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Model Railways.

Mountain Goat

Anyone love model railways and railways? 

I have been in the hobby ever since I can remember from a toddler with plastic trains and track to an adult where I now make my own items.

I do not know what life would be like without planning my next model railway related project. I have tried various scales and gauges in the past and still have a lot of 00 left, but my real love is in 0-16.5 which is otherwize known as 7mm narrow gauge (Also known as 0e and 0n30 depending where you live). It is just the ideal scale and gauge for scratchbuilding. I also kit build. I have my own style so some purists may not find it to their liking, but it suits me, and I don't want to copy others for the sake if samenessness. I am different and this reflects in my models I build. I also like simple kits from the likes of Smallbrook Studio, Peco and others.

Part of the fun of the hobby is in making things myself. I fear this is sadly lacking in todays commercialized world, but I do believe that in future years home made models are set to make a comeback, and I have had thoughts to write a book to encourage others down similar lines. 

Model railways can be an expensive hobby, but the move to 7mm narrow gauge and scratchbuilding means that it needn't cost a fortune. As long as one has a few tools and basic equipment to start, it isn't that complicated. I can make a waggon for not that much more then the cost of its wheels as I usually use scraps and various bits and pieces. It is quite surprizing what can be made with a little thought and patience!

Anyone else into model railways? 

  • My mate Stuart is also an Aspie and is into model steam engines, and is a member of a garden railway club and a volunteer for Bluebell Railway and Amberley Museum. He is also into busses and used to be a bus driver, and has also driven HGVs and has a full car and bike licence, he makes my car licence look like it was cut from a cereal packet. LOL

    You'll find that quite a few of us Aspies tend to have geeky traits. I met Stuart when we were both members for a model aircraft flying club in Brighton, we are both very competent R/C flyers.

    Main difference between Stuart and me is that he's mainly into steam engines, and has even constructed his own stationary engines, has more of an eye for detail, and seems to be more patient with things. Me on the other hand, I'm into computer programming, electronics, science and UFO related stuff, and know a bit about cars due to when my dad was a mechanic. I am also less patient with things and my attention span really sucks, I often have proper fly of the handle meltdowns when things go wrong.

  • I like model trains - my wife has the Lego train sets, I prefer normal 00/H0 styles.           I've had layouts in the past but I'm currently track-less but we keep up with the latest things - we went to the big show at Gaydon last year.   .

    We're looking at doing a back garden layout when we move - I've seen that track & trains are not that expensive - it's the scenery that breaks the bank - so we're going to let mother nature provide the bulk of it as the trains go around the garden.     I'm very interested in first-person driving so I can go around the undergrowth from my sofa.   Smiley

    My favourite layout is the one at Bekonscot - I love this view..  

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMsJ_P6d-zg