Is this hobby only serious if you buy brass or have DCC?

[the-big-blow]

Are Brass locomotives only meant for "serious" railroaders.? I mean I like brass locomotive collecting and some people call me too serious(deer in headlight look) for paying so much money for a locomotive
while that someone is sitting on 700 katos down in his basement without any
parts put on them. If I want to pay $1600 for a model of lets say a UP 3
unit turbine(which by the way no manufacture besides Overland has decide to
make Way to go Overland!!! ) that's my choice. To each his own. Same goes for DCC, some people love it some people don't.

The Big Blow

[tomwatkins]

I agree entirely. It's a big broad hobby with lots of different aspects to it. That means there are a lot of different ways to have fun with it, and whatever way a person chooses to go, it has to be fun or there is no point to it.

I choose not to get upset or excited about the licensing issues or the law suits. If I were in the model railroad business that would probably change, but I'm not, so I won't.

I personally don't collect brass but I do enjoy looking at beautifully built and detailed models. I do run DCC and I really like it. For me it's the right choice. But there are some superb model railroads that don't feature it.

It's all about personal choice and what constitutes fun to an individual model railroader. We need to enjoy what we are doing and be accepting of other people's choices.

Have Fun,

Tom Watkins

[newhavenguy]

I'd say brass locomotives are for those modelers that want a specific model already detailed for a specific class of engine (or building) on a specific railroad. I don't this it has anything to do with how serious the modeler is.

[Dough]

FWIW, I'm not the most serious modeler by any streatch. In fact I barely get any time to do it at all. However, I am also a big MoW fan and their are very few manufacturers of MW equipment except for those who produce it in brass.

[darth9x9]

To answer the thread question: No.

I know of many serious modelers who don't own any brass and they run straight DC. Conversely, I know two people who dabble in the hobby and they have a couple of brass pieces sitting on a shelf but have no layout.

Some people buy brass for its 'collectableness' and others, like myself, have a couple of brass pieces because no one makes a decent model in plastic. Take for example a GP-15T. The Walthers version can't hold a candle to Overland's version. The Chessie System Historical Society worked closely with Overland to produce an awesome model of a Chessie GP-15T.

One last thought: some people consider themselves 'serious modelers' and they only run TrainZ or MS Railroad simulator. So I guess it is all a matter of perspective.

[sparkingbolt]

How do you define serious? What constitutes a serious modeler?

Let's see... I don't buy brass or have DCC but I do hand lay switches and use only code 70 and 55 where it shows, and scratchbuild structures? Does that count?

Actually I don't take seriousness seriously. No matter what level a person models at they are doing so for the (gasp) fun of it. Nobody is curing cancer or resolving the Middle East crisis with their model railroads. I do demand more of myself in some areas than most other people do, and less in other areas.

I personally know a couple in my area who have invested more into their model RR (just the scale equipment, not the palace it's in) than my whole real esate is worth, are they more serious than I? If so they're hiding the fact behind a smokescreen of enjoying themselves.

Let's not mistake snobby or know it all or unlimited funds for serious, whatever that is. Rather, just enjoy our miniature machinery & scenery at whatever level of quality suits us. Dan

[Fergmiester]

One's commitment to the hobby or any hobby should not be determined by the $ value or technology incorporated but more importantly the time and effort a person invested.

In short and in my humble opinion the answer to your question is no.

Some of the best and most inspiring layouts layouts I've seen are the no frills ones. Lots of good scenery due to time and effort.

[Jetrock]

Indeed, having the latest or most expensive stuff shouldn't count in terms of a "serious" hobbyist's level of commitment. Time commitment, knowledge, and modeling ability mean more, in my mind, than just spending dollars.

Think about it--who would you consider a "serious" modeler, someone who didn't really have much in the way of modeling skills or knowledge of railroads, but had a lot of money and so could afford brass locomotives, DCC control, and paid others to create his layout and detail his engines? Or a middle-class guy with some free time who builds his models from kits or scratchbuilds, and enjoys learning a lot about how prototype railroads do their business?

Of course, if the rich guy really did love model railroading, built his own layout, had lots of prototype knowledge and bought that expensive brass to run rather than to gather dust, certainly he'd be a serious model railroader...

[dknelson]

I suspect a high percent of the brass that is purchased is not used on an active layout. My own brass sits in its boxes.
As for DCC .... I sense something new is going to be coming that will make existing DCC start to look obsolete. This is inevitable. After all compact discs are now totally obsolete even though they are still being sold of course.
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

Hi
My[2c] worth on this that to be a serious railway modeler you pick a rallway company
then pick a location and do you best to replicate that company and location to the best of your abilaty or, create you own railway company and try and create it in the closest to
railway practices of the chosen time frame.
I dont see anywhere in there that it specifies what things are made of[:)]
But as has been stated there are that many interests that in all cases rule 1 applies
rule one Its my railway I wil do what I want too
rule two If you dont like it refer to rule one
rule three ( there is no rule three refer to rule one)
[soapbox]
That set of rules should cover everything[:-,][:-^][yeah]
regards John

[Anonymous]

[#ditto]I don't know what that means but it sounds like Rivet Counters to me[;)]

[Anonymous]

Serious means you spend more than 1 hour a day working on the railroad. I can appreciate brass and DCC, but serious to me is getting down in the basement and working on the layout, a structure, a steamer, a diesel and all of them at the same time. If you've invested a $1 in this hobby then you are serious.

[FJ and G]

No. A lot of folks who live in Appalachia have trailer layouts powered by waterwheel energy and cannot afford brass or DCC.

[Anonymous]

I'd like to see that. I bet we could sell that water wheel system for those times the wife turns the lights out in the basement to get you to come to bed?

[FJ and G]

Actually, dgoodlander, there are even poorer people there who can't afford the waterwheel. Instead, to run their trains their barefoot wives have to pedal a bike attached to a dynometer.

Dave Vergun

[MAbruce]

Is this hobby only serious if you buy brass or have DCC?

If it is, I guess I'm not a serious modeler. But the really important question would be "do I care?"

I'll leave it at that.

[Anonymous]

I kinda agree with Fergie it's partly and time and effort but it can also show by how much they care about it. Some people can be serious but can only afford an hour a week or even an hour a month but when they do gete down to working on it the do a lot of work and enjoy the time they have. I guess it changes for everyone. But money or apperance shouldn't matter but how much fun you have.

Andrew Miller

[dharmon]

Buying brass models and the level of one's "seriousness" about the hobby as two entirely different issues. How serious about the hobby someone is has absolutely nothing to do with whether they can afford or choose to afford buying brass. Brass models are just that...models. I tend to group brass buyers into two categories..and I'm not trying to offend anyone..but I'm sure someone will be so I apologize beforehand.

1. Collectors. They buy / sell brass for it's value as brass. They rarely if every paint undecorated models and almost never runs them. The collect expensive models like some folks collect expensive cars.

2. Prototype modelers. They buy brass because they model rare or unusual models that aren't normally available in plastic or kits. The tooling costs for making 3, 6, 20 of a kind locomotives are just too expensive for most companies to absorb and still make an affordable product. They paint / run them.

And there are mixtures of the two. I have one brass locomotive. I don't and probably never will run it. I may paint it one day and set it on the shelf. And there are a few locomotives that I would buy in brass, if I had absolutlely nothing else to spend the money on....and there always is. I think that someone who spends several hours detailing an Athearn blue box is just as dedicated to the hobby as the kid that makes the leap to actually attach an oval to wood as someone who walks in to the hobby shop and drops a grand on a brass locomotive. The hobby is big enough for all, and the amount of money spent has no bearing on one's dedication.

[Anonymous]

DCC doesn't make you a more "serious" modeler - just one that has more fun !!!

And NOT buying brass enables you to buy a lot more high quality plastic locos (Atlas Master, Kato, P2K) or rollihg stock (Atlas, Kadee, Intermountain, P2K)

The level of detail of some of these can match any brass (seen the level of detail on the new P2K GP38-2 or the Atlas Master U30C ??? Or the new Intermountain hopper ???).

[Anonymous]

I am a mixture of both. I use DCC on my modular layout built to Free-mo standards. I buy brass passenger cars for the ATSF, SP, BN and UP and buy plastic locomotives by Kato and Atlas.
Ch

[Anonymous]

My answer to the question is no. I'm not going to go into detail of why I say that, I don't have to, all the others before me have said it very well already. I will say that I enjoy working on my layout and always have, I think that's what it is all about.

[BRAKIE]

Well,As far as brass prices one needs to be rich or something like that..As far as DCC its a choice one must make for his or her self....As far as Kato they are overrated by the Kato worshipers...[bow]

[Anonymous]

I like to build and work on "stuff". I know how to build cardboard box cars and I can repair locomotives and build a layout and I get much enjoyment out of it all. Brass included. I don't have DCC though.Hmmmmm. Maybe a doctors appointment?[:D]

[Eriediamond]

Can't speak for others, but I suppose it's how you enterpret serious. Like 99% have answered, I'm in for the enjoyment of it and nothing more. I don't worry if the head light on my Erie "mike" was mounted high or in the center of the smoke box. As long as I get the flavor of what I'm modeling, I'm happy. As far as what other people are able to buy, I'm also happy for them as long as they are having fun. I will say though, I do get on the serious side of things if I'm doing work for someone elses railroad to give them what they expect or want. On the other hand I guess you could fit the serious category if you strive to make a scene as realistic as possible, which I think most of us do. How much money is spent does not determine how serious you are. If you have the money and you like brass, and that makes you happy, go for it. I also have to get serious once in awhile with Bubba (>^..^<) though. [(-D][(-D][(-D]

[AggroJones]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Jetrock

Indeed, having the latest or most expensive stuff shouldn't count in terms of a "serious" hobbyist's level of commitment. Time commitment, knowledge, and modeling ability mean more, in my mind, than just spending dollars.

Think about it--who would you consider a "serious" modeler, someone who didn't really have much in the way of modeling skills or knowledge of railroads, but had a lot of money and so could afford brass locomotives, DCC control, and paid others to create his layout and detail his engines? Or a middle-class guy with some free time who builds his models from kits or scratchbuilds, and enjoys learning a lot about how prototype railroads do their business?

Of course, if the rich guy really did love model railroading, built his own layout, had lots of prototype knowledge and bought that expensive brass to run rather than to gather dust, certainly he'd be a serious model railroader...

[#ditto] I couldn't have said it better myself.

[on30francisco]

A serious model railroader is anyone who enjoys modeling railroads. The amount of money spent on the hobby has very little to do with a person's seriousness. I do not buy brass myself. I have always liked narrow gauge and the best thing that ever happened for me is when Bachmann came out with their very affordable and high quality plastic On30 locomotives. I immediately jumped into On30. Before that I was modeling in On3 but never bought a loco because all that was (and still is) available was expensive brass. As for DCC, I am currently using DC but am very interested in converting to DCC.

[Anonymous]

The only serious modeler is the guy whose confused as to whether the LHS or club is his primary home or his home away from home.

[Todd McWilliam]

I still buy and run athearn blue box locomotives. I consider my self very serious about this hobby, just can't afford anything better.

[Anonymous]

Sometimes YES, sometimes NO! Your serious if your serious.

[Anonymous]

It is only as serious as you make it.