Why model railroading

[stevechurch2222]

I have been in model railroading since I was 5 years old and have been a model railroader since then.I am planning my future Milwaukee Road River Line Division at this moment and hope to start construction by the end of the year or the beginning of next year.

[mainetrains]

Why?

I guess I was captivated by my Dad's model railroad back in the 50's when I was just a kid. He took it down shortly after we moved out of Chicago into the suburbs but I will always remember how much I like to watch his trains.

Mainetrains

[Eastern Roads]

As a kid I grew up in sight of the Central RR of New Jersey tracks. The beat up smoking Alcos just fueled the imagination, along with all the various types of freight cars. Then when they went to the Coast Guard Scheme, they were just great! It always seemed a train would roll through during a storm, and it would take my mind off the crashing lightning! I'd always look for the big red "meatball" on the caboose cupolas.
Anyway, I never forgot how great they were as a kid, and when I discovered MRR mag, I saw what was possible. I knew it was for me, as it has the most variety of skills of any hobby, and I love having variety, and getting creative! It's always a challenge, and rarely gets boring. And when I'm bored, I just get on TWP, and get recharged!

[umtrr-author]

The phrase "conditioned from birth" comes to mind...

My grandfather worked for the Railway Express Agency for decades. My great-grandfather worked for the Lackawanna (DL&W) with the nickname "Dodger" until he met an untimely end one day when he didn't dodge. Other relatives worked for the DL&W, CNJ and Long Island.

My father had HO Scale model trains before he had kids, still does (both).

My first home was directly across the street from the Harismus Cove line of the Pennsylvania Railroad in Jersey City. Our third floor walkup apartment was on a direct line of sight to the elevated trackage (now known as "The Embankment" though long out of service and dismantled). I could see long freights pulled by GG-1s and E-44s right out my front window-- thankfully the building across the street was only two stories!

After we moved to Suburbia in 1969, I got an Atlas "first generation" train set for Christmas. That started my current streak in N Scale. The current version of the Wilmington and New York is the most successful by far and the closest to "finished" I've gotten since the original 1969-1970 double loop kid-height layout.

As a general answer, model railroading is perhaps unique in that it can take in many kinds of activities-- research, planning, carpentry, electrical work, scenery, detailing, operation, or just lettin' 'em run. There is plenty of room for everyone in that big expanse of possibilities.