“These models we build are amazing works of engineering and of art. They are something to be proud of and the time invested in them was wisely spent not just for the satisfaction of a model’s completion but for the growth we triggered in ourselves as we honed the craft of the hobby and our mastery of its skills.”
This quote by Chris Mears from his Prince Street blog has stayed with me all week.
Chris also asked this question and, it’s a great one: “What’s so wrong with discussing the hobby maturely?”
Indeed. Why does that seem so difficult?
I’ve been thinking on this topic for several days, trying to sort it out for my own benefit as I struggle to understand and clarify my thoughts about why this craft seems so compelling to some and so banal to others. Let me burst any bubbles of expectation now, I have no clue about any larger answers. I can only share my own perspective.
My dictionary was disappointing in its definition of the word conversation, saying simply that it’s an informal talk. That only left me wanting more, because many of my most enjoyable conversations went far beyond simple, informal talks. The best ones were explorations into the world without and within; being not only about the subject at hand but also my views, my bias, and my understanding or pitiful lack thereof. They were true vehicles of discovery that helped me grow and such discussions were also rare and therefore, cherished.
In the starkest contrast imaginable to that idea, so much of the rhetoric surrounding the hobby of model trains is shrill, ego laden, histrionic and useless babbling that only seeks to win an argument and eliminate or discredit any dissenting views rather than explore and understand them.
I’m not ignorant. I realize that many open forums are profoundly skewed by a minority who seem to do nothing else but blather on, displaying their own lack of judgement for all to see. What’s truly sad is that this is the only impression many people will ever have about this craft. Three questions about the conversation come to mind:
Why does it have to be this way?
What could it become?
How might we do it differently?
Why does it have to be this way?
It may be simplistic, but the human condition accounts for much of the answer to the first question and, I’m really not qualified to explore this line of thinking, so I’ll leave it alone.
But there are other factors in play. We perpetuate a culture that reveres answers. The existing literature is built around answering What and How. What car is that? It’s a Pullman Standard 5344. How do I lay track? You get some cork roadbed material and…
Once answered, the issue is resolved, and while there is certainly a time, place and need for them, these definitive answers often become the sole definition of the hobby for people.
Such a relentless focus on what and how is less tolerant of questions about Why. Such open-ended questions often challenge the pat answers and definitions, which can feel threatening to many. Asking why doesn’t lend itself to simple answers.
What could it become?
Again, I can only offer a personal perspective. For me, the craft is an ongoing conversation between my understanding of full-size railroading and its creative expression in miniature.
My Classroom.
Where I not only learn about the full-size world but also about what I bring to it.
My exploration of this work is a classroom that teaches me as much about myself as about the subject at hand. Seen in that light, it need never grow stale or boring unless I bring my own boredom to it. Further, it’s only limited by my spirit of inquiry. This quote from watercolorist Chinmaya Panda from The Art Of Watercolor magazine sums it up beautifully for me.
“I consider myself a learner: I believe that I am still in a learning mode and this helps keep the artist inside of me alive. Learners are curious and I am naturally curious. It is this curiosity that drives me, motivating me to paint, to put my ideas, my perspective of the world around me onto paper. No matter how skillful you become, painting never gets easy. The reason why painting remains so demanding is because as you improve, your results grow more rewarding, which pushes you to increase your skill. That, in turn, will carry with it enriched insights and an urge to pursue greater challenges requiring still greater mastery, and so on. The demands of painting will always remain greater than your expertise.”
Those last three sentences strike me as profound and completely applicable to modeling trains in miniature, regardless of whether you consider yourself a model builder or an operator.
My Studio.
Where theory meets practice and I learn who I need to become to do the work I’ve chosen.
Once basic skills are in hand, what then? This is as far as the majority ever go, simply repeating the same things at the same level and wondering why they’re bored; never knowing, and I paraphrase:
The reason why painting (model railroading) remains so demanding is because as you improve, your results grow more rewarding, which pushes you to increase your skill. That, in turn, will carry with it enriched insights and an urge to pursue greater challenges requiring still greater mastery, and so on. The demands of painting (and this craft) will always remain greater than your expertise.”
My Canvas.
Where the demands and possibilities of the craft will always exceed my expertise.
How might we do it differently?
I’m fully aware that framing the craft as a ongoing conversation is beyond the pall for many who just want to play train. It’s just more of the nonsensical ramblings of someone who needs to get a life. Yet, the change in the conversation has to start someplace, and your own mind is a good place to begin. Whether we need anyone else’s validation or whether others like our views isn’t the point. We are pursuing the craft in ways that enrich our lives and that is the point and, the work itself is the only validation worth seeking.
Regards,
Mike
GREAT post, Mike. Absolutely wonderful. I’m definitely sharing with others.
I would add that the culture is migrating from “discovery” and “exploration” to “asking”.
I blame the Internet: Somebody online knows the answer, and it’s easier to ask than it is to try and risk failure.
I think that reinforces the “What” and “How” approach, at the expense of the “Why”.
Asking “How do I lay track?” takes the place of actually trying to lay some, failing at it, and figuring out why it didn’t work so that one can do better the next time.
Cheers!
– Trevor (with four decades of making mistakes in the hobby, and – sometimes – learning from them)
—
Trevor Marshall
Port Rowan in 1:64
An S scale study of a CNR branch line in southern Ontario – in its twilight years
http://themodelrailwayshow.com/cn1950s
As Lance Mindheim is saying,sometimes it’s a blessing to have no money to spend on trains. Having a very slim pleasure budget,(and other hobbies as well) means that when I feel like doing some modeling,I can’t just pop down to the hobby shop(80 miles away) and buy a shiny new something. So instead, I do things like rebuild a freight car that doesn’t meet my current criteria, or try a new ballasting technique,or practice making more accurate styrene parts.All of which further my skills for very little cash outlay. Also,thinking about the hobby deeply,like you do,costs nothing,and is just as interesting.
As Trevor says, great post – you have hit your stride!
This is an interesting thought;
I love that. No matter how good I get (feel I get!) there will always be something to improve upon, or something new to learn. What a brilliant way to view a hobby.
On the other side, many will feel threatened by this idea: not sure how, or even if we can reach out to them. Or indeed, would this be condescending?
Simon
Thanks Trevor, appreciate the conversation and shout out.
Jed,
The ways to enjoy this craft are only limited by our imagination and willingness to look at it differently.
Simon,
No one enjoys having a cherished idea challenged. I’ve learned the very hard way that I’m not responsible for how others receive my views. Those who are willing to give them a fair hearing may find them beneficial, or maybe not. Others who won’t even consider them have made a choice too and I’ve found it fruitless to argue. I’m done playing that game.
Regards all,
Mike
Mike,
I agree this is a great post that extends a really nice trajectory of thinking on your blog. If I may be so bold, I would identify the message of that trajectory as “it is OK to approach model railroading intellectually.” You might find a sympathetic trajectory in my thoughts:
http://modelrailroaddesign.blogspot.com/2013/11/modeling-to-escape-versus-modeling-to.html
http://modelrailroaddesign.blogspot.com/2014/02/we-dont-actually-like-creativity.html
I’ve been enjoying your posts – keep asking the tough questions!
Riley
PoNYRR.blogspot.com
ModelRailroadDesign.blogspot.com
Simon,
It reminds me of this Winston Churchill quote I had up on the wall of my office at one time:
I saw it as hopeful: we were indeed ever-improving. One of my colleagues took it the other way, and saw only the ever-ascending path.
I think someone is more likely to feel threatened (perhaps discouraged is a better word) if they can only see up the hill, and can’t see how far they’ve come already. Today, a neophyte modeller can see that Churchill’s path stretches pretty far, and also forks in many directions!
Agreed.
I think that with this post you have perhaps come closest to defining your point of view and the tone of the blog.
It could almost be used to help new readers decide if they have arrived at the right place for them: “Read this. It will help you understand what this place is all about. ”
Simon
Hi Riley,
Welcome to the blog.
As I read those posts, I had a sense of deja’ vu, then realized I had read both before, having found your site somehow. What an enjoyable read. (Folks, I heartily recommend Riley’s writing.)
My experience as a writer mirrors yours as a designer. People give lip service to change and the new but only want the old in a different wrapper. As editor at O Scale Trains Magazine I tried to drag the culture into the twenty-first century. To say this was not welcomed with open arms is an understatement. People wanted none of it and like you, I learned some hard lessons in the process.
It’s frustrating but I’ve come to understand that before people will embrace a different paradigm, they have to get used to it first, then maybe, just maybe, some will give it a try.
As you suggested, we can encourage others, keep silent when there’s nothing constructive to add and find enjoyment where we are and with what we’re doing. Great thoughts Riley. Keep in touch please.
Regards,
Mike
Excellent idea my friend! I placed a link to it on the home page and also on the About OST page.
Thanks Simon.
Regards,
Mike
Give them time, Mike: they need to get past 1950 first…
Hi Simon,
I for one see so many possibilities for how this craft could grow and evolve. I see the future potential of existing technology to resolve many of the complaints people have about product availability and quality.
But to embrace these ideas and to realize such potential, people will have to think differently.
Many are quite content to remain in the metaphorical 1950s and I’m no longer going to try to convince them otherwise. Their choices don’t have to be mine.
Regards,
Mike
Mike,
An excellent post! Don’t stop sharing your thoughts with us.
Your statement, “My exploration of this work is a classroom that teaches me as much about myself as about the subject at hand. Seen in that light, it need never grow stale or boring unless I bring my own boredom to it. Further, it’s only limited by my spirit of inquiry”, is the direction to follow. Go out and learn about the piece you wish to create, whatever that piece may be. Real trains, real people, doing real work.
I think that modelers have to realize there are many pieces to the hobby; learning to observe, research, design, build, problem solve, etc.. Bringing them together and working to improve makes one realize it isn’t getting the latest greatest RTR whatever. Challenge your skill level across the many many skills that one can bring to the hobby. You may surprise yourself and do more than you every thought.
Recently thought about this process myself.
http://modelrailroadimagineerings.wordpress.com/2014/08/09/on-the-road-to-becoming-a-finescale-modeler-next-stop-synergy/
Matt
Fine postings Matt. I think you’ll discover that following your own path instead of another’s will be more rewarding by far.
I really do like yours and Tim’s framework design and I remember those articles from ’77 in MR. LED lighting options are increasing every year and coming down in price. They’d be an ideal choice for a layout like that. Something to consider would be lighting your backdrop from the top and bottom, something I wish I would have included on mine. Rene’ Gourley has done this with his new layout and it looks wonderful. It also all but eliminates shadows on the sky from 3d scenery objects. All that said, you make your own choices, it’s your layout not mine.
The I&W is built with old school standards, screwed to the wall and not intended to be moved. If I ever do build another one (not likely but…), it would be self-contained like yours and even simpler than what I have now.
Carry on sir!
Regards,
Mike