People who don't understand Model RailRoading

[Anonymous]

Have you ever ran into someone who does'nt understand Model R.R. I've had some people act ,real negative about it. It gets on my nerves at times.They don't have any idea of what its about. We all know there missing out. My family loves model r.r.. and friends. I've had people say "I would'nt pay that for an engine"or "Why don't you grow up". Model RailRoading is fun for all,its rewarding too.Some say grow up, if thats the case, I will never grow up. I think theres a child in all of us.

[Anonymous]

Sure, I meet them all the time. Most are into other hobbies, it may be scrapbook making, doll collecting, restoring old cars, the list goes on and on. These folks may not understand the hobby, but at least they can appreciate the effort of creating something worth looking at.
Then there are others who just dont get it. Either they don't have time for a hobby, are more interested in 'playing sports', or have had thier brains sucked out by the boob tube.
The best you can do is to smile, answer any questions they have, and let how much you enjoy the hobby show through. Don't let them rattle you. You never know when you have a "misguided" potential convert on your hands![:D]

[Anonymous]

Well you know what they say, "Love your critics and drive them nuts"[:D][8D]

[Javern]

I've never met anyone who was critical of model rr as a hobby. Everyone seems to see it in a very creative way which is positive, more so for relatives who buy me hobby related xmas presents

[Roadtrp]

Everyone I've talked to about MR thought it sounded pretty interesting. When we have people over to our house I usually show them my layout. I’ve never had anyone make anything but positive comments.

Of course I'm 52 and most of our friends are about the same age, so I don't have to contend with the 'but it's not cool' factor.

[:)]

[Fergmiester]

My Mother in law would come under this heading as she feels I waste my time playing with toys. She'd rather see me woodworking or do something else more "constructive".

Personally I've thought of learning to play the Bagpipes! That might change some opinions, if not, too bad!

[}:)]

[egmurphy]

QUOTE: I've had people say "I wouldn''t pay that for an engine"

Hey, I've said that myself, and I'm a model railroader!!! [:D]

I'm kind of lucky in that my in-laws had never seen anything like a model railroad before we moved down here. I think they're absolutely fascinated with the small layout I'm building. They seem even more amazed that I have the patience to work on stuff this tiny, as I'm known in the family as having a real short fuse. [:I] [:O]

I'm not sure what my brothers-in-law think about my model railroading. But then again, I don't really care what they think. [;)] I'm not on a campaign to convert people to model railroading. If they like it, fine. If they don't, also fine.

Regards

Ed

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kbfcsme

Sure, I meet them all the time. Most are into other hobbies, it may be scrapbook making, doll collecting, restoring old cars, the list goes on and on.

Actually, at train shows I've seen quite a few people that are into motorsports/classic cars, plus are mrr'ers! I myself enjoy both cars and railroads...[:p]

And Fergie:

Doesn't you're mom-in-law realize mrring does have woodworking in it to some extent? That's why I don't care for people regarding to this hobby as "playing with trains"; there's also woodworking, electrical, drafting/designing, painting, and other sub-hobbies in mrring that hardly make it "playing with trains."

[bcammack]

I think I would be compelled to respond to someone who came off to me negatively about my choice of hobby thusly: "There's an old saying from the 70s that goes 'I'm not in this world to live up to your expectations and you're not in this world to live up to mine', so why don't you shut {optional expletive goes here} up?" [}:)]

We seem to live in a world where rude people take advantage of the gentle, polite people. Me, I'm polite by choice, not by nature, so they're usually fairly startled. I figure that if I can make rude, abusive people more wary of plying their vocation, I'm doing my part to make the world a better place... [:)]

[Jetrock]

Woodworking is of course part of model railroading! If you want to impress the mother-in-law, have a lovely stained wood fascia/baseboard type structure to mount your model railroad on.

Haven't yet had anyone criticize my hobby, especially because I tend to lead with my love of history--people may not be able to relate to it, or share my love of it, but they tend to be impressed by my enthusiasm for it, or at least intimidated.

And my wife loves it.

I'm sure that there are people out there who think that model railroading is silly or useless or dumb.

AND THEY CAN KISS MY BRIGHT RED CABOOSE!

[tomwatkins]

Fergie, Maybe the trick would be to start playing bagpipes without bothering to learn how. That would get them. I personally think well played pipes are wonderful, but that's just me.

Some people just don't see the point of hobbies. If if isn't "constructive", or doesn't generate income, there's no point. Others are glued to the sofa. It takes all kinds to make a world and that keeps it from being boring. Some of the people we know think the railroad is really cool, some think it's OK but I could be doing more useful things, and some think it's a waste of time. That's OK too. I like it and fortunately for me so do my wife and kids. That's all that really matters.
Have Fun,
Tom Watkins

[AntonioFP45]

Let the critics rave and continue to enjoy yourself. [:p][;)][:D]

One of the guys that I met years back that criticized this hobby and referred to the high plastic model locomotives as toys, ironically, had spent "bookoo" dollars on booze as he was a recovering alcoholic. I just smiled, ignored his comment and continued the conversation. I realized that I was very fortunate. [;)]

Statistically, people that engage in a hobby or "hobbies" at a young age often have fewer problems with "alcoholism, depression, and drug addictions in their adult years.[:)][:D][8D][8)]

MODEL RAILROADING........IS FUN!!

[BNSFNUT]

I have had peaple criticize me for being a model railroader for years and I just let it pass.
Life is to short to worry about it. Most peaple will criticize any thing they don't understand.
It beats sitting in a bar and drinking. (I know because if done it).
I wish we could get more younger peaple in the hobby it it better than the electonic games or drugs that some get into.
The letter head that I had when I had a store said Do trains not drugs.

[Anonymous]

Down here I have some mrr-friends who accuse me of compensating something becaus I like to run long American freights instead of those short Europeans. Must have got something to do with me being not very heavy or so... [:)]

[Anonymous]

I agree with the last two posts relating to "alternate" uses of money. As a university student I have friends whose main expense, after food and accommodation, is the campus bars - some of them can spend astonishing amounts in a couple of weeks. This money is gone, they have nothing to show for it except maybe a few memories and stories. Meanwhile, I've spent far, far less on having a good time, and also bought some model trains which will still be around in a good few years time. I'm of the firm belief that people should get out sometimes, but when you consider that it's possible to mix going out once in a while with being interested in a fairly expensive hobby, their approach doesn't seem so smart. Interestingly I have computer enthusiast friends who think much the same way - they spend similar amounts on computer hardware to my spending on model railroading and agree that they have something to show for it.

The thing I have noticed is that those who belittle model railroading have had no contact beyond maybe a clockwork "Thomas" set when they were about 3. They've never encountered high-quality equipment and are often amazed when they do. My favoured trick for these people is to show them my LGB 0-4-0 tank loco - this is one of the sound-equipped examples with a very realistic steam sound system. Spectacle seems to be the key here - if it has lights, sound, etc (and the sheer bulk of G scale is a big help) then even the loudest critics tend to go very quiet! Another good trick is to operate in HO scale on a "hands off" basis - I use Kadee fixed magnets so can switch without needing to intervene manually unless something untoward happens. This fascinates everyone - it's intriguing how long it takes for someone to ask if the funny plates between the rails have something to do with the uncoupling!

[rexhea]

Know what you mean about Mother-in-Law. Mine thinks I'm playing and that some day I will get over it. (I never have paid much attention to what she had to say anyway.[swg] )

The only others that have kind of [censored] me off have been RC car guys at my LHC----One guy particularly! He made the remark, "...trains seem to be O.K., but with cars you have to really know what you doing to build it and make it run. You know I have over $3,000.00 in my cars." [:-^][(-D][(-D][(-D]

REX

[Anonymous]

I myself have never had any problems with non model RRers. The most problem I've had is WITH model RRers. For example, We had our annual Pufferbilly Days event here and they had a "Model RR Swap meet and Display". I am the farthest from being an expert in modelling but I couldn't believe what they called a "Display". I walked in with my family and my two youngest went straight for the "Display". They had it roped off so no one could touch it and one of the people with the display preceded to rip into my kids about not touching it and how they couldn't possibly understand what went into it and how to handle it. Keep in mind that my kids never crossed the rope. Needless to say I told the man to step away from my kids and to apologize for what he said to them, which he refused to do. "I'm a high quality model railroader and they need to stay away from the display" is what he said. Normally I would have flattened this jerk but my kids were present so I preceded to note every flaw that I saw and asked him to explain why this was considered "high quality". This "display" was probably was about 2' by 18' roughly and was basically a yard in HO. All of the vehicles were Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars. I'm sorry but the display could have been better by my 6 year old son.

So, my main problem has been with fellow model RRers as opposed to non. This kind of attitude is why I'm a "Closet Model RRer". The only people that know I'm in this hobby is those on forums and my family and some friends. That's my experience and unfortunetly that seems to be the common denominator amongst most the the MRRes I've met.

Jeremy

[Anonymous]

Well I'm 34 and have been back in the hobby for 3 yrs or so. I have not personally met anyone who condems the hobby, more like they just don't get it.
I often wish I would found my way back to the hobby in my late teens, I had my own decent sized apartment, that looking back now would have been perfect for a decent sized layout....Who really needs furniture really. [:D]

[simon1966]

Fortunately, we are in a diverse world. I have never really understood the facination that some of my friends have for wacking a small white ball around a golf course for hours on end, but that's just me. They no doubt think I am odd holed up in the basement while they are out in the great outdoors. Oh well, we are all having fun and keeping out of trouble!

[Anonymous]

I don't go around promoting my involvement in the hobby and certainly don't try to "win converts" to the cause. When we have company and they have heard about my railroad they often ask to see it. In that case I take them to the basement and show it to them. If they don't bring it up I don't bring it up. The uninitiated sometimes ask some strange questions so I tend to not bring it up. They either get it or they don't, but most are not overly critical.

[MAbruce]

Ah yes, the “Geek” factor. Our pop culture doesn’t seem to give much respect to hobbies they don’t think are cool (Pop culture meaning younger generations). Until you get some popular superstar to admit that model trains are cool, you’re just going to have to come to terms with not having a cool hobby. It gets much easier the older you get, especially when you have kids that remind you that you’re not cool anyway (model trains or not).

I think that most mature adults appreciate model railroading once they see it. It’s the wacko fringe (as with any hobby) who obsesses over trains to the point where it can’t be considered a hobby anymore that seem to drive most people away. I’ve always found that people in general enjoy seeing my layout if I don’t bring it up and/or obligate them to see it. In fact, I hardly ever bring the subject up, so most see my layout in passing. There is something about keeping a hobby a hobby that most adults seem to respect these days.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MAbruce

Ah yes, the #8220;Geek#8221; factor. Our pop culture doesn#8217;t seem to give much respect to hobbies they don#8217;t think are cool (Pop culture meaning younger generations). Until you get some popular superstar to admit that model trains are cool, you#8217;re just going to have to come to terms with not having a cool hobby. It gets much easier the older you get, especially when you have kids that remind you that you#8217;re not cool anyway (model trains or not).

I think that most mature adults appreciate model railroading once they see it. It#8217;s the wacko fringe (as with any hobby) who obsesses over trains to the point where it can#8217;t be considered a hobby anymore that seem to drive most people away. I#8217;ve always found that people in general enjoy seeing my layout if I don#8217;t bring it up and/or obligate them to see it. In fact, I hardly ever bring the subject up, so most see my layout in passing. There is something about keeping a hobby a hobby that most adults seem to respect these days.

I think due to a little exposure the youth take to the hobby quite easily. Given this forum makes it a little "cooler" for younger people in this hobby. I think it's great young and older modeler's interact on this forum, it help's bridge the generational gap. There was a thread similar to this a while back where younger modeler's complained about thier peers not "getting" the Hobby. I thought it was terrible they felt they had to keep their hobby in the closet, but I understand just as well, I remember just how cruel your peers can be in high school.

[RedLeader]

This is interesting. Some of my friends make fun of me because they say I'm a big baby. Others make fun of me because they consider MR a "snobish" hobby. (dunno why...¿?). My g-friend thinks is cute, but a whole waste of money (maybe I should spend more on her shoes..) My mother thinks I should be looking for a wife and babies instead of looking for MR stuff. My father always asks me when It will be finish so he can finally see the whole thing running. (as if that would ever happen...)

One thing is true. The difference between the toys of a child and those from an adult is the price! and everyone have their own opinion about my "trains", but once they see them, they all agree they are wonderfull.

[easyaces]

Even though my interests are very diverse, I'd rather be doing something creative like modelrailroading. The hobby does not take a genius to do, you can take license in being as creative in whatever scale you dabble in, and you don't have to answer to anyone else except yourself ! It can have its ups and downs, but thats part of any hobby. [:D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by RedLeader

This is interesting. Some of my friends make fun of me because they say I'm a big baby. Others make fun of me because they consider MR a "snobish" hobby. (dunno why...¿?). My g-friend thinks is cute, but a whole waste of money (maybe I should spend more on her shoes..) My mother thinks I should be looking for a wife and babies instead of looking for MR stuff. My father always asks me when It will be finish so he can finally see the whole thing running. (as if that would ever happen...)

One thing is true. The difference between the toys of a child and those from an adult is the price! and everyone have their own opinion about my "trains", but once they see them, they all agree they are wonderfull.

If the girlfriend thinks it's a waste of money then "SHE'S" not wife material. If your mom wants a baby tell her to adopt. I'm 34 been married 10yrs the most wonderful thing about my wife and I relationship is acceptance in the other's choice's of interest. We have nothing in common other than enjoying each others company and making the other happy. Although I must say we have finacil indepence from each other meaning we both know are finacial responsibilities to the family, after that the money left over is either hers or mine. In my opinion a happy marriage is seperate checking![:D]

[Anonymous]

The responses I get to my layout are varied:

My mother:
HER: "Where are the trees? When are you gonna put in some trees"
ME: "I'm not there yet! Besides, it's based in the desert...
HER: "you can't have a train without trees! At that place we went they had trees..."
('that place' being the local club's layout)

My Grandmother:
HER: "Look at the little choo choo!"
ME: "[:(!]"

Some of my friends:
THEM: "Awesome! Let's see them go!"
ME: *backs a Metrolink out of storage*
THEM: *throws a turnout*
ME "DON'T TOUCH THAT!"
THEM: "why?"
METROLINK COACH: *derails*
ME: "That's why..."

My other friends:
THEM: "That's gay!"
ME: "Your video games are gay"
THEM: "Shut up"
ME: *starts up a freight train*
THEM: "Can I try?"
ME: *thinks* "ok"
THEM: (running the train at 1000 scale MPH) "This is awesome!"

[;)][;)]

[Todd McWilliam]

My fiance understands model railroading, based on her theory: If I am model railroading at the RR club on saturday night, that is better than me being out bar hopping on saturday night. She loves me being into model railroading :))

[jacon12]

I think most people just really don't understand the hobby. They have no idea how involved it is, thinking something along the lines "you build a table, slap on some track and run the train round and round", and .. "it seems to me that would get boring after about 5 minutes".
Don't get me wrong, there are plenty who realize how deep the hobby is, getting the track down just right, building scenery etc. But the average bear I don't think has a clue.
I have a cousin that, every 3 or 4 years, trades in his $24,000 bass boat for the latest model. Needless to say the man LOVES fishing and I say more power to him.
My bulldog loves to ride horses....

Go for it girl! As long as she's doing that I, at least, know where she is..[:D]
I think most people outside the hobby will never understand it, much as I might not understand theirs, and that's ok.... there's room for everybody on this train.
Jarrell

[Anonymous]

A lot of the people where I work think it's a bit odd that I would spend my time "playing with trains", and a few think I must have way too much time on my hands. Honestly, if it ain't four-wheeling, hunting, or beer, they don't relate much. Still, on the two occasions when I've brought some pictures of my layout, or they actually get to see it live, they suddenly find it mildly fascinating. I even had my father in law take the throttle and run an engine around a few times, and I think he secretly got a real kick out of it.
I think a lack of exposure explains a lot of people's attitudes toward the hobby. When they actually get to see it in action, while it may not motivate them to run out and buy a train set, it usually entertains them a lot more than they expected.

[CBQ_Guy]

I've been asked so many times over the years what the attraction is, and after trying to explain but realizing most people still don't seem to get it, I just respond now, "You either get it or you don't!"

That may sound rude or a missed opportunity, but actually it seems to save time and weeds out those who could care less. Those that do care normally reply something like, "No really...what's the attraction here?" Those people I take the time with. They may not get into the hobby but generally ask when they see me how the layout's going, etc.