Truthfully, I'm not overly sensitive, but do non-model railroaders every get your goat? What are some of the things they've said about our hobby? I had a visitor the other day (a railfan but not a model railroader) and let him see my basement layout in progress. This person made the rude comment: "You'll die before the layout is complete!" A friend of the family said the same thing but not in such a rude way. (She also says I'm lost since I left the Catholic faith to become a Lutheran. <G>) My mother, who visited recently, said I "ruined the basement". I don't have a spouse (yet), so I guess that could open up a whole new can of worms. My dad is open minded, but he won't ride a live steam railroad in the park with me, for example. Once he came along with me to see a club layout. He had a big grin on his face with stars in his eyes.
But on the flip side, my pastor, and a member of my congregation, and their sons visited a few years ago specifically to see the layout. And they were very open-minded about the hobby and enjoyed the visit and running trains (especially the boys). Both are educated, and I think that opens your eyes to the world and makes you more open- minded about things.
I'd like to know what your experience is with non-model railroaders perception of model railroading.
Victor A. Baird
www.erstwhilepublications.com
I cant honestly think of a negative reply I have had. Everyone who knows me and what I am doing are very excited about it. I suppose if anyone had something bad to say I would just ignore them and go on my way. Its none of their concern.
People will always have opinions, some will agree with you, others not. What is important to you may not be to them, so don't bother discussing things that there are serious differences. Cultivate those contacts who do agree with you.
I'm a little surprised that your mother made such a comment, my parents always supported my choices, whether my choice was the way they would go or not. Though my wife has little interest in my hobby, she does not criticizise my ideas other than constructive criticizism which I am open to, whether I accept it or not.
Do what you enjoy and if someone comes into your life, make sure they know your interests. They do not have to share all your interests nor you theirs, you just have to be tolerent of such things.
Have fun,
Richard
My layout is portable and only interacts with real people at train shows, so I'm preaching to the choir most of the time, at home its safely sojourned in the garage, my family members reaction has been very positive, but then my layout has a certain power to pry a smile out of even the hardest hardnots.
Have fun with your trains
It's a hobby or interest, for Pete's sake, which only some people are into and others are not. I expect some others to have a similar interest, others to find interesting that I like it (but it's not their thing), others to think it's a bit nuts but be silent or at least courteous about my interest, and a very few to be rude about their take on my interests.
I see analogies with golf, fishing, duck hunting (weather has to be bad, doesn't it, and you have to get up really early), old cars, stamp collecting, fantasy football, and on and on. People have different interests. Thank goodness we're not all the same...how boring.
Most people are at least politely interested to see my train layout project. My family is supportive (like my golf), the neighbors like to bring their grandkids to run the trains. I'll admit that if someone criticized my hobby interest that I would temporarily have an emotional response but quickly process that as a problem with their viewpoint as opposed to mine. I might consider whether I spend too much time with it or too much money (versus other things) and that's a valid question but would depend on who's asking. It's about priorities and interests. There is a discretionary part of life these days. The caveman would have been criticised if he was painting cave paintings when the family was starving, but after he killed some food and made some blankets from skins, maybe he was allowed some discretionary time (for painting or model railroading, if the wheel was invented).
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
I don't have a layout, but it's always in the drawing/planning stages.
My family members are supposed that one day it will come together. They understand my hobby and what I want. I'm the only one buying the equipment it's much easier for me. I'm working on my last track plan for my modern era Union Pacific/BNSF for 2 years. Nothing is working out... creative will come I hope not to late. I grow impatient.
Different scenarios from people who understands and the ones that don't.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Fortunately, I live in a country in which model railroading is a socially very well accepted hobby. Even so, I now and then run into people who belittle the grown up playing with trains. Who cares? I take the liberty of making fun of people who have nothing better to do than to hit a tiny ball with a stick and call it "golf"
Ulrich.
Best definition of golf I've ever heard - An alleged game where grown people try to put a little ball into a little hole with funny sticks entirely unsuited to the purpose.
(For the record, my family consists of me and three champion golfers.)
People involved in anything not done by most of the general public often hear less than brilliant comments about their work. On the other hand, the dirty-hands craftspeople who have seen my layout have been impressed, and generous with praise. It's the effete office workers who can't seem to understand that I like to use tools made of steel, not plastic.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
I have only ever heard or seen a positive response. Smiles, a few questions, many compliments, and even one or two who ask for a repeat viewing a year later. Who knows what they say to themselves or to each other when I am not present, but if they don't appreciate what I do, it's their right and their burden...not mine.
I am somewhat open-minded, so whenever I sense an opportunity to learn something, I take it. A stamp collection doesn't really interest me, not like toy trains, but I would spend some time asking questions to pick the person's brain, to learn some history, what's involved. What's his prized possession...or hers.
I would not be hurt if someone shook their head and muttered, "All that time he could be doing something useful." "What a mess he's made of the basement." "He may know trains, but he sucks at wiring." I really don't mind, and I don't care. My trains provide me with reliable fun, and my only other close friend says she approves of them. What more could I ask?
While I have never made a secret of my hobby, I don't push it on people either. Most folks don't display much interest, but some do. Any negative comments are not said to me - not that I care. For those who show an interest, I'll talk about it and show the layout such as it may be.
Enjoy
I can say there have been just a few cheap shots over the years, and I chalk up their closed-mindedness as being their problem. I am rather selective about who goes in to the layout room. Anyone who wants to see it is welcome, kids are welcome, etc. But if I see in someone a "what's the point" attitude when the topic should come up, I don't bother. Like that saying that applies to so many interests, "If you have to ask, you wouldn't understand."
tomikawaTT Ulrich. Best definition of golf I've ever heard - An alleged game where grown people try to put a little ball into a little hole with funny sticks entirely unsuited to the purpose. (For the record, my family consists of me and three champion golfers.) People involved in anything not done by most of the general public often hear less than brilliant comments about their work. On the other hand, the dirty-hands craftspeople who have seen my layout have been impressed, and generous with praise. It's the effete office workers who can't seem to understand that I like to use tools made of steel, not plastic. Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Don't forget why it's clalled "golf"....
When it came time to name the game....all the other 4-letter words had been taken....!!
So far I've received onlyfrom those who are aware of my (renewed.....!) hobby...As for anyone with negative inclinations.....so be it, IMHO...to each his own....
May your freight ALWAYS run smoothly...and ON TIME!!
Victor,I could care less what the muggles(non railroad folk) say or think..
The few closed minded comments was lost in the positive comments I received over the years.
I will share this comment from a friend of my sisters while we was having breakfast.
The subject of my love for model trains and my love for playing Final Fantasy and Dragon Age came up and I was asked by the lady if I was trying to relive my childhood.
My reply was simple and with a straight face I said What do you mean? Should I give up having fun because I'm a senior? I can find more fun things to do instead of sitting around listening to my arteries harden while awaiting that one way ride in that long black Cadillac..
She called me a cretin..Ah well,been called worst.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I recently built a house and it has a very large room in the basement with no windows. A lot of people/contractors have asked what its for and when they are told its for model trains about half of them say they want us to give them a call to fix something in a couple years so they can come back and see it.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
The most common thing visitors say is: "Wow! Can I bring (friend or relative) over to see it? How long did it take to finish?" Then I have to explain that it will never be finished.
The most common thing my wife says is: "You know what would look good right here?"
The most common thing I hear from the Grandchildren is: "Papa, can we buy that?" That is the reason my collection is so eclectic. This paragraph is the reason we have Steam, EL Phoebe Snow passenger, Amtrack, Thomas the Tank Engine, and Hogwarts Express. How can you say no to a grandchild?
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
I don't think I have ever had anyone say anything negative about my model railroading interest, but I have seen people give me "that look" they give when they think you are doing something childish.
When my wife was attending the University of Tennessee for her Masters in Geology, we had a number of the other students over to the house for social gatherings. Now mind you, I am 20 years or more older than the majority of those students. When they saw the layout I had started, the majority of them were interested in it. They thought it was pretty cool that people take time to build miniature examples of things they see in a 1:1 world.
My other major hobby interest is reenacting. Not just any reenacting mind you, but French and Indian / Seven Year War reenacting and particularly the French side of the conflict. I have spent unthinkable amounts of hours researching and reading about the time period (1750's-mid 1760's) and the century leading up to that time. I have collected photographs of artifacts from the time period and have a small library of books on the subject. I have spent weeks hand sewing clothing using the patterns and sewing techniques of the period. I have learned and practiced skills that would have been used daily during the period. I do this for authenticity sake, but at a reenacting event you get tourists (tourons) who seem interested but makes the dumbest comments. "You still play cowboys and indians?" "Is that a real fire?" "Is that a real chicken/turkey/leg roast cooking on the fire?" "What do you really eat when doing this?" "You have a white flag. Are you surrendering?" and the list goes on and on.
I have a reenactor friend who lives in Anchorage Alaska and his hobby is model building. Yes, model building as in cars and trucks and tanks and planes and ships, but he is a serious model builder. He adds the details such as spark plug wires, brake lines, fuel lines, and all those other minute details that a regular plastic model does not include. Why does he do it? Probably the same reason that many of us have our hobbies.....to relax or we find it relaxing. He is a surgical tech so needs something to help him relax after work.
Ignore the negative comments and just do what you like to do.
Robert H. Shilling II
Through the last two years of undergrad and then through Grad School I had a small 4x8 in my dorm and apt. The oddest comment I ever got in undergrad was, "Did you know you have a toy train in your room?" (you can thank on of the Hall Directors for that comment). As it was not uncommon for me to have to dash off to the Cart lab or mineral lab, my door would sometimes be left unlocked and it was not uncommon to arrive back at my room with one of my wingmates throwing switches, moving cars and generally just taking a break. I was good with this.
Wasn't till after I got married that portions of my in-laws would look down thier nose at me. Don't really care. After all, I can read and I doubt they can. On the other hand I have other in-laws that have jumped all over my hobby and have taken my hobby and the proto-layout to heart, with suggestions, kits, lumber, wire etc all showing up stacked in my truck when we go for family get togethers. I swear there is a model railroad genie and follows my truck.
I get the "OH! You Play with Toy Trains" all of the time from the uninformed when I mention I am a Model Railroader!
I will come back with "YES! I am" very enthusastically and this just drives them crazy as they think I will be embarrassed that they say something about playing with trains.
I always come back with - "YEP! - since I am RETIRED - I don't have to prove anything to anybody anymore as I did thet when I was working"!
That usually shuts them down pretty hard - as they know just what I mean - as THEY have to put on the face at their work everyday!
I usually ask them if they would like to see it and explain it isn't a typical Christmas Roundy Round train set they have seen before.
When they arrive I just take them down to the basement (I leave the basement lights off - to give it a dramatic effect) and then just flip on all of the lights in the 25 x 75 basement totally filled with 4000 feet of track.
And all I get is "OH! MY GOD!"
That is the best thing I could ever hear!
They usually get so enthused that they spend an hour or so there - where just minutes before they still thought I was playing with trains - and I AM!
BOB H - Clarion, PA
Over the years, the only less than enthusiastic comments I have have recieved were from a few people that have absolutely no hobbies or other interest of their own, other than to exist. People that I know that are involved in any pastimes they choose to do and get pleasure from, think the trains are cool.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Some people are right. Some people are wrong. The ones who are right get to decide which is which.
Be happy in your work.
Charlie
I'm always fascinated with non-modeler's reaction to my layout. An example that comes to mind is a married couple that I know. He is an architect and she is a designer. His response was to get as close to the models as he could, and he seemed to really appreciate the finer details. She also had a very positive reaction, and she immediately came up with a plan to expand my layout by suspending it from the ceiling with a pulley system! I think the most "negative" reaction I've ever heard is the one about having "too much time on my hands." I am sensitive to the amount of time I spend back in the train room. After all, model railroading is ultimately a pretty solitary persuit. I feel very fortunate that my partner is supportive of my hobby. She has sacrificed significant real estate in our small San Francisco apartment.
As to negative comments- if you show off your layout to enough people, you may find a minority that just doesn't understand. Don't let them get your goat! Keep sharing and showing off your models, I'm sure you'll find more people who appreciate your work than don't, and you might even get someone else to join our hobby!
Most of the negative comments I get are from visitors who claim (correctly) that they do not see enough progress from their last visit. I have no snappy answers to such criticism because it is spot-on and I have no excuse. They are not criticising the hobby per se.
There are more raised eyebrows at the "workshop" room with all the kits and rolling stock all organized on shelves -- I mean, it IS a lot of stuff -- as well as the "library" area with MRs solid from 1949 to the present, not to mention Trains, RMC, R&R, NMRA Magazines, books, and the like. Four file cabinets and an old dresser filled with railroad related paper, photos, maps, and information, as well as slides and collectibles. I think it is because seeing that sheer quantity of stuff makes plain the magnitude of the commitment. Many people's hobbies take up an equal amount of time and even money as model trains/railfanning, but few hobbies take up as much space.
Some of the most interesting comments come from workmen who see the layout and trains -- electricians, plumbers, house painters, and such, because those guys get to see a lot of basements and often have seen some great model railroads. Because those are guys who do things with their hands, their reactions are generally more to the materials and the nature of the work involved rather than what things cost.
When I was in junior high and high school like most teens I cared quite a bit about what people thought and I assumed, perhaps correctly, that most of my school friends would make fun of model trains as a hobby perhaps because that is the age where you are trying SO hard not to be or appear childish or child like in any way [that others can know about that is!]. One beyond college I really ceased to care.
Dave Nelson
BATMAN Over the years, the only less than enthusiastic comments I have have recieved were from a few people that have absolutely no hobbies or other interest of their own, other than to exist. People that I know that are involved in any pastimes they choose to do and get pleasure from, think the trains are cool.
That statement is true in more Hobby's than Model Railroading...hear it all the time on the FSM site. I'm beginning to believe it's some form of jealousy....most of those people could probably achieve similar results, if the would only take the time to refine any skills they may have.....cop out!
Take Care, Guy's.
Frank
I think the closest to a negative comment I have ever recieved is "YOU built this? There is no way YOU built this" A trip to the workbench to see 4-5 half finished projects settles that talk down =p
It does bother me a bit, though, that everyone always asks "how much did this all cost?" I don't ask folks how much their golf clubs, or antique cars, or gun collection cost? Why does EVERYONE ask how much model trains cost?
Ironically, the only negative comment was from a model railroader. A couple of years ago, I met two guys at my LHS (Caboose Hobbies). We started talking, and I mentioned my layout. Neither one of them had a layout. But they planned on building one. So they offered to help me to get some experience. One guy was one of those rivet counter types, into operations heavily, he operated on a club layout.
So one day, they both came over to help me. One guy was really cool. But they rivet counter guy, made all kinds of rude comments. Oh this is old school, looks like a sphagetti layout. You benchwork this, and that. And "oh I hate when people have roads go off the layout".
After a while I got sick of it and made some excuse I had to leave. And this guy didn't even have a layout, but he sure had ideas how mine was.
Thats the only negative comment though, and all my friends and family are always commenting how beautiful it is and how cool it looks.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
Hobbez It does bother me a bit, though, that everyone always asks "how much did this all cost?" I don't ask folks how much their golf clubs, or antique cars, or gun collection cost? Why does EVERYONE ask how much model trains cost?
Because most people have at least a vague idea of how much an antique car costs or how much golf clubs cost. And people ask about how much those things cost too.
[/quote]
Just a post like this once in a while.
rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
BATMAN said: "Over the years, the only less than enthusiastic comments I have have recieved were from a few people that have absolutely no hobbies or other interest of their own, other than to exist. People that I know that are involved in any pastimes they choose to do and get pleasure from, think the trains are cool."
Usally everything is real positive. However, it does bother me when people use the term "choo choo trains".
These are scale models of hulking beasts!
The only negative comment that I have received was the day that I got my very first HO scale train set (Hogwarts Express). It was Christmas and my wife had decided that she would do something about my interest in trains, so she gave me the set.
The negative comment came from a sister-in-law who said something to the effect of "Really, you have got to be kidding!" I forgave her. We still talk. She hasn't said anything since about my trains. I think my brother may have had something to do with that.
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!