Railroad modelers on The Gauge

[Puddlejumper]

So what kept you from building your own layout?
Koos

Space. But now I have space, and am starting, hopefully within the next month, on benchwork.

You've illustrated why I stick around here instead of wandering to other forums. I've participated in other forums that are more specific to my modeling interests, but I enjoy the varied feedback of the people here. We've got all skill levels, ambitions, and techniques. This forum is fairly diverse. not just from a modeling perspective, but geographically and age wise. We've got grandpas and teenagers, and many members outside the USA, and I am quite thankful for that. Diversity means differing opinions and advice and that leads to better modeling. Another forum (more popular than this one) it seems people are more similar. Over there, people would tell you to pitch those 35 year old freight car kits instead of fooling with paint and detail. They'd discouraging you from using anything but the latest scenery product or track plan design. I don't see too much of that over here.

I am excited that we have young members in our group... proof that the hobby isn't dying, and quite frankly, those members from outside the USA are some of the best modelers whose work I have had the pleasure of reading about! We are lucky to have such a diverse membership. As for those 35 year old freight car kits, I just bought 2 more that need to be rebuilt and brought up to today's standards. YOU GUYS, here at The Gauge, taught me how to do that type of thing. I feel great that I can take a paper-sided reefer, an old stamped metal boxcar with wooden frame, and a cast zamac hopper car and make them look at home along side injection-molded plastic Accurail, Athearn, or ExactRail cars of today.