What do people do with trains on model railways?

Question

apart from collecting them and other models, what do people do with the model trains when they have finished their model railway? Do they just run the trains generally or do they go further than that and pretend that the trains are doing real services at real times?

Answer 1

It depends on the person..

Some people just like to see trains run (chasing its own tail around a loop of track).

Some people like to mimic operating a railroad, so they got things like waybills, dispatching, CTC, etc.  With multiple people operating multiple trains using walkaround throttles and such.

Some people enjoy the artistic aspect of it so they are always constantly changing the landscaping, structures, and scenery of their layout and trying new landscaping techniques.  Lots of people into photography in this camp too.

Some people are collectors--  They like kitbashing or collecting models unique to a particular railroad they are fond of.

Some people with kids love the toys like Lionels or Thomas the Tank Engine.

I think model railroading is such a great hobby because there is something to suit everyone's tastes.  (I'm one of those in the just-like-to-see-trains-run camp).

Answer 2

you can run trains on computer now with rail simulators.Either run trains that are supplied with the games or create and construct new routes yourself.Items of rolling stock ,buildings and scenic items can also be downloaded from the internet.TRAINZ origonal game can be be bought for only £5 and has given me hours of entertainment.

Answer 3

I suggest you buy a copy of a model railway enthusiasts' magazine like Railway Modeller or British Railway Modelling.

Every model railway is different. Some enthusiasts build an exact replica of a station in a particular era and run the trains to a timetable.

Others just build a layout that suits their fantasy, like a model set in an imaginary place and / or time. Many modellers draw up their own timetables which may be in 'real time' or 'scale time' (e.g. 24 hours contracted into 2 for operating reasons).

A saying among enthusiats is 'a model railway is never finished', meaning that there is always something new, even when the layout looks complete - an extension here, a rebuild there.

A model railway is a miniature world in which the builder acts out the role of a sort of benevolent dictator - everything they say goes, unlike the real world.

If you really are interested in model railways I suggest going to an exhibition or swapmeet to get a feel of the hobby (listings are featured in the model rail magazines, above, and links below) and if that whets your appetite, I recommend joining an enthusiasts' club.

Answer 4

Haha, good question, I have always wondered that myself.

A lot of them are continuously working to imporve their layouts making them as realistic and lifelike as possible.

I would be tying little toy dolls on the tracks and running over them, I guess that's why I dont have one.  

Answer 5

its called playing..

Answer 6

The short answer is yes. Some people like to operate, and some people like to watch them run.

Answer 7

The old adage is "a model railway is never finished" - which is certainly a true statement.

Most modellers will be constantly modifying their layouts either scenically, operationally or rolling stock. Modellers fall into two camps: rolling stock/locos, scenery and permanent way.

Rolling Stock/Loco modellers strive to achieve accuracy or constructing little known or rare articles or non-manufactured items of rolling stock locos. This may be to re-create the feel of a specific railway, or because the modeller likes modelling what nobody else has.

Scenically, a modeller might strive to achieve to re-create a scene accurately to the last milk churn or piece of litter. They might be interested in creating trees/greenery, or might be trying to build accurate models of buildings that they have liked of have a link to.

And lastly, permanent way modellers might want to achieve accurate track layouts, based on a location at a specific time, or maybe use a bit of "modellers liscense" and modify the track layout to suit their operational needs.

Or they might want to build accurate track and pointwork, down to the last rail chair or wooden sleeper. These modellers may also be considered to be the ones who will try to achieve operating accessories, such as working signals or accessories, such as windmills or cars (as such by using a modified Faller system).

And lastly, there may be the modeller who will wish to intergrate all three and build an accurate layout with working signals, accurate rolling stock run to a copy of the working timetable from that era, and they may have poured over reasearch material over many months to try and achieve accurate plans for the long lost buildings of that location.

This type of modeller will also spend much of their time constructing these models, perfect in every detail, possibly having detailed interiors of buildings, locomotives with working inside motion, brake levers that are posable and maybe a car with opening doors.

And then, of course, there are modellers that are a mixture of these...and to another adage, "modellers come under a big house of interests"