pugdog
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Aug 1, 2005, 11:55 AM
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Why model railroading?
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Why is model railroading such a wonderful hobby?
There are many answers, and if you ask two model railroaders, you'll probably get a dozen answers. Ask a dozen model railroaders, and you'll have enough material to write a book!
Model railroading is not one hobby, but a whole host of different hobbies and interests rolled up into a larger whole.
There is something for everyone and every interest, from running the trains, to building layouts, and on larger set ups, even administrative or organizational tasks.
Basic parts of the hobby include model building (kits, scratch building, "kit bashing", buildings, scenery, vehicles, homes and industry, wood, plastic, metal, resin, plaster and much more), operations, carpentry, engineering, electrical/computers, research, history, photography, painting/art, sculpture, and loads of other things.
You can build a room (or house) sized layout, or one that fits in a brief case -- and everything inbetween.
You can model some existing scene down to the last detail, or you can create something that "might have been" or "could have been" or even SHOULD have been.
It draws in people of all ages, and can generate some of the most wonderful memories you'll ever have.
In a family, or club, there is something for everyone to do. Even in operations, some people like making trains go fast, and meeting time tables, while others like shifting things around in a yard, or finding the best way to assemble a train for later delivery.
It's a hobby that doesn't foster competition, but rather COOPERATION, where everyone is needed to do something or contribute something different according to their interests and abilities, and where the "other" tasks are divided out and shared.
It's something that can be done alone, or in groups -- or both at the same time!
There's a job for the ego-centric, "I want to be the center of attention" type personalities, as well as the quiet, "hide in the shadows" types, and *BOTH* are as important, and essential as the other.
Operating sessions end with the "Job well done", rather than with winners and losers.
Kids learn to work together, and be part of something "larger".
Most activities today teach kids to be less cooperative, more for "me" and to win or lose. Even the psycho-babble "everyone is a winner" attitude only fosters a greater sense of ME vs YOU. Games of competition have winners and losers, and even team sports generate ill will if a member makes a bad play.
Of course, nothing is absolute, and some train sessions inevitably end up badly, clubs have fights and membership splits, and more. But the _GENERAL_ and overriding actions and attitudes fostered by model railroading are *not* competitive, and in fact, quite the opposite. By working together, and sharing what you know or have learned, EVERYONE ends up better off, and having more fun.
Hobbies are supposed to be fun, relaxing and ENJOYABLE. Getting rid of the pressure to be the best, or the "winner", only enhances those goals.
Some people will be better at somethings, and others at other things. No one is the best at everything, and it's the rare person that isn't good at anything. Within a hobby like model railroading, everyone can find what they like and what they are good at -- even if they are not the same things.
There aren't many activities or hobbies that can lay claim to all this -- and this is only the surface of what model railroading offers.
It quite possibly is, The World's Greatest Hobby!
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