I don't think the term "railroad modeler" has anything to do with the level of detail, but rather with a general philosophy. The term "model railroader", in this context, is used to create a distinction between those who model "things" and those who's desire is to recreate a miniature transportation system. I recall an article in Model Railroader about a man who filled a 4x8 sheet of plywood with track. There was literally no room for scenery. The author of the article, an MR staff member, recalled being amused at the concept, but after "operating" the railroad for half an hour he realized he was really "railroading". To a person of this frame of mind, modeling is a support vehicle to further enhance the realism of his railroad. A gifted modeler will find sufficient reason to build sophisticated models regardless of which philosophy dominates his thinking, but the models themselves don't determine which philosophy is dominant. Nor is it necessary that a person be stuck in either philosophy for life. Being able to build wonderfully accurate models has no intrinsic value beyond the personal satisfaction derived from one source or another. The same holds true for recreating a miniature transportation system. They are simply creative pastimes used to fulfill the natural desire for self-expression, like any other art form. A person doesn't have to be particularly good at either to derive satisfaction from them, unless that satisfaction comes from exhibiting the work to others. Ed Kozlowsky Sanford, Maine --- On Sun, 6/5/11, Christopher Borgmeyer <[email protected]> wrote:
From: Christopher Borgmeyer <[email protected]> Subject: {S-Scale List} Re: Recent Podcasts Got me Thinking To: [email protected] Date: Sunday, June 5, 2011, 10:13 AM Jim, I agree a Railroad Modeler is not necessarily a river counter. That's why I used the term super detail. I'm excited some modelers are moving beyond a focus on perfection in rolling stock or locomotives and thinking more globally in terms of really well executed full scenes. I do think this is a shift away from rivet counting perhaps due to the increasing fidelity of the models offered by some manufacturers, the growing popularity of craftsman structure kits, the refinement of scenery materials and techniques, the greater availability of digital resources allowing modelers form great distances to "see" local images, maps, etc. and, I'm sure, plenty more things recently introduced to the hobby. Without being disparaging, when I think of the traditional river counter I think of someone who expends all their energy on rolling stock and locos. Often their layout, if they have one, is not up to the standards of their prototype specific cars. That's their interest and where they want to spend their time. Railroad Modelers seem to be more akin to the military modelers who build a super-detailed an accurate scene around a fairly prototypically accurate model. Combine that with a little of the super detailed smaller and portable layouts from the UK and you've got this new breed of Railway Modeler. This hobby seems to be composed more of small groups of like minded people or micro-trends these days. The long standing goal of the basement filler and watching the trains run 'round seems to have run its course and be passing away. Interesting times. Chris Borgmeyer Re: Recent Podcasts Got me Thinking Posted by: "Jim and Cheryl Martin" [email protected] [email protected] Fri Jun 3, 2011 8:26 pm (PDT) Hi Chris: Glad you're enjoying The Model Railway Show. Be sure to tell your friends...which of course you just did. Show creator Trevor Marshall and I hope to explore topics that generate interest and discussion on where this best of all hobbies is heading in the future. The "model railroader vs railroad modeler" topic was discussed by Russ Reinberg and me in the current edition of the show. To add to your thoughts, I don't think a railroad modeler is necessarily a rivet counter either. A railroad modeler could just as easily be someone who doesn't have room for a layout and who therefore uses all that bench work, track and scenery time instead to model individual railroad subjects...perhaps for his own satisfaction, or perhaps for other peoples' layouts. Just another way of scratching the itch. You will likely find the next edition of the show to be an interesting follow up. On episode 16 which debuts June 15th, I'll be talking with Allen McClelland about how his hobby interests have shifted since he had to permanently dismantle the V&O. Cheers Jim themodelrailwayshow.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
