Favorite Aspect of Model Railroading

[Jumijo]

Some enjoy collecting. Some enjoy tinkering. Others like restoration.

I've only been in the hobby for about 6 months, but already I've enjoyed quite a few different aspects of it besides just operating trains.

For instance, I've greatly enjoyed learning the history of Lionel, and in particular, the postwar period. I'm a history buff, so researching the backgrounds of what few postwar pieces I have, learning the different variations, when they were made, etc, has been very rewarding. And on a similar note, I like cleaning and maintaining those old pieces. Some, when cleaned up, are barely recognizable from when I bought them.

I also like the modeling aspect. Painting and detailing structures and figures is something I could do for untold hours.

Attending shows is another part of the hobby that stands out to me. Meeting others and learning from them has been a treat I look forward to with each upcoming show.

The hobby has also given me something to share with my kids. We now have something in common that we can all participate in. That time spent together is without question my favorite part of the hobby.

Jim

[FJ and G]

Hi Jim,

I could go on and on but instead, I'll sum up my feelings in a nutshell:

Creating your own little world ... that's animated.

[1688torpedo]

Hello Jim ! I enjoy meeting and sharing with others information that is useful & hopefully helpful to them and to have a few laughs as well. Also enjoy the fixing up part of Toy Trains especially prewar versions. Its always nice to pick up a Train that you can enjoy for years to come also

[ChiefEagles]

Working on and running trains [building is not one of my favorites as some know]. Now with computers, getting to share and "meet" with others in the hobby.

[cnw1995]

Neat thread. I like 1) making friends with fellow enthusiasts on the forum and 'talking' with them. 2) being creative in making and running my own little world 3) learning from reading 'how tos' and toy train history books and magazines, 4) playing with things far older than I am - from the 1930s even - that still work great.

I was thinking about this when I met this morning with a guy who's just down with kind of like a mini-mid-life crisis. A creative hobby like ours - even though I might have my ups-and-downs in it - is just great for alleviating this.

[jonadel]

Without doubt it's the building of the layout that's #1 for me followed closely by the friendships that have developed.

I know I must be sick but I really enjoyed building the tables, laying the track and then wiring everything. I never knew how much I enjoyed it until we were done, running the trains is fun but I'd rather rip the whole thing apart tonight and start a new and even better plan. However, since my wife did 90% of the scenic work she's ready for some time off and I think of all the time we have invested, we will live with this layout for at least 3 more years.

My biggest frustration though is the conceptual planning. I think I'm fairly creative but I can't tell you how many times I redid track plans. I kind of wish I had the $$$ to have someone come in and plan my next (and final) layout and then I'd build it.

Great topic, thanks.

Here's a url for our web site which I haven't updated for a long time[:D]

Jon

http://jands.logicalgeek.com

[FJ and G]

Jon,

I love building the benchwork as well and have gotten addicted to sniffing the sawdust. My lungs must be layered in it.

But I part company with you in that I love planning, dreaming, and trying to make those dreams come true.

Wiring is my biggest headache. I bet it is for a lot others too.

[IronHoarse]

I am real new at this, only have had a train for a month now. A second train will be coming soon. Besides running the train, I really enjoy doing the layout. I have changed the track configuration several times now. For me this forum is a big part of it also. I have learned a lot just by reading this forum over the past six months. I also enjoy shopping for trains all of which so far has been over the internet.

[Anonymous]

Realistic operation

[Sturgeon-Phish]

I've been collecting and operating postwar American Flyer for about 5 years and started my layout about 6months ago. I love the construction, the wiring, the layout planning. I love the restoration, repair and refurbishing. I love to watch kid's faces watching the trains and accessories operate. I love the smell of the smoke, the lube and the motors. I revell in the ingunuity the engineers put into the accessories like the talking station, the stockyard, drumloader, coaler and others, all without the first electronic chip! Simple motors, gears, levers, cams, solenoids reliably performing 50 after manufacture. My AF trains and accessories are excellent examples to teach kids the fundamentals of physics and electricity. I love old trains. My favorite part is restoring I think. Taking an old accessory or loco, fixing it up and or making it look new, well, it makes me happy, and is 100% legal. My wife thinks it's silly, but as a kid I could not afford these toys, but I can now and I'm having a blast!

[Roger Bielen]

Design and construction. I really enjoy scratch building, kit bashing, and trying to come up with ways/materials to imitate reality.

[Anonymous]

Great comments, so far...especially about "creating your own little world". First, I just like being around trains, and have, since I was 5. Don't have much talent in "fixing", and I'm a "electrical dunce". I love the "creative" side...dreaming-up what to represent/ build, searching for materials, and making that vision "happen". I'm currently painting over 100 MTH figures to fill the set of MTH streamline passenger cars I bought last week. The dining car will have table settings complete with silver vases of flowers. Just finished making a "burning building" (the ones for sale take up too much room for my 5x8 layout). My "flea market" is finished after a 2 month search for scale items to fill all the tables. Detailed building interiors are next. What fun! Joe

[Anonymous]

He he. Used to run opps operate my layout. But for the last few months have done nothing but build objects. Bought Auran TRS 2004 to run stuff and all I do is build so........A pattern anybody?

[pbjwilson]

Since I have little room for a layout I think of myself as a collector. Prewar tin, the more toylike the better. I do enjoy running them, on temporary floor layouts. I especially like the old wind-up engines.

[Jumijo]

Seeing a 60 year old locomotive chug around the tracks is something that never ceases to astound me. And it's not just the fact that it runs that intrigues me, but also its history. I can't help but wonder who owned it before me. How many people has it been handed down to over the years?

I also enjoy the modeling aspect a great deal. Recently I purchased an inexpensive Lionel O27 reefer and repainted it, and applied new logos. The finished car looks great and we now have a one-of-a-kind piece of rolling stock. I think I'd like to try a tanker next. I also enjoy taking something very basic, like a Plasticville structure, and making it look as realistic as possible.

The forum has been one of my favorites as well. I visit several times a day to see what's new. I've learned a great deal here in a short amount of time. Too bad we all don't live in the same town!

Jim

[Anonymous]

My favorite: running trains and the smell of postwar Lionel steamers. Sure can't beat that.[:D]

Paul the painter, sure do like your pic. Looks like Marx.

Red

[tgovebaker]

There are actually a numbe of different elements that attract me., as follows:

First, I love the creativity involved, whether its designing the layout, builiding benchwork and scenery, or detailing the cars. I could spend hours detailing hoppers.

Second, I love the tradition, knowing that this hobby stretches back a century, and that my father, uncle, and grandfather all had trains. I love the fact that my first train -- the Chesapeake Flyer from the Lionel catalog of 1976 -- still runs and will someday go to my children.

Third, I have really enjoyed the opportunity to get integrated into this community, and to learn so much from others. I have gotten some useful advice from the local hobby shops, but I would never launch a project without first consulting with the Forum, if for no other reason than I'll get another picture of Dave Vergun's excellent dog. My wife thinks I'm nuts -- this train thing was latent for a decade -- and wonders why she keeps finding me online with my "train friends" (as she calls them).

-Tom

[Anonymous]

Paul,
That is a great photo. That style of carpeting and the furniture really give it a classic look. I'd like to see more.
Mike

[csxt30]

That style of carpeting and the furniture really give it a classic look. I have to agree, cause when you see that type of train on that type of carpet , it really reminds me of that period in time. Very much like the carpeting I put my train on when I was a child!! Thanks, John

[pbjwilson]

Thanks for the compliments giz. Here's the same pic in black and white. Train on the tracks is Am. Flyer Oriental limited. Old Flyer transformer as well.



Thought I'd add this one too. That's what usually happened when I played with trains as a kid and now too!



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