Model railroading - a solo or social activity?

[tetters]

Primarily social, both on the net and once a week at a local eatery with other modelers.

As far as clubs...solo...it's been 4 and a half years since THE MOMENT at the local club when two well heeled members expressed their opinion that I needed to get a real job so that I could buy real trains and not run "that toy junk on our layout". Yes...it still hurts that much...I thought I left that male bovine effluvium back in junior high school.

Wow. That's terrible! What a couple of jerks. :evil:

[Russ Bellinis]

Primarily social, both on the net and once a week at a local eatery with other modelers.

As far as clubs...solo...it's been 4 and a half years since THE MOMENT at the local club when two well heeled members expressed their opinion that I needed to get a real job so that I could buy real trains and not run "that toy junk on our layout". Yes...it still hurts that much...I thought I left that male bovine effluvium back in junior high school.

Unfortunately that is one of the things that really give clubs a bad rep. To my knowledge, we haven't had that problem in the modular club I belong to even to the extent that we just quietly correct the wiring problems that seem to be constantly introduced on one member's modules. He is the only person I've met in model railroading that should not be allowed to touch any electric wire EVER.

[train_guy]

After reading a few threads here the past few days, reflecting on life, and thinking, I realize I use this hobby primarily as a solo activity. I rarely do any modeling with others, I rarely invite people over just to see my trains, I rarely go railfanning or taking photos with other modelers. I generally go to hobby shops and train shows by myself, do my own thing, and am happy doing it. For most of my life, I use model railroading as my "me" time, where I do my own thing, am in control of my own world, and generally tune out other life distractions. When I want to socialize, I almost exclusively choose non-railroad activities. I feel that over the course of my life, I tend to lean on model railroading to get me through periods of grief, depression, or stress. Solitary modeling activities have helped keep my life steady and healthy.

Ditto for me.

[Tyson Rayles]

I didn't vote yet but I guess I'll vote solo, however both answers are correct for me. The only thing is when I do it with others I can't enjoy myself if I'm with idiots like shaygetz ran into. If I had been a member of that club when they made that remark to him I would have quit also.

[Green_Elite_Cab]

I've pondered this for a while since I last posted, and i think it just depends on the company you keep. I know some people who are into all the same models as I am, and have similar quality standards. Our knowledge base compliments the each others. In this case then, model railroading can easily become a social activity.

However, i think the hobby is so based in individual preferences, that it can be difficult to really find another human being that is compatible with that.

[sailormatlac]

There's some kind of consensus there!

Mainly, tt is a solo activity for me. It relaxes me in many ways, stimulate my mind and is a good place to express some little creativity and interest in history. I remember in junior high, they founded a modelism club... It went nowhere. When I returned my kit home, I completed the model in less than an evening instead of months. Turning ducklings into swan is the best thing i know.

The social aspect for me is secondary. However, I must admit that since we started our "club layout" (3 people!), it helped me to focussed my multiple and divergent interest into something coherent. None other member is interested in building and detailling trains. One is definitively an operation guy, the other a man that needs incredible technical challenges to change his mind. It is a good way to complete each other. I like to operate, but I must admit my real fun is to see nice models running through nice scenery, just like real life!

I must say that Internet was crucial to me. Seeing other works made me progress a lot, I also enjoyed to meet different people around the world that where kind and knowledgeable. I've learned a lot (and still learn) from them. I would say, this capacity to share works and ideas with people having the same interest is thrilling. The funny thing is that I can hardly find this kind of connection in my area, most people being collectors and not really modellers...

Matt

[torikoos]

Sorry, but I simply couldn't vote, my sentiments are exactly in the middle!
I enjoy the solo aspects, for pretty much all positive reasons stated , and I enjoy the social aspect, because it's the social gatherings, through which I learn more about the hobby , be it operations, modeling tips etc.
Big Blue is also a social aspect, we share and learn from each other here in the hobby.
So both are equally valid to me, and therefore the poll should have had that option as 3rd choice, but now lost a vote to complete the stats. I am sure I'm not the only one?

Cheers, Koos

[Fluesheet]

Koos, you're not the only one -I don't really fit in either category either!

On the one hand, most of my modeling time is on my own, de-stressing, etc., but I don't find company an inconvenience. Those projects that require singleton focus can always be set aside for another time.

On the social side, I like hanging around others with similar interests, but that rarely means operating. Hanging with others with similar interests is inspiring - and there is some peer pressure to build something for the next get together, so it helps move things forward.

Currently, I'm trying to do more of the latter just to broaden my knowledge and skills (even though it doesn't actually happen that often, except on Skype calls)

Matt

[Sumpter250]

The funny thing is that I can hardly find this kind of connection in my area, most people being collectors and not really modellers...Matt

The day I bought my Sunset Models, brass, B&O EL3a, 2-8-8-0 , I made a comment about painting, lettering, weathering, and correcting a couple of minor detail "mistakes" ( yeah I had been studying photos of the loco, and just about knew everything I needed to make the model a more accurate representation of the type, as used by the B&O, and didn't realize that I was standing amid a group of "collectors") and was rewarded by loud gasps, and extreme consternation over the fact that I would even begin to think about altering that "collectible". .....
it was a " good day "!
I guess there is a difference between Modelers, Model railraoders, and Collectors .

[Tyson Rayles]

Yeah Pete I know what you mean. When I stripped and repainted a Lionel boxcar at the museum for my N scale railroad you would have thought I had defaced the Mona Lisa or something! Of course over the years several Lionel collectors told me they had that car! One even said it took him forever to find it as "weathered" cars were very unusal for Lionel (that was the only true part of his story). But he had to have one as he grew up next to the Nantahla Midland's tracks in east Tennessee.


Pete you have seen the Nantahala Midland and you know that wasn't possible! Hell, it doesn't even make it out of my spare bedroom here in NC much less make it all the way to Tenn.

[doctorwayne]

I'd say that was a testament to some fine (and convincing) modelling.

Wayne

[sailormatlac]

The funny thing is that I can hardly find this kind of connection in my area, most people being collectors and not really modellers...Matt

The day I bought my Sunset Models, brass, B&O EL3a, 2-8-8-0 , I made a comment about painting, lettering, weathering, and correcting a couple of minor detail "mistakes" ( yeah I had been studying photos of the loco, and just about knew everything I needed to make the model a more accurate representation of the type, as used by the B&O, and didn't realize that I was standing amid a group of "collectors") and was rewarded by loud gasps, and extreme consternation over the fact that I would even begin to think about altering that "collectible". .....
it was a " good day "!
I guess there is a difference between Modelers, Model railraoders, and Collectors .

Ehehe!! You know what, in my eyes, the altered model would be a one-of-a-kind model, then more valuable! ;-)

Matt

[Lester Perry]

I guess I am a loner. I have been at operating sessions at a very large layout. It was OK but I don't care much for how he operates. Have had operating sessions here. It was pretty cool seeing my layout run like real world (after I worked out the bugs). I can get lost for hours in my world.

Primarily social, both on the net and once a week at a local eatery with other modelers.
As far as clubs...solo...it's been 4 and a half years since THE MOMENT at the local club when two well heeled members expressed their opinion that I needed to get a real job so that I could buy real trains and not run "that toy junk on our layout". Yes...it still hurts that much...I thought I left that male bovine effluvium back in junior high school.

I have tried the club thing and got similar results as shaygetz. It appears to me that this local club is mainly guys who don't have a home layout.