Seems that I started something I never thought would happen. None of the
comments in my previous posting were meant to be taken as negative or
"nay-saying", neither were they meant to make anyone toss in the towel.
I am going to try to explain my thoughts once again (and this will be the last
time I do this!). I am into model railroading because it does something to me
when I see a well-done model or layout. I can't explain it - I can only enjoy
it. I am an S scaler because of the size and scale (I was an architectural
draftsman in a previous life). To me, it doesn't matter how many people are in
this scale. It also really doesn't matter if anything is manufactured in this
scale. I model in S scale. If I need something specific I look to see if it is
commercially produced by someone....if not, I create it myself! If I need
twenty flat cars that were only found on the Zenopolis & Whatever Railroad and
they are not available commercially, I will build them myself. This is how I
learned to make a master and cast in resin. I wanted something I knew no-one
would ever make commercially so I did it myself. If all of the manufacturers
and all of the S scalers suddenly quit the hobby, I would still be there. If
that means that I have to learn how to wire my own motors, so be it. If I have
to learn how to cast locomotive drivers, so be it. If I have to learn how to
do something I don't know how to do, I learn it. Yes, my layout is being built
very slowly! It might be 5 - 6 years before a locomotive runs on my track.
That's okay by me! The pleasure is in the journey, not the destination. Hell,
in one way, I don't ever want to reach the "destination". For example, right
now I am trying to figure out how to do underwater scenery since the edge of a
large portion of my layout is the shores of Lake Superior. I saw an article in
an issue of "Finescale Modeller" where a fellow did a diorama of a submarine,
docked, and showed the floor of the ocean. The face of the "water" was a sheet
of clear styrene while the top of the "water" was a rippled piece. This way a
full-hull model also shows as a waterline model. Carving fish, etc. is
something else I am going to have to do! Sounds easy but I am no sculptor! I
already have one hell of a time creating new birds for my business. This is
all new territory for me but that's where it's at for me.
So, do I need the hobby to grow? Yes and No! No...I am learning all kinds of
new things and will continue on that way. If everything on my "layout" has to
be scratch-built by me - so be it. I can live without anything available
commercially. Do I buy commercially available items - of course I do! Do I
use them as offered or do I kit-bash stuff - yes to both!
Yes...I like the people in this hobby, I enjoy meeting people at shows, I enjoy
selling at shows, I enjoy seeing other peoples' work. Is it better than mine
or worse....that doesn't exist for me! I was not put on this earth to judge
anyone or anything!! It is just nice to see others create! There is a great
joy to see the pride in someone when they show you what they have done.
This is MY hobby. I am the only one in it! After all, there is only one me.
It is amazing how many other individuals' own hobby comes close to mine. We
have an association of people, each with their own hobby, who share, socialise
and entertain. That is why this hobby won't go anywhere and why it won't die!
I don't need to bring anyone into this hobby of mine to enjoy it. If you want
to walk a path beside me as far as S scale is concerned, feel free and feel
welcome to do so, but if our paths vary don't be upset.
One final note, when I die my hobby dies with me. The size of the NASG won't
affect me one iota.
Manfred Lesser
London, ON
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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