Railfans and railfan photographers who don't care about models

I get it, any model is only an approximation of the real thing. Maybe the limitations of a mere approximation detracts from their feelings about the real railroads they admire.

Cheers,

Ken

Nothing at all unusual about that.  Their interest is in the prototype.  Photographing them or studying the history of a particular line is their hobby.

I would guess one reason is the nostalgia of looking at a photo of the "real thing". I collect 3-D slides of "everyday life" taken in the 1950s. I have little interest in modern reinactments of same (ceramic figures, artwork, etc.).

Easily understood.  A model, no matter how brilliantly accurate, can only ever be merely a representation of the prototype.  The prototype, however, is the real deal.

Pete

While model railroading may be the self-proclaimed "world's greatest hobby," it is not the world's only rail-related hobby.

There's nothing unusual in a railfan not being interested in model railroading.

Their interest is in capturing the real thing doing its job in its natural environment, not in building a miniature replica.  If it wasn't for these fine folks, we wouldn't have the wealth of reference material we do to build our model railroads.

Many folks in interested railway preservation also lack an interest in model railroading.

Rusty

Just my opinion, but it might be that the MAJORITY of model railroaders or "toy train" collectors & operators have no real interest, or even limited knowledge, in real railroading/railfanning.

I wondering, who would would wonder who cared about railroading and didn't care about model trains.

Trains are trains, and ours are toys.

Bob Severin

Do you lay in bed thinking about this stuff?

Sometimes, late at night, when insomnia is upon me, I do, in fact think of these things and many others.  

Bob Severin

Living life on the cusp of mediocrity.

Bob,

I was actually addressing my question to D500' concern about railfans and railfan photographers.

DennisB:

Perhaps you should be specific in an open forum like this.

Bob

Up until recently, my primary interest has been in model trains and particularly 'toy' trains. The scale models began to grow on me years ago but my knowledge of different 'real' engines and locomotives was very low. Since joining this Forum over 3 years ago it has increased exponentially!

I have been reading more about prototype RR and Classic (not toy) Trains magazine has been most helpful and interesting. I find that my enjoyment of our hobby has benefitted immensely from my 'new' knowledge..

And I once spoke with a CONRAIL conductor, asking him if he had ever worked on the old F-units.  He patiently and calmly explained that he didn't know; that he just did his job.  He then said, "You work with computers.  Do you know or like specific models?"  Point taken. 

Do I lie in bed and think about this stuff? Well, it seems to me, that this entire hobby

is arcane enough that ALL of us think about things, in bed and out, concerning this

subject, that most civilians would and do think that we are all batty as heck. And they'd

be right. (I mean, is this subject really less interesting than which drivers were used

on a 1928 Ives such-and-so? Really?)

I do realize that the "model" is only the imitation of life, not life itself. And a photograph is only a two-dimensional representation of life, also not life itself. I can say this because I AM a railfan and a railfan photographer.

I have two good buddies who are rail historians, railfans and railfan photographers; one

of them has been published numerous times in national rail magazines (and books) since the 1960's.

But:

He has a substantial O-gauge collection; the other one - a rabid regional rail historian -

has a collection of modern O-gauge that would put most collections to shame - even, I'll wager, those of most of the members of this Forum. And he never looks at this Forum. He's a railfan who loves his models - partly because he is a railfan.

So, I do believe that my thought was a reasonable one, just as reasonable as another

thread (I didn't start it) wondering why some "toy" train guys care nothing for the real thing.

If you like the models, I cannot fathom not having at least -some- interest in the Real Thing.

If you like the real thing, I cannot fathom not having at least -some- interest in the

Replicas (photographs can go only so far - I know, as I do go photograph the real thing).

In both cases, there is a real disconnect; I still think both attitudes are odd.

I am also an ex-real railroader; 15 years for the GM&O/ICG; not relevant, but it is interesting that when I was an actual railroader, I was not a railfan or modeler - it was work. (I was also young, and far more interested in chasing girls.) 

quote:

He then said, "You work with computers.  Do you know or like specific models?"  Point taken. 

Yes.

That's where the old, outdated things like experience, memory and imagination come into play.

Rusty

There used to be a TV show on PBS called Tracks Ahead.  It was a super great show, and offered information on all facets of Railroading from models, artwork, photography, real operating systems, just an all-around informational show.  Alas it is no longer available in the Pittsburgh viewing area.  I miss it greatly.  

The point being, it showed the viewer what this was all about.

Just musing, and missing that great show.

Bob Severin

I used to collect guitars.  I had bass and electric 6 string guitars.  Had no desire to learn to play.

I have a pretty extensive model train collection.  I probably have 1 of every diesel made in O scale for certain roads but I could not tell you the difference between an SD70ACe or an SD90.  Now, I do know the difference between an F unit and a GP/SD unit.  But, I don't care either.  As long as they look good.

Rick