there are some obvious answers, but not all responses or threads (including this one) are one of them
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
As with most forums, I participate just for the exchange of ideas. If you run into a problem, I can pretty much guarantee that someone else has, and found a satisfactory solution.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
I've been in the hobby for over 50 years and I find that this and other forums keep coming up with new thoughts, concepts and ideas for me to consider.
Joe
I have a Phd in model railroading and I want everyone to feel my awsomeneess.
Just kidding. I am just a train nut and likes to have a bit jaw about them!
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I like exchanging chit and chat about model railroadng with other model railroaders. I don't meet all that many model railroaders out in my real life, so I come to the internet.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
I'm a lone wolf modler and the forum gives me a chance to learn and to "mingle" with other modlers.
Bob
Don't Ever Give Up
There is not a lot of local activity near me and I enjoy seeing what other modelers have done and sharing my work too. Also, it is a good place to ask questions and advice on topics when help is needed.
This forum is my virtual model railroading club, where I meet with my friends to share our hobby and a little more...
V8Vega Some of the questions that are asked, I wonder to myself, how is this person ever going to build a model railroad.
Some of the questions that are asked, I wonder to myself, how is this person ever going to build a model railroad.
Hey, I represent that comment.
I am only successful in my first foray into this hobby because of this forum. I cannot count the number of times I have had a question and have received quick answers that kept me going. I have been impressed by everyone's willingness to share their experiences and expertise with me. If it were not for the assistance I have received here, I am fairly certain I would have given up in frustration. (Though, had that happened, there would be a fair amount of money still in my bank account.)
As an interesting side note, I went to check if I had spelled "foray" correctly and had to chuckle at the definition, "a sudden attack or incursion into enemy territory, especially to obtain something; a raid." I am only glad the enemy was a friendly one.
Richard
To pass the time away.
Actually, I've been here so long it's more tradition than anything else. My first post on the MR website was waaaaay back into the mid-1990's, when Andy Sperandeo would post a question of the month in a "guestbook"-like format. There was very little discussion back and forth with other posters, but the monthly questions were always interesting.
I've been here a long time and seen every variation of this website from Day 1. I remember when this forum had no moderation, and one had to click on every reply in order to read it (and this is in dial-up modem days). It was like the wild, wild West of web forums, and it didn't get much traffic vs. other forums. Finally, a redesign came through and Kalmbach hired a company to manage it all. It's since become one of the better forums.
Why do I really keep reading and posting here? To share and learn knowledge.
Paul A. Cutler III
To help others, learn a little and get a laugh from time to time.........
Jim
Well for one, these forums are a great place to interact with other modellers/railfans.
I consider myself an experienced modeller myself, though i always find something new and refreshing here. There are just so many ways to "skin a cat" in model railroading. I like to see the other ways, and am constantly amazed at the innovations you folks come up with.
There isnt hardly any modellers in my area. This is a way to share the hobby. Either i am on the learning end, or the pass on the knowledge end. Either way its discussing trains, and thats always a #1 topic in my book!
Pics and videos. I know MR the magazine does a great job of this, but the candid shots we get here are more frequent. It makes a nice addition to the monthly. There are some here who really do have great layouts and models. MR doesnt have time or resources to show us as much, understandably. So its nice to come here and see that.
It fills a niche that is missing from my "at home" situation. All in all i find the forums a definate positive feature/addition to our hobby. And I like it.
PM Railfan
I post here just for the simple enjoyment of exchanging ideas, sharing techniques, and as mentioned "chatting" with fellow hobbyists. (glad you're still here, Paul)
I'm grateful to be in this hobby. I have a friend in his late 50s who recently retired due to health issues (which, fortunately, are under control).
However, I feel sad for him because he's going a bit stir crazy with boredom. He'd been working as an electrician since his early 30's, yet never developed or got into a hobby that he enjoys. I've tried encouraging him to explore a potential hobby and shared tidbits of my hobbies (model railroading, model buses, airbrushing, automotive painting), but as my wife reminded me, don't push a person too hard or he will scoot away from you.
I just hope that when I reach retirement age that I'll still be enjoying model railroading with the enthusiasm that I've had since the 1970s.
This forum, as well as the Atlas Rescue group, help keep me motivated and enthusiastic about model and prototype railroading.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
Railfanning and model trains are not my only hobbies, but they are both important ones to me, and I enjoy talking about them with others who share the same interests. That is also why I go to the monthly meets of my NMRA Division, to monthly railfanning slide shows, to operating sessions where we chat a bit during the session (not all session hosts want that by the way), and try to have dinner several times a month with my railfanning and model railroading friends.
I am not a highly skilled modeler but I am an experienced (code word for "old") one with a fairly extensive library of resources and I enjoy being able to assist those who ask questions or otherwise need assistance. That is also why I enjoy giving clinics at NMRA divisional meets and writing a column for my NMRA regional newsletter. And I enjoy admiring the achievements and talents of others, such as "Dr. Wayne" the master kitbasher and model improver.
I also enjoy a good laugh now and then.
Dave Nelson
gregc there are some obvious answers, but not all responses or threads (including this one) are one of them
I'm on 4 different model railroad forums and one gaming forum..
I found even after 60 years in the hobby I can still learn a new idea..I have share some thoughts on modeling and my experiance as a brakeman might help some one.
Grant it my modeling style is simple yet,fills the needs of the hobby for me and maybe others..
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Is lots of tasty primates here!
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
I participate in these forums because I' sooooo lonesome. Acualling its a good place for exchange of information and opinions. I specially enjoy the foreign posters. BILL
For clever comments from smart people.
One of my many outlets to be a somewhat abrasive know it all!
I like seeing what other people are up to, especially given that I've only sporadically had a layout over the last few years and even when I had one, it was never fully operational (even with all the track laid and everything, it was basically a huge diorama).
reklein I specially enjoy the foreign posters. BILL
I specially enjoy the foreign posters. BILL
I'll second that sentiment. I was born in sixtyeight, so I remember the days before cellular phones, computers, cable TV, the internet, etc., but only as a child. Even so, it still amazes me that in today's world any forum is truly a global community bound together by a common interest. Folks like JaBear & Sir Madog, as well as the countless neighbors in Canada, bring such diverse perspectives to any topic.
I contribute when I can (I lack the depth of historical knowledge of someone like ACY or the talent of folks like doctorwayne), but the biggest reason to be a part of these forums for me is interacting with all of you. Whether I agree or disagree, learn some history, or pick up a modeling idea; I always feel informed, entertained (especially when there is a LION prowling about!), and most of all accepted.
Chris Ballinger
Modeling the Clementon Branch of the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines in HO scale
My participation has a lot to do with what I see as my strengths and weaknesses.
I'm a pretty good historian and have a fairly good grasp of railroad geography, equipment, and practices, especially in the transition era. I'm happy to share my knowledge with others, and to broaden my knowledge through interactions with others. I know for sure that I don't know it all, and never will.
When it comes to modeling, I'm not nearly as talented as many others on the forums. I've tried all my life to expand my knowledge and abilities, and the forum members have been a big help there. Technology, meaning electronics, DCC, computers, etc. are a serious weakness in my own repertoire, and I seek help on those matters.
Now that I'm retired, I have the opportunity and the space to build the first really large model railroad in my life. I've collected equipment for years. Previously I've built dioramas, and helped to design and build other people's layouts. Now the rubber meets the road (or the flanged wheel meets the rail), and I'm a bit intimidated by the prospect of designing, building, and operating a large model railroad.
Tom
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Boredom.
Dennis Blank Jr.
CEO,COO,CFO,CMO,Bossman,Slavedriver,Engineer,Trackforeman,Grunt. Birdsboro & Reading Railroad
It has largely all been said, at least from my limited perspective. I enjoy reading about what others are doing, why theyr'e pulling out their hair by the handsfull (Who doesn't enjoy a bit of schadenfruede now and then... ? ), and just following conversations in an eavesdropping kinda way.
Sometimes, quite often, I'll finally look into a thread that didn't get my interest based on the title, but it is getting long and recent posts suggesting a lot of piqued interest, debate, or discussion.
If I find I have some experience with a problem, I'll post what worked for me.
i also like hearing personal assessments of rolling stock or other probucts related to the hobby.
To distract me from making progress on my layout.
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
My answers are basically similar to others. There are few model railroaders near me, so this is the virtual club to exchange thoughts and ideas. I also really like to see what others, esp those in other countries or who model unique concepts do, as well as those who find ways to fit more into less space, such as Big John's recent panorama photo of his Kiva Valley. That ought to be in GMR just to show what can be done in limited space on limited budget.
Also, being a bit of an iconoclast who tends to go against the trends, I really love to see the breadth of viewpoints in these discussions. This would be a boring place if we all thought the same way.
jim
I'm here to ramble aimlessly about arcane subjects, then post too many photos illustrating my mistakes.
I also enjoy learning new stuff and sharing my own knowledge. It's always satisfying when I'm able to help.
Wayne
To share....and to learn, You can never have too much knowledge...at any age.
Take Care!
Frank
Ha ha, I found this forum almost 11 years ago..... I was brand new to the hobby as an adult.... I read everyone's issues from derailments, to scenery, hobby shops, things not fitting... on and on. "Holy smokes... its not just me!"
I still come to this forum and think... "It's not just me."
Best Regards, Big John
Kiva Valley Railway- Freelanced road in central Arizona. Visit the link to see my MR forum thread on The Building of the Whitton Branch on the Kiva Valley Railway
For me who is getting back into the hobby after time away, the hobby of model railroading has changed dramatically with DCC and all. This has given me the oppurtunity to ask questions and also look at the ideas other have come up with and marvel at their ideas that I might never have thought of.
I also look at this forum every day so that it might kick me to stop being a arm chair modeler and get the trains on the tracks.