My goal with a model railway

[SlasH1958]

Ok, I guess I'll get the train rolling...

I guess the best thing about model trains for me is that I'm hoping it will provide many hours of enjoyment with my sons. As mentioned in my introduction, we attended two shows last fall and my boys were extremely excited about them.

I spoke with one man, who was behind a table at a display, who noted their interest. He said that he was just six years old when his father and he started building their first layout. He told me that he's now 63, and a life-long modeler. He also said that he had many fond memories of the hours he and his father spent together working on their layout.

While he was talking with me, my young son was trying to drag me over to look at a hugh N-scale layout, running not far away.

It was then that I decided to take up the hobby, and I hope that my boys will someday have a similar story to tell someone at a future model train show.

Next?

[dmaynard]

Well I cant say that I have any fond memories of my dad and I building a layout.

I love this hobby because it is a constant learning experience. Learning to work with low voltage DC power to do what I wanted on my layouts gave me a good foundation when I went to school for electronics. I was amazed at how many of my classmates couldn't understand an exploded view drawing, couldn't read a schematic, couldn't solder and so on. All these skills I learned from building my layouts and building models for my layouts.

I have also learned basic mechanics (gears and gear ratios) and engineering (bridge and structure building) and history because of this hobby. I learned how to mix paints, and knowing how colors mix to make other colors was a real asset when I went to class for color copier repair. So much of what I know and do has its roots in what I learned from model railroading, and that makes it a really good hobby.

The BEST part of this hobby is the interaction with fellow hobbyists. Talking with folks at the train shows, hobby shops, in clubs and on-line is the biggest reward for me for being in this hobby. Sure from time to time I come across a real ___ __ we all do, but most people in this hobby are willing to help, and want to see others succeed at this hobby too. That is whats the best to me, all the other stuff is just really good icing on the cake

[TheKid'sPreacher]

I think the best thing about model railroading is that the people in it are real and seem to be very helpful. I can't wait to actually get started building one!!! I have a lot of only one thing and that is train sets...and so I am lookinfg for the experienced people to help out if possible. It's for the kiddoes anyway, even if they ARE between 6-106!!! My gaol with my model railroad is to teach kid's that the track they choose to take should take them to the TOP!!

[tdk6060]

Im new to model railway but my goal is to have fun and get to meet some new frinds.
im got to b running steam just got the WALTHERS 2010 HOreference book.
lots of thing to konw. i will b runing DCC and i think i will use MRC .i like all the things u can get in HO .im 55 yr old and think this it the best hobby going.

thanku
harry birks

[dmaynard]

harry, I also think this is a wonderful hobby. In this hobby you can learn, or not, your choice; history, building and bridge engineering, civil engineering, wiring and electronics, painting, railroad related industries, scenery making, model making.....the list goes on and on. But the best thing is all the interesting people you get the chance to meet, and the Internet only broadens the pool of folks we can have contact with in this hobby.

harry, always keep in mind the goal is to have fun, when you stop having fun its a sign you may be doing something wrong.

harry, the Walther's book is great reference source, but may I suggest you shop around on a variety of vendors both on and off line. This hobby can get expensive enough as it is, there is no sense paying full list price for anything.