What have you learned about yourself in MR?

[selector]

At the outset, this is a philosophical question, so I don't expect a huge number of replies...it is meant to be a fun hobby, and this post is meant to give those interested an opportunity to share some of their self-discovery.

As the host of the topic, I'll offer the first response:

Depsite my lifelong experience, and considerable misgivings, I found that I can build skills later in life. I must say, though, that I will need two lives to master soldering.

I have confirmed that I am basically an impatient person, but I can persever if I need to. My layout was ambitious, and a great challenge for me. My professional life had me producing policy and documents in a few days at most, so beginning a months-long project was new to me, and unsettling.

Despite my mother's best efforts to make me believe that I am special, I found, for the umpteenth time, that there is little special about me. I made the same mistakes that others have made in building my layout, and still felt a great deal of pride once I deemed it ready to run trains.

Finally, I learned that model railroading really is the world's greatest hobby. Like golf, the game is much bigger than what it seems.

It's about people.

I hope to hear from you.

[steveblackledge]

Model Railroading has given me direction, it's got me focused and it gives me time to just think about things in general

[SpaceMouse]

On a macro sense I find that I am impatient. However, on a micro-level I find I am extremely patient.

What I mean is I want to be working on the layout and running trains and working out operations. But there are major obstacle to overcome before I can start building. But when I can get into the basement to work on models and trains, I can practice the patience of craftsmanship and do what needs to be done right.

On the whole, it isn't happening fast enough.

[cmrproducts]

I have learned that planning ahead is something that I have been able to use throughout my life and Model Railroading taught me at a very early age.

Also I find that correcting problems with manufacturers equipment is much easier than sending the items back and complaining. Finding a solution to a problem and making something work is much more rewarding than not wanting to deal with the problem.

BOB H Clarion, PA

[NZRMac]

selector, we are all very special just for starting something like this!! I know others that would love to attempt a huge dream in their lives but never get off the couch.

I'm the same as others who have replied, IMPATIENT. Made the same mistakes, too much too soon, but I've learned alot!!

Ken.

[Adelie]

I have mostly found that I do the work of 3 men....Moe, Larry and Curley. [D)]

I'm 43, and I guess I have confirmed things that I probably already knew. Like that I love to figure out how things work and apply that to new problems. And that once I start something, I will bust my backside to get if finished (including doing stupid things like working without any reference to time, food, etc.). Also, I will look at a problem and find a solution. I do indeed like and understand the workings of electricity and computer logic (I work as a Systems Engineer, so one would hope so).

I actually like carpentry (benchwork and assembling subroadbed sections), something I would have not guessed. I can actually use power tools without jeopardizing digits! [:O]

I've been at this hobby on and off since I was about 8. I've learned how much I remember for my early days (seeing stuff collecting dust at train shows brings back fond memories). It also has reminded me how much my dad really taught me, and how great he was at being a dad. He got me involved in this, for which I sing his praises and curse him, depending on how much I am doing the work of 3 men at the time!. He's been gone more than 20 years now, and I am reminded how much I appreciate him to this day.

And I don't call it soldering, selector...I call it tie customization!

[brothaslide]

I have learned that people need a creative outlet. We need time to let our minds relax and work with our hands and minds to create.

[Anonymous]

I've learned that I have the artistic skills of a squirrel where scenic work is concerned[:D], however, I seem to have a knack for repairing broken stuff and hunting down the information and parts that I need to do this. DCC has given me a whole new useful set of skills, such as precise soldering and being able to splice resistors into factory wiring (it says "DCC ready" on the package - it is, so long as you don't mind your headlight melting the bodywork around it...). I've also learned the value of buying high-quality equipment and searching for reviews - I now do this with everything else, so before any new appliance is bought here I'm hunting down reviews and opinions on it. I also now view broken items as repairable, and get annoyed when parts are not available (I can find parts for a 15 year old Fleischmann diesel loco, so why not a 5 year old washing machine?). Useful skills for countering the "throwaway society" trends and saving money as well as resources!

[AggroJones]

I've learned I'm even more artistic than I thought I was in the early days. Which is a pleasant suprise to me.

I think I want too much too quick. I'm very impulsive. Things alway take way longer and are much harder to do than I imagine, and this takes away from my joy.

[CBQ_Guy]

Model railroading has taught me how to make friends and influence people, and it's a turn on to all the chicks.

(and if ya believe that . . .) [(-D]

[selector]

Thank-you for your thoughtful replies, all of you. You have made my day!!!

I'd like to respond to the observation that several of you have made about doing your own problem-solving and repairs. Here is where my confidence pales, and I feel a deep sense of admiration for you. When I first joined this forum, I recall seeing several posts form the 'older' roaders who were lamenting that the newer folks were impatient and unresourceful. They all stated that they had no practical choice but to do their own repairs...or run no trains! You are at the point in your railng where you see the value of diagnosis and correction before you'd even think of sending the item away or (shudder), holding it over the open trash can. I only hope I can get there before long.

Thanks, again, for your replies.

-Crandell

[underworld]

Attention to detail.....I already knew that its just that its been reinforced!

underworld

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

[espeefoamer]

I learned a few days ago,That I can do minor repairs on an Athearn diesel.I got several at thier recent garage sale,and one wouldn't run,even though the motor was running.I popped off the shell and found that the connecting shafts between the motor and the trucks were not connected.I was able to fix it while constantly muttering under my breath,using words that would never be printed in MR.I also found out that building an Athearn "Blue Box" kit streaches my model building abilities.

[DavidH]

With all due apologies to Robert Fulghum . . . All I really needed to know about life I learned from model railroading . . .

David

[Anonymous]

I guess I have simply reinforced what I already knew; I am a greater planner and only a mediocre doer. Having said that I have loved planning the model railroad my grandson and I are building and I have loved the doing also, just wi***here were more time for doing and that I would do more when I have time.

John
Austin, Texas

[camarokid]

That I will never be able to match the greats of this hobby. I will make my layout the best it can be for me and me alone. That probably means not to many visitors. I'm petrefied of doing scenery, while others seem to thrive on it. Oh well, such is life. Have fun and enjoy.
Archie

[robengland]

MR has reined me in a lot, slowed me down. It has taught me
- its OK to dream but don't try to build ALL of it
- you can't have everything (though I'm trying)
- I'm not as smart as I think I am
- I'm not as adept as I think I am
- you'll pay for compromises later
- time taken now is grief saved later
- plan lots but don't expect to have planned for everything
- you just gotta wait for good things

I've also learned that I don't give a *** when others think less of me. I love to have approval and praise, but I couldn't care less when I'm teased or thought less of or criticised for my hobby. I'm sure I wasn't that way when I started out: it's a sure sign of advancing age

[willy6]

I have learned that i can sit in my truck and drive in more comfort because my wallet is alot thinner.

[Anonymous]

Things I learned about myself is that I was more creative and imaginative that I would have ever thought. Since I retired 2 years ago, I have pretty much buried myself in my miniature world and found it to be ever changing just as the real thing. Now I am planning to replace it with a "bigger and better" world.

I have found immense pleasure in taking ordinary items and converting them to believable model representations of real life items. It is fun to create detailing parts from "junk."

I use pieces of plastic sprues to model electric meters, electronic parts from dead circuit boards to model breaker boxes, transformers, relay cabinets, etc. I make my trees out of weeds, ground foam and spray adhesive.

I have made all my own street lights using mico bulbs, brass tubing, steel washers and liquid electical tape! Although these items are not "exact" replicas of the real thing, they have proven to be believable representations, just like our locomotives and rolling stock.

I have also learned patience and when to walk away from a frustrating project. The power lines on my layout, after many hours of trial and error and frustration are finally done. This latest installation taking about 40 hours all together.

I have experimented with lighting my cabooses, locos and passenger cars using generally no kits except in my newest Rivarossi's. I have made all the parts myself other than the bulbs and leds.

What I learned, in short, is to free my mind and accept different ways to do things.

[canazar]

I suppose it has given me somethings . t has given me a relaese, which I really needed from work. It has been great therapy. It has given me something to bond over with my new step son. That in itself has been priceless.

Best regards
John k

[MAbruce]

Good question.

After building my layout (which is mostly done), purchasing, weathering, etc. over the past few years, I have learned the following things about this hobby and myself.

1. This can be a VERY expensive hobby. I say “can be”, because it all really depends upon how deep you get into it.

2. I have learned/developed new modeling skills, and am certain that I could develop & refine many more. Again, it all depends upon how deep into the hobby I want to get.

3. I am the type of person who could get swallowed up very deep into this hobby.

4. I am also the type of person who is concerned about getting swallowed up too deep into something that is supposed to be done in someone’s spare time (part of the definition of a hobby), and that other important priorities in life are not neglected.

5. Considering items 1-4 above, I have reached the conclusion that I do not have the money, or the time, or the willingness to advance my modeling skills that far beyond what I have already done. So I have to learn to be content with being an “average” modeler that may slowly refine my skills over the years.

[MisterBeasley]

I've learned that the "virtual community" of on-line forums is very valuable for a hobby whose afficianados are spread so thinly across the continent and around the world. Without the Internet, we could never hope to share ideas, techniques and solutions with so many of our fellow modelers. The 'niche markets' for trains and accesories can be served very well by on-line stores, but at the same time it's possible for a small businessman to maintain a brick-and-mortar LHS if he provides the special services that can't be matched on on the Web.

And, I can go to work and sit at my computer all day checking out trains, and my boss doesn't have the foggiest idea of what I'm doing at that keyboard.

[Anonymous]

I have learned how to cut a straight/square line in a piece of wood.[:p]
I can sneak expensive hobby materials into the basement without my wife knowing[;)]
I can resist negative influences of fumes produced from assorted glues used in layout construction[xx(]
I can make mountains out of molehills[:I]
I can solder two pieces of wire together [(-D]
I am NOT alone in my MRR obsession[bow]

MRR relaxes me. That's why I do it.

Trevor[:)]

[davekelly]

I've learned that even things that I thought were impossible to do I can do if I stick to it and learn from my mistakes. I've also learned that accomplishing these things gives me a great deal of satisfaction!

[selector]

Again, many thoughful replies, and I thank you for your valuable contributions.

It really is a demanding hobby, isn't it? If it gets its hooks into you at all, it will cost you any of the following:

a) sleep (it had me awake in the wee hours thinking about the next item to make or fit into place)

b) money (well....duuuhhh.)

c) some good-will from your partner ( my wife was really very understanding and patient at first, but I could tell that I was "pressing her nerve" as time wore on)

d) fitness ( I have always been a runner and cyclist, but found myself neglecting that part of my daily routine hugely)

e) hunger pangs ( I went for hours without food due to my being consumed with what I was doing. Wife gave up calling me for meals . )

f) some self respect ( let me explain. I had always felt that I was able to be objective and in control, and I would shake my head when I read about addictive behaviour. Now that I have discovered how addictive building a railroad can be, in terms of self-indulgence, I find that I am less cocky about my ability to control myself. In a way, it was alarming for me due to the above five entries. I'm happy to say that I have slowed right down, and am now enjoying painting the insulators on telephone and telegraph poles. Whew!!)

Comments?

[JBCA]

About sixteen months ago my son-in-law and I decided to build a model railroad. I have been out of the hobby for about 30 years, and he has never done it. He suffers from a brain injury and I believe it is great for us to spend time together and do something creative. I am amazed at his limitless patience in doing boring repetative tasks, and he does them so well.

I resolved from the beginning to take a middle of the road and inexpensive route to the process, but have discovered that I really like the neat stuff. Hence I have been purchasing higher end rolling stock and we have two Atlas gold series locomotives on order. I hear the sound demonstrated and figured that I couldn't do with good old Athearn.

I guess I have learned that Ben can do a lot more than I figured and that I remain one who likes the good stuff.

Jim