QUOTE (pedromorgan @ 10 Dec 2007, 18:57)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>I think that has summed it up perfectly.
(Snip) I remember having a discussion here on this forum. someone couldnt accept that i had a model railway and not a trainset because i ran my chinese QJ next to a GWR castle. it amazes me that people seem to do it to themselves. they seem to like narrowing their field. i have a friend hat simply refuses to buy a model if it didnt run in his particular patch.
coming back to the origional question, i think its the point at which it becomes an interest rather then simply a toy. i think that goes with any hobby. but then that begs another question- why do we do it? i dont know the answer but i have an idea that simply the will and the enthusiasm is reason enough. i am not sure that is 100% what i mean but i havent yet decided how to word it properly.
Peter
Hi Peter
I too think about this a lot as I have clients in all categories and teach modelling subjects to people with a wide spread of interests too....Personally while I respect the pleasure of others and will defend their right to do it their way, I do think I actually come largely within the category of your friend, as I am a stickler for detail and do stay largely to those loco's/stock that ran on "my patch".
However I do have a seriously bloody minded streak so it any Cat 3 modellers with "an attitude" arrive and bore me stupid with their waffle I'm as likely to run The Rio Grande Zephyr across Ribblehead as a Midland 999 class with a load of clerestory coaches or the Thames Clyde express.... (mind you... The coaches and the WP F3's or D&RGW F7's or PA's would have the right liveries and handrail detail etc - I do have standards
)
I actually think there are three types of modeller:
(1) Those who
"Run trains for trains sake", and buy them cos they like 'em - I include in this an associate who has a very tasty Hornby Dublo 3 rail layout thats a pleasure to watch and run, and those who simply run out of the box trains mixing national prototypes on an extended oval with whatever they like.
(2) Those who
"Make a model railway" with a bit of detail in the scenery, a definable purpose and may or may not modify stock, but will probably focus on a regional or at least one national prototype - however if they choose not to, that's their choice and their pleasure.... I have several good friends who do this and they are fine modellers!
(3) Those who
"Make a model OF a railway" and who pay attention to period, architecture, track layouts, rolling stock and locomotive types and detail. I wonder if a faithfully executed "Thomas" layout falls into this category

. With all those expressions on the loco's does a Thomas modeller become a wrinkle counter?????????
Pleasure is equal for all as they are doing what they want.
Skill MAY be higher in the case of 2 and 3 but then again 1 may be the worlds greatest modeller but may choose not to bother....
Knowledge will probably be better for 3 as to his prototype, but then again my friend with the "Dublo" layout has an encyclopaedic "Dublo loco servicing" ability and knowledge of his chosen models, so "knowledge of choice" is equal.....
Each has an opportunity to "enjoy" and "care" equally too.... and again, that's the point, isn't it.
--------------------------------------
So Peter... Noting your comment re being labelled - My one request to all:
If you want to call someone a rivet counter that's fine but do so with respect for their knowledge, not as a curse, 'cos thats what they are, and its their way to enjoy the hobby... (and I suppose its what I am too) - and understand that I'll (and hopefully they) will be doing the same if you are ever called trainset modeller
.
After all... they only become insults if we allow them to be!
Richard