Why model railroading

[domiluk]

I was wondering why do you model theres lot of hobbys out thier .I know why I got into it I was a truck driver for 35 years never home and when I did come home there was no time to do anything .So one chistmas my wife got me a train set an I just loved it. I did an 4x8 then I had a 12x20 building moved into my back yard I filled it with a layout so I sold that house and bought the home I live now it had a 25x35 building in the back yard so now i'm working on it now.I just love this hobby I won't say how much money I've spent on engine an rolling stock building because I don't know I don't keep track .[I don't want my wife to know ] hehehehe. So tell why you are in to this hobby?

[Boss Boomer]

Hmmm...why model railroading? Good question, hard answer.

I've been fascinated with toy trains since I was just a young'un. Somewheres around here I have some pictures from when I was only 3 or 4 years old. (That was about 50 years ago, or thereabouts. ) Anyway, there I was, on the floor playing with my wind-up tin plate train running around the track going thru the stamped metal tunnel.

Fast forward--here we are 50 years later and I still get a thrill playing with my trains, although I did have a table-top version some years back that I built, and one day soon, I hope, I'll have another one running around my spare room. (Something always interfers with having fun--lately, it's been the heart troubles. )

For me, I think the thrill is "being in control"--I have the trains I want. I run 'em as fast or slow as I want. I can imagine or pretend my trains are a "real business" moving passengers and goods all over the country. In a way, it IS my very own business--in miniature, granted, but it's ALL MINE! I can be as successful as I imagine in my little world!

At least that what I "think" the fun is all about! Could be nothing more that us being carnivorous animals that enjoy seeing wee, little things running that we enjoy watching and pretending we can pounch on them at any moment and eat and torment like a cat and mouse! Heck, I don't know!

[scratchbldr]

WHY??
I picked Model Railroads to be my main hobby because I am first & formost a guy who likes to build MODELS . Model railroading allows me to model ANYTHING that catches my eye that I'd like to model-- the whole world is your prototype. Simple --huh??

[ak-milw]

Pretty much summed it up ther Scratch!!

[3rdgenmodrr]

I do believe this is my first post...

Why I got into model railroading?

Firstly, I must say I'm quite a youngster, it seems, on these forums, being only 23... If there are others my age, awesome! Anyway...

My earliest memories involve my mother's mid-sized N-scale layout in our attic. She had quite the "empire" up the stairs. Sadly it had to be destroyed when we moved to a new home several years ago. With the move, model railroading just kind of faded. She sold about 95% of her locos, rolling stock, and what little structures she did save.

Oddly enough, I picked up a Model Railroader at a hospital last march and kinda got bit by the bug. I've been hooked ever since.

Most of my modeling though is just building rolling stock and locos, as I'm only renting a room right now. As soon as I get more space I'm gonna start my own Empire!

[Shawn Fields]

Dom,
What a great question and a neat way to get to know folks a little better

With me I guess it's in my blood... I having grown up in the Coalfields of Southern WV and having Grand and Great Granddads on both sides of the family as well as my Dad for a short stint before he became a Police Officer working for the Railroads ( Virginian and N&W ) and having lived by the tracks the biggest part of my life including the Virginian Yard (now NS) at Page, WV where one set Great Grandparents lived. Even as I grew and went out on my own I made it a point to live by the tracks, the first house that I owned was less than 100 yards away from the tracks and Virginian Yard (now NS) in Princeton, WV. Once I moved to Ohio I was one house away from the tracks that lead to the Ford Plant and Electric Company in Avon Lake, Ohio ....and having my Granddad on my Mom's side of the Family being a modeler and my dad being a modeler, It was something that I remember doing in my youth and all the fun and fond memories. Which is alot of the reasons I Model today. I have a better half that supports the hobby as she sees it, it keeps me out of trouble and when I spend money on the hobby I have something to show for it other than a hangover...

Not to mention I really enjoy all aspects of the hobby, all the people I have met, the design work and research, actual construction, Kitbashing and scratchbuilding, and it gives me a chance to try to recreate the stories that were told to me by my long time passed Grandparents. Even to this day when a train is coming down the tracks I remember the excitement my Great Grandmother had and rushing us all onto the back porch to wave as the trains went by...

And That's why I'm into Model Railroading and always will be until its time for me to take my Dirt Nap....

[domiluk]

What a great way to get into the hobby living by the tracks I never lived that close to them but I moved out of the big city to were I live now I'm less then a mile from the tracks and can here the trains come through all hrs of the day I've just about can tell you when the next train is do. And by the way thursday is the best day to see the come through town.

[D&RGW Jake]

I've been into trains since about the age of 2, when I first saw Thomas the Tank Engine. (Though I have moved on to more, umm, advanced(?) interests) My parents always bought me those cheap Life-Like starter sets, and those are probably what kept my interest going over about 10 years, until I got into serious modeling about 2.5 years ago. Right now I am working on a trackplan for my first layout, a 9'x17' freelanced branch of the D&RGW in about 1935. (Narrow gauge of course! )

--Jake

Also... Yay! First Post!

[TallDude]

aboard Jake!! Make sure you post some photos of the layout as it progresses, we'd love to see them!

[D&RGW Jake]

Originally Posted by TallDude

aboard Jake!! Make sure you post some photos of the layout as it progresses, we'd love to see them!

Thanks, Kevin! I will be sure to once construction gets underway! (I'm still track planning)