves a large part of my layout inaccessible to trains (plus my layout is basically a continuous loop, which disqualifies me in some people’s eyes.)

Usually, though, between work, kids activities (and of course, my foolish decision to both coach youth soccer and be Cubmaster for the local Pack), and required chores / maintenance, I get about 10 minutes to myself at the end of the day, and it’s too late to start anything.

So I guess, for the moment, I’m a frustrated builder. Hoping that will change once the cold weather sets in!

15

Good points Paul.

I just edited the original post to reflect the additional categories you suggested.

16

Ok, now I’m an operator at first.

But most I like to operate at a nice layout, so I have to build it. [:)]

Wolfgang

17

John,I consider myself a “serious” modeler but,not to the extreme.

I am more serious about operation,believable scenery and rhyme and reason for the railroad being then I am about the micky mouse stuff. .I also fully believe a industry should look like it needs rail service and I strive for that goal with few large industrial buildings instead of several smaller industries where 50’ boxcar would overwhelm the receiving/shipping docks.

So,IMHO one can be serious with narrow modeling focuses solely base on their modeling goals…

18

I’m a builder as only one loop is operational. Most roadbed is done on open grid. Just finished a schematic control panel and wiring it for the loop that’s done.

Runner as do like to watch the trains going.

Accumulator I have way more trains that makes any sense. lately buying locomotives and buying stuff you really want is fun and part of the hobby for me. When I learn how to post pictures on eBay I will sell a lot of things that seemed like a good idea at the time but would like to sell now.

19

I like building, scenery and structures

I like operations more

I am a diesel guy

I am a freight car guy

Bob

20

I’m a builder, too. As the construction phase of my 5x12 foot HO layout drew to a close after 6 years, my interest started to wane. For one thing, it lacked operational interest, despite the late addition of a couple of extra industries. But mostly, the space was full. The pink foam was hidden, and even the ballast was complete. Moreover, there wasn’t really room for even one more building in the crowded urban space of Moose Bay.

Now, I have embarked upon Phase 2 of my layout, and the thrill is back. I am looking forward at least 2 or 3 years in planning the details of the new section, and then Phase 3 is already taking shape in the back of my mind.

I have, though, sewn the seeds of different things. Phase 2 includes staging, and more interesting switching and industries. The longer run also adds interest to the railfanning, and even the short subway loop got an upgrade, with a pair of sidings which serve as either staging or another station.

World’s Greatest Hobby? You won’t get any argument from me on that one.