"Would you care to share those aspects of the hobby that you enjoy the most and those you still have to get used to?"As I mentioned in the previous post this marks the end of the *first year of playing with trains. I’ve found one of the more interesting aspects of the hobby is the fact that the hobby is really hobbies within a hobby. This can make things confusing, frustrating and intimidating for first-timers as I think it’s too easy to get overwhelmed with all the options available. Conversely, this myriad of options almost certainly means that each modeler will be able to find a particular facet that suits their tastes. So too is this true in my case. Thus, without further ado, I give you “the list”.
Stuff I like
Scenery
This is likely my favorite aspect of the hobby. A big part of me regards model railroading as really landscape modeling – with the added bonus of running trains. Perhaps one of the reasons I like scenery is that you don’t need to have an account with your LHS to do a credible job. The challenge of turning sawdust and shellac into grassy fields and rivers is a really satisfying exercise and the results are ALWAYS individual.
Structures
While I have only scratch built half a dozen buildings, I’m gaining a quick appreciation for this ‘art’. After figuring out how to work with styrene, (and discovering Tichy Trains), I was able to translate some basic ideas into credible buildings. Again, this was immensely satisfying – especially having designed the structures. I find many commercial structures are too cute –not plain enough to be effective, so designing my own made sense – the financial savings was also a bonus! Likewise, I consider building to be an extension of the scenery, so the aforementioned points on scenery apply here as well.
Trackplanning
I’m not great at it, but I really enjoy it.
Modular clubs
Don’t know of any locally, but I’d love to be part of one.
Stuff I’m not as concerned about
Rolling stock and motive power
If I can buy what I want, spray on a little weathering and be done with it I’m happy. I’m considering scratch building an RS23, but the process has led me to discover the rivet counters lair. Honestly, if the paint is right and the weathering is effective, then I don’t really care if the chassis is 6” too long, or there are not enough blades on the exhaust fans. I’m insecure in this area as it seems that some people have a vast knowledge of all things on rails, and this knowledge should be the remedial level prerequisite for model railroading, and frankly I’m just not worried about it. To be fair, I have no interest in cars either (such an admission almost got man-card revoked). That being said, I’m still fairly serious about attempting the RS23 build. The 3-foot rule may apply…
Stuff I don’t care for.
Operations
I really want to be interested in operations – partly because I feel like it only natural to like running trains prototypically as well as building them, and because without operations you lack ‘street-credit’, but I’m just not interested… I think operations are interesting, I’ve read about the different systems employed, but alas, the concept has yet to tug a heartstring… The one aspect of operations that does interest me is how operations affect design. These design elements directly translate into scenery, and scenery is covered in my first point.
DCC
What?! Are you nuts!? As operations aren’t a priority, I feel there is less need for DCC. Everything about DCC is great, but I’m a little sick of technology. I’m a web analyst by trade, splitting my time equally between web application development, graphic design, and teaching – I spend every day surrounded by countless computers, servers, PDAs, mobile whatevers, cell phones, pagers etc. I deal with TCPIP issues, server maintenance, and hosting configuration issues for countless academic websites. I’ve taken every electronics course high school offered – built network cards from scratch, flashed ROMs, and have written thousands on lines of code. The last thing I want is a train that is a computer…
Conclusion
So there you have it – the list. I suppose if I were to sum the whole thing up I would say I’m most interested in ‘modeling what the eye remembers’. Trains have left an impression on me since childhood – and it’s the impression I’m interested in. I can’t recall what type of train used to burst through the tree line at the country crossings near my home as a child – but I do remember the imprint those huge metal beasts left on me as they sliced through the countryside. The details of the moment were immaterial as it was the experience as a whole that was important. I guess the last year has taught me that this is what I’m gravitating towards modeling – the essence.
Enough of the post-modern rhetoric – I have some trees to make!
I feel it is necessary for
I feel it is necessary for me to respond after being referred to as the "venerable BryanC". I don't think I have ever been called that before and I am flattered! Sorry for the delay but Christmas intervened!
First, thank you Michael for going into that level of detail. I found it to be very interesting, especially since my own preferences are too far removed (but with some differences)!
In three years of working on Alligator Lines (my first purchase was 2/2/2005 with the lumber and other stuff for the bench work being purchased a month later) I have found my interests have certainly undergone an adjustment!
As I have indicated in a blog entry of my own, when I started doing all this the thought of having to do the scenery actually scared me! Now I am really enjoying this aspect and am having fun with every minute of work!
I originally envisioned a railroad of read built structures but no longer. Laser cut kits are now my structures of choice. I have a couple of plastic kits and ready builts but am wondering if they will ever actually get used! However, the scratch building bug has not bitten me yet. As of now I have no desire to do any scratch building what-so-ever! And that includes trees!!!!
I do enjoy Motive Power and passenger rolling stock. Once again, at the start I was thinking steam only! But I have gained an appreciation for diesels and have graduated to what is essentially a transition era layout! Freight still holds little interest but the need for some is recognized!
Like Michael, I have little or no interest in operations (I see people rolling their eyes) or DCC (more eye rolling)!
I will get my enjoyment by running my trains as I see fit! Similarly with DCC. At this point it seems to be very unnecessary FOR ME.
Having said all this, and given how my thoughts and feelings have changed so far, who knows what the future may hold!
Michael, I'm almost in
Michael, I'm almost in total agreement with your view of model railroading. The only place we seem to differ is DCC. I was a die hard DCer right up to yesterday when I ran my first DCC engine.
Thank you for promoting BryanC to "venerable" status. He deserves it!
What aspects do I enjoy most and which do I have to get used to
Since I am a victim of the MAID Syndrome (Multiplied by Age Increased Distraction Syndrome) best described as that moment in life where you realize that whenever you remember something has to be finished, and get down to doing so, you will always encounter something else still pending, which will also require your inmediate attention, and when you start doing that, something else that is also compelling will pop up, and...so on, till the end of the day; at which time, after checking what was achieved you find everything still pending... I have come to realize that the most satisfactory part of our hobby is being able to jump from designing to building, to painting, to cutting, to track laying, to wiring, to modeling, to running equipment, to encountering new problems and correcting mistakes; permanently jumping from one activity to another and.... when the day ends, looking back at all the unfinished things and yet have a feeling of accomplishment while being able to appreciate and run it.
On the other hand, it is hard getting used to utilizing ten thumbs with aching joints to glue walls, ceilings and windows together and work on the locos and rolling stock.
My best wishes for a great year, and thanks for the opportunity to exchange ideas