My favorite part about this hobby....

Finding and building old kits that aren't made anymore. Don

I love my layout, and watching my trains run, but I really enjoy wandering large train shows, spotting cool stuff I can add to my layout. 
 That, and setting up my Christmas tree layout.

My favorite parts are making scenery and running trains.

The best part of this hobby is that it is my world to create. No matter how stressful the day, the sound of trains on track, along with the smell of smoke fluid, always makes it better.

Sharing it with others. Having guest over and letting the kids enjoy both old and young.

Feeling creative, whether it be designing the layout; positioning the accessories, stations, mountains, etc.; the scenery; and painting the backdrop. And, posting on this Forum has been a rewarding creative activity for me since I joined it in Nov. 2017.

I have had rare moments when I actually fixed something. That can be a peak creative experience.

Arnold

I have a friend who can't drive distances anymore and who has tons of stuff he sells at shows for almost nothing. I enjoy taking him to the shows, setting up the tables and helping him give his inventory away to young fathers and sons.

Military equipment on Trains is my new pursuit,finally got two Super Tiger Tanks,took several years.

Mikey

Consulting for Scott Mann for over 10 years in roles major and minor.  It has been the highlight of my hobby even if I don't get to play with my own trains quite as much.  The knowledge gained from research and the people I've met has all been delightful.

I'm with Scale Rail, building old and interesting kits while waiting for interesting rolling stock to be made and offered.

Building, modifying, repairing locomotives and rolling stock. That's my favorite.

I really enjoyed running my rebuilt/modified stuff when we had a public layout at the mall. Now it just goes into my attic and never seen by anyone but me.

Hands down sharing with others. My little brothers LOVE the trains. They both remind me of when I was their age. They love both running and watching the trains. To me, it makes me very happy to see that! 

I enjoy going to York for the week and buying stuff i don't need but that I think i need.

Now that my grandson lives with me, I try to enjoy his ideas and enthusiasm about what can be built and setup.  His key phrase is "we can just take this thing here and ______."

Finding and rebuilding / restoring engines, operating cars & accessories. Some things have taken years to complete, and while they may not look factory new, they work. 

And they're all on my fantastic Postwar layout.

Focusing intently on details of building, designing and appreciated the talents of other hobbyists, which completely wipes away whatever the stress of the world has handed me for the day.

Finally, I have gotten to a point where I can run all my trains.  Problem:  with the commencement of running trains, desire to work on the layout drifted to the side.  Too much fun being over involved in operation.

...is the people I meet and friendships I have made.  All other aspects are a distant second.

-Greg

My favourite part...people posting pics of their children/grandchildren running their trains.

@midnightwrecking posted:

My favourite part...people posting pics of their children/grandchildren running their trains.

Daniel, I really love seeing photographs of children/grandchildren running trains.  Maybe that is partly because we don't have any grandchildren.

I admit that I am a bit eclectic.  I find happiness in enhancing tinplate with more realistic scenery.

Fendermain

Every so often doing something, a detail or section of scenery that turns out as good or better than you hoped.

1) Admiring the locomotives in my display cases and buying new ones

2) Building model railroads including realistic terrain, scratch-built bridges, tunnels and structures

3) Running trains and posting layout photos and videos on the OGR Forum and articles in the magazine

4) Reading books about railroading and the railroads in which I'm interested - New Haven, New York Central, Long Island, Boston & Maine, Boston & Albany, Amtrak

5) Seeing photographs from throughout the USA and learning about American history as found in railroad books and magazines

6) Doing maintenance and repairs on my trains and layouts

7) Sharing my interest in model railroading with my kids and grandkids

MELGAR

@scale rail posted:

Finding and building old kits that aren't made anymore. Don

Found one of these about a year or so again .

I sort have rearranged the build pattern.

What is there about this hobby to not love? Meet great folks, make wonderful friends some lasting a lifetime, it is a challenging hobby to what ever level that you want it to be. Can be very educational just read what MELGAR posted.  I could go on endlessly with why I love this hobby but without a doubt my most favorite thing is the memories of me and my father enjoying it together and knowing now he is looking done and smiling at me finally being able to accomplish all the things he and I talked and dreamed about.  

Over collecting and dreaming of "someday ". I'm starting to feel pretty low and losing hope though.

@MattR posted:

Over collecting and dreaming of "someday ". I'm starting to feel pretty low and losing hope though.

          ?    🤔😕      I don't understand !