01-25-2012, 04:09 PM
I couldn't say for sure. I have always wondered this, because though I can continue to come up with REALLY FRUSTRATING things with the hobby, I can sometimes have a hard time figuring what there is to enjoy about it. And yet, I persist! I definitely would not drop the hobby, so why do I stay?
I do enjoy the construction aspect of it. Though some tasks are difficult, and not particularly fun, the finished product is the end of it, and its always worth it. Some of the engineering aspects of it are definitely fascinating and intersting to me.
I guess I'd compare it to rock climbing. It is a tough, arduous activity, and it sure feels crappy while I'm clinging on to some near verticle space and under strain. However, the view at the top is always worth it, and I'd rather the view for 5 minutes than sit on the ground.
Speaking of the view, I also like to observe the fruits of my labor. Its fun to just sit down so the layout is at eye level and watch the trains pass, or set up photos, or what have you.
I also like that one can choose nearly anything to model. There are so many interesting locations and protoypes out there, spanning a 2 or 3 decades shy of 200 years of railroading. They all have their stories to tell, and they are all preserved, even if just in miniature, on our layouts.
The hobby encourages us to dig deep, and maybe study a facet of the world that may be long forgotten (an old factory that was once a major producer, or perhaps a ghost town that was once THE place to be). There are stories everywhere, and there is always deeper level one can attain. Thats more than can be said for many other hobbies.
I suppose its the move vaporous, intangible parts of the hobby that really bring me enjoyment.
I do enjoy the construction aspect of it. Though some tasks are difficult, and not particularly fun, the finished product is the end of it, and its always worth it. Some of the engineering aspects of it are definitely fascinating and intersting to me.
I guess I'd compare it to rock climbing. It is a tough, arduous activity, and it sure feels crappy while I'm clinging on to some near verticle space and under strain. However, the view at the top is always worth it, and I'd rather the view for 5 minutes than sit on the ground.
Speaking of the view, I also like to observe the fruits of my labor. Its fun to just sit down so the layout is at eye level and watch the trains pass, or set up photos, or what have you.
I also like that one can choose nearly anything to model. There are so many interesting locations and protoypes out there, spanning a 2 or 3 decades shy of 200 years of railroading. They all have their stories to tell, and they are all preserved, even if just in miniature, on our layouts.
The hobby encourages us to dig deep, and maybe study a facet of the world that may be long forgotten (an old factory that was once a major producer, or perhaps a ghost town that was once THE place to be). There are stories everywhere, and there is always deeper level one can attain. Thats more than can be said for many other hobbies.
I suppose its the move vaporous, intangible parts of the hobby that really bring me enjoyment.
Modeling New Jersey Under the Wire 1978-1979.
![[Image: logosmall.png]](http://i543.photobucket.com/albums/gg445/CAB_IV/Model%20Trains%202013/logosmall.png)