What's your favorite part of the hobby?

[otftch]

I like to restore old clunkers.Not neccesarily old but usually tore up.It's amazing how many trains do well with a Williams e-unit.
Ed

[Jumijo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by wrmcclellan

Repairing old and new trains
Wiring layouts
Layout electronics
Running trains

And the best/worst part - buying trains (I have too many)

I do not like doing scenery, ballasting track, etc., although I do it because I have to.

Roy

Roy, If you'll fix my trains, I'll do your scenery!

I bought a Plasticville log cabin at a train show for $3.00. Right out of the box, these things are pure cheese. But with a little paint and imagination, they look pretty good. I painted the roof to look like weathered cedar. I painted the sides to look like aged logs. Added some acetate window glass and it looks great. But it still isn't finished. I'm trying to decide if it will be a ranger/forestry station, an antique store, an historic landmark, etc. I have quite a bit of fun trying to make these simple structures into something more realistic. Got some big plans for the Plasticville Hobo Jungle!

Jim

[Heartman]

Operating trains & accessories. But I have to get this reconstruction job done first!

Dennis

[Anonymous]

For me, it's collecting. I love the thrill of "the hunt", which is almost as enjoyable as "the catch". I'm always searching antique stores, pawn shops, flea markets (and anywhere else that sells used stuff), train shows and, of course, ebay. I really never know what I will find next or what my next purchase will be. When I phone up an antique dealer asking if he has any trains and he says, "Yeah, I've got a set here." that could be anything from a trashed HO set to a mint-in-the-box Blue Comet. There's nothing as exciting as wandering around a dingy junk shop and suddenly spying...a train! Or browsing ebay and coming across a piece I've always wanted. Then, of course, there's the fun of bringing my new purchases home and "checking them out" really good for the first time.

Prewar and postwar trains are what I really love. I love everything about them. There's just some magic they have that modern trains never will. As I've mentioned before elsewhere on the forum, to me, a tinplate toy train from the 30's does much more to bring you back to that era than any super-detailed model of a prototype locomotive that ran at that time.

I love working on my layout. However, when I say that, I don't mean constructing benchwork or wiring, which are aspects of the hobby I don't really enjoy. What I mean is arranging the track, trains and accessories on the layout in creative ways that are most pleasing to the eye. It's always great to get new things and then change the layout to accomodate them. Also choosing the best way to arrange trains on my shelves. I love just admiring them.

Actually running my trains comes after all this in terms of what I like best (but don't get me wrong, I really love that part of the hobby, too!).

And, of course, I love all the great people you meet in the hobby and the comeraderie! I think that's something everyone can agree on!

[wrmcclellan]

Repairing old and new trains
Wiring layouts
Layout electronics
Running trains

And the best/worst part - buying trains (I have too many)

I do not like doing scenery, ballasting track, etc., although I do it because I have to.

Roy

[jonadel]

Building bench work, wiring and seeing the smiles. Even though I enjoy running the trains, for me it's the tangible assest of seeing completed work as I progress. It's almost anti climactic to have it all done.

Jon

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Restoring, cleaning, running, working on layout, troubleshooting, tinkering. The best part is running the trains with my grandkids!
Jim

[FJ and G]

Jim,

Sody pop and sweet tea cans [:D]






BTW, discovered a trick for shooting nails into these cans to put up the corregation. Previously, the nails would shoot right thru the metal. So I stuck 1 or 2 layers of metal in front to slow down the nails and that works (lowering the air pressure doesn't work, as the gun won't fire)

[Jumijo]

Pop cans? Where you from, Dave? Certainly you must mean tonic cans!!! [;)]

Jim

[FJ and G]

I'm enjoying the gardening aspects right now. (Moss, ferns, and junipers seem to thrive in the colder weather). Also, enjoy the surveying (surveying a bridge over the culvert stream); and enjoying construction (so far, used 40 pop cans and still didn't finish corrugating just one side of my new industry! which means it might not be quite ready to photograph this weekend).

[Jumijo]

So much to enjoy. I'm making scenery for our layout now and it's a lot of fun. Running the trains and watching the smoke is also one of my favorite aspects, but I also enjoy participating in this forum, reading CTT, and looking through catalogs. Trainshows are another favorite.

Jim

[IronHoarse]

I like it all. But my favorite part is operating trains and accessories. There is nothing like hearing the sounds and watching the action.

[Birds]

I like running trains - the sound, the noise, the look... of horror as a collision happens on the main line (and that's when the concept of block wiring finally sunk in).

I do like the wiring part. I've done my share of professional time with computers, networks, etc. So I like vintage transformers and old fashioned time tested wiring techniques, done for a very modest sum.

Scenery? We have yet to see...

Birds

[pbjwilson]

QUOTE: Originally posted by c50truck

But most of all, I enjoy the fact your never finished.

10-4. Well put.

[prewardude]

I enjoy collecting and running sets. Mostly reproduction prewar sets (because they're easy-to-find and affordable), but I have some modern O gauge sets, too. There just isn't anything like opening up a set box for the first time! It's the stuff memories are made of. [:)]

Regards,
Clint

[Buckeye Riveter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by laz 57

Running the trains,
Watching the smoke.
Drinking a few beers while watching trains and smoke.
Great night..... trains, beer and my dog JANE, at my side.
laz57

[#ditto] except the cat runs the trains with me, [:D]

[dwiemer]

I agree with all of the above, but the absolute favorite is seeing the smile on my kids faces while the trains are running. Nothing beats the special time we share together.
Dennis

[mitchelr]

Running trains is definitely my favorite part of the hobby. Of course, going to a train show and finding a great train or accessory comes in a close second.[;)]

[laz 57]

Running the trains,
Watching the smoke.
Drinking a few beers while watching trains and smoke.
Great night..... trains, beer and my dog JANE, at my side.
laz57

[1688torpedo]

Collecting & restoring Lionel 1688 Torpedos; As it were I just took another 1688 out to one of the restoration guys I know and now it is in his shop for a new paint job & a new Pickup-Shoe Plate.In a few months it will look like new again & it runs like a Top to boot.Another thing to like about this Hobby is all of the nice Folks you meet on this Forum & in person also. And, Sharing info & learning a thing or two as well. This is the best of both Worlds. Take Care.

[andregg1]

hi
for me every, repair, clean, lube, make new parts, etc
After this, run my train and look for nice pictures.
A.

[c50truck]

Wow, where to start.

I like the fact it ties some many of my interest into one hobby. I enjoy building, so making the layout is fun. I enjoy restoration and rebuilding of old engines, cars and accessories. And I enjoy the electrical aspect. You can really get involved with your wiring. Your only limitations, is your own imagination.

But most of all, I enjoy the fact your never finished.

[dougdagrump]

The contact with the visitors to the club layout, it is amazing how many smiling faces you get to see and the number of people you get to chat with. Not only from all around the U.S. but as far away as Asia and Europe. [^]

[darianj]

Opps...I guess I should answer the question myself.

As a newbie, I can't name just one thing...I like it all. Including getting back into a past hobby; using electronics to kind of customize things like lighting.

[csxt30]

A good topic, I think ! [:)]
I like building layouts or benchwork, & lately the photographic part of the hobby,
the forum, & train shows, probably everything else, also !
Thanks, John

[darianj]

Just wondering what everyone likes best about the hobby:

Running trains
Restoring old pieces
Collecting Engines
Collecting rolling stock
Building layouts
Something else
EVERYTHING!