what do non railroaders think of your layout?

[lester perry]

I get that "oh, hobby trains...hmmmm...I see" a lot. Oh well. There are those who appreciate all the work and want to share their stories about running trains when they were a kid (usually followed by the, "I got this old Lionel set, how much would it be worth" question). And there are those who politely listen and that's all. To each - his own.

this is the most comman reaction I get. the the questios which are how long have I been doing this, then they ask if I know how much money I have in it. when I tell then that 5 years ago I tried to figure it out and quit adding at $7,000 and I am still buying stuff. they usually say wow or I can believe that. but for the most part visitors appreciate the time work and dedication they like it. When I meet someone at mall or somewhere like that who has seen it they will tell thier friends with them about it that is realy cool and makes a persons head swell a little
Les

 

[Kevinkrey]

I know I already posted, but thought Id come back and do it again, I have one friend who is also a HUGE model railroader and loves comming over, an my other best friends like to see progreess when they come over, one pays attention for 5-10 minutes, and gets bored, the other wishes he had room for his own.

Im sorry to do it, but I must ruin the whole heavy metal black clothing thing, I am a proud COUNTRTY music fan, and everthing in my closet says John Deere, Caterpillar, or involves trains. But we can get past our differences, well we have to, there are more important things, like trains.sign1

 

[puddlejumper]

Ya, most people think it is wierd that I have models of trains, I just explain that it is no different than someone having models of cars on a shelf, or dolls. Most of my friends know I used to work for the RR so they figure my obsession is because I used to drive 'em (in reality it happened the other way, my model train hobby drove me to get the job on the RR). I also have an old Ford Bronco and 3 old tracors I am restoring, and nobody understands that either!

Dave

 

[tetters]

Im sorry to do it, but I must ruin the whole heavy metal black clothing thing, I am a proud COUNTRTY music fan, and everthing in my closet says John Deere, Caterpillar, or involves trains. But we can get past our differences, well we have to, there are more important things, like trains.sign1

I would hazard a guess that is exactly what most people think though. Is that model RR's are usually some good ol' boy factory worker who listens to Hank Sr., Garth Brooks, Brooks and Dunn and also happens to like to play with Choo Choos for fun. Most people that I've shown pieces of track work to are impressed by the amount of effort that went in to producing something so small, yet functional.

 

[RobertInOntario]

This is a good question, which I've often thought about.

I get a variety of reactions but I must admit that most folks aren't really that interested. Once they've seen the trains go round a couple times, they start looking elsewhere.

A few, however, are impressed by the scenery and detail. Sometimes the "interested" people come from a variety of backgrounds -- one was an elderly lady!, another was a teen-age boy, and another was a man who is really into sports cars as a hobby.

But as I said, the majority of folk look at it for a few seconds, and then I can tell they're bored, so I don't "force" it on them. I'd love to explain about the different types of trains and layout's setting, but to them, a train is just a train. Regardless of whether it's a 1950s F7 diesel or a 1930s British steam engine -- they all appear the same!

I also agree that "playing trains" is much better than watching American Idol or The Bachelor ! :mrgreen:

Rob

 

[J. Steffen]

The neighbors husbands think it's the coolest thing. The wives could care less. My wife is so-so about it.

 

[riverotter]

I'm pretty much a 'lone wolf' model railroader & I don't make a point of talking about my hobby and all its benefits to me, but if someone finds out I'm a model railroader, if they ask how much money I have spent on "toy trains", I usually ask them if they have a hobby and how much their bass boat cost (!!) or how often they use their jet ski. It's usually 2 - 5 times as much as I've spent on my trains, so that shuts them up real quick if they were thinking about a smart remark. ;-) Most of the time I just go out to the train room and lose myself for a few hours running an operating session and don't even think about non-model railroaders...

 

[nkp174]

I've pretty much always had positive comments...except from my brother whom is jealous since his wife won't allow him to have trains...

It always surprises me how many people come into our dining room, see a china cabinet filled with beautiful trains, and say...wow! I never knew you liked trains/are a model railroader!

It surprised me in junior high when I discovered that everyone of my friends had talked their parents into starting a 4x8 layout. And even in HS, my friends always wanted to run the trains when the came over to visit (I could get away with it, probably, because I was good at guitar, basketball, & track)

In college, people normally thought it was interesting...and numerous classmates expressed an interest in model railroads as well...they were engineers. One professor in particular would get really excited if I'd tell him about trains.

My sister and her boyfriend became quite excited about working on the old 14'x13' layout after a trip to the Cincinnati Gas & Electric christmas display...but they never really did much...just got excited. All of our neighbors...when I was small...loved to see my 4-8-4s pulling a string of passenger cars through the mountains and over the tall, wooden trestle.

Oh, and while I primarily listen to Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Cream, and classical music...I have a soft spot for Gwar, Cannibal Corpse, and Six Feet Under. I'm currently behind on Metal Apocalypse...or should I say the Death Clock minutes?

 

[Lex]

...To a non-railroader, any layout would be awe-inspiring since we just don't have the expertise to criticise on anything...

 

[lester perry]

). I also have an old Ford Bronco and 3 old tracors I am restoring, and nobody understands that either!

Dave

I understand the other hobbies, my father passed away a year ago and left a 43 ford tractor a 39farmall and a 41 farmal cub for me to add to my 49 case. we basicaly considered them ours . so I am an antique tractor collector whos collection grew last year and I model rr also so don't feel alone Modle RR is number one then tractors then wood working.
here is a pic of my father my grandson and myself with 49case and trophies it has won.

 

[tetters]

...To a non-railroader, any layout would be awe-inspiring since we just don't have the expertise to criticise on anything...

Hey Lex. Thanks for inputting some non-model railroader perspective into the bunch. Sadly there are plenty who do not think as you do.

That said...some of the card models you folks put together are amazing pieces of work. I check out some of the pieces occasionally and marvel at what can be created with cardstock and paper. :thumb:

 

[nkp174]

Hey Lex. Thanks for inputting some non-model railroader perspective into the bunch. Sadly there are plenty who do not think as you do.

That said...some of the card models you folks put together are amazing pieces of work. I check out some of the pieces occasionally and marvel at what can be created with cardstock and paper. :thumb:

I remember seeing a card model submarine and thinking....jawdropIt may not be my cup of tea, but I sure can appreciate it :thumb:

I love it when hobby reaches the point where anyone with any clue as to what it takes is just in awe...whether it is a model ship, a layout, or a business that employees all of your kids (Cliff Grandt did the last one after he retired).

 

[Kevinkrey]

I understand the other hobbies, my father passed away a year ago and left a 43 ford tractor a 39farmall and a 41 farmal cub for me to add to my 49 case. we basicaly considered them ours . so I am an antique tractor collector whos collection grew last year and I model rr also so don't feel alone Modle RR is number one then tractors then wood working.
here is a pic of my father my grandson and myself with 49case and trophies it has won.

I love the tractor, if you would be so kind as to PM me some pics of the others, Id love to see them! I love old tractors, and the fact that they belong to a fellow model railroader only makes it better.
​

 

[puddlejumper]

Nice looking tractor and family Lester. Unfortunately my tractors are not really picture worthy right now. A '39 and a '49 John Deere "A" and a '39 Oliver 70.

And now back to our scheduled programming... I built a 1'x6' Inglenook Sidings layout and so far the only reaction I got from everyone is "You play with trains?!?"

Yup, I sure do!!:mrgreen:

Dave

 

[RobertInOntario]

...To a non-railroader, any layout would be awe-inspiring since we just don't have the expertise to criticise on anything...

Ouch! But good point all the same!

I guess, if there's any 'message' in this thread, it's that we should all try to appreciate each others' hobbies, regardless of whether it's model airplanes, card models, model railways, etc., etc. And we shouldn't be surprised if not everyone is as fascinated with our favourite hobby as we are.

Rob

 

[MadHatter]

As a matter of interest my favourite band is Linkin Park, and I recently got a pair of Catapillar boots- They're so cool, I can use it when chasing trains, at work, wherever! My wife likes Shania Twain if that counts for anything.

The best thing to do, imho, is to surround oneself with lots of railway friends, I do, and it's cool because there is always somebody interested.

 

[Lex]

I guess, if there's any 'message' in this thread, it's that we should all try to appreciate each others' hobbies, regardless of whether it's model airplanes, card models, model railways, etc., etc. And we shouldn't be surprised if not everyone is as fascinated with our favourite hobby as we are.

I agree, it's hard to drag someone into something they don't like from their heart. However for a guy who don't know about your hobby, surely he'll reply with "wow fabulous, nice work, wish I could do that". It doesn't hurt to hear people saying this to you all day --As for serious discussions... why did we join this forum in the first place

...No I don't want to derail this thread, so everyone please go on showing off your new layouts ^^