Unexpected discoveries in the hobby

[tstage]

I'm going to pull a "Tracklayer" and pose a question to you all.  I've thought about this from time to time:

Since you first became involved with MRRing, what aspect(s) of the hobby did you discover a fascination with or fondness for that you never anticipated?

Well, since I'm still somewhat a novice, I guess I would have to say there have been two primary ones:

1. Learning the history and practices of the prototype
2. Looking at the world and it's surroundings with a "modeler's eye"

I'd also enjoy hearing from some of the rest of you, as well...

Tom

[MisterBeasley]

I guess I'd have to say I've "gotten in touch with my artistic side."  This started when I did my first hydrocal casting, a stone wall by Dave Frary's Blue Ribbon Models.  Until then, I was a "techie," really good with the wiring and track work, but weak on scenery.  Suddenly, though, I was a budding artist.  Now, if you take a look at most of my photo contributions, you might say to yourself, "OK, but where are the trains?"  The answer, of course, is "underneath the scenery," since the most distinguishing characteristic of my layout is subways.

[simon1966]

For me it has to be discovering that I can make models of real structures that mean something to friends and family.  This process has led me to read up on family history and I think most interestingly for me, the immigration waves from Europe in the early 20th century.  My model RR has evolved from simply being something fun with the boys to being something that is really meaningful to people in my family.

[tstage]

That's cool, Simon!   Along with you, I've also relished the joys of discovering scratch-building and kitbashing.  For me, I guess that would be the outcropping of learning more and more about RRing history.  For you it's tied into your family, which makes your layout all the more special.

I hope to someday scratch-build the RR depot in Marietta, OH, where my grandmother was a telegraph operator.  The structure has long since been torn down.  But my hope is that I might be able to obtain photos and/or plans of the depot from the Marietta Historical Society in order to make a replica of it for my layout.

Tom

[simon1966]

Go for it Tom, it will surely be your prized model, and potentially a family heirloom! What surprised me the most is how my hobby has been elevated significantly in the eyes of others simply because they can relate to it.  No longer am I "just playing with trains" I am doing something meaningful in their eyes. 

[twhite]

I'm going to pull a "Tracklayer" and pose a question to you all.  I've thought about this from time to time:

Since you first became involved with MRRing, what aspect(s) of the hobby did you discover a fascination with or fondness for that you never anticipated?

Since I'm somewhat a novice, I guess I would have to say there have been two primary ones:

1. Learning the history and practices of the prototype
2. Looking at the world and it's surroundings with a "modeler's eye"

Tom

Tom: 

Actually, your #1 turned into MY #1 when I started modeling Rio Grande steam.  I don't want to tell you HOW many 'generic' locomotives I slapped Rio Grande decals on before I started realizing that the Rio Grande had very DISTINCTIVE locomotives (as did almost all railroads) and that simply lettering a Santa Fe 1950 2-8-0 with Rio Grande 1100 decals did NOT make the loco a Rio Grande Consolidation, LOL!  I started consulting a lot of books.  In fact, I consulted so many books (and still am) that for several years, the railroad got put on the back burner while I learned as much as I could about the various Rio Grande steamers, why the railroad bought them, where they used them on the system and why.  It was a real education, and when I finally decided to build the Yuba River Sub, I had enough knowledge about the railroad to realize that--yes, if the Rio Grande had ever built a California extension, these are the types of locos they'd use  for certain types of trains over this type of terrain. 

I'm not modeling an actual PORTION of the Rio Grande, but at least I think I'm using their motive power right for what I'm modeling.

And I'm having a heck of a lot of fun doing it!

Tom

[loathar]

I have to agree with your modellers eye one. I find myself looking at odd trees in a field or blasting patterns in rock faces on the highway. Rock colors, grass colors. How things really rust. I wish I would have paid more attention when I was young and lived across the street from a double main line.

[Anonymous]

A recent use of a uncoupling magnet and couplers that actually work well in a yard type situation encourages me to really work out the rest of the yard and have more switching with a purposeful like activity. Not too much, I still like to see trains run.

Another discovery is the pre-exisiting attitude of "It aint ..." needs to be dumped. Someone somewhere would have or is doing it on the prototype.

[C&O Fan]

I guess it's the History for me

I've learned about the Coal Mine Wars

Too bad it wasn't taught in school

[IRONROOSTER]

Learning about the history of different railroads.  I really enjoy reading about the small railroads like the Ma&Pa of course, but also the W&OD, the Chesapeake Beach, the WW&F, etc.  It's one part I hadn't really anticipated.

Enjoy

Paul 

[on30francisco]

I've discovered that I have a fondness for small, narrow gauge old time equipment and other obscure railways. I also developed a strong liking for scratchbuilding and super-detailing wooden structures, old-time rolling stock, wooden bridges and individual scenes. I've discovered from my early days of Lionel and HO that I have a difficult time working in scales smaller than O scale. I have been doing indoor Large Scale for the past year and am finding it much more frustrating to work on my On30 equipment.

[GAPPLEG]

I have to agree with one opinion here, I look at the world with a strange eye, looking for that trash pile here, and that dilapidated build there. And how it would fit on the railroad. 2. I got fascinated with MOW vehicles. Have just begun doing some, but the support of the RR is imprortant too.

[vsmith]

I've found that I really really like to kitbash, particularly locomotives, some like my models- some dont, and thats fine with me, but I get a big frigging kick out of the building them.

[selector]

I have a personal prayer that I composed many years ago.  It goes like this:

Lord, I thank you for my ignorance, and for the joy and wonder I feel with each relevation you grant me, in Christ's name.

Amen.

This hobby has been the vessel of so much in the way of revelation, I don't know where to begin.  I could start with carpentry and quickly move on to history, photography, scenery, nomenclature, soldering, molding, carving, painting, and simply enjoying watching the valve gear on my steamer models.  Like so many of you, I see nature in a way I had never noticed prior to my interest in the hobby.  Simply driving over a level crossing raises my blood pressure.  I try to soak in the details.  I have spend many long hours trudging over unused tracks to get to timber trestles to photograph them.  What a joy that was.

It may be a bit schmaltzy to say this, you decide, but to me the greatest revelation has been you folks.  The breadth of experience and talent, the knowledge of history, the personalities, and the good will were unkown to me until my joining date.  You have been what I have come to appreciate most.

Amen.

[tstage]

Thanks, Crandell.  For all of us: "Schmaltzy"-ness acknowledged, accepted and approved.

Tom

[selleeg]

In addition to what everyone has posted above, I have really enjoyed learning about and paying more attention to the way that modern railroads operate.  I live in Chicagoland and now when I ride commuter rail I am glued to the window observing how yards are layed out, seeing what the switchers are moving around and checking out what kinds of frieghts are queued up waiting for their signal to get moving.  When I cross over the mainline UP near my house I look to see what the signals are displaying and I have even made it out to Rochelle to do some railfanning.

[simon1966]

Quote C&O fan

I guess it's the History for me

I've learned about the Coal Mine Wars

Too bad it wasn't taught in school

 

I'm with you on that one C&O fan.  I live fairly close to the Mother Jones memorial and the tribute to the miners killed at the Virden Massacre.  I would probably have never paid it the least bit of attention, but have since getting involved in MRR.  In our own little way we have become social historians.

[modelalaska]

For me I guess it is finding out I have a lot more patience then I ever thought possible. Spending up to fours in one place doing the same thing is amazing from me!

 

Crandell, you witness is to be commended. Amen

Peter

[simon1966]

For me I guess it is finding out I have a lot more patients then I ever thought possible.

Are you a psych doctor and MRR'ers are all nuts?  Perhaps you are an ER doc and we are all so clumsy that you get many of us in the ER each week?  No, then perhaps a rehab doc treating all the bad backs from crawling around under layouts?

[Cox 47]

To me its been a chance to do something with my hands....My job in Broadcasting was great after doing a 4 hour board shift there was nothing you could look at and say"I made that" and I think we all need that...Cox 47

[tstage]

Shameless bump.  Hoping for more responses...

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

My layout room is my place for "sanity breaks".  No matter what hands are dealt to me by the real world, I can take time out for me, myself, and I.

[jblackwelljr]

Tom, for me, it's kind of like your # 1 - a history lesson but it goes a bit further.  In reading about "my" prototype I find myself branching off into other areas touched by the railroads - mostly the industries and the people who worked them.  Not just the magnates, but the working class who got their hands dirty - in many cases risked life and limb to earn a living.   I've heard and read some fascinating stories and in turn gained a tremendous respect for their efforts. 

This in turn makes me think about every element I add to my plan.  I guess that makes me a more thoughtful modeler - not better, just more thoughtful.  Does that make sense?

[tstage]

Jim,

Absolutely!  Understanding the hows and whys of the way things were done and how it affected the lives of all those who benefitted from the railroads (employees and consumers alike) really opens up your view of life during a particular era - even how certain decisions and changes might have ultimately affected the industry and life as a whole years down the road.

Thanks for elaborating on that more, Jim.  That's what I really had in mind when I mentioned history in my original post.

Tom