Edit topic

Updated your discussion topic below.

Subject
Enter a subject for your topic. Maximum 150 characters.
Post Body
Enter your post below.
 MRR practice in Europe differs very much from US practice. The following is not meant to make a judgment of whatsoever kind, but just to point out some key issues:1. SpaceSpace is at a premium, because housing is much more expensive. Huge, basement filling layouts are the exception, not the rule. European MRR´s have to develop ingenious ways to find suitable space. Tight radius curves and turnouts are a necessity, though we try to disguise them. 2.  OperationOperation differs very much from US practice. Europeans tend to focus on passenger service, as that is what we see when we go train watching. In the center of each layout is the passenger station, to a much lesser degree, freight handling facilities and spurs leading to industries. For this reason, the type of operation modeled is also different - we like to see trains run, therefore there is not so much switching operation. Timetable or scheduled operation is also rare, but growing  along with MRR clubs. Loop to loop layouts or that good old oval are still the main track principle. A more typical layout design looks like this ( an idea I am currently working on for a friend - 1st cut) <img src="http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/SirMadig/Malmbanan1.jpg?t=1251975815" mce_src="http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv185/SirMadig/Malmbanan1.jpg?t=1251975815" width="1022" height="399"> 3. TrackThere is a vast variety of track available, mostly with code 100 and even bigger rails. Wheels have still those pizza-cutter flanges, as the European NEM  Standard is not as refined as NMRA´s RP25. Operation is much more reliable, even with track that is not laid carefully. Hand laying track is rare. 4. Equipment/AccessoriesA vast number of bigger and smaller brands offer a tremendous variety of steam , diesel and electrical locos,  as well as passenger and freight cars. As an example, ROCO nearly covers all European countries. Most of the locos and cars are R-T-R, kit building is rare. Structures, cars, figures, materials for scenicking - all of that is abundant - check the Walthers catalogue, and that shows only a fraction of what is available.5. Kitbashing/ScratchbuildingMore the exception than the rule - too much ready made stuff or kits of all sorts available.6. Cost of HobbyWay too high - much higher, than in the US! Locos and rolling stock are about 30 - 50 per cent more than you pay for  premium brands like BLI, MTH, PCM and the likes. However, there seem to be a lot less quality issues involved and the level of detail also appears much higher to me.7. ScalesAs in the US, the predominant scale is HO, but N and TT are enjoying a growing number of modelers. Narrow gauge modeling has started to become very popular, there is a number of suppliers offering equipment (VERY expensive! [:D] ) 8. Social AcceptanceModel railroading is considered a serious hobby for adults. "Playing" with trains does not get bickered at. All over Europe you will find public model railroading shows, the biggest of which is the bi-yearly Intermodell in Dortmund. This year, the total turnover amounted to about 30 mio. $ in 5 days! Aside from these shows, permanent Model railroading "adventures" like "Miniatur-Wunderland" in Hamburg, are attracting millions of visitors each year.9. FutureThe hobby is here to stay, although there will be a move towards smaller and more flexible suppliers. The big names all suffer from a product range too big, running complexity costs sky high. Pushing costs into the market has failed completely, as discounts show. We will see some of the names disappear, which is to a degree sad, as those names were the ones that got the hobby started.This list is by no means complete and exhaustive - I merely wanted to provide a different look to the issue.  Edit:I forgot one issue - weatheringWeathering locos and cars is not yet widely spread. There maybe many a reason behind this, but some arguments could be:a) Real trains are fairly well maintained and cleaned frequently, that rusty and decrepit look, which is so fascinating to capture, is rare.b) Train stuff is expensive, unless you are a master at it, trying out can be a highly costly adventure.
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag
E-mail Subscribe
Check the box below if you want to receive e-mail notifications when replies are made to this thread.

Receive notifications

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Edit topic

Subject

Post Body

Tags (Optional)

E-mail Subscribe

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community