DoughlessExample: I'm not that social because I don't find too many people in this hobby who are interested in modern shortlines.
Dougless,We would get along pretty good talking about modern short lines. I been a big fan of short lines after reading about the Aberdeen & Rockfish in MR way back in 61/62.
I've tried to focus on a Class 1 but,always drift back to a short line-usually freelanced based on a real short line or a combination of several short lines.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
carl425I think you're both trying way to hard to find something to be offended about.
Ha! The only thing that upsets me is seeing my coffee cup empty.
I accept that the most highly detailed brass models are still just merely toys, only more expensive ones...so I play with the few I do have, and I realize that no model is perfect, nor do I think others should do as I do.
I'm in my 40's and like steam, and steam from beyond my area of the country at that, so I'm already in quite a minority there. Most folks I know now model current day NS. Nothing wrong with that, but I just don't have anything to offer them, and I have no interest whatsoever beyond perhaps the Heritage paint scheme units.
I know one guy who models 1960's-1970's and I can better relate to him as we are only two years apart and can remember Penn Central, good or bad.
John
Doughless I'm interested in controlling my social interaction, so internet forums and train shows are a good way for me to interact with other modelers, while retaining the ability to leave a conversation when the topic shifts to something I'm not interested in. As others have mentioned, I don't want help with my layout per se, but I would solicite help for certain projects that I would not feel comfortable doing myself. Which seguaes into Sheldon and Jarrell's comments above. I think any interest is more enjoyable if it is shared with others...probably healthier too....but to Sheldon's point, the interests have to be similar in order to get the depth of interaction that's beneficial. Otherwise, it becomes shallow small talk. Example: I'm not that social because I don't find too many people in this hobby who are interested in modern shortlines. They just aren't. They want to talk about big Class 1 railroading during the days of yore, but railroads that rely upon 2 or 3 second hand locos, hardly anybody knows anything about. As an example, the perfect locomotive for the type of railroad I'm interested in would be a high hood GP9, with fore and aft working ditch lights. Perusing ebay for years for a locomotive similar to this produces very little results. No manufacturer produces anything like this, and hardly any models customized by others ever show up in the secondary market. My conclusion is that such a locomotive is of no interest to about 99% of modelers, so the types of railroads and layouts such a locomotive would run on is out of the interest of 99% of modelers. So I have nothing too much in common with 99% of modelrailroaders to sustain a discussion beyond about 20 minutes. For technical questions, I can come to the internet. For enjoyale socialization about the hobby in ways I am interested, I am pretty much alone.
I'm interested in controlling my social interaction, so internet forums and train shows are a good way for me to interact with other modelers, while retaining the ability to leave a conversation when the topic shifts to something I'm not interested in. As others have mentioned, I don't want help with my layout per se, but I would solicite help for certain projects that I would not feel comfortable doing myself.
Which seguaes into Sheldon and Jarrell's comments above. I think any interest is more enjoyable if it is shared with others...probably healthier too....but to Sheldon's point, the interests have to be similar in order to get the depth of interaction that's beneficial. Otherwise, it becomes shallow small talk.
Example: I'm not that social because I don't find too many people in this hobby who are interested in modern shortlines. They just aren't. They want to talk about big Class 1 railroading during the days of yore, but railroads that rely upon 2 or 3 second hand locos, hardly anybody knows anything about.
As an example, the perfect locomotive for the type of railroad I'm interested in would be a high hood GP9, with fore and aft working ditch lights. Perusing ebay for years for a locomotive similar to this produces very little results. No manufacturer produces anything like this, and hardly any models customized by others ever show up in the secondary market.
My conclusion is that such a locomotive is of no interest to about 99% of modelers, so the types of railroads and layouts such a locomotive would run on is out of the interest of 99% of modelers. So I have nothing too much in common with 99% of modelrailroaders to sustain a discussion beyond about 20 minutes.
For technical questions, I can come to the internet. For enjoyale socialization about the hobby in ways I am interested, I am pretty much alone.
Great point. On this forum you and I have had lots of good conversations, but being a modeler of a 1950s Class I, I would have little to offer you as a close modeling buddy.
I simply do not have knowledge base that could offer you much, I pay little attention to current railroading, short line or otherwise.
Sheldon
Regarding being offened, no I'm not looking, seldom does anything others say or do offend me.
But, I don't tell others how to live, and I'm not looking for any advice from others on the subject.
- Douglas
BRAKIEYou know the same could be said about forum members that fully believe if you don't model to the Nth degree or have the up to date and 100% correct models then you're just playing with toys since they don't meet today's so called "standards"..
ATLANTIC CENTRALJust look at some of the flak I have taken over the years for stuff like shorty passenger cars, DC, no sound, simplified CTC, etc. I have actually received private messages telling me I should not repeatedly talk about, explain or defend my views on modeling because they are outside the "mainstream".
I think you're both trying way to hard to find something to be offended about.
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.
BRAKIE ATLANTIC CENTRAL A typical viewpoint of many self appointed elites today "but we know better what is good for you than what you know for yourself", well no thanks You know the same could be said about forum members that fully believe if you don't model to the Nth degree or have the up to date and 100% correct models then you're just playing with toys since they don't meet today's so called "standards".. On the other hand while I been a member of several clubs over the years and can talk to any member I end up making few friends with my follow members because of their personality or whatever..
ATLANTIC CENTRAL A typical viewpoint of many self appointed elites today "but we know better what is good for you than what you know for yourself", well no thanks
You know the same could be said about forum members that fully believe if you don't model to the Nth degree or have the up to date and 100% correct models then you're just playing with toys since they don't meet today's so called "standards"..
On the other hand while I been a member of several clubs over the years and can talk to any member I end up making few friends with my follow members because of their personality or whatever..
Agreed and understood!
Just look at some of the flak I have taken over the years for stuff like shorty passenger cars, DC, no sound, simplified CTC, etc. I have actually received private messages telling me I should not repeatedly talk about, explain or defend my views on modeling because they are outside the "mainstream".
See why I'm happy to model alone.........
And I don't need brass accuracy or every model perfect to have fun..........
ATLANTIC CENTRALA typical viewpoint of many self appointed elites today "but we know better what is good for you than what you know for yourself", well no thanks
jacon12 Getting a little grumpy there aren't we Sheldon.
Getting a little grumpy there aren't we Sheldon.
Yes, clearly too much "social interaction"
The OP defined a Lone Wolf as someone who likes to work on his layout alone.
I have to agree with Sheldon here (except for his political comment). There are many ways to have social connections outside of model railroading.
I don't have any studies to hand, but as I recall, the benefit of social connections is not an infinite upward linear progression. At some point it starts to level off. And people are different - for many people having some quiet time alone is very beneficial. Not to mention the satisfaction of building something by yourself the way you want it.
Paul
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Jarrell, I will respectfully repeat, not you, nor anyone else on this forum, know much about the other aspects of the personal lives of those discussing this topic. You are most welcome to make model railroading your outlet for social interaction, I will not judge you for it - some of us choose not to. You have no way to know about the rest of my life, so, I must say I slightly resent the implications of your post. Somehow suggesting that I would be "healther" if I was a more "social" modeler. A typical viewpoint of many self appointed elites today "but we know better what is good for you than what you know for yourself", well no thanks Hillary......... Security lies not exclusively in possessions or in relationships with others - Franklin said - "any man who gives up the smallest measure of liberty for security has niether" Sheldon
Jarrell,
I will respectfully repeat, not you, nor anyone else on this forum, know much about the other aspects of the personal lives of those discussing this topic.
You are most welcome to make model railroading your outlet for social interaction, I will not judge you for it - some of us choose not to. You have no way to know about the rest of my life, so, I must say I slightly resent the implications of your post.
Somehow suggesting that I would be "healther" if I was a more "social" modeler.
A typical viewpoint of many self appointed elites today "but we know better what is good for you than what you know for yourself", well no thanks Hillary.........
Security lies not exclusively in possessions or in relationships with others - Franklin said - "any man who gives up the smallest measure of liberty for security has niether"
Studies show that the more 'social' you are the better your odds at longivity. From the Stanford Universtiy website:
"Being connected to others is nice, but is it important?
Being connected to others is nice, but is it important?
In our crazy society, social ties are pretty far down on our “to do” lists, but connection to others is turning out to be more important than we thought. Studies indicate that “social capital” is one of the biggest predictors for health, happiness, and longevity. The problem: we often do not recognize the importance of social connection. Our culture values hard work, success, and wealth, so it’s no surprise some of us do not set aside enough time for social ties when we think security lies in material things rather than other people."
I have my own layout that I work on but I'm also a member of a large modular club. I can either attend the meetings or not, it's my choice. I can work on my layout alone or seek advice and expertise from some of the more experienced members. We have a large show coming up soon at the Museum of Aviation Warner Robins, Ga. where we have the chance to show model railroading to the general public, most of whom don't realize what a great hobby it is, whether you're a loner of club member or just have friends over to run trains.
Below is a photo of the exhibit we set up showing the HO layout in the foreground and the N scale in back. About 6000 people will come by to see us that week.
There are times I want to work alone on my own layout but there are times when I like to socialize more.
Jarrell
Join the NMRA. A good NMRA- division will have meets and you can attend or not attend. Many people already have operation sessions.
YGW
TrainsRMe1 Hey all, I have a question for you, how many of you are lone wolf modelers, ( you have a layout that you work on alone)?? have you ever had times that you wished you had some help with work on your layout, you would like to have fellow modelrailroaders helping you create your world??
Hey all, I have a question for you, how many of you are lone wolf modelers, ( you have a layout that you work on alone)?? have you ever had times that you wished you had some help with work on your layout, you would like to have fellow modelrailroaders helping you create your world??
On my last layout, I had help with getting the basement ready and doing the benchwork and I was glad to have it.
But, I'm like many others who've commented here. Once the actual construction of the layout began I wanted to do it myself.
I've never belonged to a club, but I've heard enough stories from people who have to eliminate that idea.
I was a member of a few round robin groups and generally they were pretty good.
The thing is, as you add members sooner or later you'll have a personality conflict.
If you have a group and decide to add someone, it's easy to say, "It's just one more guy."
Mathematically true, but it's not that simple.
Presumably, he was introduced by a current member so we can assume that relationship is fine.
But, he has to get along with the other members and they all have to get along with him.
There were instances in two of the groups we had where personality conflicts created so much tension it was almost not worth going to some of the meetings.
The group disbanded over time anyway, as many of them do.
But I have no desire to start down that road again.
As someone else said, having to get along day-to-day with people can be difficult enough.
No one needs that in their hobby.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL If you like doing for others great, some of us do enough of that in other areas of our lives....... Sheldon
If you like doing for others great, some of us do enough of that in other areas of our lives.......
Exactly why i'm a lone wolf. Looking after both customers and employees is what i do for a living. Not interested in doing same in the off hours.
Stu
Streamlined steam, oh, what a dream!!
My previous layout was designed for multiple person operation, but I built it myself because that way it was exactly how I wanted it.My next layout will be designed for multiple person operation but I will build it myself because that way it will be exactly how I want it.Most modelers I know with operations oriented layouts are the same.
Disclaimer: This post may contain humor, sarcasm, and/or flatulence.
Michael Mornard
Bringing the North Woods to South Dakota!
FWIW, I have recently joined a club and I am enjoying the interaction. I can attend the weekly meetings, or not, as I see fit, although obviously you will get out of a club what you put into it.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I model alone. None if my friends are modelers and that's fine. I do what I want, how I want, when I want. I joined the NMRA for a year and went to division meetings but felt unwelcome and alone among the cliques. so much for that. There is a local club, but I'm just not inclined to join.
Sometimes I prefer to be a lone wolf, but many times I wish I had friends in the hobby to exchange ideas and generally share the hobby with.
Texas Zephyr CGW121 I really wonder if a true lone wolf would read this post much less reply to it. Yup. That was my thought too. One can't be too much of a lone wolf if they are participating regularly in a very public forum. BUT to really answer your question, I can truely say I get much more pleasure helping someone, some club, some museum with their layout than I do my own. I am afraid if I spend all that time and energy on my own stuff that no one else will ever get to enjoy it. None of my childern have caught the model railroad bug.
CGW121 I really wonder if a true lone wolf would read this post much less reply to it.
Yup. That was my thought too. One can't be too much of a lone wolf if they are participating regularly in a very public forum.
BUT to really answer your question, I can truely say I get much more pleasure helping someone, some club, some museum with their layout than I do my own. I am afraid if I spend all that time and energy on my own stuff that no one else will ever get to enjoy it. None of my childern have caught the model railroad bug.
Yes, there are both introverts and extroverts who are model railroaders, neither approach is automaticly better or more "valueable".
CGW121I really wonder if a true lone wolf would read this post much less reply to it.
PRR8259 Well, I actually would love it if somebody built me a big bridge...I don't have the time or ambition to tackle that myself...I have historically found it a bit of a challenge to get along with other model railroaders, not in a store setting, but once outside of the store, because many seem to know what they like, and with my southwestern interests, living in PA, I'm always rather different from the locals. John
Well, I actually would love it if somebody built me a big bridge...I don't have the time or ambition to tackle that myself...I have historically found it a bit of a challenge to get along with other model railroaders, not in a store setting, but once outside of the store, because many seem to know what they like, and with my southwestern interests, living in PA, I'm always rather different from the locals.
John, that is just a result of not having enough in common. This hobby is very diverse, and the core value of "liking trains" will only support so much social interaction - after that you must really be interested in the same "version" of the hobby to maintain an association.
I stopped participating in the the local round robin here for similar reasons. One factor, not the only one, was that more and more the conversations and activities were about what people just bought......not what they were building.........
I'm not really interested in what people can or do buy, I am interested in what they can and do build...........
So I would rather just focus on what I am doing, which is more about the building.....
I've visited a couple of clubs but when I saw the layouts it just didn't appeal to me. One was fully scenicked but was at most half the size of my basement layout. The other had minimal scenery. It was not an operating night so I didn't get to see what kind of operations they did. It seemed to be a work in progress. I would rather spend my time working on my own layout than a club layout.
Am I a lone wolf modeler? Depends on whether or not it's full moon .
I prefer to work on a build my layout myself. It's what I do to unwind and decompress. But I have a group of guys who come over and run the trains and enjoy it from time to time.
Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad in N Scale.
www.prr-nscale.blogspot.com
PRR8259 To be clear: it's not at all that I don't want to associate with other modelers, but excepting one local guy who has a chance to buy a train store as the owners are approaching retirement, I don't have other guys that I even know who are model railroaders. Also from having worked in model train sales, I know that most of us tend to be rather particular in what we like to do and how we like to do it, so that seems to somewhat limit our ability to socialize and "get along" with those who think differently than our own personal vision. John
To be clear: it's not at all that I don't want to associate with other modelers, but excepting one local guy who has a chance to buy a train store as the owners are approaching retirement, I don't have other guys that I even know who are model railroaders. Also from having worked in model train sales, I know that most of us tend to be rather particular in what we like to do and how we like to do it, so that seems to somewhat limit our ability to socialize and "get along" with those who think differently than our own personal vision.
I can "get along" just fine, I just don't want to spend much of my time that way. Life requires a lot of dealing with people, building model trains is an escape from that.......I like the "building" part..............and like others have said, I don't want or need help with that part.........