Model Railroading; The World’s Greatest Hobby!
June 17, 2009 by Rick Brock
Filed under Featured, General
Model railroading is considered by many to be the world’s greatest hobby and is one I’ve wanted to engage in since I was a kid. I visit model railroading shows and exhibits every chance I get and feel like a kid again every time I go!
I live near Minneapolis, Minnesota and when the Mall Of America first opened in the early 1990’s I took my young daughter to check out the mall and ride the indoor amusement rides at Camp Snoopy.
Mall Of America Model Railroad Display - 1993
One of the businesses that set up shop at the new mall was a model train store with an incredible model railroad exhibit.
They charged an admittance fee for the exhibit, which I gladly paid for my daughter and myself, thinking she would enjoy the exhibit as much as I knew I would (what was I thinking?)
I could have spent hours (days?) watching the trains run the enormous and elaborate layout.
Of course, my daughter was not nearly as enthused as I was and it wasn’t long before I reluctantly left the display behind so we could enjoy the rides at Camp Snoopy.
My daughter is grown and has kids of her own now and I think it is only fitting that, so far, two of my grandsons are fans of Thomas The Train & Friends!
Now my daughter has to sit through countless Thomas and Friends videos. She does have an easy time shopping for birthday and Christmas gifts, however.
Now that my kids are grown and have lives of their own, and, now that my career allows me a little more time at home I can pursue the World’s Greatest Hobby. Although, I have had exposure to the hobby from time to time over the years, I still consider myself a beginner.
Mall Of America Model Railroad Display - 1993
Since I am a beginner, I know I need to seek out experts who are willing to share their knowledge with a beginner.
Since I am also a website designer, I thought, “why not build a website that will allow me to share with others that want to learn about model railroading like I do.”
We could all independently search for this information, or we could pool our efforts and learn together.
I’ll use this website and the newsletter to share what I learn and where I learn it from. You can take advantage of this silently or you can share what you learn with the group.
Just want to read the free information that’ll be available? No problem. Like to write and share what you know? Great! You’ll have an opportunity to do that here, also.
I plan to publish the Model Train Tips Newsletter at least monthly. In the newsletter, I’ll share personal experiences with model railroading as well as tips and tricks I dig up during my research.
I hope you’ll share your personal experiences with me as well; I think there is great value in this within a group. We will all get more out of this when more of us share.
I’ll also share products that I find along the way that I think you might find useful. I’d also like to get input from you on products you’ve tried and whether you found them useful or not; help me steer the group in the right direction.
I invite you to sign up for my free newsletter and join this community. Take advantage of the information I make available and share what you learn with the group. Together, we can make this site extremely useful for ourselves and other beginners. I look forward to a bright future.
Rick Brock
