Just found this great article on the net.
Collecting and running model trains is an enjoyable and rewarding past time. But mention it to people who don’t get it? And just wait for that look. Confusion (and pity?) about how an adult can be playing with trains. It’s possibly in the same vein as women who do patch-working. You either get it, or you don’t.
Regardless of your preference of scale, model railroading is a passion – whether it be trains O Scale, O Gauge trains, G Scale train, HO model train, OO model trains, or any of other vast numbers of scales and gauges.
So Why Collect Trains?
Model Trains is the third most popular international hobby or past time – after coin collecting and stamp collecting.
The passion for model trains has many aspects:
- fond childhood memories, happy times spent with your Dad or Grandpa.
- spending quality time with your own children.
- tapping into your creative side – designing a layout and making scenery.
- an investment in a “collectible” hobby – rare and old locomotives.
Creativity
Building your own miniature world is fascinating. You plan the railway layout. You build a town. You find people to live there. You give those people a purpose about their daily business.
You can set your world in any time-frame. It can be based around modern streamlined electric trains, or diesel trains, or historical steam trains.
Relaxation
Model railroading is a wonderful escape from the stresses of modern life. A great way to relax and unwind after a hard day at work. I’ve seen people convert an entire basement into a model railroading escape. To see them light up when they step into their railway world is amazing.
Usable spaces for your model railroad are:
- the basement (step down into a whole new dimension),
- an outdoor shed specifically for your trains,
- the garage, or maybe just a part of it,
- the attic (make a section that is just for you and your trains),
- a spare room (when the kids move out)
- a suspended rail just below the ceiling, up and out of the way,
- along the home bar – to deliver drinks to your guests,
- and anywhere else you can think of.
Where To Escape To?
As mentioned earlier, your model railroad layout is your escape from reality. You can make it whatever you want. If you have a hectic inner city life, you might want to design your layout in the form of an English countryside. If you live in the country, a dramatic city layout might appeal to you.
If you are designing a layout of a lifestyle that you have not personally experienced, there are many great sources for inspiration. The internet, of course, is a wealth of information. Travel brochures can provide pictures and ideas. Bookstores are also great sources. Take a trip to the countryside or to the city to get the feel of what you want to achieve and take photos to use in your planning.
Your layout can either be a replica of something real, or something that is entirely imaginary, or a combination of the two. I prefer the imaginary style because then you have more leeway and creative licence to add or subtract as you wish. I have also seen some excellent replica railways where everything is exact, down to the tiniest detail.
Railroading Skills
Once you begin model railroading, you start to get hands-on experience with manual tasks you may not have had much experience with before. You become something of a Jack Of All Trades. You will become project manager, tradesman, and customer – all in one. Suddenly you will be learning more and more about woodwork, metalwork, wiring, electronics, planning, modeling and building.
These are all things you learn as you go. You don’t need to know everything before you start. Each time you come across something that is new to you, do some research. Forums are great for asking questions and advice. Hobby shops are often staffed by model train enthusiasts who can’t wait to share their knowledge and help others out.
The beauty of model railroading is that all of these tasks are done at your own pace. You are the boss. Let it take a six months, a year, five years! A major part of the joy is the creative process.
In Good Company
Famous model railroaders include: Rod Stewart, Burt Reynolds, Yul Brynner, Gary Coleman, Johnny Cash, Phil Collins, Richard Crenna, Sally Jesse Raphael, Joe DiMaggio, Tom Hanks, Elton John, Lionel Ritchie, Frank Sinatra, and don’t forget Gomez Addams. See more on Celebrity Model Railroaders.
Regardless of age or gender, collecting model trains and model railroading has appeal for everyone. It is a timeless hobby – one that appeals to old and young alike.
Technorati Tags: electric toy train, electric train sets, G Scale Train, ho model train, ho railroad, ho train sets, hobby trains, lgb train, LGB Trains, life like trains, Marklin Trains, model railroad trains, model railroading, model train sets, model trains, n gauge trains, n scale model railroad, n scale train, o gauge train, O Gauge Trains, railway modelling, toy train sets, Trains O Scale
