Train Addiction?

One needs a diversion from a diversion else it becomes an addiction.

Just keep it under your hat, Scott

I don't think it's an addiction for me, although I can spend intense and fanatical time

on binges devoted to certain aspects, such as hunting down old railroads when I travel

(that is always a part of travel, as is visiting other hobby shops, hunting for covered

bridges, water mills, ghost town, abandoned mines, railroad stations, still standing water or coaling towers, roundhouses, etc.....there are so many facets to the

railroad hobby).  I have also sought out and photographed other forms of old to ancient architecture).  I build models of some, others are not appropriate for my era.

And as Mark Boyce has said above, I can't imagine not having a hobby  (I got lots, autos, and others, and wide interests), and rocking on the porch.  They have all peaked and valleyed, binged to bust, and then reignited.  With some, due to cost, I have kept the interest alive, but do not spend money on them.  In trains, I would spend the money, but the trains I want from my reading and exploring are not available (spent chickenfeed at York)....I would have to spend the time to acquire the skills to build powered models, and time is a factor, and I am off on too many other tangents.

Alice's White Rabbit, "No time to wait, I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!)

Gentlemen,

   I am not addicted, no way.

 Honey will you watch where you are going, those Union Railroad Engines with that Crane Car on the Trestle, are not that important, you are going to wreck the car!

 

PCRR/Dave

My wife says that I am addicted.  She is always right.

 

Joe

I've got a fever!  And the only prescription is more trains!

 

It's soooo much easier to give in and luxuriate in all the cool model trains we can get.  Just don't fight it anymore.  Just let go, and enjoy.

I have been to the Betty Ford Clinic for the cure, but it just wouldnt take!

Model trains for me are wrapped up with nostalgia, spending time with my Dad, hanging out at the stations in a small town, wanting to grow up to be an engineer, and my family not being able to afford but a modicum of toys and that meant toy trains. A lot of it was delayed gratification, and an escape hatch from stress, a chance to be creative which the grind of a job and providing for a family did not allow....having the freedom to create my own universe where time stands still. Can I have too much of that? Honestly, the answer is yes but like everything in life, hindsight is always 20/20.I think after decades in the hobby, it isnt "the stuff" .....its what it stands for, at least for me.

That is a nice essay, electroliner, and good answers to the question, "Why do you like model trains?"

Yes, and it's better than other things.

Is train addiction actually a thing? Mom mom bought me a poster for my basement displaying the symptoms of "Train Collector's Disease". I ought to take some pictures and show you guys!

Good grief.

"Addiction" is now just a label people put on stuff so they don't have to accept personal responsibility for questionable behavior.

When you get into saying you have a hobby addiction, well, that's just plain silly.

The plain and simple truth, Thank you!

Model Railroading is an addiction or is it just a never ending project. No matter what is in the basement, and despite my feeling that I have enough trains, and that I am finished buying, something new seems to be delivered here monthly. Recently the obsession has been to get sets in all of the fallen flag Eastern routes and to upgrade switches to Ross. We are not sick. We are just plain greedy.

Addiction my caboose! I can quit any time I want to.

Right. Seeing is believing.

Look at my user name so I am sorry there is no hope for a cure and I don't want one.

I too, can give it up any time I want.

 

 

 

I am also in deep denial....................

 

Jerry

I have been in HO, S, Sn3 and now O. The only way I keep things under control is that I am doing O27, and there is not all that much stuff, except for postwar Lionel, that will negotiate the curves. Keeps me from going overboard...oh, and it is relatively cheap in today's world.

 

LOL.....True!

 

 

Ask any one who is NOT into trains if we are addicted and you WILL get the right answer.....We are

We live in a wonderful country, (USA).  Enjoy your diversions, there is a real world that can be harsh and un-forgiving.  IMO.  I always appreciated the fact that I could do this (model trains).  IMO

Mike CT

Again, I think this is quite normal.  

 

Tuesday afternoon I had a building contractor, a guy much younger than me, here supervising some work being done to our house.  At one point he was in the hallway just outside my study, where two friends from the forum and I -  all well over 60 years of age, where playing with some 'Streets road-track and cars and block controllers set up on the carpet.  I expected him to look at us as a if we were just silly old men, but he understood perfectly and in fact seemed interested . . . 

 

See, its normal.

maybe we should start a friends of Joshua L. group  

 

My name is Suzukovich and I am a train addict, especially for CB&Q and GN. I can't be cured.....     

 

Never mind, not interested in the 10 step program!

Perfect summary, electroliner.  I can relate to everything on your list and to which I would add a chance to learn new things (like more about electronics, 1:1 steam/electric/diesel engineering, historic and contemporary RR history).

 

Thanks for saying it so well.

 

Tomlinson Run RR

 

Ed,

A wise person told me this one thing,"It depends upon how many want that same piece".  

And if that addiction isn't bad enough...wait until you discover a 'speciality' in the hobby.

 

I can't get enough of detailing brass steamers.  Or, building a brass locomotive. 

 

Truly awesome to have something no one else owns....

Most definitely! Every day doing something related to the hobby and lovin it. 

I love my family, I go to work, I worship, I live. If I don't take an interest in trains, what else? Fishing? Bike riding? Sports? Travel? Photography? Volunteering? To learn and grow, and live an interesting life I must have interests that impassion me and feed my fire, harken me back to my youth, fulfill desires. Otherwise I am boring and live a nameless, faceless existence. Everyone has there's. These are mine. Ah, that feels better. 

My wife tells other when asked about a house full of trains.....

'I know where he is at all times, I know where 100% of his money goes, No smoking, drinking or running around.' Correct....pretty boring from the outside....but I'm having a great time and not hurting anyone......so a pretty good addiction in my book. 

Guess you could say I'm addicted to model trains as well.

Just got a new house and already I want to start work in the extra room that I will have for the train area. 

My latest purchase was the Reading Crusader passenger cars by K-Line, and it makes a complete set now as I already have the MTH cab #117 steam engine.

 

Lee Fritz

I just ordered a new MTH Reading & Northern 3 bay hopper, #20-97799. Now to get it in the house past the wife. Hope it looks good with my Plasticville quad hoppers.

 

Lee Fritz

Plasticville made hoppers???? Post a pic.....I've never seen. 

Dave,

 

Bachmann made them in the Willaims O gauge line, they were the club cars for 2012 & 2009 if I am correct on the years. I have two quad hoppers(WBB # 47625) and a cement car (not listed on the WBB website)in Plasticville. Will have to locate them at the other house for photos. The only thing that Bachmann didn't do was make an engine to go with the cars or a caboose.

 

Lee Fritz

Thanks!!! That makes more sense.....I have a lot of Plsticville....thought I had missed a huge part of the line!!! No need for pics.....I know what a WbB quad looks like.

THANKS

The Plasticville hopper and tanker are green with white letters.

 

Lee Fritz

 

 

Lee,

We're grown adults, at least I hope so. We accept the personal responsibility when the CC bill arrives. When it destroys the home and social life then it becomes an,"Addiction". At that time a intervention is called for.

IMHO Most forum members are looking for that escape from reality. Each one of us has that inner need. Some more than others. It's in no way, shape or form an, "Addiction".

If mr muffin and Charlie stopped posting great deals, I could get over my addiction