Why Model Railroading Should Be Your Next Hobby

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“The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.
But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.
Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall;
don’t be happy when they stumble.
For the Lord will be displeased with you
and will turn his anger away from them.
Don’t fret because of evildoers;
don’t envy the wicked.”

Proverbs 24: 16-19 NLT

[SimRacin]

Can't say I've ever had anyone make fun of me for being a model railroader, if anything they see the layout, either in person or via video and they think it's cool. A layout is a functional piece of art.

[chrisstromberg]

Taking the plunge to get back into Model Railroading after a 30 year hiatus. Thanks for posting some great content, it's been a big help in getting me motivated to start doing this again.

[ShukakuTheCrazy]

My parents and therapist have noticed that getting into model trains has done wonders for my mental health. Not so much for my wallet. I had Lionel trains as a kid, but when I got back into models I went for HO scale. I do have some ON30 models too. I've had a blast taking some of the old lifelike toy trains and giving them some custom paint jobs. I have 2 Halloween themed customs, and some that I tried to paint up like Thomas and Percy. The thomas needs some modifications because of the outside cylinders, and percy has a gear issue that didn't crop up until I temporarily removed the motor. I enjoy collecting interesting or unusual looking engines I come across.

[skerbs]

Model railroading is a blast! I personally love the railfaning aspect the most--watching trains go around in a circle. Another great thing about model trains are that they can last decades if you take care of them. I still run Athearn Blue Box locomotives from my childhood in the 1980s. One last thing. I love how model trains can tell a story. It can transport you to a different time and era. Have a blessed day!

[tammylovescats]

Thanks for sharing your video. I'm 51, and my dad got me hooked on to model railroading.
He said as a kid he remembered seeing a big boy and how it pulled so many cars.
He said it was like a dream.
I would love to buy the #4014 Big Boy the oil tender steam locomotive. I know it will cost me some serious $$, but it will be awesome to have.

[achb-railway]

Great video! I learned many skills from my model railroading as a young kid that I ended up using during my career (soldering, basic electronics, carpentry, etc). Just retired, and I’m into model railroading more than ever. Years ago, I always did it on my own, and other than a few relatives who got into the basement, nobody ever saw my model railroad. And I never saw any other railroads other than in magazines. Now, with social media, I can see the work of other modellers around the world, and I can share my efforts as well. And we can all communicate with each other. It’s a great time for model railroading!

[williamyoung]

One reason I'm starting is because doing fine detail work with your hands is said to ward off senility. I'm old enough to start have to worry about such things.

[timothyrose]

Gevalia here. Thanks for advocating the hobby! Been in it on and off for over 50 years (as life allows) and wouldn't have it any other way.

[melkitson]

Thanks Jimmy. It is so good to see you coming back to some of the basics. I confess that running trains often takes second place to the model building and scenic aspects. With the coming of micro leds it is rare that any of my newer buildings, streets and stations are not lit appropriately, and I am no expert by any means. It is people like you who have enthusiastically shown us how to do things that have made it so much easier.

[StevesTrains]

My ragweed allergies have been brutal the last couple of weeks. I've been working evenings and on Saturdays (all outdoor work, which is partly why my allergies are so bad this year) at my son's high school to help build a dozen large and elaborate props for the marching band's Grand Nationals show this year. The skills I learned doing model railroading have helped with that tremendously. At the same time, I also had to learn how to weld to build the props, so now I need to build a layout using only welded steel for the benchwork. I think I could build a layout that weighs less with steel than with wood benchwork...something I'll have to try eventually.

[lonluna]

You are right Jimmy, this hobby encompasses so many other skills. I do this mainly for my sanity and serenity from a stressful job. The 3rd car garage stall is where the action happens. It also helps to have a wife who supports the hobby and helps me find deals on trains and supplies :-) Keep the videos coming!

[danshobbies]

I fell in love with the hobby again during Covid. I took a long break from it, but being home during Covid at Christmas got me passionate about it once again.

[michaelpfister]

Trains are fascinating, and model railroading will always be a great hobby that appeals on multiple levels. My main fear for the hobby today (and honestly, most hobbies today) is that people like myself that had disposable income 4 years ago no longer have money to spend on it. Anything you can do to highlight "budget" ideas for us cash-strapped modellers would be helpful! I am SO glad I purchased my locomotives up front! LOL I'd never be able to afford my power now! As for what I'm drinking: I'm drinking Coffee Bean Direct Colombian Roast whole-bean CO-2 decaf, custom ground fresh this morning and fresh out of the drip machine! A little half-and-half and we're in low-cal, low-caffeine heaven! 🙂

[curtismarean]

Thanks for a great vid! I came from model building (mini doll houses, metal earth, ect.), I just got into railroading last year with o scale vintage marx trains. LOVE it! This hobby has brought back memories of me and my dad when I was little. My first was an old marx o scale set that had a smoker in it. My dad is long gone now, but this makes a little closer to him again. Like you said, this hobby has many, many sides to it. I just got myself a n scale second hand set from e-bay, and it even had an ho set as well! I look forward to the challenges ahead of me as a model builder. Again, thanks for all the great vid! Btw: drinking dunkin today! Best of luck, and keep those trains running!

[BASILPANAS]

This is a very inspiring video! Your enthusiasm is contagious!

[canadian-shield-mm]

Canadian Shield 9mm; ive done ALL hobbies, and just started this one... the hobby is for rich or poor..and your layout is as you left it the last time. and can be done indoors, and ive met so many cool people, which make the hobby what it is today

[danbalmer]

Great video as always. I would recommend your channel as you cover basic intro topics like this all the way to wiring DCC and programming 3d printers. This way someone could visually grasp some of the facets of the hobby. I could talk all day, ( and I have at train shows) about the hobby, but sometimes a video gets a couple of senses involved and then you add your opinion and experience to augment. I love doing scenery and running, hate ballasting and trying to work with wood, but you learn to overcome the hard things and get past them and work on the things you enjoy. As for clubs, not there yet. Staying in the basement until I can overcome outside critique and then I'll think about it. In the meantime it's my railroad and I can do as much or as little as I please.

[dwest]

The great thing about model railroading is that it engages the left and right brain. It incorporates technical elements, problem solving skills, artistic creativity, and its fun.

[watchtrainsnow]

Fall is when people get back into trains again!

[loispadgett]

Great vid Jimmy. I enjoy the building and designing as much as running trains. I am member of N scale club and this Saturday we are building modules my first ones so excited. The people in this club are so fun and helpful learning alot from them. I think wiring is the thing i need to learn the most. Thanks for sharing look forward to the next one.
GOD BLESS 🚂💕🚂💕🚂💕🚂💕