I model railroads for the fun of operating trains.
It is fun. I can do anything i want and it doesn’t matter like the loch ness monster in a lake or big foot.
Should have added a check for “All of the Above.” The recipe may include all those ingredients in different proportions for different folks.
Why Not?
most hobbies are linear and lack the complexity of MR’ng. This is a hobby that requires the knowledge and dexterity of many disciplines.
Fergie
I love to watch trains, and I love to build things…so model railroading is the way to get the best of both worlds
I agree with Fergie above…that the complexity and I’ll add, the broad spectrum of activities in this hobby are what keep me in it. I’m enjoying building and tuning up freight cars right now. Tonite or mabe tomorrow, I’ll be adding some great neon animated signs I just bought to the top of a city building or two. Then, the next “moment”, I’ll maybe turn my attention to finishing the last few sidings so that we can begin operating the railroad.
Like I said, I like the fact that there is always something to do and it doesn’t depend on the weather outside like our Memorial Day picnic.
Mondo
I voted its fun. I think I enjoy the creativity the most. Once in a while the challenge can be frustrating which, for me isn’t too much fun. I understand Fergies points on the disciplines and diversity. Some I am more comfortable with than others.
It is also an highly valued learning experience that I enjoy. I very much enjoy the Historical perspectives it offers espeacialy mixed with a hint of fiction.
Cheese:
Its not Bessie, but they are two forty -foot dinosaurs trackside, very near to my home.
It’s very simple really. A fella needs at least two vices. Mine are model railroading and flying. Ken
Because my mommy once told me I could go blind from participating in my other favorite hobby too often. : )
I picked other. For me it is the creativity. Designing, painting each piece to first look good then weathering it to make it look like it belongs where it was put. Creating scenes of little plastic and metal Lilliputians, etc. Didn’t really fit any of the categories, however, I fall to a leeser extent in all if not most of them.
The wife gave me a choice, a muscle car or an inexpensive hobby!
Gordon
I have had a few different exspensive hobbies
I tried trains as a teenager but funds really arent available.
Then I was a drummer for a show at the Ren Faire got tired of that plus it was hot. Also had a couple of vintage hearses I was restoring and showing at car shows.
Did a haunted house for a while got to big for my yard and I sold it to a friend.
Used that money for model railroading and railfanning.
I have a son and a daughter model railroading fits in with them
the other hobbies just don’t mix well.
I picked all of the above. It’s fun, relaxing, interesting, etc. and there are so many different thing to do.
Enjoy
Paul
It’s very relaxing and therapuetic. It helps me to unwind. It gives me something
challenging to do. And I’m the boss !!! Plus it’s fun and exciting ! [:D][8D][:D][8D][:D][8D]
I particulary enjoy spending time with my boys and they get a real kick out of helping on the layout.
I have been hooked since I was a little child. I don’t know why but they are magical to me. They take me back to the wonder of childhood. I’m addicted.
I picked all of the above. but there was one missing spending time with the kids. My little girl likes to play trains with daddy.
It’s FUN, it’s diverting, I can work on my N-Scale trolleys while my2 year old grandson plays with Thomas and no fear of having my grandkids say to me as another fellow once told me his grandson told him while they were surfing the web together.(REALLY) “Grandpa,she’s gonna catch cold”. and you can imagine what it was. on a news group featuring train pictures.
Pushing Thomas around the tracks is durn near as much fun as DCC on a big club layout and great company too.
Model railroading IS fun weather it is many solitary relaxing evenings “makin the rolling stock right” or the joy of the shared experience of model railroading with family or friends.
Even friends you have just discovered at train show.
Doug, in Utah
Because it touch a lot of techniques and technical problems which you need to mix all togheter to have a model railroad.
For example, you need to be a good carpenter, with good electrical knowledges, with some skill of a painter, a plasterman, which have a good idea about the glues and…
(it’s a very long list)
I like Model Trains because it’s like the real thing to real Trains.
(The sites,the sounds,etc)
BNSFrailfan.