Do most of us model alone as a solitary hobby? I'm sure lots of us spend time working on trains with our children - but how many? Inquiring minds want to know! [ 19. August 2003, 00:01: Message edited by: Bama Red ]
Where I live, model railroaders don't seem to associate much. No young'uns. So, it's just the three of us. Me, myself, and I! Boxcab E50
Well, once upon a long time ago, I joined a local model railroad club. It was nice to be able to "talk modeling" with others and see their layouts and collections, but we always seemed to experience a lot of home break-in's in this area with model rr items stolen. Somewhere along the way, it was believed someone who was an "insider" within the group or an associate was responsible. They always seemed to know just who had the brass locos, or the expensive collectibles. The monthly meetings were rotated among the members homes. I never owned any brass locos, but had hundreds of others, so decided to err on the side of caution, and bailed out of that club. So now it's just my son and me, and an occasional visitor or relative. In fact, I really prefer if not too many of the locals even know what I have. A word to the wise...use extreme caution.....I've seen the heartache caused when a local professor's entire UP brass collection was stolen.
After working with the public for years, I'm content to share my railroad with my 3 year old daughter. Maybe I've become anti social, or maybe I'm an isolationist, I don't know. It's my little world and it makes me happy. Posting comment/pics on this and the ATLAS forum is enough fellowship for me. Seems I'm not alone at being alone
My 3 year old daughter kind of "helps" but I pretty much go it alone when it comes to building. She is my chief engineer though! Russ
I modeled as a "lone wolf' early on. (mid- late 1980s) In 1990, I stop at a local hobby store on a Tuesday, instead of my usual Sunday visit. A couple of guys were there "chewing the fat" about trains and I just hung around ease dropping. One asked If I model and that there was a club across the street with a layout underconstruction. I followed them over and have been a member since... I have been the club's secretary since 1992. Since than, I have built a layout of my own in my basement. I still am a member of the club but have spent a lot more time working on my own. Sometimes, members can be a pain. But, you cant miss the social action. Our club has been on (almost yearly) railfan trips together. Sorry to hear that some have had bad experinces. Jerry G.
I model alone. I don't know anyone else locally that's interested in trains. All my friends and girl friends are in the "car" phase. I hate cars and I hate driving... they think I'm crazy.
Mathieu- What you're doing is a lot cheaper than cars, etc! I was there. Argh! Wish I had some of that money back! Well, I don't regret the boat racing part.... Go your own way. (Follow your heart.) Boxcab E50
I kind of go both ways. I'm a member of an N Trak group and I meet with them once a month for a few hours and work on our own and each others modules. I enjoy the comradery of the other guys and exchanging ideas. I also have my own layout which I work on by myself. Of course, if someone wants to see my home layout, I'm more than glad to share what I have done so far. John
The option of "with friends" wasn't included, so I put in my sons- once in a while, I have them at the throttle of a long Frisco freight train as it runs thru the Ozarks. (even though it is in HO scale.....). Once in a while, I'll have the local club over to run trains, and we'll see anything from CNW to CGW to UP to BNSF as well.
I model alone, i used to have a friend when i was younger who was into trains too, and he modeled HO, but he moved away and i lost contact with him. most people i know are into cars as well, they dont interest me, and im not cool cos i dont care abuot cars and such. but i dont care. i like trains and modeling, so thats what im going to do ive been thinking about finding and joining a club, but i havetn really put much effort into it yet. i havetn really been doing much modelling lately either... time to get motivated again i think its probably a better thing to model alone, that way i have complete control over my layout, and it lets me be alone, i like my time alone.
Your poll is family oriented, so I do model with my son. But both he and I go to other friend's homes and work with them on their layouts. Every Friday nite of the year except for two or three exceptions is at some one else's home, other than our own. Basically, we go to three other layouts working, operating (and playing...lol) on them. Once a year we go to one of our friends garden G layout. We probably spend as much time at other's layouts as we do on our own. [ 20. August 2003, 07:09: Message edited by: rsn48 ]
John, ya never know, I may make it to Iowa yet and I'll have to stop by and see your layout. Steve, i like my alone time too,I just dont get enough of it
