What is it about model railroading that attracts people?

[Razorclaw]

What is it about model railroading that attracts people? it seems to be a hobby that, no matter the age, pulls people to the joys of the hobby. How is this so?

[mcouvillion]

Razorclaw,

I think everyone likes to see things in miniature, almost a god-like view. They also like to watch the train of cars (essentially a parade) go by. Many will "wave" to the model as it goes by, at least once! I guess it brings back the simplicities and pleasures of childhood. For those of us who appreciate the mechanical considerations of how a string of cars stays together in one coherent piece, it's a whole 'nother animal. We like the raw power (Arh Arh Arh) represented by the train, even in miniature.

It's hard to find anyone who does not light up at the first sight of a model train.

Mark C.

[rexhea]

I believe most everyone, male or female, old or young, has a facination with trains. A model layout gives you the opportunity to view a train up close and in service, a chance to watch all the movements and actions. Something you can't do in real life.

REX

[MAbruce]

What about MRR'ing that attracts me?

Simple. The groupie chicks. [:P][(-D]

Oh, and the trains are pretty nice too.

[Anonymous]

That is a tough question!

There are many things that attract me to this hobby all of which combine together. The biggest attractions for me are the skills I have learned (and have yet to learn), the knowledge I have gained about the history of railroading and our great nation, and the memories that I can relive through the hobby. I've learned carpentry, electrical stuff, basic electronics (all of which I have used in other areas - from my college senior design project to home improvement stuff). I've learned I can get days of enjoyment out of a $10.00 kit and some paint and styrene sheet when kitbashing a structure. I've learned the economics of the transportatoin industriy and have become more aware of many things that are current political topics (environment, government subsidies, transportation costs etc) and history . Every time I see a model GG1 I remember the trips my dad and I used to take to NYC when I was growing up. I want to model at least one subway station and have a MP54 set as they remind me of my trips to the city when I was a kid and my days in college. I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea.

Now if I could just get MAbruce's groupies to come over to my place . . . .

[ksax73]

For me it's a chance to mimmick what I saw in real life. As a kid when I had my first experience aboard a train, I wanted to mimmick the operations but I can't describe what caused the passion of it. Something about moving along the rails smoothly, making moves through throats, and basically the overall operations.

..........Gift from God maybe? LOL

[Anonymous]

I think it is the feeling of putting together everything from the trackwork to the scenery and then running trains on something you created.

Then from that it is the feeling of actually operating a train. You are the one deciding how fast or slow, what to pick up and drop off, where to stop and let another train by and when quitting time is!

[jkeaton]

The chance to build something, backed up by the opportunity to learn a new skill and some new information in order to get it right. The chance to reproduce the thrill of being down by the tracks in miniature in my space. The puzzle of figuring out a track plan, or a switching puzzle.

And then there are the times I just crouch down by the tracks and watch the trains go by!

Jim