Why didnt you choose that other hobby instead of toy trains

Crashed RC planes don't make good shelf queens. Don

Why didn't I choose another hobby?

Always been into trains. 

I killed enough aquarium fish to realize maybe having a fish tank was a bad idea. Go figure, I've had a koi pond in the yard for 12 years without a single issue (and wouldn't want to live anywhere without one!)

I participate in other hobbies but not to the extent of trains.

Trains are just more fun!

I collect stamps, coins, and dabble in model rocketry with my son but for some reason trains has always been my real passion.  Perhaps its the association with Christmas and the Holidays from my youth -  I don't know.  Now there always seems to be shows and meets to go to not to mention visiting layouts and other historical sites.  It just seems to have more events than other hobbies I'm involved in and certainly you can't beat the "people" factor.

- Greg

Been into trains since I was about 5, took a break in early adulthood like many others but came back.

I'm not disciplined enough to stick with one hobby, I just became a Ham operator, I'm into cars, write music, and fix electronic stuff.  All pretty nerdy stuff, and keep me happy and busy.

Jim Waterman

I'm into a lot of stuff...

• Military history (I have a large US WW2 collection and a 1944 Jeep in my garage)
• The space program
• Sci-Fi
• 1:1 scale train chasing/photographing
• Art

Once I realized I could build a layout in a back bedroom, I realized that I didn't need to leave the house to do the stuff I wanted to do. Frankly, I got tired of nothing going on here in the winter time as it rains all winter, or needing other people to do the stuff I wanted to do. With my layout, I don't need anyone; I can flip a switch and run trains anytime I want.

I'm retired and I have too many hobbies.. Need to go back to work to catch a break.. (Not really) I've been in and out of O gauge railroading all my years.. I'm planning my final layout and 'testing electronics' on the old one.. I'm remodeling a bedroom to a dedicated train room!! BTW, did I mention that I'm a beekeeper, have old cars, shoot pool, throw darts and 13ac. to keep up?? At 66, my mind tells me I'm 30, but my body sometimes disagrees.. lol

I've had trains since birth... There never was another hobby to be honest

I did choose other hobbies and activities, however they all were outdoor hobbies or required some degree of physical exertion.  A bout of severe bronchitis had me locked up in the house one late fall/early winter and I about lost my mind.  That Christmas as I was setting up the loop under the tree it hit me, a permanent layout would give me something to do indoors during the winter.

Well, if you are even moderately serious about trains you more or less get forced into electricity, electronics, carpentry, painting, photography, storage, organization and diplomacy and in a few rare cases a little bit of cursing.... Trains are a good excuse for lots of science projects, under the guise of doing something important.

Why have only one hobby?  I have 3 fish tanks 55 gallon+ each, two outdoor ponds, currently own and ride 8 different bicycles around 3000 miles a year and maintain a three rail layout and a small 2 rail layout.  Keeps me busy with what i enjoy.

I've never understood people with only 1 hobby. I do model trains, Railfan prototypes, fly RC planes, run RC boats, enjoying driving my sportscar, used to ride sportbikes, enjoy fishing, kayaking, camping, hiking, video games with my son, and a few others.

I had to realize that I will never be one of 'those' guys with the ultimate layouts and collections because my time, space, and money are divided in too many different areas.

I stay with model trains since I can't afford full size.

Used to do WW2 re-enacting but just can't stand the posers who have never been in service telling me "how it really was". And the Government asks too many questions when you want to buy a M-3.

I have been into electric trains since 6 years old, and into cars since 16.  Trains are cheaper than cars and easier to store and house.  There are many facets to both of these interests that will entertain you for a lifetime.

scale rail posted:

Crashed RC planes don't make good shelf queens.

That's why I've got shelves of plane kits waiting to be built to replace any that might crash.  I've been building, flying, crashing and losing model airplanes since the early fifties, about as long as I've had toy trains.  Been doing the planes long enough I rarely re-kit them anymore.  Truth be told the planes are far more exciting and challenging than the trains because they live in a three-dimentional universe.

The trains, two dimensional though they may be, are much better for pure relaxation.  My conventionally operated trains don't make noise other than the sound of wheels on tubular rails.  My layout is just a couple of loops.  I can turn out the room lights, run the trains, watch the lights flicker behind the passenger silhouttes and be transported to a zen-like zone.

However, neither of those hobbies can hold a candle to the making of music, coincidentally the only one of my hobbies that has paid for itself.  Unless you count that I bought a bicycle store and ruined another perfectly good hobby.

Pete

What other hobby? There is no other hobby............ Trains every day and any way!

Clarence Siman posted:

Used to do WW2 re-enacting but just can't stand the posers who have never been in service telling me "how it really was". And the Government asks too many questions when you want to buy a M-3.

Yeah, the 'five jump chumps' who jumped from a C-130 at 1000ft AGL at Fort Benning thinking that puts them in the same heading as those guy who jumped over hot LZs in WW2. That always drove me nuts. And the public, they always want to know if you served for real, like that means anything when you're outfitted as a WW2 soldier! I was an Army Captain but to this day I have no idea why people ask that so much.

I've had trains since I was a kid in the 1980's, they were my dad's trains set up on a layout in my bedroom.  I've always had a layout of some sort through the years.  I now have a layout in my early 40's that my son and I enjoy permanently set up in the guest bedroom, we go to about 3 train shows every fall/winter.  I've also been a lifelong fossil shark tooth hunter, baseball (football and hockey too) card collector, vintage video game collector and player, and I had a stamp collection as a kid that I got rid of as a teenager.  Since I've gotten back into trains, I find I enjoy taking them apart and fixing them to keep them running for my kids to enjoy.

Andy

Don't know, never made a choice, born this way, in the DNA.

Model trains(HO,N) came and went by the age of 30, a casual interest in the prototype became a serious photographic pursuit after the age of 30 and continues to now. Main interest is steam and 1st and 2nd generation diesels.
I also pursue:
Photography of fire apparatus and fire stations, plus research of firefighting history.
Building and collecting model fire stations and apparatus in HO.
Collect other model fire apparatus i.e. Hallmark.
Collect RR books and DVDs.
Classic trucks
Photography and exploration of old and abandoned highways (and RRs), also roadside architecture.
Reading/research of local history.
Listening to all forms of rock/pop music.
Study of American military history.
Reading alternative history.
Pro baseball (Balto. Orioles) and football (Steelers)

Throughout our lives we are exposed to many different pastimes.  Some of these pastimes are pursued as something to keep us from getting bored.  If something better or more interesting comes along we move on.  Other pastimes become obsessions.  When exposed, something just "clicks" and we are hooked.  They become part of our personalities.  These hobbies are the ones that we stick with for life.

My father was passionate about woodworking and trap shooting.  I have tried both of these pastimes.  While I enjoy both of them, I am passionate about woodworking.  I still occasionally shoot some trap or sporting clays, but if I never picked up a shotgun again, it wouldn't really bother me.  If you took my table saw away from me I would be totally lost.  

I have three hobbies that I am equally passionate about; Trains, Pipe Organs and Woodworking.  I will take notice every time I hear a train horn, organ music or a woodworking machine.  It causes my pulse to elevate slightly.  Other pastimes do not have this effect on me.  I'm sure that I will be like this for the rest of my life.

Tom

I received my first Lionel train in 1950. It was a Scout set. My second set in 1954, it was a FA UP passenger set. I still have both and we used them on our 2014 Christmas tree layout. I also started building model kits in the mid 50s, still do. I started HO trains in the early 70s. I like to build real cars too. I have many hobbies and have involved my grandson in all. We are building a Poppy and Alexander have fun blog. All hobbies great.

The first train set was given to me gratis.  Nobody offered a free entree into any other hobbies.  My "hobby" up to that point was woodworking (making furniture).  Model railroading and woodworking were complementary to an extent.

What, me worry?

Fishing for small stuff evolved into offshore, 41' Viking, family growing up at Hatteras in the summer, bill fishing in some incredible places with sons who were world class in their day.

Retirement and age allowed a love for collecting trains to finally evolve into another layout for the first time in 35 years. In the process of adding on to the garage now. Boat is for sale (friends need crew and have larger boats) and at 68, things don't move as well as they once did. God has blessed us and continues to do so.

We have always had multiple hobbies and will continue to do so.

Loved trains since childhood. Started as Christmas gardens at Christmas time.

Rod Miller

For me "what other  hobby"?  And now that trains includes electronics, why not?  The only other hobby that I've been into was 1/32 ND, slot cars. Yeah, again go big or go home! I've introduced my 8 year old grandson to both and he loves both.

My three main hobbies as a kid were, trains, Legos, and video games. I also tried my hand at model building. Trains and, to a lesser extent, video games, I have stuck with.

Modeling didn't stick because I got frustrated with the distance between what I could achieve with my skills and what was pictured on the box. That and, once I did finish it, it didn't do anything. Trains had that instant gratification, plus action. Plus, they reminded me of real trains, which I liked, too.

After I reached adulthood, Lego fell by the wayside, I think because I have had opportunities to build things, especially since I began working on my layout. So the trains--and more particularly the associated hobbies of woodworking and electrical--are scratching that 'building' itch for me now. The trains might even get me into building models again!

I think that is part of the genius of trains, especially toy trains. You can get started in no time, but you can keep going down this rabbit hole forever

I liked that response above "what other hobby".

anyway wife does not like to get her hands greasy working on cars.

she loves train as much or more then me.

trains has proven to be less expensive.

Never had more then one hobby my entire life. It has been trains the majority of my life and I am 70 years old. 

Never had the time or money most of my working life for other hobbies. I Liked many other things also but could not afford any of them. 

Now that I am retired I'm still enjoying my trains even though I had to sell most of them.

I'm still alive, fairly healthy and enjoying life. I'm happy. 

I have another hobby besides trains.

Been into trains since I can remember and before that. my father was big on model trains. He got rid of A.F. around 1959/1960 and in came Lionel HO so I don't remember the A.F. but have a couple Black and white photos of them and my two older brothers. Then in fall of 1963 he brought home a Super O set for me for Christmas ( bought it used  but back then that didn't matter to us it was a train set ) That was all it wrote once I realized I could do a reverse loop and not have to get my father to help I was sold on O gauge ( okay got off track some) I tried gas Airplanes back in the mid 60's but after while they get old as we needed two to do it. Did the bigger Slot cars but then those places started disappearing so that ended that. Trains where still here and thats what I did 

Been into trains since my early, early years.   Then model cars, model rockets video games.  Always had trains (Lionel MPC, HO, N and then back to O) along side these other hobbies.   Currently into trains (real and 3 rail O), Legos, classic video games, surfing and photography.  After family time of course!

Why didnt you choose that other hobby instead of toy trains

Because they chose me? 

My dad had trains around the tree on my first Christmas and it has continued from there to the layout that I have today.In addition there are Cars 1967 Plymouth Belvedere 426 Hemi,bought new,Boats,Football and Travel.

Mikey

mikey posted:

My dad had trains around the tree on my first Christmas and it has continued from there to the layout that I have today.In addition there are Cars 1967 Plymouth Belvedere 426 Hemi,bought new,Boats,Football and Travel.

Mikey

Wow!! I have the 1966 Ford Galaxy 500 convertible, with a 390, that my Mother bought new.. I thought I was hot stuff when she would occasionally let me drive it.. I was a Senior in HS.. I hope you still have the car!!!

another person here saying, "How can a person only have one hobby?" Toy trains are among the list of my many hobbies- including social dancing, singing, sewing, antique automobiles, gardening, drawing, vintage clothing, swimming...

I was  doomed by the geography of the street I grew up on. Coming out my front door turn left and one house away from the Boston & Maine Bedford branch line. The right side 6 house's away was the Arlington Ma Fire HQ station. I was one of those lucky guys who worked at their hobby and I have just retired from 36 years with the Lexington Ma Fire Dept.

 Have been a Lionel fan for 56 years when at Christmas 1960 i got the 1107 Texas Special set, which I still have. I am working on my 3rd and final layout which is a freelance 8x8 dealer layout. I dabbled with N for a few years and have a very small layout.

I have a bunch of other hobbies to keep me going and here they are in particular order.....

Boston and Providence Bruins NHL/AHL hockey.

Volunteer on the USS Salem CA-139  last all gun heavy cruiser  berthed in Quincy MA.

Adult Instructor with the US Naval Sea Cadets program Squadron 7 Zulu Quincy MA 

Fire apparatus and police special units photography 

Editor of the Box 52 Association of Boston newsletter. Box 52 is the oldest fire buffing club in the Country. (Anyone who is interested in receiving via email our monthly meeting info and bi-monthly news magazine The Line Box, send and send email to thelinebox@hotmail.com)

Secretary  of the Lexington FD "Liar's Club" Retires group.

Railfan, I enjoy photography and videography of the majestic iron horse.

Creating a date base of all Lionel Christmas cars, sets, etc. Hi 

History and the apparatus of the NYPD Emergency Service Unit (ESU).

And the last few years I am enjoying flower gardening.

I have had trains for as long as I can remember, BUT I have also had OTHER interests just as long. I have always been Fascinated by trains, but I also grew up around boats and camping. With Camping, boating, fishing, crabbing, canoeing, kayaking and shooting, we often combine multiple hobbies at a time.

Like many, trains tend to be seasonal, the interest is ALWAYS there, but from July into October, I will spend more time with a Salmon rod in my hand than a throttle, got to Love the days when we get back to the dock with BOTH Fresh Chinook AND Dungeness crab in the boat.

I can't imagine that I will ever outgrow my interest in trains, and I have done my level best to instill that interest in 4 Nephews, as well, but I also have other hobbies that I am NOT likely to give up either. It keeps life more interesting, and of all the hobbies listed, TRAINS are the only one my Wife doesn't share any interest in, so by "INVESTING" enough time in those other hobbies, I don't get any grief over my train hobby.

Doug

Too lazy for Golf

Too scared for Flying

Too poor for everything else.

Model trains keep me on the right track.