Modeller, Runner or Collector

[dharmon]

We sort of broached this topic when discussing Sam Posey's book and questions about operations versus scenery. But let me frame it this way...

I do not currently have a home layout, primarily because of frequent moves. I run my trains at the club that I am member of, but most of my modelling time is spent on modelling locomotives and rolling stock. I buy little RTR stuff, and generally look for kits, used pieces parts, older Athearns and such to detail up or as material for project I have in mind. I have a tendency to looks at a box of parts a swap meet and think of what it's potential is. Regardless of the origin, I have a minimum level of detail which I seek to acheive, which varies based on the goal of the project.....great for some and bare minimum for others. And while there are items on the market, which easily exceed my capablilities in terms of detail out of the box, I'll usually forgo them, not so much for price, but because by and large, the actual modelling/detailling/weathering/etc....heck just knowing I did it..... is where I get the bulk of my hobby enjoyment.

Now, there are other members of the club, for lack of a better term, I'll call runners. They buy primarily RTR, and at most add weight, wheels and a decoder...if those did not come preinstalled, and they're off to the races. They like operating trains, and never delve into details or weathering beyond what comes out of the package.

And there are the third type, which I'll call the collectors. Some of them have immense collections of fabulous models. They will preorder two of every Atlas/Kato/Genesis or brass release, maybe run them once, and they'll sit in the box most of the time, if not forever.

Everyone has the a of the hobby that they enjoy the most, and there is no right or wrong way to do it. Just curious how you see yourself as a modeller, runner or collector.

[Anonymous]

I am a modelrer and a runner.

[tstage]

dharmon,

I've only been n the hobby seriously since May. So, at this point, I guess I would consider myself a partial modeler/partial runner.

I enjoy putting together kits. I find them both relaxing and educational. I haven't really gotten around to weathering yet - mostly because I'm working on nailing down my layout design - and I've only just started to kit bash buildings. My brain is thinking about those things though. Hopefully, one day I'll get up the gumption (and the money together) to try those ideas out.

I DEFINITELY like seeing the trains run! [:)] If trains don't run, it's only modeling.

Tom

[vsmith]

Modeler, hands down

I run them as best I can on my incomplete layout, but every piece of equipment I have will be modified to some degree before I consider it acceptable.

Some are kitbashed, some virtually scratchbuilt, other just painted and weathered.
My layout is very small, part by intention, part by outside circumstances. So my operation standpoint is very limited, but its the MODELING I enjoy...

Collecting to me is like hoarding, whats the point if they are not used, or even displayed and just kept in a box in a closet?

[mcouvillion]

dharmon,
I guess I fit the bill to some extent for all three. I model things to run well and look realistic from a distance (constant intensity lighting is a must), I collect older stuff and enjoy the challenge of making it run well. RTR is still, in my opinion, not really ready-to-run. It needs some TLC before getting on the track. And my collection is fairly extensive, though it includes older pieces and things that interest me rather than the newest and greatest.
I like the challenge of planning a project, and then making it come to fruition over time. That's really satisfying.

[tatans]

I would find the line between modeller and runner pretty fine, if a person models (kitbash) things,or buys a kit and assembles it, thats pretty close, and if they have a small layout and zoom around the track thats what I would refer to as a model railroader
and if for lack of space, a person uses a club layout they are also model railroaders. the problem is "collectors" where does stuffing engines in boxes never to be seen again fit in the definition of model railroader, I would combine modeller and runner (and having fun and a good time) under MODEL RAILROADER but have no idea where collector fits in.

[j1love]

Hello Dharmon,
I want to be a runner when I grow up!! [:D] Right now, due to lack of space I am a NOVICE collector. I am exploring weathering with chalks and DCC decoder installation in my engines. So I guess I am a little of both at this point.

[Anonymous]

Seems to me that on the one hand, the mainstream of this hobby is what you call runners: people who have a layout or access to one, and enjoy running trains on them (regardless of level of operating realism). Most runners are not PRIMARILY modellers although we/they will do basic scenery and strucutres to make the running more interesting and, as mcouvillion remarks, how much RTR is truly RTR. On the other hand, most of the "flagship" model railroaders are primarily modellers (there of course are exceptions). All the evidence I have is that for better or worse, they are a pretty small minority. So as Tatan remarks, its hard to segment into neat buckets: few runners do no modelling, and few modellers do no running. The number of "pure" collectors - people who do no modelling and no running - I think is very small and limited mostly to a segmenet of the brass market. But the percentage of both modellers and runners who also collect I think is quite high if you will accept as the definition of collecting, the purchase of models (usually locomotives) that are excess to your requirements and will as a result be infrequently run.

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tatans

I would find the line between modeller and runner pretty fine, if a person models (kitbash) things,or buys a kit and assembles it, thats pretty close, and if they have a small layout and zoom around the track thats what I would refer to as a model railroader
and if for lack of space, a person uses a club layout they are also model railroaders. the problem is "collectors" where does stuffing engines in boxes never to be seen again fit in the definition of model railroader, I would combine modeller and runner (and having fun and a good time) under MODEL RAILROADER but have no idea where collector fits in.

Please don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to define model railroader. I was loosely breaking it down into three types of model railroader, that I am locally exposed to primarily, and see where folks see themselves. And, I'm certainly not saying that people who like to build models don't run or vice versa or collect, because everybody probably does a bit of some. I know I do. When I started, kits ruled. MR and RMC were chock full of articles on how build a xxxx or kitbash a xxxxx, and RTR was Tyco, Bachmann, LL or Brass (to get the quality of a Kato, Genesis, Atlas, P2K....). Now, kits are not mainstream, RTR rules and the quality of it is awesome. Folks who don't want to kitbash don't have to, and can have a great looking model right out of the box and add or not add the details that come with it.

I guess I would clarify the question by saying. I like to build and detail models, and run them. I don't as a rule (yes I have a couple of things) buy or build stuff that I don't run and have soley for the sake of collecting. And I have a few items that I was satisfied with running straight out of the box.....okay maybe with a little weathering. I am not trying to imply rivet counter here. Just folks that like to work on the model itself in additon to running it. That's me.

There are other model railroaders who do not enjoy the "modelling" aspect as much as others and purchase some of the wonderful models that are available now in RTR form and only do what's necessary to get them on the rails. Nothing wrong with that either.

And there are folks that collect, for the sake of collecting. They are model railroaders too...they buy and own model trains...purposely, but don't generally run them or spend time detailling them...for whatever reason. I don't mean the folks that buy stuff now because they don't have a layout or a club. But folks who buy them to have. Nothing wrong with that either.....my wife's version of trains has something to do with baskets made in Ohio....some seems to have a purpose...oithers just sit there and get dusty.

So......you are at a trainshow....you see a Brand X locomotive.....do you...1) take it home, put grabs irons, lift rings, wipers, and detail it up, and put it into service, 2) Go home, do only what you have to do to get it into service right away and leave it that way for life, or 3)take it home put it in a box or on a shelf and add it to the 12 others there to complete your collection of Brand X, second run, western roadnames?

[tatans]

This question seems to be a matter of definition. Just where do I fit in the categories? all the replies are very valid and thoughtful, I guess it boils down to who's doing the categorizing, me? you? them? us? and how much we worry about titles, I had to remind people who referred to me as an artist, when I called myself a painter, I simply stated it's up to someone else to refer to me anyway they like, but I'm still a painter. How about TRAIN GUY? have fun.

[orsonroy]

Mostly, I'm a modeler. I've got about 1/3 of a completed layout, so I can run some, but I spend the vast majority of my hobby time (like 80%) building stuff. This week alone I think I've spent eight hours on the hobby (well, in front of the tube too), and all of it was kitbuilding.

[fec153]

I put the kits together-MODELER! I run my trains-RUNNER! I have a few sets and pieces that I won't run-COLLECTOR!
Fla. Phil

[Big_Boy_4005]

I can honestly say I've done all three. I started off like most kids do as a runner. As I got older I turned to more serious modeling. When I decided to focus on 3 rail O, I became a collector, since I didn't have a place to run my trains. Then it was back to simple running for a while. Then came another dry spell without a layout, during which I changed my focus to scale models but still with 3 rail O. This meant a new round of collecting.

Now it's back to modeling. I have the space, I have the plan, I have the trains, and I have the time. My style of modeling does not include making models OF trains. I am completely happy to simply buy the cars and engines. I like to build structures and scenery, but the main focus of the railroad is going to be realistic operation.

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

So......you are at a trainshow....you see a Brand X locomotive.....do you...1) take it home, put grabs irons, lift rings, wipers, and detail it up, and put it into service, 2) Go home, do only what you have to do to get it into service right away and leave it that way for life, or 3)take it home put it in a box or on a shelf and add it to the 12 others there to complete your collection of Brand X, second run, western roadnames?

"...take it home, put grabs irons, lift rings, wipers, and detail it up, and put it into service..."

Holy Mahony Dan!

You just described me to a TEE! [:0]

Do that plus a whole lotta other white metal or brass castings. I often build cabs out also, thats one of the joys of large scale, you can get crazy with detailing and not go blind doing it! [:D]

[jrbernier]

Interesting question. I look at the hobby a little different. I have been involved in scale modeling since the late 60's. Here is what I see:

Collectors - They have been around as long as I remember. There is nothing wrong with the person who gets a copy of every run of something. It's the guy who brags up 'his' collection and wastes others time.

Runners - The guy who gets into the hobby 'big time' and buys up everything he can afford and just runs it with no rhyme or reason. I thing most of us have sort of been there in the first year or so in the hobby.

Modelers - there really are two camps here:

1 - The fellow just likes to build/superdetail models.

2 - They fellow who buys up junkbox items at train shows and usually models on a
budget.

Now, where do I sit? I used to build/kitbash/detail/paint virtually all of my engines/cars. Now with the ultra-good models available, I find that I buy really nice engines like P2K, and add road specific details. My freight car fleet has also migrated from rebuilt/painted/decaled/weathered Athearn/MDC cars to P2K/Kadee/Intermountain/Red Caboose/Accurail cars. I 'flea market' older cars as I upgrade.

Jim Bernier

[twhite]

All three, here. I collect locomotives, largely brass (because of the railroad I model, mainly), but I paint and decal and run them, so that makes me a runner, and I build the cars that run behind them, so that makes me a modeller. Hey, that question was easy!

[rexhea]

Right now I am about half modeller and half runner. My rolling stock is half RTR and half kits with some of the kits being simple Yardmaster type and others Blueprint type, bridges from Walthers to Central Valley. I do see a change in my thinking as I progress further along on my layout. I start getting more interesting in kits, detail, and also prototypical operation.

REX

[BRAKIE]

I am a runner,modeler and a collector of short line boxcars.However,I am to a point where I no longer want to model or build any thing but,would rather operate my layouts.[:D]

[eastcoast]

I started as a runner, then just kept collecting,
now I do all three. I love to RUN my trains,
I model some areas I see here and there,
and I still collect anything of interest about
trains. I NEVER sell anything I have in regards
to my trains, they just retire and look pretty.

[Anonymous]

I'm a modeler & a runner. Some of my rolling stock is RTR, some Kits, some weathered, some not. Engines are all RTR with detailing and some have weathering, some not. I have also installed decoders in most. Some also fit into a collector category, since they are rarely run and spend most of their lives on display. So in this hobby, one interest is not mutually exclusive of all others. My current layout is HO and my Wife's is N. All of her rolling stock and engines are RTR, none weathered but some highly detailed. She is building a layout so she will be a runner also. Some of her engines also spend their lives mostly in a show case. Just my $.02 worth. Both of us are into highly detailed building kits, kit bashing and scenery details, also.

[Anonymous]

I guess I'm probably more like a collecter then anything else. Though I build and upgrade models when time permits.
I really like seeing my trains run, but I'm not really into building a layout at the moment.

Alvie.

[CNJ831]

I think it is much more difficult to separate modelers from runners and from collectors than the initial post suggests. Most of us have been all three at one time or another in the hobby and many are honestly all three at the present time. I will agree that there are some true collectors who have no goal beyond owning and displaying a specific type of locomotives or rolling stock (there's even a group out there whose interest centers around collecting only pickle cars!). However, any separation between modelers and runners would be very difficult to define. Certainly, if you have ever at sometime built at least a partially completed layout you will have been running on it. Even if you are currently just a member of a club and lack any home layout you've probably done some modeling on the club's effort so these areas are not really separable.

A much clearer demarcation is to be found in the area of operators vs. runners. Interestingly and despite what the polls and posts here continually seem to suggest, the far more statistically significant surveys by MR and others have always indicated runners outnumber operators in this hobby by at least 5 to 1. I might add that this is essentially the same ratio one finds for DC vs. DCC layouts, making me wonder if there is some sort of a tie-in there.

CNJ831

[Anonymous]

I guess I'm a mutt. A little bit of each!
Modruncollector???

[CBQ_Guy]

Definitely a runner.

I recall several years ago reading that a collector who never runs what he has, is like a man with a harem taking a vow of celibacy! [;)][:P]