Types of Model Railway Enthusiast.

[Mountain Goat]

This is an interesting one. There are variable ways in which we all tackle the hobby. Different gauges. Different scales. Different aims. Different styles...
Many try to re-create a bit of history in miniature form. Others aim to re-create railway operating techniques. Still others just want to watch the trains go by!
Some major on the scenic touch. Some computer control. Some major on the electrical side. Many different aspects and ways.
I am definately not an average person. I have enjoyed the hobby since I can remember. In other words, even before I had an electric trainset, I had my own pushalong plastic trains and on occasions watched my dad run his Hornby Dublo 3 rail which fascinated me!
Because I have been involved in the hobby for a long time, I have tried a lot of things and learnt what I like and disslike. So my preferences today are quite unique and different. I have become a railway modelling missfit! And I love it!
It does not really matter what anglemor take you have in the hobby. What matters is that you enjoy. As enjoyment is what it is all about.

Are you an average railway modeller, modelling missfit or something else?

[Chops]

Misfit. That would apply to myself, as well. I model British OO, when I can, in a place
where many people have only a vague knowledge of Britain. And the Britain of my
youth, from what I read, is a rather different place that it is today, but what can
I say, being there felt like coming home.

Then after a hiatus, I got curious about American HO, was enamored of all these
fine scale modelers, then drifted off into my sphere with that.

The competing interests led me to model in both American HO (fairly cheap) and
British OO (rather dear).

[Mr Bones]

I probably fall into the misfit category, because I’m not really a train enthusiast. In fact what I know about trains and railways would fit on the back of a postage stamp. Which explains why I probably ask some pretty dumb questions on here

I enjoy the modelling aspect, but have never seen the point of making a model that just sits there. I could have gone into RC model planes or boats, but to take advantage of them you need space or a lake.

Railway modelling seemed to be the answer. I admit I don’t model the locos or wagons yet (maybe in the future). I do enjoy the planning and building of the layout and mostly the finishing modelling touches. Plus I’ve grown rather fond of playing trains!

[teedoubleudee]

I probably fall into the misfit category, because I’m not really a train enthusiast. In fact what I know about trains and railways would fit on the back of a postage stamp. Which explains why I probably ask some pretty dumb questions on here

I enjoy the modelling aspect, but have never seen the point of making a model that just sits there. I could have gone into RC model planes or boats, but to take advantage of them you need space or a lake.

Railway modelling seemed to be the answer. I admit I don’t model the locos or wagons yet (maybe in the future). I do enjoy the planning and building of the layout and mostly the finishing modelling touches. Plus I’ve grown rather fond of playing trains!

Apart from the last sentence that could be my answer too! Though I still read through posts on the forum and sometimes add my two pennyworth (if I think it might be of interest or dare I say it, useful!), I've not touched my layout for nigh on a year. But I keep thinking it's about time to get started again. Some might say I'm a procrastinator but I need time to think that one over.

[IanS]

I certainly fall into the misfit category - I can't find a category other than that to fit into!

I spent 4 years planning and have spent another year acquiring and building baseboards of various sizes. I've laid track down, multiple times and taken it back up multiple times too. I've acquired or purchased a large number of older locos and running stock, I've also purchased multiple ways of controlling them (not DCC yet as it's too expensive!).

I'm still building baseboards and will soon be wiring (again) some of the track that is laid down. I'm wiring as if it was for DCC as best I can, even though it is almost certainly going to be analogue for a long, long time.

I've made a few model tunnels from scrap polystyrene packing from items purchased (and paper kitchen towels soaked in PVA. ) I'm happy with the results, but I'm having difficulty seeing where to fit them in. Maybe they'll just become plain hills!

I've used a lot of DIY tools for the first time and made a lot of mistakes. I'm enjoying myself (even if the bank balance isn't) although my mates down the pub dread the phone coming out with photos of the latest development, they listen politely (mostly) and give advice freely on what I've done wrong!

[RAF96]

Definitely a misfit.
I am a 90% man, i never fully finish anything I do, hence the series of unfinished layouts.
Once I’m in a rut I like to stay there. Change upsets me. Even so I have moved house many times - this is number 12 and have had several layouts.
I prefer not to be in charge but when I see others making a pigs ear of the job I want to take over and do it right, hence I will not join a club or could get cross if its run like most clubs seem to be, by a clique of city fathers.
I could go on but I’m far enough off topic already...

[Mountain Goat]

Wow guys. I had thought that I was the only missfit here!

Thanks for your replies. Now there maybe something interesting about this topic... (I had not expected all replies you all put felt in the same way!) Question to those who replied and those of you who have not yet replied but also consider yourselves to be modelling missfits.. Do you believe that you feel a missfit not only in your modelling preferences, but in your general life? I use the term missfit... Do you feel that you tend not to fit in with society somehow?

[mijj]

I'd have to classify myself in the 'some thing else' brigade.
I know little to nothing about railways but spent all my life in transport-the motor vehicle tyred variety. It served me well and was able to retire at 54 in 1996 (thanks to Mrs Thatcher).
I intend a heritage and freight layout and no doubt will come in for some criticism as I doubt anything will match . But I shall enjoy it.
I am a carer as my wife has MS and uses a power chair so that takes some time out of the week.
I do enjoy seeing every one's layouts here and on you-tube .
Jim.

[IanS]

Wow guys. I had thought that I was the only missfit here!
…..
s.. Do you believe that you feel a missfit not only in your modelling preferences, but in your general life? I use the term missfit... Do you feel that you tend not to fit in with society somehow?

Not a misfit in life - I had a successful teaching career, volunteered with a local charity for disabled people from the age of 18, eventually becoming Treasurer and later Chairman. Set up and became Chairman of a charity providing transport for the disabled and much more.

As a retired person I travel a great deal and enjoy vacations in Europe. I enjoy computing and I'm involved with a computer game, acting as an official moderator for Electronic Arts on one of their forums (unpaid). Before that I moderated a forum for a web hosting company, sadly they use a different route now for help and advice.

Physically I am large at over 130Kg and nearly 2m (24st, 6ft 6ins in old measurements) so stand out in a crowd and can be imposing physically in appearance.

So in general, not a misfit -

[Mountain Goat]

I probably fall into the misfit category, because I’m not really a train enthusiast. In fact what I know about trains and railways would fit on the back of a postage stamp. Which explains why I probably ask some pretty dumb questions on here

I enjoy the modelling aspect, but have never seen the point of making a model that just sits there. I could have gone into RC model planes or boats, but to take advantage of them you need space or a lake.

Railway modelling seemed to be the answer. I admit I don’t model the locos or wagons yet (maybe in the future). I do enjoy the planning and building of the layout and mostly the finishing modelling touches. Plus I’ve grown rather fond of playing trains!

No question is a dumb question... HAHA. I Have even been in stressed situations like having a blood test where a nurse tries to make me think of something else and asks things like "What is your name?" and I really have to think hard to remember my own name and then try to reply! I am thinking "Don't try to ask me questions like that in a situation like this!" And if I do faint (I was in my local hospital for six hours once as every time I went to get up I kept fainting again as the first rhings they do is asked questions to try to pull me out of fainting when thinking about the questions delays my ability to recover. I know it sounds silly, but I don't seem to think in the same aays as an ordinary person (If there is such a thing?), as I find I get internally stressed up through walking through the hoospital corridors and then sitting in the waiting room for an hour or two... All crowded in...
The very few times I have had a blood test and gone straight in I have been fine. I am in a "Ok, Lets go for it!" mood.
I have to laugh. When at a specialist dentist who took a few teeth out for me... Where they were about to knock me out using an injection they started slowly going through the proceedure of why I was there and if I understood what was going to happen etc and I was like "Do it quick while I am in the right mood! Don't start my brain thinking about it!"

Sorry. Going off topic a bit... Question away. I like questions. I am always asking questions when I latch onto a new subject... Ok, I have to find a subject I want to latch onto first. Trying to push me onto a subject I don't want to explore I find for me extremely hard work, but if I find a subject that my mind latches onto, you try stopping me! I will explore and exploee and explore, which could take many years or even a lifetime!