"Presenting my backside yet again..."
(see the original OMO)
(see the original OMO)
In my years spent within e-lists, at one time or another the conversations always shift to a discussion about what can be modeled versus what's available RTR (ready to run), at which time, lines are drawn, sides are formed and the Railroad Modelers square off against the RTR Crew (these battles are, for the most part, very friendly, with each side voicing their opinions in an orderly fashion, although I have been involved in a few real humdingers...). Sometimes, the discussion lasts for a day with maybe a dozen posts being shot each way. At other times however, the posts seem almost endless, each side stating the merits of their chosen preference, sometimes in a very repetetive manner. After which, with the two sides completely spent, talk of RTR vs Modelers goes away until some fool (like me, for example) brings up the subject of scratchbuilding or kitbashing something, and the battle comes alive yet again.
Healthy? Yup. Relevant? I believe so. Keep reading.
Right now - well actually for quite some time - the Model Railroad industry is desparately trying to do business. Years ago, when this hobby was in its infancy, modelers were building some pretty unique models out of some pretty off-the-wall materials. With the advent and availability of materials like sheet brass, scale-sized stripwood and sheet styrene, modelers had some great materials with whitch to create models from. During that time, kits were becoming popular. You could purchase kits for steam locos, a variety of rolling stock, structures, etc. using a variety of materials. No less than 5 years ago, this was the way to go - buy a kit, add detail if you were so inclined, finish and weather to taste and enjoy.
Today, the ammount of RTR products out there is astounding. Models with better quality than brass can now be had at a fraction of the price. The consumer must only remove the model from the packaging and be off and running. Still though, a common argument is that one of today's RTR boxcars still will cost 2 to 4 times as much as a boxcar kit will.
My Opinion
As stated, I come from the "railroad modeler" side of the tracks (pun intended), and the following words will reflect that. I grew up building plastic kits, everything from cars, trucks, planes, ships, rockets, some armor and, yes indeed, trains. I learned, with the help of my father, how to work with my hands, how to use different tools properly and that, if so inclined, that you can build anything that you so desire provided that you take the time to do it correctly and safely. I learned by reading articles, studying the work of others, experimentation and good ol' experience. I'm 39 now, so I've accumulated around 33 enjoyable years of experience.
As a modeler, if all I did was purchase RTR products, leaving me with nothing to do but to run or display the model, I would have quit the hobby of model railroading years ago. I would have ran what I had, got bored in one heck of a hurry, boxed it all up and stored it or sold it. If I were to break down what aspects of the hobby I enjoyed the most, around 90% of that enjoyment would come from the research and construction of a particular project. I'm one of those "nitpicker" prototype modelers that will go to great lengths to produce a superior model of any chosen prototype. I'll burn up hours of internet time, take notes, search out magazines and books, take more notes, obtain copious ammounts of plastic, wire, parts, etc. and set out to construct something way cool.
For instance, my latest project, when complete, will measure around a mere 3.5 inches in length. Thus far, I've hacked up two very nice containers just to construct one good (correctly dimensioned) one. I'm also gonna have to do a fair ammount of scratchbuilding to obtain specific details to finish it off.
Why?
For starters, I saw a photo of the particular subject and just had to have at least one such model. Then there's the availability issue - not one company has ever (and probably will never) release such a beast. And lastly, this project looked to be (and is) one heck of a challenge. It's not an easy one; it's the most difficult project that I've ever attempted. That reason alone appeals to me the most. Anybody can go and buy a pre-assembled, factory painted and lettered boxcar and run it. Thousands do it every day and thousands more will do it this week. Those people are called collectors, I'm a modeler.
Now then. I have purchased some RTR. I own one Athearn Genesis ATSF Boxcar and a 5 pack of the Athearn 53' JB Hunt Containers. I'm considering a 5 pack of the 53' Jindos - we'll see. I purchased the boxcar because I was curious to see what all the talk was about. It's definitely a beautiful model. I would have been happier if it came in kit form. The Hunt boxes were a gift from my wife and kids - I intend to use them as canvases for a real intense weathering session, as well as a pattern for some 53' fixed length chassis when I get the reseach together.
Price is a consideration. As stated in other parts of this site, I'm a "most bang for the buck" type of guy. If I walk into a hobby shop with $30 to burn, I'll be the one walking out with 2-3 kits, Evergreen plastic, a few Microscale sheets and a mag or two - not one RTR model. I'm betting that I'll have more fun too.
The complaint is often voiced about the time that one actually has to build models. I've also heard the one about how "I simply don't have the ability to build models". Gimme a break. While there are individuals out there who really do have physical limitations (and I do sympathize with them), most people that make those claims are simply afraid to try and would rather make excuses than learn how to use an x-acto knife. Personally, I work a full-time job, my wife and I run a part-time business and we have kids with whom we spend lots of quality time with. Through it all, we each find good, quality time to pursue our interests. Mine happens to be railroad modeling, and I'm certainly not gonna spend my modeling time making excuses.
The bottom line, simple. People getting started in this hobby should definitely pay attention to the challenges. And I mean the good ones like building something with your hands, a good-looking, challenging replica of a prototype that can be enjoyed for years to come. Something that one can look at and state, "I built that!!" While the RTR stuff is indeed nice, there's really no sense of accomplishment in opening a box, pulling the model out and placing it directly on the track. Railroad modeling is an art form that anyone can enjoy at any level, whether it be with the assembly of the simplest of "shake-the-box" kits to the most complex scratchbuilt projects.
I encourage you to try it today.
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