I came here looking for help to model a small part of my hypothetical film, but, after browsing the threads, I can feel the energy and the enthusiasm. My work is my life, and my film may hopefully be part of my work, but everyone needs diversions.
I'm beginning to think maybe I should build a model space station, complete with a train track. But, if I may ask, what do train collectors do with their trains once they're set up? Run them round again and again? I don't know if I would be interested in that.
Of course you could go really mad and emulate this one on Carls scrapbook 67a <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.carendt.us/scrapbook/page67a/index.html">http://www.carendt.us/scrapbook/page67a/index.html</a><!-- m --> at the bottom of the page, and also here <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ecodacs2.nerima.tokyo.jp/rehsi/essya-ensenhuukei.html">http://www.ecodacs2.nerima.tokyo.jp/reh ... uukei.html</a><!-- m -->
Oh, and to answer your question "Collectors" put them straight into cabinets and display them, totally virgin and un-run, many simply put them away, un-opened! - in the boxes with shrink-wrap, if that is how they came - to do otherwise would be to reduce their value! Modellers actually aren't bothered about possible so-called future value and run them on their layouts. I know a person who did both - always buying two of each model - one for his "collection", and one to run.
Scifi fan Wrote:I'm beginning to think maybe I should build a model space station, complete with a train track. But, if I may ask, what do train collectors do with their trains once they're set up? Run them round again and again? I don't know if I would be interested in that.
http://macrodyn.com/ldsig/wiki/index.php...ory:Primer
Smile,
Stein
Most of us have an operating layout of some kind where we can run the trains realistically. We seek to build environments at are atleast realistic, if not downright replicas of real places.
Its not just simply setting up an oval every once in a while, its all about working with your hands, painting, engineering, landscaping, empire building.
Scifi fan Wrote:...Run them round again and again? I don't know if I would be interested in that.
That depends where you put your emphasize of the hobby. If you enjoy detailed precision handcraft you may spend 99% of your hobby time at the workbench and build top class models of engines and cars. The layout/oval will be only a test bed to see how your new baby runs before you start the next baby. If you look around here you will find the top notch models made by "1900". He spends 99.999% at the workbench
I used to collect comics, many of which are in plastic wraps, so I can understand why some collectors would do the same with trains in their shrink wraps. But I buy comics occasionally for the stories, not for their future value, which isn't going to be very much - believe it or not, there was a bubble in comics investment a while ago, and it burst.
I'm also not very good with my hands, so, if I was to do it, I would need a team. As I write this, I'm thinking of doing that to create an a model of an asteroid space station, which would include a train section and, of course, related portions like spaceship hangars and launchpads.
faraway Wrote:Scifi fan Wrote:...Run them round again and again? I don't know if I would be interested in that.
That depends where you put your emphasize of the hobby. If you enjoy detailed precision handcraft you may spend 99% of your hobby time at the workbench and build top class models of engines and cars. The layout/oval will be only a test bed to see how your new baby runs before you start the next baby. If you look around here you will find the top notch models made by "1900". He spends 99.999% at the workbench
Reinhart, thanks.
Yes, it's true. We say here in Germany: the way is the goal - der Weg ist das Ziel. And my models run two or three times the year only - not round in a circle but point to point most over a larger modular layout.
Scifi fan Wrote:if I may ask, what do train collectors do with their trains once they're set up? Run them round again and again? I don't know if I would be interested in that.
Round and round is one way to "run" the trains...And I do it myself now & then...
But "realistic" operation is something most "serious" modelers (we're
NOT collectors...) strive to do. In other words, to operate as a real railroad does, within the obvious limitations of space and time available.
I guess it would be over simplification......but "collectors", collect, "model railroaders", can be operators of model trains, and builders of trains, and train related models. <!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=479&start=30">viewtopic.php?f=29&t=479&start=30</a><!-- l --> has a couple of the different "model" formats that I am interested in. I guess I chose model railroading for both the trains and the models. Where else could one build models of "trains,planes,automobiles,trucks,bridges,buildings,rocks,trees,homes,coalmines,steel mills,grass,flowers,water(streams,rivers,lakes,inlets,canals,"ole fishin' holes"),people,pets,livestock.....and on, and on.
"scifi fan wrote: I came here looking for help to model a small part of my hypothetical film, but, after browsing the threads, I can feel the energy and the enthusiasm.
"
That is what we try to encourage, and perpetuate. if you want to get into modelbuilding, this is as good a place as any to find the encouragement, support, and sometimes even advice you might need or want.
UH-OH someone has been bitten by the model railroad bug
As others have mentioned there are as many ways to "play" with toy or model trains as there are people in the hobby of trains.
They how ever forgot 2 hard core modeler factions those who are Proto modelers where every thing to the tinest detail is excact scale even the rivits on the train cars, and there are operators who run thier trains on a schedual in "scale" time useing a clock called a fast clock.
I myself am a loop runner with 2 half finished layouts at home and work on a club layout as well. I like toy and model trains, recently I have taken up kitbashing and scratch building On30 and S gauge cars.
Interesting that you now want to model an entire layout with space station as I thought about it once upon a time. I have heard of maybe a couple layouts that have a Lord of the rings theme to it. I will search for my pic of a bachmann/plasticville union station that I have star wars droids on the passenger platforms. The droids were made by micro-machines and are close to O scale.
Thanks for the welcome.
But what do you do once the layout is complete? I know the fun is building the sets and structures, but what happens after that?
Scifi fan Wrote:Thanks for the welcome.
But what do you do once the layout is complete? I know the fun is building the sets and structures, but what happens after that?
For some, the fun is in the trip, for others,the fun is in the destination. For those of us that like to build, we may just like the task of creating our worlds and maybe run trains because it enhances our modeling skills. For those that like to run trains, they're happy when they get the tracks in place and run on the bare wood. There are those that are wrapped up in operations, or running their trains like they would on a real railroad. These sessions can be elaborate and involve may people taking on different roles. The whole idea is to be as realistic as you want to be in the world that you create. To each his own, there are enough aspects of model railroading that there has to be something to please us all. What you are thinking about doing is yet another aspect that sounds like fun.
steinjr Wrote:Scifi fan Wrote:I'm beginning to think maybe I should build a model space station, complete with a train track. But, if I may ask, what do train collectors do with their trains once they're set up? Run them round again and again? I don't know if I would be interested in that.
http://macrodyn.com/ldsig/wiki/index.php...ory:Primer
Smile,
Stein
Wish I'd seen that link several years ago!
Great information.
Scifi fan Wrote:... But what do you do once the layout is complete? I know the fun is building the sets and structures, but what happens after that?
I build the next one :o That is because I got so many ideas what can/must be improved while I built the old one the new one is a necessity.
hah, I've never met a model railroaded who was 'finished' with their layout
I believe you're missing the point of your original post, you want knowledge to build a layout for your film, not to build a layout to enjoy running it. But you're asking about completions and what to do afterwards.. Are you sure you're not just interested in more than just making a stage prop and enjoying the sense of grown op playing?
