Lone Wolf Modelers - Why or Why Not?

[UP 4-12-2]

So who out there admits to being a "lone wolf" modeler?  Why or why not?

As for me, I am a lone wolf modeler basically for the following reasons:

1.  I live in PA but have always somehow preferred the southwestern U.S. desert regions--since I was a small child, when we had a large backdrop mural of Bryce Canyon, Utah, on the wall behind our train layout.  Here in Central PA, very few people have similar railroad interests, and I'm very sorry, but Brunswick Green or N&W heritage/Norfolk Southern Black just does not excite me--though I have tried multiple times--I am unable to retain interest in the local railroads.

2.  My favorite large Central PA train store has approximately 5 "Santa Fe guys" and about the same number of "Espee fans" as customers.

3.  The known Santa Fe guys in PA are all into pretty much their own thing:  Some steam era, some passenger operations mainly, a couple 1990's or later era; nobody that I personally know who lives within 90 miles of me is into the 1970's/'80's era, and I do not personally know any of the Espee fans at all, not a single one.

4.  The SFRHMS and the East Coast Santa Fe Modelers, for the most part, are into the pre-1971 era Santa Fe.  I did not find enough in those organizations of what I was interested in to keep me interested in being a member, period.  They are fine organizations containing some great people and wonderful modeler/historians, but just do not appeal enough to me--especially since I now prefer SP more.

5.  I had a pretty good friend who was into trains and tolerated my interest in the Southwest, but unfortunately he was bipolar, went off his meds, and actually took his own life almost a decade ago--leaving behind a beautiful wife and 2 young boys who miss him very much.

6.  Job/family/church worship leader time constraits somewhat encourage me to "do my own thing in my own basement".

7.  Local model railroad clubs do not allow child participation under age 12.  They also fail to grasp that at 13, boys like girls and stuff other than model trains, so they are losing many potential members.  I most certainly refuse to join if my sons are not welcome--and that has been made crystal clear.  Plus the guys are just plain weird--or weirder than me--lol.

John

 

[Burlington Northern #24]

I'm a lone wolf, I'd like to be part of a group but other activities eat up a lot of my time. though my upcoming layout will be able to support 2-4 train operations, I'd probably end up running them alone. that being said, it should add some complexity to train operation. 

[jrbernier]

John,

  There is nothing 'wrong' with doing the 'Lone Wolf' thing.  The problem that I see is that you may be painting yourself into a corner.  You have lost the 'social' aspect of modeling.  I like to model the Milwaukee Road  in the transition era, and in SW Wisconsin.  Do you think I am going to find any modelers with similar interests in my town?  I live in SE Minnesota, and the only rail action in my town is the regional DM&E.  And we lost our LHS about 6-7 years ago.  I have one close 'train buddy' who basically models anything/any era C&NW/CGW/M&StL/UP that he sees.  Because of my son's interests(BNSF/Amtrak or anything with a 'flashing' light) - I do have some BNSF diesels and freight cars - I run them at the club.  I do attend NMRA regional/divisional meets - Again. the 'social' aspect and it opens my eyes to new ideas/products for my modeling.  I used to live in a large metro area, with multiple LHS's, several clubs and lot's of modelers.  When I moved to SE Minnesota, there was one LHS & a few modelers.  Basically I was a 'Lone Wolf' and I found several other guys with  train interests at the LHS.  Now, we have no LHS, and a club 28 miles away that is less than 10 years old.

  We do now have a club that has a layout.  We have about a dozen members, and we do allow 12 year old kids as long as they have a 'sponsor' and that sponsor is actually there with them.  That said, we have no 'junior members' at this time.  We do have several open houses each year and we make sure kids get to 'run' a train when they are there.  I can understand the rules about small kids - Too many things to be injured with 'under' the layout, and a very short attention span.  Young teenage boys are great as long as they are given a task and are supervised.

  I was a single custodial parent with a 4 year old - It can be tough to get out to do any model stuff.  By the time he was about 8, he would go to the train shows with me.  He attended his first NMRA National show when he was 13, and was quite helpful.  He even 'worked' at the Digitrax booth that year and for several year following that when we attended the National Train Shows.  

Jim

[ATLANTIC CENTRAL]

Well I am at least a "semi Lone Wolf" for a number of reasons:

First I do belong to a local round robin (not a club), and they are a great group of guys, but I do find my interests not always "in sync" with much of what they are doing. Second, I have a busy family and work life, which often conflicts with meeting nights and weekend group activities and allotting time for actual modeling is really more important to me than modeling social time.

Second, I have helped a number of the group members work on their layouts. Some of them welcome all the help they can get. others, like myself, prefer our layouts to be "our own work".

Third, I like building models as much as running trains - building models is a solitary activity that I find challenging and relaxing - I like peace and quiet. One of my principal layout goals is a moderately large layout that can be operated prototypically by a group AND operated by one person for fun or display running as well.

What I model is clearly influenced by where I grew up and my background in general, but what I model is not influenced by where I live or the interests of other modelers I currently "know".  

A few thoughts on traditional clubs:

First, to John (4-12-2), I understand your feelings about your sons, but I think you may be failing to realize not everyone is a "kid" person, in this hobby or not. Some of those guys go to that club meeting to get away from the wife and kids.

I was fortunate to be granted membership into a well known club at a young age - 15 - and I was a special exception to their general rules - but I was already well indoctrinated into the hobby years before that age, and was working in a hobby shop at 14.

Today, at age 55, I have absolutely no interest in being a member of a formal club with a club layout, etc. - Yes, when it comes to trains, it is all about ME. - it is my outlet.

And to be honest, when it comes to kids and this hobby, I am largely indifferent. If my youngest grandson shows an interest, I will support that - if not, that's his choice - it will not dramatically "fulfill me" or disappoint me either way - I'm not one to have those kinds of expectations of other peoples behavior.

So I'm happy to build my trains, run my trains, and socialize just a little, and enjoy the piece and quiet doing so.

For me the hobby is about building the models and the layout first, and other people are a distant second, and as the hobby has moved away from model building, I find I have less and less in common with many of the others in the "hobby" anyway.

Sheldon

[tomikawaTT]

Earlier in my life I was into the social, comraderie, club, NMRA thing, to the extent that I helped to found two clubs and held elective and appointive office in others.  During most of that period I had no practical way to build anything beyond a test track on my own.

By the time I could start thinking in terms of building something significant my personal modeling goals had hardened into concrete.  Those goals were widely (and wildly) variant from those of the local model railroad community in my several post (USAF) retirement venues.

Today I answer to that Spanish greeting, Senor Citizen, have some health problems that make me a less-than-happy camper and am married to a lady who looks on all but blood (and marital) relatives as potential enemies.  I also have the space and disposable income to build my, 'Last in this lifetime,' dream layout - my way, at my pace, doing what I like and not subject to anyone else's vote or veto.

Does that make me a lone wolf?  Come by some evening when the moon is full...

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - 1:80 scale, analog DC, MZL system)

[88gta350]

I'm a lone wolf modeler.  I'm actually in Central PA too.  I'm new in the hobby after being out of it for over a decade.  I'm a lone wolf because I only have a few friends and none of them are into railroading, the local club is pretty much all guys a lot older than me (I'm 35) so I feel there isn't a lot of common ground there.  I may still join one of these days.  Dues are a bit pricey, though. Plus, I'm not very social in general.

[tstage]

As far as working on my modest layout, yes - I am a lone wolf.  I want it to be my own creation; good or bad.

As far as socializing with other modelers, I enjoy that very much.  In fact, I'm going to go over to a friend's house tomorrow evening and run trains on his basement-sized layout.  It's great to be able to chat about modeling and get ideas for my own layout.

I think club layouts are a great venue, as long as there are clear and established rules and goals that everyone understands and abides by.  If starting a club in your area is a challenge (and it can be for a variety of reasons), I've heard of folks like Sheldon who use a round-robin approach as a club alternative.  Every month the group meets together at a different layout and has an operating session.  If I had a larger layout I'd consider doing that.

Tom

[narrow gauge nuclear]

I've lone wolf modeled all my life.  Why?  I like what I like and what I like, few others around the Richmond area are into.  I'm Narrow Gauge HOn3, of course.  The two clubs here are pretty exclusive to the RF&P or C&O and the dues to join one of them is outrageous.

Richmond was a hub of the C&O and RF&P and had major operations of the ACL, Southern and Seaboard as well.  We have the famous three road crossing overpass in the lower downtown area.  Many modelers here are Lionel O and O-27 guys with some HO for the high scalers.  I am currently unaware of a single narrow gauger in my home town.

Thus, I can't take any of my new narrow gauge stuff to run on any club layout and my ceiling mounted layout is such that only one other person my watch or join in any operations.  So it is lone wolfing.

Naturally, I am a member of this group and the Narrow Gauge Yahoo groups, etc. so I have real outside connections and have received support and help from many others and get great ideas from the superlative "Narrow Gauge and Shortline Gazette".  So, lone wolfing it isn't too bad.  I just share my hobby at range with others via the internet.

Richard

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I'm a lone-wolf modeler. I live in a small trailer, about half of which is taken up by my layout. There's not room for other operators nor is the layout built for operations, just running with some limited switching possibilities. I'm physically disabled, homebound for medical reasons and don't get out much. I believe that about covers it.

[NP2626]

I am lone wolf, not because I want to; but, because I don't know of any other MRRs in my local area.  I joined the OpSIG in hopes of hooking up with some and found they either don't exist; or, are not affiliated with the OpSIG. 

I was a member of a club located in a town close to 40 miles away for 4-5 years.  Their sole purpose was providing train running entertainment for tourists visiting their town.  I attempted to get them involved in actual operation of the club layout.  However, they really didn't seem interested.  It's my understanding this club is close to folding, my guess is, this due to a lack of people wanting to simply run trains for tourists.  Had they gotten into actual operations, it's possible this would have sparked more interests from the members.   

I guess if a club had a no kids policy and restricted me to operating only eastern lines, I likely wouldn't be to terribly interested, either!  

The NMRA does have a reasonably priced trial membership deal that I participated in last year.  The regional meet for the Thousand Lakes Region was around 400 miles away and attendance would have cost a little more than I was willing to pay.  So, I've looked into and decided Membership in the NMRA is something I will forgo, at least at this time in my life.

My nearest hobby shop is 45 miles away and the nearest good one is 180 miles away.  Being a lone wolf is my only real choice. 

[zugmann]

I'm just getting back into the hobby after a long absence, but hey! I'm in south central PA.  But I work nights.  And I'm not really into the 1950s transitional era stuff. 

Ergo, I guess I'm a lone wolf.  I tried to join a club, but with my schedule and distance to the club layout - I knew I was just fooling myself - it wasn't going to happen.  Can't complain about strange people in the hobby,since that would be a pot and kettle thing.  l also can't see ever being a part of a club that has strict operating rules since I deal with that crap on a nightly basis when I play with the big trains.

[selector]

I am an introverted person who had to interact a great deal with social grace all my professional career.  I am not flamboyant, a grandstander, someone who needs to be noticed when he enters a room.   So, when I don't have to be interacting with people, I don't.  Simple.  I love my own company because I never argue with myself.  When it comes to creating something crafty or artistic, it's my way or not at all.

This is not to say I don't ask for help or advice, or that I don't enjoy the company of others.  I think most people who know me socially like me enough to seek me out to chat, and I can chat about many subjects.  But, I'm glad when that social gathering comes to an end and I can jump back into the car to return to my den where I have more control and discretion.

Lastly, we aren't 'in town'.  I live on the ocean about 4 miles out of the nearest town.  We don't walk to the store for milk or bread, and certainly not to fill up the gas tank in the car.  It's a bit of a bother, frankly, to go get things done that can't be done on-line.  All my responsibilities, except for the presidency of the local choral society, are within 100 yards of my front door...a substantial lawn and a fenced garden that makes the deer envious.

Oh, I'd be a big fat liar if I didn't also admit that my computer is in the home, and it gets a ton of my attention.

[IRONROOSTER]

I've always been a lone wolf modeler. 

Frankly, I like doing everything my way on the layout - had enough teamwork while I was working. 

Time has always been an issue, even retired I have a lot of demands on my time, so I prefer to enjoy the hobby in solitude when I can.

Enjoy

Paul.

[Metro Red Line]

I've been a lone wolf modeler pretty much all the way through. 

As a consequence, I've pronounced names like "Kato," "Suydam," and "Kadee" wrong :)

I've had friends/relatives with layouts when I was younger, but they never got as advanced in the layout as I did. 

I never had the time or money to join any clubs. Still don't.

Actually, is ANYONE a true "Lone Wolf" anymore? Thanks to the Internet, I can learn about techniques, have my problems solved, and likewise offer my own advise. This forum and other forums on the 'Net have been a total godsend for me in this hobby. YouTube has been great resource as well. This even goes back to the old text-based Usenet forum days (rec.models.railroad, anyone?) in the early '90s.

[BATMAN]

I like my own company very much. I have traveled the world on my own and never had a problem meeting people along the way if I wanted company. I also spent my working life in a position where I was almost always on my own. "Me my truck and I". That being said I had close to a hundred people at the house for my fiftieth birthday. My wife and I have a huge social circle and our house on weekends is always full of friends. In the week however, being retired, I'll drive the kids to school, come home and play my guitar for a couple of hours, work on the train and look after the joint. Then the kids have hockey, piano, drums, swimming and they both like to play in Golf tournaments.

I have dropped in on a few clubs from time to time and find they can be a lot like these forums. Depending on the contributors or members at the time determines how enjoyable they are. The last time I dropped in on a club I kept thinking about joining, this guys train came apart and he didn't notice right away because he was talking to some scouts that were visiting. Another member went ballistic on him because he wasn't paying close enough attention. I often wonder how these people manage in real life when they are always at the boiling point when "having fun".

Anyway I can control who comes to my home much to the shagrin of a few people that wonder why they are never invited. I hate attending social gatherings elsewhere, but love having my own house full of people. And if they want to play with the trains while chit chatting, that's fine by me.

[JimValle]

Model railroading is a hobby where there's room for everybody.  Everyone has the option to seek his/her own level.  I belong to a fairly active club with a clubhouse and a layout.  I also have a personal layout in my basement.  At the club I socialize, collaborate on projects, hold elective office and run trains representing several prototypes, often purchased on impulse.   At home I run strictly Pennsy set in the 1950's with steam and classic diesels.  Nobody has come to help with my home layout or run on it in years now so I have it all my own way.  I think this strikes a nice balance between lone wolfing it and being gregarious.  Sometimes I get frustrated with the limitations of "railroading by committee" but then I reflect that on my own layout I can do anything I want and that gives me the patience to stay with the group.  There ARE all kinds of guys in model railroading from really fine skillful craftsmen to decided social marginals (  the trains can't reject them! ).  Getting folks interested in operations is a big hurdle in our area.  Folks just don't want to make the mental effort to master all the techniques required but running trains around and around is just fine with them.  Consequently I "operate" entirely on my own.

[DigitalGriffin]

I'm not so much a loan wolf, and I really like to socialize with others.  Problem is I was spending so much time on the club layout I couldn't find time to work on my own.  So I'm at home now working on mine.  I have way too many kits to fix up, way too much plywood to cut, and way too much track to lay.

 

 

[rdgk1se3019]

I have many friends in this hobby.......both here in PA and down in Florida...........but I will not do the club thing again.

For a 19 year period in my life I was a member of this club and that club.......all ranging from N scale to live steam and 56 1/2" gauge.................all just a bunch of politics, attitudes, arrogance, and other people acting like they own the place.

As far as my layout.......yeah I`m a lone wolf.

Will I invite friend over to see the layout and run trains?.......yes.

Will I run trains at other friends layouts?.....again yes.

Will I join another club and put up with politics and crap?.....N O .

Although it does not mean I will not visit a club to see their layout.

4 of my friends are presidents of model train clubs.......more power to THEM.

[kbkchooch]

Was a club member for almost 20 years. I've held every office in the club except treasurer, I was President when we lost our lease and went 100% modular. We dropped down to 12 members then, but we had a cohesive group of seasoned modelers then. Fast forward 10+ years. The club has now grown to roughly 40 members, and the goals and standard we set upon years ago have largely been ignored. We went from a group focused on modeling an area typical of the Hagerstown MD area (notice I said typical of,,,not prototypical of) in August, 1955 to one where we were running 25 car long west coast passenger trains. Modeling standards were also slipping, to the point where some club members felt that Supertrees were voted to be the club standard trees. Now Supertrees are nice for modeling a forest, but they are not foreground trees. Sorry, but 50 ft trees with matchstick trunks look silly. I make killer foreground trees out of Candytuft, floral tape and caukling..Sorry I was told, the existing trees will be granfathered in,, no new trees. WTF??

But yet we run trains pulled by a Chinese diesel locomotive pulling Popcicle cars, DOTS candy and others assorted "fantasy" unrealistic loads, that keep falling off the track while the owner chases the train around the layout with an arm full of derailed cars?  While the same imbecile , once he gets something to run rear ends my train being pulled by my 2 of my favorite brass locos!

Punch my card, I've had enough abuse. I still have friends in the club who want me to come back. For now, I'm content to do the round robin thing with them. At least we all know what we want, and we've come to learn that in order to preserve what you started with, you've got to learn to set boundaries  and stick to them, or eventually the inmates take over the asylum!!

[BRAKIE]

I'm a lone wolf from about December to March..I then return active in the club.

Why?

Health reasons mostly.I have a breathing problem from years of smoking and it aggravates my breathing to go out in the cold damp air.

[hornblower]

Yeah, I'm a lone wolf, too!  I wish I could get my family and friends more involved but living in southern California, there are just way too many attractions/distractions to get any of them interested.  I've never had the opportunity to operate a layout other than my own in the last 30 years and traveling around the L.A./Orange County area has become a royal pain in the fanny!  There are a couple of LHS I visit, both within about a 40 minute drive depending on traffic.  However, rent isn't cheap around here so the shop owners are usually bouncing from customer to customer in order to generate actual sales.  Since I'm usually picking through the bargain bin, they don't waste much time on me.  Socializing in the LHS doesn't really happen beyond a few pleasantries.  Other than the shop staff, I rarely see another person I know in either LHS.

Would I like to try operating another layout?   Sure, as long as I don't have to invest in a throttle or pay dues.  

Would I like friends to help run my layout?  Sure, but I only own two throttles and can't afford more right now.  I also own one of the less popular DCC systems and no, I won't invest in another.

Would I let others work on my layout?  If they can demonstrate a skill or technique I don't already have and their results are at least as good as mine, sure.  However, I would be frustrated having to look at another's inferior work on my layout, but I also wouldn't want to hurt their feelings by tearing it out to re-work it.

I wish I could get my sister, a commercial artist who designs theme parks around the world, to come help me with my backdrops.  Would I allow someone with lesser talent paint my backdrops?  Only if that person is me!   I can yell at myself all I want!

[Rastafarr]

selector

I am an introverted person who had to interact a great deal with social grace all my professional career.  I am not flamboyant, a grandstander, someone who needs to be noticed when he enters a room.   So, when I don't have to be interacting with people, I don't.  Simple.  I love my own company because I never argue with myself.  When it comes to creating something crafty or artistic, it's my way or not at all.

I don't think I could put it any better than this. Well said, Crandell.

I'm a lone wolf. The Cranky Old Fart Factor (which I get my fill of at work) is enough to keep me that way.

Stu

[UPinCT]

I choose to be a lone wolf because model rr'ing for me is a way to lower my blood pressure.  I enjoy an hour or so by myself in the basement after dinner.  Helps me unwind after a day at the salt mine.  I diddle at whatever project holds my fancy.  The best part is its my rail road, my rules.  

Now with JMRI I can get into some very complicated operations by myself.  Remember JMRI isn't just for programming and since I model modern day the degree of automation needed to operate myself follows the prototype.

This should be about fun not arguing with other people.  I can always win an argument with myself

Derek, happy to be alone in the basement.

[superbe]

I have been a lone wolf all of my life not limited to model railroading . Why?, that's a story for another forum.

Like others I want the railroad to be my own creation not a composite of what others may like. In addition seeing the layout unfold because of my efforts gives me great satisfaction regardless of how amateurish.

Bob 

[NP2626]

Most of you seem to be taking the term Lone Wolf model railroader to mean a James Dean type of too-cool Loner, bucking the system, out of the main stream, won't follow anyone, point of view.  Yea, that's right, I'm a big tough Cool Hel_'s Angel type guy who plays with model trains!

I'm a lone wolf MRR because I don't know any MRRs in my local area.  Wow, I guess there is a mighty big difference!

[twhite]

Lone Wolf here because I've always enjoyed the hobby as something just for me.  Having been a professional musician all of my life, I'm constantly 'on' and in the midst of other musicians (I'm a classical vocal and choral accompanist) and though I love my profession and the people I'm involved with very dearly, when it's MY time, I need something I can do on my own by myself.  Model railroading is my perfect solution for that.  I love trains and I love my private time. 

With that said, since I've got a garage railroad and the better part of my work is done during the California Sacramento Valley summers, the door is usually up when I'm out working on it, and there's always someone dropping by to chat or watch, so it's not exactly as if I turn into a Monk every time I go out to the garage, lol!  And there's always time for a friendly bull-session when I visit my LHS in Roseville, so I do know other fellow model railroaders.  But when it comes to the layout itself, I'm most definitely a Lone Wolf. 

Tom

[HaroldA]

It seems whenever I get involved in some thing, I was always ended up in a some kind of a leadership position.  So when it came to a model railroad I became a lone wolf just to get away and maybe escape from everything.  Now that I have retired a number of years ago and pulled out of most organizations, I miss the group atmosphere.  Being a lone wolf isn't much fun anymore and I know I would be getting more done if I had a few other people around.  So, am I a lone wolf - I guess so and I guess I don't really like it.

[Texas Zepher]

Metro Red Line

Actually, is ANYONE a true "Lone Wolf" anymore? Thanks to the Internet, I can learn about techniques, have my problems solved, and likewise offer my own advise. This forum and other forums on the 'Net have been a total godsend for me in this hobby.

That is what I was going to say.  I can't truey believe anyone posting here is truely a lone wolf.

If I only wanted to hang around people with my own modeling interests I would have to be a lone wolf too.  I really like being around other modelers who have way different interests than me.  I learn more about trains in general and it often forces me to expand my horizons.  One of the funnest things used to be "theme night" at the club.  For a given operating session a theme would be declared for the trains running that night.  We had things like "The Hill Lines", "The First Class", "Rocky Mountain Roads", "Blood Sweat and Steam", etc.   It was really fun.

[BroadwayLion]

The Lone LION Rides Again

[kbkchooch]

BroadwayLion

The Lone LION Rides Again

I've told Lion before, stop biting people! People are friends, not food!