How heavily are you into this hobby?

[ClinchValleySD40]

Fairly large layout 60' x 30' multiple decks.

[Anonymous]

I too fit into more than one of those. I'm probably a collector and operator more than anything else right now - I enjoy building and improving locos and cars more than I enjoy working with scenery (hence my enthusiasm for shelf layouts - not much scenic work required!).

[robengland]

Looks like I didn't explain myself too well. I did in fact put some thought into this [:)]

The question was how far down the scale do you go in level of commitment to the hobby? See, committing yourself to a medium sized layout means you are going to be doing that for a long time with thousands of hours put in. Committing yourself to making a Walthers kit is not the same thing.

So I tried to order the options in an increasing scale of the commitment required.

And it is a scale so the question is which is the largest commitment you have made? If you have both a basement layout and a photo diorama then the basement layout is where you put yourself on the scale. therefore there need be only once answer.

(as a matter of fact, I don't think the forum polls technicaly support multiple answers, johncolley)

[Anonymous]

Although I don't have a layout I own enough track to make a swicthyard 30x 50 sq feet
not includtng a 600ft mainline (lots of curves).Thats enough track to go around my
house 3 times.

[Anonymous]

Belive me ! Like most of you modelers I could fit in all the categories.[(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]

[aloco]

Too heavily. All of my other hobbies have suffered because of it. But I can't help it.... I just... like trains and that's all there is to it! Trains are better! I used to go on locomotive painting binges, but lately I've only had little spasms and twinges. I did a couple this year, but I think the fleet has gotten pretty much where I want it to be. So now is the time to just sit back and run trains.

[dragenrider]

Medium size layout, but as for commitement...

Well, lets just say I would do more than eat, breath & sleep model railroading, but I can't find the time. [^]

[robengland]

I'm intrigued that 2/3 of respondents have a big layout. I'd have thought there were a lot more dabblers and armchairs on a forum. Just proves this is THE forum, eh? [:)]

[espeefoamer]

I have a minimal layout,juat two parallel straight tracks,about 4 1/2 to 5 ft. long connected by a crossover.I have a fairly large collection of locos and cars,though,so I would fit into at least two categories.

[nickinwestwales]

I`m working in 16`x10` on a `rising spiral` on 3 levels. I`m about 7 years in but with the last 4 lost to child care,stopping the cottage collapsing around our ears,keeping the band on the road et al. Also the aforementioned 16x10 is in an uninsulated shed in Wales,where it rains enough to rot holly. as much time is spent on maintenance as progress. I guess it boils down to priorities-right now ME time is fairly low on the list but theres always tomorrow!! regards,nick

[Anonymous]

26 x 35 room full of trains! I like to collect, run , and research anything about railroads! Im also involved heavily on planning my clubs new 29 x 21 sized layout!

[AggroJones]

The "hobby" consumes me.

My enthusiasm isn't preportionate to my layout size. I must work in my cluttered 9 x 11 bedroom. But thats better than a kick in the b*lls, right?

[robengland]

Aggro, if you can produce what you do in HO in a 9x11 bedroom then any space is a usable space. It's guys like you that keep me sane, and keep my dreams of empire restrained.

[davekelly]

QUOTE: Originally posted by robengland


The question was how far down the scale do you go in level of commitment to the hobby? See, committing yourself to a medium sized layout means you are going to be doing that for a long time with thousands of hours put in. Committing yourself to making a Walthers kit is not the same thing.

So I tried to order the options in an increasing scale of the commitment required.

I don't think the size of a layout necessarily equals a "commitment" to the hobby. Just as being able to buy 30 Kato diesels vice scratchbuilding a rare prototype shows doesn't show more commitment. Amount of disposible income spent on trains does not equal commitment.

Ben King was one of the most heavily into the hobby person around, yet had a smaller layout. Some folks fill a basement with benchwork, lay track and then run trains maybe once a month - not much commitment there compared to Mr. King. I don't know if there's a way to compare the commitment necessary to filling a basement with a layout (which if you have enough funds you can hire someone to do) to scratchbuilding a couple of dozen steam engines in S scale.

Just my opinion (standing by for direct fire!).

Dave

[Anonymous]

Small to medium sized layout (12x12), and I kinda move in spurts. I'll go for a month or so of just browsing through this forum and reading my MR, then the mood will strike, I'll get a lull in hours at work, and I'll be down in the basement every spare moment, hitting the LHS's every payday, etc. Especially now that I'm at the detailing stage, and I'm still haven't got my DCC hooked up or all my decoders installed, I'm kinda laying low. Sure enough though, the bug will bite soon.

[robengland]

maybe "commitment" isn't quite the right word. I guess I'm talking about the scale of the task taken on, as in my preamble to this poll. How MUCH are you trying to do?

I'm a bit humbled by the proportion of respondents who are taking on a whole basement/attic. I'm struggling with half a car-space right now.

I agree, Dave, that size of a layout isn't a perfect measure and Ben King is an excellent example of why not: folk can put as much effort into a square foot as others put into a square yard. But it is a reasonable first estimate - a crude measure.

[davekelly]

robengland,

Good point. Humbled by those that have a whole basement? I'm big time jealous!! BTW: I'll take your half car space! [:D][:D][:D]

Too bad there isn't a way to do some sort of multi dimensional poll. Such a poll would incorporate a bunch of parameters: layout size, percent kitbash, scratchbuilt, scale etc etc. Could be interesting!

Of course I do think those that read the posts on this forum and post responses to questions or ask questions themselves are probably more heavily into this hobby than the average. Don't have anything to back it up, just a gut feeling.

I will say though that it appears that the average person on this forum is way heavily into having fun and helping others!

[Big_Boy_4005]

I'm good for 6 catagories over my lifetime, armchair, collect, crew, club, module, and massive layout / do it for a living, not all at once of course. Trains are my life.