A few more thoughts:
Most of my friends in this hobby I met either in the train store where I once worked (they would invite the store employees to come visit their layouts, and we did just that) and at train shows. I functioned as an extra pair of eyes watching the inventory and minimally waiting on would-be brass buyers at the Timonium show for a dealer, for the privilege of getting into the show early and getting to circulate and buy what I wanted to buy before the public got in. In return, I sat there all day helping to make sure nothing grew legs. (Dealer in question had a $4000 passenger train set, on consignment, walk off previously, so it WAS justified, as he ate that cost with the consignor).
So at Timonium, I met some people that have certainly become lifelong acquaintances, who I know their first and last name, in some cases having been to their home several times. Some of us have had our health issues, and I pray for them as they have prayed for me when I had a serious illness. When they see me they always ask how I'm doing.
In most cases I met people just by trying to be friendly and talking to them. Sure we all have different railroad interests, and some of my friends are dead and gone now, but I remember them fondly and we had some good times running the products we had purchased at the show, together, that evening, in an attic with a big layout.
I remember what trains my friends liked, owned in brass and would have purchased in plastic; as I have gotten older and matured a bit, the trains I now like, strangely, they would most certainly "approve" of. It has taken me a lifetime to appreciate certain railroads, but now with hindsight, I can. When I sit in my basement (again these guys are dead and gone) I derive satisfaction knowing they would absolutely love some of the stuff we have to run now.
Some locos on my layout are there in memory of them (one guy always bought every single road number, even in brass OMI diesels). His motto was "if it's worth having, it's worth having in quantity".
Maybe that's why I buy multiple units of a given model.
John
It is a little upsetting to know I don't have any real life friends who are into the hobby, but I have found many here. I have learned everthing I have done on my layout here and am very greatful for the members on here.
As far as I know, theres only one local club to me and they charge $30 a month to be a member- no thanks! I miss going to shows and meeting new people. I follow a few people on Instagram who I have talked to but all are short with me so I definetly get it. But that does not stop me. I don't know much of what I am doing but I make it work and have fun in the process!
Don't be scared off by people who claim to be know it alls. They ruin the fun for everybody. Just do what you like and have fun in the process. I hope once this pandemic is over I will meet some new people at shows or hobby shops!
I am also a lone wolf. I do have two friends in trains but they are 3 railers. We go to meets when we can and socialize when we can.
But in saying that my layout is rather small being only 5x11 and I don't enjoy ops but I like building my layout with Kato unitrack and just running trains and having fun. The couple of clubs I was thinking of joining were condescending and as soon as I said about just running trains and or using Kato unitrack it was like I was an outcast. I left and never went back.
I'm now 74 and building my layout now is not as easy as it once was but beings I now live in a over 65 complex and a smaller area to build my layout does not mean I will enjoy it less then when I had a much larger layout when I was younger. Yes I take the easier way of building a layout now by using unitrack and pre built buildings but does that mean I'm less of a modelrailroader? Heck no!!
Dave
I too am a lone wolf, but I don't mind it as I like to have a little switching. I also did look at joining a club but realized I just didn't have the time to commit to it. I'm not a skilled modeler at all but enjoy reading and watching videos from MR Video Plus along with working on my own buildings
There was a time I went away from posting on any forums because so of the posts I got back where if you didn't follow the protype or have Broad radius that your models looked toy like.
I understand where you're coming from, but for me doing my models is a way for me to escape from all the crap and just go into my own little world.
SeeYou190 I do not have any model railroad friends, and I would not invite a model railroader over to my house to see my layout, except for a handful of forum members from here. -Kevin
I do not have any model railroad friends, and I would not invite a model railroader over to my house to see my layout, except for a handful of forum members from here.
-Kevin
SeeYou190I have to ask Kevin, why would you not invite a fellow model railroader to see your layout? Are you conerned about being critiqued about your work? Engi1487 But in model railroading I am worried I am losing the one person I know in the hobby. Oh boy... I know you are new here. The "old guys" have heard me say all this before. I do not have any model railroad friends, and I would not invite a model railroader over to my house to see my layout, except for a handful of forum members from here. If you want hobby friends, take up wargaming. You cannot be a wargamer without friends. There is no such thing as a lone wolf board gamer or wargamer. This forum is as far as I go into the world of socializing with fellow model railroaders. -Kevin
Engi1487 But in model railroading I am worried I am losing the one person I know in the hobby.
Oh boy... I know you are new here. The "old guys" have heard me say all this before.
If you want hobby friends, take up wargaming. You cannot be a wargamer without friends. There is no such thing as a lone wolf board gamer or wargamer.
This forum is as far as I go into the world of socializing with fellow model railroaders.
DAVID FORTNEY I am also a lone wolf. I do have two friends in trains but they are 3 railers. We go to meets when we can and socialize when we can. But in saying that my layout is rather small being only 5x11 and I don't enjoy ops but I like building my layout with Kato unitrack and just running trains and having fun. The couple of clubs I was thinking of joining were condescending and as soon as I said about just running trains and or using Kato unitrack it was like I was an outcast. I left and never went back. I'm now 74 and building my layout now is not as easy as it once was but beings I now live in a over 65 complex and a smaller area to build my layout does not mean I will enjoy it less then when I had a much larger layout when I was younger. Yes I take the easier way of building a layout now by using unitrack and pre built buildings but does that mean I'm less of a modelrailroader? Heck no!! Dave
We all have our limits and limitations within the hobby but often unless you can produce the most phenomenal airbrushed graffiti on a boxcar you are a pariah.
Having spent years looking at my BLI Big Boy and being annoyed with the tender height I finally realised how to get the correct line through by adding 2mm spacing bars between the frame and body. I am clicking my heels thinking how clever I am but the more talented would be laughing their heads off. Others would be saying I was being picky.
Many of us also have diverse interests and we have only so much time to spend on the hobby. This also plays unfavourably with some.
I myself am like you to see my trains rumble past once in a while is enough for me and no I do not want to do loads of switching either.
My achilles hell is mechanical hypochondria. That can keep me busy for hours.
TheFlyingScotsmanMy achilles hell is mechanical hypochondria.
I'm lost, even if you meant heel
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I lost my friend Ron that was always present at Gary's Model Railroad Club in St Louis Park and present at all the model railroad shows to help.
One of the reasons I loved Ron so well is because he was always willing to help anyone around him.
The other reason I love Him so much is he was the best man you would ever wish to spend the day with.
After his stroke he would say things that didn't even make sense but I always put my arm around Ron and let him know somewhat indirectly how much I loved him.
A couple of railroad shows later he fell off a stepladder in his garage and hit his head on the floor
I never got to say goodbye to Ron but that beautiful man will always remain in my heart just as well as Leo Nieser
Ron Is my still my friend and always will be
Eng1487 Continue to love your friend
He is right there with you and always will be
BigDaddy TheFlyingScotsman My achilles hell is mechanical hypochondria. I'm lost, even if you meant heel
TheFlyingScotsman My achilles hell is mechanical hypochondria.