No. A "model railroad" is a physical object and that's a very important distinction to me.
BillwizIn another thread someone asked about train collecting vs. model railroading and truthfully there are a lot of collectors who have no layouts, or run few if any trains, but still called model railroaders.
I was in that boat and in a way I still am. For years I was moving a lot and in limbo with regard to building a layout, especially during my college and graduate college years. Eventually I got married and moved into a house and started building a layout. Unfortunately that married did not work out and I was out on my ear and living in tiny cracker box appartments with no room for a layout and evenually moved to a different state and having to start from the "bottom" in a new job field, also living in tiny basement appartments. You guessed it, I was firmly in the much disparaged category of "collector".
Like me, many "collectors" are people who want to model a RR and operate a layout but are living with that goal in mind. I built my last layout in 2014 and moved in 2017 and tore that down. Once again, yes, a collector. Another layout is under construction so hopefully in the coming months, I will be a model railroader again, God willing.
Then there is the eternal debate between three rail/toy vs. model railroading.
Many, including our wives, would just say those are our "toy's", and in a sense that's true. The difference between mean and boys is the price of our toys.
Of course some hobbyists would make the distinction between "scale" model trains that tries to faithfully copy a real train at a small scale as model railroading or scale model railroading.
The characatures of trains such as O-27, your call. As a child, I enjoyed my O-27 trains I first received for Chistmas at age 4, but by the time I was around 8 or so, I discovered HO trains, and they appealed to me for their more realistic and closer to fidelity apparance to the trains I saw in real life. I never looked back. And tho I retained my Lionel Hudson steam engine for a bit of nostalgia, the only piece I retained after selling the rest when I was in the 5th grade, I never had the desire to go back to that. I was all about scale trains after that. But I "get-it", and understand people have different ways of having fun and enjoying the hobby.
2020 has changed our thoughts on many things. So yes, I believe that virtual railroading is model railroading.
Yes, something have changed this year like "virtual learning" etc., but I still disagree on what is model railroading and for the reasons I mentioned. The why, of course, is because what matters is what people out in the world and also in the community of hobbyists, understand when you use the words "model railroading". If you use the term model railroading, I argue most people, by far, will not understand it as a train sim on a computer screen. If you don't believe me, do a survey that is statistically significant.
The "common" understanding of that term, is universally, physical train models.
In our own mines, we can think almost anything, but I argue, what is generally or commonly understood my the general population matters most. It's logical.
So there is what is in our minds, and then there is IRL - or "in real life". There is a distinction as Father Ted tried hard to point out to Dugal.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I used to play a lot of Flight Simulator, but finally returned to building a real layout. It was all pretty grown-up and methodical, but then I needed to make some molds and start doing Hydrocal castings. Suddenly, I was having little kid fun again, like it should be.
Enjoy whatever railroad resource you have available. For me, though, I like the tangible aspect of the hobby, building kits, painting structures and creating a miniature world of my own.
Am I railfanning when I drive over a grade crossing that might get one engine and a few cars a week? I still look down the track, empty as it is.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
riogrande5761Yes, something have changed this year like "virtual learning" etc., but I still disagree on what is model railroading and for the reasons I mentioned. The why, of course, is because what matters is what people out in the world and also in the community of hobbyists, understand when you use the words "model railroading". If you use the term model railroading, I argue most people, by far, will not understand it as a train sim on a computer screen. If you don't believe me, do a survey that is statistically significant.
I'm not so sure about that. Ask most people what model railroading is and I suspect most will say "toy trains." I know, I know...
The distinction made between toy trains and model trains is one that is mostly internal to the hobby from my experience. I suspect it's mostly a matter of concern to those who feel the need to justify to others what they do for pleasure.
Really, it is OK to do things just for fun, but if you feel the need to make an argument about it, then go ahead and make that distinction to people. Most will smile and nod in amusement, but won't take that argument nearly as seriously as those who make it to them.
Just my opinion, of course. Any stronger argument actually needs a statistical survey to support it. Just be sure to include "toy trains" as one of the options in how the survey assesses the subject's preception of the hobby.
Nothing at all to be embarassed about, whether you regard it is modeling or playing.
That does bring to mind another reason why people tend to quickly dismiss the argument about how these two aspects of the hobby are converging. If you're sensitive about the "play" aspect of model railroading, you likely consider those who "play" games as simulations equally distasteful. One's personal interests won't preclude those of others finding value in these two aspects of the hobby.
In fact, with all the concern often expressed about getting new people into the hobby, it would seem to be a good place to appeal to young people, who are far more likely to come into the hobby after extensive computer experience than they are after extensive experience with building other models these days.
Never thought of play as a 4-letter word, but it seems it is for some. Best thing to do is to concentrate on having fun, whether through play or something, ahem, more noble.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
A model railroader is anyone who says he is a model railroader. Welcome them to this forum, and anywhere else. You don't have to have built a John Allen class layout to be a model railroader. Armchair railroaders count. So do train collectors, rail fans and anybody who calls themselve a model railroader.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
mlehman I'm not so sure about that. Ask most people what model railroading is and I suspect most will say "toy trains." I know, I know... The distinction made between toy trains and model trains is one that is mostly internal to the hobby from my experience. I suspect it's mostly a matter of concern to those who feel the need to justify to others what they do for pleasure. Really, it is OK to do things just for fun, but if you feel the need to make an argument about it, then go ahead and make that distinction to people. Most will smile and nod in amusement, but won't take that argument nearly as seriously as those who make it to them.
I already did acknowledge that toy trains fall into the general category of model railroading earlier so nothing really to be unsure of. Apologies if I didn't give it enough "air time".
My fundemental point still stands that, by far, most would consider model railroading to be PHYSICAL trains - whether scale models or toys.
We can leave hobbyists to worry about the distinction if they care to but the general public probably not so much. Some hobbyists, especially when they are younger, might wring their hands over the distinction but many of us as we get older are past caring. Call it what you want. Call me what you want. I still enjoy my hobby - to the general public: go ahead and enjoy yourself if you want to call them toy trains!
As Ricky Jervais said at the 2020 Golden Globes: "I don't care any more!"
It seems like maybe you're trying to rationalize doing it by comparing it to physcial modeling. Doesn't matter. If it's spare time and you enjoy it, it's a hobby so go for it.
Hmmm... my response to this thread disappeared.
I will type it again, I don't think I am violating any forum rules...
What I said was a lot of good points for thought have been brought up in this thread and it has been interesting to read.
Then I thanked everyone for keeping the discussion civil.
-Kevin
Living the dream.