I am curios as to what others favorite part of the hobby is? Is it planning the layout, building the layout (laying track, wiring, placing buildings, etc.), building things for the layout (like junk yards/assymbly of cars/buildings), running the layout.
For me #1 is fixing things to go onto the layout, then operating.
All of the above, and for me, once my current small layout was basically complete, then it is has gradually moved to other aspects like super detailing, lighting structures, improving structuresd, building and weathering cars, modifying locos and DCC/LED/Sound installs.
Great hobby for me, as my interests change quickly, and it has many facets to keep me occupied. I am also planning the “big one” following a prototype, that is several years off but I’m already planning the building/garage to add to my land that will house it. (and other toys)
Below is my two truck Bachmann Shay converted from the stock 3 truck. Plan on putting sound in it eventually.
l like getting to the point where I can lay track. That’s when I feel like I’m really accomplishing something.
Once I can run trains, that’s my favorite.
I also enjoy scenery, but I do that when I feel like it and I take my time.
The same with detailing a scene. There’s always something to do, but there’s no specific time to get things done.
Let’s see here. Model building, rolling stock and structures. From scratch, from kits, or just kit bashing. Turning train show junkers into decent looking cars thru a little DullCote, some wire grab irons, other detailing, paint and decals.
Photography, pictures of my layout and finished models.
Armchair railroading, reading MR, or RMC, web surfing for prototype photos of things to model. Posting to this forum.
Rail fanning. Getting out to see, admire and photograph the real thing.
Going to train shows. What with the withering of the local hobby shop, they are an important source of supply.
Layout building, Start with bench work, move on to track work, scenery, wiring. And other stuff.
Making things for my layout would top my list. Actually operations would be at the bottom of my list. Don’t get me wrong I love running my trains but as age sets in working with my hands on projects at my workbench is much easier on my legs and back than standing around my layout.
Kitbashing is also high on my list and of course restoring clunker locomotives back to better than new is very high.
Airbrushing rates high too, the more one paints with an airbrush the better one gets.
Mel
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
My Model Railroad
A little of everything for me.
But I would guess my favorite is assembling nice kits. I love the old Branchline Yardmaster series. Look great to the eye, not delicate to the touch[:D]
I enjoy the more intricate kits as well, but get aggravated when time is running low an patience is wearing thing.
My favorite thing in this hobby is building really intricate plastic kits(ex. Branchline Pullman Heavyweights) I LOVE plastic over eny other material!
Second is customizing my engines/rolling stock(ex adding lights, superdetailing).
In fact, I enjoy those^^^ more than running my layout!
I really enjoy that feeling where a project that has been sitting on your workbench is FINALLY completed and you know you did your best[:D]!
What I really want to learn is working with gears, motors, etc.
What I hate about modeling other than the $$$, is that moment when a really crucial piece/part disappears from your workbench into thin air, or it breaks(like a screw you screwed in way too tight and the screwhole is suddenly too big for the screw[:(!].
Any sort of screwing around with steam engines. Running, fixing, detailing, programming; everything else is just a means to serve that end.
Stu
Scratch building and/or kit bashing buildings for my layouts is right up there with doing scenery for me. Painting and decaling freight cars and locomotives are high on my list too.
I really enjoy all aspects of the hobby except track planning. (that’s done) But working on locomotives; 'bashing, modifying drives, making critters, making junkers run smooth, is that favorite indulgence. Steam and diesel.
I really enjoy the research involved in trying to nail down photos and information for the buildings needed for my 1960s era prototype-based layout. Sometimes it is finding a key building in a tiny corner of an utterly unrelated photo, sometimes it is a chance meeting with someone with similar interests who is generous with their knowledge and scans.
Dave Nelson
Hello all,
I most enjoy running trains. Sometimes just watching them run and other times the challenge of switching operations.
My pike is based around a coal loading/unloading operation. I have a fleet of vintage 1970’s Tyco operating hoppers that I’ve upgraded to modern standards; trucks & couplers.
There is a 3% grade up to the unloading facilities with a spiral trestle back down to the mainline. A second train is pulled under the unloading shed to receive the coal being unloaded.
The unloading takes place on a siding on the upper portion. The unloading platform cannot accommodate the weight of the GP30’s so a trackmobile is used to move the cars through the facility.
Because the mine also utilizes rock dust there is a separate unloading spur for handling this material adjacent to the power plant on the mainline.
There is a small ladder yard servicing the power plant and other items for the mining operation.
This layout is a table-top so there is no access under the layout so the power plant covers the power booster.
On weekends and olde tyme excursion train takes passengers up the grade, past the unloading facility and down the historic spiral trestle.
A USRA 0-6-0 pulls two vintage coaches with a bobber caboose. A 0-6-0 Side Tank Porter can be double headed up the grade and then cut before the spiral trestle.
The station for the excursion train is at the head of the Wye in the center of the layout between the power plant and the rock dust handling facility.
With all these operational possibilities running trains provides hours of endless opportunities.
Hope this helps.
Although I like to run trains, I also really love scratchbuilding sructures and creatng scenes within my layout. This is now the third time, however, that I’ve really gotten to enjoy a layout before I’ve had to tear it down and/or tear it apart, either due to a move or to re-do the track plan. Here in the very near future, I will be tearing my layout down again, this time to move into a lager space than I have now.
I don’t dislike any of it, but for me scratch building and kitbashing are the most fun. then comes attemping to scratch detail parts.
I;ve often said that the trains are but an excuse to build something
For me its switching cars that’s why I favor ISLs plus lately I enjoy emulating the work I did as a brakeman.
I enjoy building and detailing my industries to include the proper type of waste in the rolloff trash bin.
I love finding suitable prototypical rail served industry names for my industries since I loathe funny or generic sounding names. A example: Carter Lumber sounds more impressive then generic Alexander Lumber Co. Visitors can relate to Carter Lumber.
I enjoy my treasure hunt for IPD short line boxcars and boxcars in general. I freely admit I’m a era specific boxcar collector. I find its not much fun for my 94/95 era as it is for my 77/78 era.
My favorite is to hunt a specific loco or car for the time period,to make it like new. Then of course everything else.
For me, operation is my favorite part of the hobby.
After that, it’s building scenery and structures.
I don’t have a layout of my own just yet, but have been doing a lot of research into what I’d like my layout to look like. I’ll have access to five 2’x4’ modules. I’ve been doing a lot of mind mapping and listing what I’d like to include on each module as well as how to create the module table/bench work.
I’ve really enjoyed going through what I have for locomotives and rolling stock to get an idea what I can include in a layout and what I need to get. I’ll then look online at all the different items I’d love to purchase.
To to pass the time, I like watching YouTube videos of modern HO layouts. I also like reading the forums and layout specific websites/blogs to get inspiration for my own. Reading MR is another favorite when I have time.
Im thinking of using the old Minneapolis, Northfield, & Southern line between Lakeville and Northfield as inspiration for my proto freelance Erris & Spears layout. Looking at maps and reading up on the MNS has been a lot of fun. Also looking at antique items from that railroad and the old Chicago & Northwestern.
Finally, my favorite is thinking about how rewarding it’ll be to finally begin my small, module layout. It’ll be a lot of work and will take some time, but I’m excited about getting started.
My favorite thing is to run my trains. Nothing like seeing my favorite engines pulling freight or pulling a passenger consist. I run both super power steam and modern diesels.
Scenery would be next.
Have you got the Greenville and Northern boxcar.