New designs

[ncost]

Hi Guys,

I am a student of design at IT Sligo. I'm trying to find out about Railway modelling for a new project. I have been reading the forums to get a better understanding of this hobby but, I would be grateful if some of you would take the time to answer some questions for me please.

 

1. How did you get interested in Railway Modelling?

 

2.What do you enjoy most about your hobby?

 

3. Do you go to events and if so how often and where?

 

4.How much do you spend per annum on railway modelling?

 

If you could please take the time to answer even some of these questions or, if you prefer, just tell me in your own words more about being a Railway Modelling enthusiast. If you wish you can pm me. Thank you for taking the time to read this

Edited January 10, 2015 by ncost
nobody replied

[Glenderg]

1: ryans wallpaper and decorating in patricks street limerick sold solvite and paint, but they also had a roundy roundy track in the window. It was 1984 i was 7 and that christmas Earl Mountbatten of Burma loco and three blue and grey coaches arrived. I could have lost the goo right then but then my aul fella decided the design of bogie coaches was wrong. He spent christmas day cutting up the coaches and bogies, glueing them back together in only the way an engineering dad could. I cried all day, and my aul fella is a solicitor. He made a total balls of it and hence forth, the engineering side of the hobby was born. I ended up building a miny town with a 64' single track. The photos of that layout got me into architecture in college - they said model making was a module (lying bawstads)

 

2: the challenges. Given thats its an irish thing and British rail is handily available, its always been the challenge to convert non irish railway coaches etc. To something that looks right. As a community, we put up with truly inadequate models and repaints for years - the desire is to have everything ready to run, off the shelf. Might happen in a hundred years or so. The challenge continues.....

 

3: no, much and all as i love the hobby, i avoid those events like the plague. Body odour, more bitching than an episode of eastenders, and a level of bullshit that would have paddy murphy crowned both high king of ireland and cromwells right hand man at the same time.

 

4: i spend about a tenner a year on me, a couple of thousand on other peoples models. I'm a bad example, but it's unlikely you'll get an answer either way. Many married men here consciously disguise there spending on the hobby, and certainly will not disclose an amount on a public forum to a stranger. You could be disguised as the revenue, or worse, the wife.

 

Best of luck

 

Richie.

Edited January 11, 2015 by Glenderg
this isn't facebook

[Riversuir226]

1. A trip on a Railway Preservation society steam special sowed the seeds, the following x mas a trainset complete with car transporter completed the deal.

2. Kitbuilding and the occassional scratchbuild, much better than taking a loco etc out of the box and putting it on the track .

3. Very rarely, 1 a year max.

4. Eh, €100 plus per month. Well thats what i tell the Mrs's anyway!!!!!

Edited January 11, 2015 by Riversuir226

[jhb171achill]

1. Lifelong interest in railways, encouraged by a small Hornby train set when I was 11.

 

2. The unfolding of a mini-world as the layout us built and developed.

 

3. When I can, but that actually isn't anything like as often as I would like.

 

4. Currently, no more than a couple of hundred euros, but this is because following a house move, all layout activity is on hold: I need to build a new one.....

 

Hope this helps....

[Warbonnet]

1. How did you get interested in Railway Modelling?

 

Growing up watching Thomas the Tank Engine in the mid 80s, Santa brought a push along Thomas set and then a couple of years later a Hornby Intercity 125 train set. Parents brought me to watch trains going through my home town (Clondalkin) and places like Heuston and Connolly.

 

2.What do you enjoy most about your hobby?

 

Letting my imagination run wild with ideas for a layout that will be built someday, research and the possibility of creating a slice of the past. Learning new skills too.

 

3. Do you go to events and if so how often and where?

 

One, maybe two a year. When I lived in the UK I went to more as there was more on and the subject matter was quite diverse. You tend to see the same stuff here over and over again as the pool of interested people is smaller. Exhibitions arent really my thing though, I much rather running sessions with some like minded people.

 

4.How much do you spend per annum on railway modelling?

 

I've cut down to about 70-100 per month on average. I reckon a few years ago though I was spending around 300 a month when I had a job where I could afford to spend so much! In fairness I have too much stuff so I can see that spending falling even further this year. Most will be on coaches, wagons and kits as well as trackfrom now on!

[ncost]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I'm delighted with the response so far and really appreciate it

Edited January 11, 2015 by ncost

[Noel]

1. How did you get interested in Railway Modelling?

2. What do you enjoy most about your hobby?

3. Do you go to events and if so how often and where?

4.How much do you spend per annum on railway modelling?

 

1. Watching my fathers Hornby-Dublo GWR trains running under and around my cot as an infant, subsequently reinforced by travelling frequently on trains as a child on MGWR and GSWR lines. Mid 50s to 70s favourite era.
   
2. Nostalgia operating model trains in an imaginary world built by hand + modelling track work, structures and buildings. For rolling stock I prefer RTR.
   
3. No as a general pattern, but have been this year as a one off. Prob once a year to MRSI show for a few years.
   
4. Approx *#@!* per annum
   

[burnthebox]

Hi Guys,

 

1. A life long interest in model trains, got a wind up set "O" gauge set when I was eabout 7, been hooked ever since, teenage years & girls interrupted for a while!

 

2. The pleasure of seening loco's & carriages, wagons been hauled around the "country" my "Country"

 

3. Whenever I get the chance, mostly in the greater Dublin area

 

4. To answer this I would have to kill you, that would be after my divorce, kicked out of my house, & left homeless,

 

Hope this is of some help, best of luck,

btb

Edited January 11, 2015 by burnthebox

[Dave]

1. Life long interest, started with my Dad and his layout when I was 8. Due to career and girls only got back into it in the last few years, now I do it for a living.

 

2. The satisfaction of seeing a layout completed, and then starting all over again.

 

3. Every month, but as a trader.

 

4. Ahem! A lot!

[Mayner]

1. How did you get interested in Railway Modelling?

 

A bit too far back to remember a present of a Traing No23 locomotive as a toddler & stories of my late grandfather an engine driver. Introduction to the hobby through Model Railway News magazine some time in 1967 nice picture of Mallard in garter blue on the cover, articles on garden railways, Isle of Man Railway re-opening and reviews inside. 1969 1st proper trainset Traing-Hornby "South African Goods", joined Model Railway Society of Ireland as a junior member 1973.

 

 

2.What do you enjoy most about your hobby?

 

I am a modeller rather than a collector, my greatest interest is in designing and building models. My greatest enjoyment is planning & starting new projects I am very slow to finish anything.

 

3. Do you go to events and if so how often and where?

 

Local exhibition annually, specialist conventions every 2-4 years

 

4.How much do you spend per annum on railway modelling?

 

Difficult to establish, current expenditure mainly on workshop, equipment and maintenance as opposed to locos, rolling stock and track.

[Weshty]

1. How did you get interested in Railway Modelling?

I had a clockwork Hornby set as a small fellah. The Easons Hornby display in Cork in the late 70’s was heaven on earth, as was spending hours in Noonan’s Toyshop in Charleville. However, I got my first proper electric set in Dunnes Stores in 1980, an irish freight set no less!! I also made my own buildings using Linka but my interest in the hobby receeded as I got involved in the real thing, assisting in the GSRPI at Mallow station (A GNRI Q Class and Bredins galore). Music, rugby, gurrls and the Leaving put an end to this.

 

I got back into the hobby with a vengeance in ’06 when I found Steve Johnson’s Irish Railway Website and Model Irish Railways kits, and had great fun building these and scratchbuilding others. My interest took a turn in ’08 when I started designing decals and bought Studio Scale Models, and then also started designing my own range of brass kits. The impetous for this was that with a weak euro, scratch building 15 bubbles could save me a few hundred quid, so I started with the humble Cement Bubble Etch. It has gone on to take on a life of its own as I have expanded some other manufacturers’ ranges, and even got into O gauge.

 

 

2.What do you enjoy most about your hobby?

The interaction with the other lads and shooting the breeze and getting new ideas for inspiration. The sheer challenge and pleasure of designing new kits and trying to represent all aspects of the network, lighting & signalling as well as rolling stock. The buzz of research, whether on line, on the forum, or indeed lucky enough to photograph and measure it in real life. It’s a very addictive hobby.

 

 

3. Do you go to events and if so how often and where?

Yes, Cultra every two years and Dublin and Cork yearly. It’s a really great opportunity to meet up, chinwag and show the wares.

 

 

4.How much do you spend per annum on railway modelling?

Jayz, a sergeant wouldn’t ask me that question! A fraction of what I used to spend, as my interest is purely irish based stock, and I manufacture it more than buy it these days. But if Mr Murphy brings out something, Glenderg scratchbuilds it or Wrenneire has it 2nd hand, I’ll probably buy it.

[Old Blarney]

1. How did you get interested in Railway Modelling?

 

The start of my interest in this wonderful hobby goes back to the mid 1940. My parents lived on a farm at the top of the hill, between Chapelizod and Palmerstown, Co Dublin. From their home, I was able to listen to trains as they travelled over the lines to the South and West of Ireland. I was told by my Mother and an Aunt, that I made train noises from an early age; that I would scuff my feet in dust to imitate steam being emitted from the cylinders of a locomotive, so that was the beginning.

 

Both sets of Grandparents lived close to railway lines. My Paternal Grandparents in Islandbridge, Dublin. Their home occupying an area adjacent to the Phoenix Park Tunnel at the river Liffey end. My Maternal Grandparents lived close to Sydney Parade Station to the south of Dublin. It was at this station that I spent many hours sitting in the signal box watching the signalmen at their work. I was allowed to assist them as I grew older, and it was my job to open and close the level crossing gates as and when required. Oh, happy memories.

 

 

When I was very young and suffering from whooping cough, my father bought me a clockwork railway set. I can only just remember this incident and I think it was during World War II that this happened. My father was killed when I was five and it was to be another seven years before I had a model railway again - Tri-Ang model railway. Thought it the bee's knees. Princess Elizabeth locomotive and three cream and red coaches.

 

I drifted in and out of this hobby as life progressed and situations came and went. Today I have two model railways. One exhibition railway, Old Blarney. Details of this are available from the Perth and District Model railway Club WEB Page. The second railway is here in my home. Both railways share the same rolling-stock

 

 

2.What do you enjoy most about your hobby?

 

I enjoy the pleasure of creating the scenes in which the model railway will run. When this has been completed (If ever) there is then the pleasure of running your railway in your world. The railway can be what you want it to be. Real places in miniature, or a world from your imagination. Building model railways offers many pleasures and it teaches one the art of patience. You cannot rush certain tasks. It is a world where you need to solve problems on your own and/or with the help of others. If you are a member of a model railway club there is the opportunity to learn from others who are experienced in this hobby, and for some, the companionship too.

 

3. Do you go to events and if so how often and where?

 

I go to a number of exhibition here and Ireland too. Looking forward to Bangor this April and thoroughly enjoyed Cultra last November.

 

4.How much do you spend per annum on railway modelling?

 

I prefer to think of my expenditure as an investment.

 

I hope this information is of use to you and that it tells a wee story. Should you wish to have additional information on Old Blarney - please refer to The Perth and District Model railway Club WEB page.

 

http://www.perthmrc.com/page10.htm

 

David.

[patrick]

1. How did you get interested in Railway Modelling?

 

I have been facinated by trains and railways both real and model as long as I remember. My mother told me that a guaranteed way to keep me quiet as a baby was to park my pram on the railway bridge at Patrickswell station in the early sixties before the family moved to Tralee.

 

2.What do you enjoy most about your hobby?

 

Just about everything although I am not fond of anything involving paint. I am not a rivet counter, my main goal is capturing the atmosphere and operations of Irish railways in the the late sixties to the mid seventies. During this period I spent a lot of time hanging out around Tralee station and was fortunate to get to ride on the goods trains to Listowel and Castleisland and beet trains to Fenit and Abbeydorney and railway modelling is a way to keep these memories alive. Research, scheming and planning are all very enjoyable aspects of the hobby but the greatest satisfaction is when everything comes togeather in an atmospheric believable scene.

 

3. Do you go to events and if so how often and where?

 

About one train show a year in the Cleveland Ohio area. I used to attend more when I modelled US railroads but very little is available here for the Irish modeller.

 

4.How much do you spend per annum on railway modelling?

 

All told about $40 a month. All the track on the layout except for a few curved points is recycled from a previous layout. I am not a collector. Anything aquired must support the theme of the layout and this keps cost down.

[josefstadt]

I'm just wondering why this thread is called 'New Designs'. I keep visiting it expecting to see some new gem from Weshty, Mayner, Murrayec, Glenderg etc.