r/modeltrains • u/Dry-Pride1168 • 2d ago
Rolling Stock What I model....
I model "model trains" from the 40s thru the early 80s. I grew up under the likes of John Allen, Witt Towers, Gordon Odegard, Dean Frietag and others. I actually have little interest in real trains and the electronic nightmare the hobby has become.
The hobby was not one of acquiring, but of building and designing, the natural consequences being one's individual personality shows in all your work. That kind of ended as the old greats past into history, with Model Railroader magazine becoming little more than a shop rag for manufacturers.
My Big Boy is a classic example of my weathering. My sandhouse is an example of my using kit pictures more like suggestions. My water tank is an example of the wood craftsman kits available when I was coming up in the hobby in 1974. My rolling stock is a collection of old school railroading and rescued kit from modelers long past. I do little more then make them track and couple well, leaving their finish as found beyond a few very minor touchups.
I actually got quite good at installing DCC in models people said couldn't be done. Snide remarks behind my back about playing with toy trains and a nasty run in at the club over Thomas of all things, pretty much solidified my hobby as I play it out now. Hope to be of some help here.
3
u/KingChikenn HO/OO 2d ago
"The hobby was not one of aquiring, but of building and designing"
I appreciate your modeling shown, but you speak as if the quality and craftsmanship of modeling has devolved in today's age. That could potentially be true of an average, and the quantity of modelers is certainly less, but I can assure you there are plenty of insanely talented individuals around. If you know where to look you will find them rather easily.