Bigger, Bigger, Bigger is all I hear about...

Um, NO, and by all reports, neither do the 100s of 1000s of modellers who frequented the late Carl Arendt's "Small/Micro Layout" website...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

And in a related matter...

Thank you, Charlie, for pointing out my main flaw. I am obsessed, as I believe many of us are, I consider myself serious about the hobby but I know it leans more to obsession. I worry that could turn those around me off of the hobby but I will try to keep that in check, after all, the greatest joy comes from the ability to share and show off the result of our obsession. Right?

Feel Inadequate? No, but sometimes size matters.....

Depends on what type of railroading you are looking to do.  Sometims having a barn size layout is neccessary to accomplish certain Givens (such as 5' wide aisles) and a mainline length long enough to accomplish certain operational goals.  Without that size space, it's not worth spending the time in the hobby because the end result will not be something a person would enjoy.

Ken L.

Barns, Micros, = Horses for Courses, but no blankets...

Dear Ken,

Point taken. However,
- do all modellers want to lashup 4 units + helpers and turn them loose over a
(compressed, even if it is housed in a barn) model of Tehachapi?

- if a modeller does not wish such, and thus does not need a barn to forfill their personal "givens and druthurs",
are they somehow "not a real modeller"?

As per the "Soapbox",
building a photo-real scene, and operating it as per prototype,
can require just as much "obsession" (to detail, electro-mechanical, scene composition, etc)
as a HorseShoe Curve fan,

but feeling bad/"less of a modeller"/"...inadequate..." because I do not have or want a "barn" for my layout/trains?

not a chance...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

Barn Size Layout?

Depends on what type of railroading you are looking to do.  Sometims having a barn size layout is neccessary to accomplish certain Givens (such as 5' wide aisles) and a mainline length long enough to accomplish certain operational goals.  Without that size space, it's not worth spending the time in the hobby because the end result will not be something a person would enjoy.

Ken L.

Then one had better be willing to deal with the maintenance nightmare such a large layout can become. I've been lucky enough to be on the operating crew of one such layout. Lucky because I can see what's involved with such a behemoth and lucky that it's someone else's problem and not mine.

Having been able to operate on several layouts of varying sizes, I've discovered that my greatest interest is in switching. Doesn't matter if it's industrial switching, yard switching or passenger train switching just as long as it's switching. Running a through train is about as interesting as listening to paint dry. Nice thing about switching is that it offers more movement in a smaller area than just about anything I can think of.

I once wanted to build a layout built on SP's climb from San Luis Obispo to Santa Margarita around 1952. Then I started thinking about just how much motive power and rolling stock that would entail (how about two complete 14-16 car "Daylight" sets for starters since they generally met at Chorro siding?). Multiple GS, MT, AC and F class engines run into a substantial cash outlay. No thanks. I love SP, but branchlines are better. You can successfully model the most interesting part of the Monterey Branch with 5 or fewer locs (2 or 3 2-8-0's, a 4-6-0 and a Pacific for the "Del Monte"). No need for signaling systems, powered turnouts. miles of wiring, hundreds of pieces of rolling stock and a motive power roster that's a good percentage of that actually required by the Coast Division during the time period in question.  You don't need a cast of thousands to run it either.

I have no argument with those who absolutely must have an Olympic sized layout, but I am glad I'm not one of them.

Mike

First Did anybody actually read Charlies Editoral?

It is about obsession and being obsessed with different aspects of the hobby and the main point is NOT SIZE Bigger,Bigger, Bigger. It's about releasing your obsessions and just being able to have FUN as you build your railroad.

Personally if your a 1 man operation like me I like everything to be my way. I'm the one with $60,000 of equipment locked up in my hobby.

If I want to fill a football field with a "Z "scale railroad or a 2ft X 8ft shelf with an On3 logging pike That's up to me and as long as I'm having a good time who cares what anybody else thinks. They or you don't have to even like what I'm building, it isn't up to you what I do or think or anything.

The shoe fits the other foot too. If your into building a continental RR in a shoe box and use super detail with Diesel and steam sound running through head phones and your having fun doing it then what I think about it or what everyone else thinks Just doesn't mater to you because your having the time of your life.

But when you or I cross the line and start telling other people their stupid for building such a huge RR or them telling you that your a no talent moron for building a micro mini RR that nobody can even see. That's when it stops being a fun Hobby and your obsession with being right no mater what anyone else thinks becomes a problem.

Big or small is totally 100% up to guy flipping the bill and everyone else needs to keep their opinion to themselves and go find out what makes them happy

As long as were having fun doing what we're doing and it doesn't hurt anyone else then big or small we're doing it right.

Me I like and what makes me happy is A large 20foot X 30foot sprawling single deck railroads with majestic scenery and huge mountains dwarfing my trains as they twist and turn through the scenery with 4% grades.

I hate tiny 4X8 Railroads with 4 main lines 10 industries and tracks criss crossing back and forth over and under it's self and 20 story buildings poking up in the middle of the table as a city.

Some one else may think the exact opposite and if that type of RR makes that person happy and he builds his RR like that and is happy with it, then that is all that matters, that is the name of it all "The Pursuit of Happiness" where ever it is or what ever it is.

Happy Happy, Joy Joy everybody dance.

I thought Charlie wrote a great article and made a very important point about having fun. From what the other posts said I feel  everyone needs to re-read the article so they get the point too. It really made me realize something about myself that JoeF and I talked about and I'd like to thank Charlie for this great article. Lets have fun and all get off our high horses and let everyone have fun in their own way.

I also heard someone on E-Bay say we all are involved in all trades Carpenters,electricians, Plasterers, Tapers, Plastic craftsman, & metal smiths but most of us are not masters of any of the trades and we all need each other in order to keep Model Railroading the worlds best hobby even if Benny doesn't think so.

Cheers to all and lets all have some fun

Dan, I think the obsession

Dan, I think the obsession has in part helped you miss the point too.  There's a much bigger world out there than just model trains, but often because we become so obsessed with this little table top toy train game, we miss out on the really big things going on around us. 

We miss the fact that our wife and kids are busy doing other things - things we could take some time to partake in ourselves enoughto let them know we're not JUST the model railroader.  We miss the little things happening in town that have nothing to do with model railroading - festivals, fairs, games, events.  We miss out on having other minor hobbies to mix in with our primary hobby - I did marching bands for ten years, and I assure you, it was for nothing more than the fact that is was a LOT of fun.  I also met far more people doing this activity than I have EVER met through model railroading, performed before sold-out crowds, and did some fun things with that activity.  Had I been bent on JUST model railroading in that time, I would have missed a significant part of what is my life.

I still believe Charlie was writing about keeping the obsession within scope - and that's not just about the size of your basement layout, but the size of the hobby itself in your life as a whole, so that you don't wake up some day to realize you have a wonderful layout but the rest of your life is in shambles.  Or come to realize you have no idea who your children are because your entire time with them was spent chasing rails.  Or your wife says "surprise - I'm leaving!" after giving hints for years that you need to pay attention, but it still hits you as if it's out of the blue. 

At the end of the day, we have to interact with other people who are not model railroaders.  That's where the obsession becomes a bad thing - and ultimately shoots our hobby in the foot.

No Harm!!

There is no harm in being obsessed with (model) trains!

However, Charlie sums it up well in the last paragraph, and I'm sure that's what many of us try to do (even if we don't always manage to!). 

Brian 

Mark this down!

I agree with Benny! 

Most people have some type of "obsession" in their lives, whether it be model railroading, fishing, hunting, motorbikes, travel, whatever.  The problem is when that obsession leads to ignoring the more important things in life.  For a while, I've almost felt guilty for not getting more work done on my layout, but when I sit back and really think about it, what has filled my time instead?  Being with my wife and kids and doing other things I enjoy doing as well.  I can't imagine ignoring them to spend every waking minute in the layout room.  I still love my trains, but I'm not worried about ignoring them to spend time with family.  I'd feel like a fool if I ignored the family to spend time with the trains.

Obsession

I removed a layout from a guys basement last summer. He was getting a devorce and his wife was getting the house. He got rid of all of his trains. He told me that the devorce was because of his hobby. He spent too much money and time on his layout and ignoring other things. He said that his wife had wanted a kitchen remodel and if he would have done that maybe it wouldnt have ended up the way it did.    I have a 1980sq ft basement but am only building my trainroom in a 16'x17' room. I dont want my model railroad to dominate too much of my time. It is nice to know that I can always expand though!           

layouts, the point, a quote

The main point of the article was to remenber to make it FUN, not an obsession, each person must arrive at what makes Them happy, Bobbee Hall used to give out paste board signs that could be hung from your benchwork saying something like "This is my hobby, this is MY layout, its just the way I want it, before you criticize, please note the mistletoe hanging from my shirt tale"

Bob Courtney

OOOPS, How did you know me?

Charlie, How did you konw me? While some items didn't fit, many did. I enjoyed being 'caught-out'. As a psychotherapist working with children and others, I see a lot of the ugly side of life. When I have some 'me time', I enjoy creating prototype realistic, worlds in dioramas, especially late 1800s. Though realistic, they are by definition a 'fantasy world.' These dioramas serve a dual purpose as they are also a place for the children to go (mentally) and explore possibilities in their inner worlds. HO scale is small enough, one may ask, "What is tha lady saying, or What is tha child feeling now?". So the diaramas provise a window into the mind. Sometimes people have a sad or scary past. It is nice that the Model Railroading hobby provides an oppertunity for some children (of all ages) to rewrite the past and bring beauty, honesty, open spaces or lots of people, creativity, power, and humaness back into their lives. What a wonderful thing to obsess on (as long as we're having fun).

Thank you for your article

Charlies' Editorial

Hi, Rio Grande Dan.  Thanx 4 a great editorial (Is that the rite word??).  U hit the nail on the head. I hartily agree with U on this subject!  Thanx again 4 UR great, great, great, Comment.  Boxcar Willy

Bigger is better

I have in the past year started a new HO layout. I wanted to go bigger but did not have the space

so I am setting up a 4ft by 4ft layout.  small enough to finish but big enough to obsess over if I want to .

At first I started to overplan the layout and then decided that this first layout would be a training session so if I screwed anything up I had the option of fixing it or fixing it in the next 4 x4.

I am having fun. That is the main thing! 

Obsession!

I agree with your comments.  I do not have the room to build a huge layout nor the time and/or energy to maintain it.  I have a smaller room that will be available to handle my first love, switching.  Yes, I will have a lot of switches, but it is my layout, and if you do not care for it, then so be it.

Model Railroading is fun.  Let's not get too bogged down in the details.

Obsesion

Charlie

Well said!

Having been involved in the hobby at various levels all our married life (39 years) there have a been a few times that I have sailed close to the wind.

One thing I know is that the hobby gives me a place to withdraw to mentally when lifes stresses start to weigh you down. I am only talking about an hour or two here and there as required though, The hobby can be a great balance in life.

Ray P

http://bylong.blogspot.com/

Bigger is better? - depends on the point of view.

I have another twist on this theory, and, it came to me by pure observation.

First, my opinion is this, this hobby, no matter what size layout you have, is that it's all about fun! If your happy with what your doing, or what you have done, then so be it! You have NO ONE to please EXCEPT YOURSELF!!!!

How many of us out there, be honest, tries to add more to what we have just to try to please - or impress - others? It's not worth it. I'm not saying it's wrong to "update" or "enhance" your layout, but. do it at YOUR discretion.

That leads me to my observation.

My son and I recently visited a local insurance company that had a "modest sized" HO scale layout in the foyer. It was a "simple" layout that was a "L" shaped design. It was just 2 4x8 sheets of plywood shaped to form a "L" shape.

To most of us, we would be happy with that, right?

But to my son, who's 7 yrs. old, you should have seen his eyes light up when he saw it. He said to me.."dad, look at the size of this train set".

"look at the size of this train set". To him, it was HUGE. To me, it was modest, simple and easy to build.

That's what I call "Forced Perspective" Does size matter? Depends on who's eyes it's being viewed through.

Agreed

I for one don't give a rip what others may think of my railroad. When it comes to the railroad it's all about me baby! Fundamentally, it is the very reason for its existence. That is not to say I don't invite critique or suggestions. Just sayin' at the end of the day all railroad decisions face the ultimate question - Is that what I want?