What type of modeller are you?

2787 Views 16 Replies 14 Participants Last post by ebaykal, Aug 29, 2007

wiggy25

Discussion Starter · Aug 27, 2007

Hi,

As I've been working away on the two layouts, I've come to the conclusion that for me the most rewarding part is building the scenery, running the engines is secondary.

I have only been 'playing' at this for about 18months and have, in my own mind, demanded that I have a continuous loop to have the engines running!
I'm so pleased I haven't done any major scenery detail on the main OO layout......yep as I now want to change it again it's not anywhere near finished, and had nothing run in anger on it either!
The reason behind building Calison-Halt was to use it as scenery detail above the OO layout....and now I want to change it again!

This is driving me nuts!
Since I've been doing Calison-Halt, the little N-gauge layout I've really enjoyed doing the scenery, this has really shown me where my main interest lies.

The idea of having a massive layout with big loops to watch everything run, is what I 'thought' I wanted, having had the room and chance to experiment it has shown me I was probably wrong.

Is this just a case of a poor layout in the first place or, it just takes time to find out what really interests you?
I've read on other forums that there are quite a few who dont ever bother with scenery and the whole interest is purely running stock, I just couldn't do that!

Thoughts anyone?

Ian

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

Duztee

· #2 · Aug 27, 2007

Hi Ian,
I am on your side of the fence on this one, for me the biggest enjoyment is the modelling of scenery and buildings, the fact a train runs through it just adds focus.
I have no qualms about a diesel passing a steam train, or a GWR passing a LMS.
I think it is all about enjoying the part of this wonderful hobby which gives the greatest satisfaction to you personally.
Dustee.

dwb

· #3 · Aug 27, 2007

It's trains, trains, trains for me. That doesn't leave much room for scenery, so the surroundings will be railway architecture and an awful lot of retaining wall.....

David

bangerblueed

· #4 · Aug 27, 2007

I gave up trying to get anywhere with building a layout due to the exhaustion of doing 80 to 100 hour working weeks and at the moment only test run stock on a rolling road so that is probably an extreme form of the running trains but to me this hobbly is a bit of both I want to run trains but in a believable context i.e. the scenery is important as are those extras on layouts such as figures oil drums flower beds pallets etc etc

I think that both are complementary i.e. just running trains is not as satisfying as achieving that overall layout similarly running the trains brings the scenery to life

Gary

· #5 · Aug 27, 2007 (Edited by Moderator)

For me the operational side has more of an appeal than the scenic side however the opposite could well be true given a less space restricted/time restricted environment. I suffer from the bangerblueed syndrome. Its great to runs trains on a full club layout though so I would recommend sufferers of the syndrome join a club!

Happy modelling
Gary

Johan de Villiers

· #6 · Aug 27, 2007

Hi guys,

I also like doing the scenery (landscapes, buildings, structures etc) and in so doing create a perfect little world for my trains to operate in.

I believe that well planned scenery, buildings etc tell a story about the layout without a word being spoken. When you have a careful look at a layout with good scenery you will find several smaller scenes making up the bigger layout story.

In real life the landscape was there before trains. On a model train layout the trains running through the scenery should compliment the scenery and not the other way around.

The beauty about our hobby is that it provides for so many different aspects satisfying almost everybody's interests.

Enjoy our fascinating hobby.

Kind regards.

Johan

See less See more

5696Arethusa

· #7 · Aug 27, 2007 (Edited by Moderator)

I seem to enjoy the whole of the hobby, but it depends on the mood I'm in.
You can't beat the 'high' you get from running a new purchase for the first time but at the same time if I'm inspired and the layout is 'talking' seveal hours can pass without my noticing whilst I work on a building.
One thing that hasn't been mentioned by other members that I enjoy is showing others what I've been up to and seeing what they've done as well. Being as there's a certian stigma around our hobby when you do meet others that indulge they seem to be friendly, keen to share there knowledge and open to others ideas reguardless of the differences in our modelling tastes.

34C

· #8 · Aug 28, 2007

QUOTE (dwb @ 27 Aug 2007, 19:40) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>It's trains, trains, trains for me. That doesn't leave much room for scenery, so the surroundings will be railway architecture and an awful lot of retaining wall...
Another in this camp. I buy the trains to operate them to a service schedule. Ballasted track formation, and the built enviroment of the railway up to the boundary fence are the limits of scenery. Have you seen the price of back to back housing? I could get another train for that!

Johan de Villiers

· #9 · Aug 28, 2007

QUOTE (5696Arethusa @ 27 Aug 2007, 23:19) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I seem to enjoy the whole of the hobby, but it depends on the mood I'm in.
You can't beat the 'high' you get from running a new purchase for the first time but at the same time if I'm inspired and the layout is 'talking' seveal hours can pass without my noticing whilst I work on a building.
One thing that hasn't been mentioned by other members that I enjoy is showing others what I've been up to and seeing what they've done as well. Being as there's a certian stigma around our hobby when you do meet others that indulge they seem to be friendly, keen to share there knowledge and open to others ideas reguardless of the differences in our modelling tastes.

Couldn't agree with you more!

It is nice to show off your latest efforts and hear what other modellers have to say about it. As you so rightly said this hobby is about sharing views, knowledge and experience with other modellers. It is things like this that make it such a great hobby.

I think where possible one should try and keep a healthy balance between operating trains and the scenery when planning/building a layout and use the knowledge and expertise available on this and other forums.

Model trains - a lifelong hobby where all tracks lead to good friends.

Kind regards.

Johan

See less See more

neil_s_wood

· #10 · Aug 28, 2007

I agree too. I get more pleasure from building scenery than doing anything else. I do enjoy running and collecting trains and I actually hate wiring electrics but nothing beats making a good landscape for me. More satisfying than anything else.

pedromorgan

· #11 · Aug 28, 2007

I would love to do some good scenery but unfortunatly i am not scienically gifted.

I like building rolliing stock and designing models. i get the "i did that" feeling from seeing my kits on sale and seeing other people building them.

I love to see trains running but i dont have space for a decent layout and my clubs test track is pretty poor.

Peter

7113

· #12 · Aug 28, 2007 (Edited by Moderator)

And It's another vote from the scenery corner. My play at home layout "Fullers Yard" is a pure shunting layout - two locos and four wagons at a pinch. The scenic area is 28" X 14" and is almost scenically finished. The effect is to produce a small industrial yard "somewhere in England"

I have had more fun building this one than I have for many a year, the only snag is it has seriously depleted my spares/junk box. I suppose I will have to get dbclass50 to do the odd bits of wiring and chip the locos then it will be all systems go.

(Don't worry dbc50 I'll still keep on working to maintain St Laurent.)

Regards

5696Arethusa

· #13 · Aug 28, 2007

QUOTE (BRITHO @ 28 Aug 2007, 17:42) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>And It's another vote from the scenery corner. My play at home layout "Fullers Yard" is a pure shunting layout - two locos and four wagons at a pinch. The scenic area is 28" X 14" and is almost scenically finished. The effect is to produce a small industrial yard "somewhere in England"

Regards

Well it hasn't worked asking for pictures in your blog, I'll try here.
Piccies please, pretty please, with cherries on top

See less See more

Brian Considine

· #14 · Aug 28, 2007 (Edited by Moderator)

4

QUOTE (5696Arethusa @ 28 Aug 2007, 20:13) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Well it hasn't worked asking for pictures in your blog, I'll try here.
Piccies please, pretty please, with cherries on top

He's still waiting for me to take them & post them for him

.

I will get round to it !

See less See more

mikelhh

· #15 · Aug 28, 2007

Another scenery addict here. But I love the way trains animate it all, and how each influences the other.

Mike

7113

· #16 · Aug 29, 2007

4

QUOTE (5696Arethusa @ 28 Aug 2007, 20:13) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Well it hasn't worked asking for pictures in your blog, I'll try here.
Piccies please, pretty please, with cherries on top

This is something to do with my old steam powered home PC deciding it does'nt like the programs I want to run on it. I will be speaking to the man quoted below, or failing that stealing my mothers laptop/scanner and doing it that way. I will post some piccies - honest.

QUOTE (dbclass50 @ 28 Aug 2007, 20:38) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>He's still waiting for me to take them & post them for him

.

I will get round to it !

I could always borrow your camera and leave the rest to you - but first of all we have got to find the missing photo in your gallery!

Regards

See less See more

ebaykal

· #17 · Aug 29, 2007

My preferences go as below:

1- Trains (specially steam engines.) Call me anything you like but I can stare at any well detailed steam engine model for hours. Its toxicating for me and now that I have gone DCC can't wait to see them rolling with sound once the chipping is over.

2- Scratchbuilding kits.

3- Scenery.

Cheers

Baykal

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.