39 - O Scale Trains Magazine Online

End of the line…
When this column was first proposed several years
ago, notes and ideas were jotted down on a dinner
napkin after a phone call from the publisher. Charged
with the idea of having a column devoted to a hobbyist
transitioning over to 2-Rail scale modeling, this hobo
came to write about his transition and other information
that he gleaned from his experiences and travels.
The column was meant to be informative, challenging,
controversial, and encouraging for those contemplating
scale modeling. It was an attempt to show how easy it
is today to enter the realm of 2-Rail O Scale.
Some read the column with appreciation and interest.
Some found the column to be offensive and degrading.
Scale hobbyists tended to ignore the column
because of the use of the term “Hi-Rail” which they
associated with 3-Rail trains. Some Hi-Rail readers
found the column to be bothersome in that they were
quite content with their level of modeling and really
didn’t want to convert to scale 2-Rail. They tended to
see hobo apologizing for the third rail which was not
his intention. So when all was said and done, Hobo’s
writing did accomplish one of the goals: it came across
as being controversial.
However, the hobby is bigger than all of this. And,
OST is certainly bigger than all of this combined. In
the larger scheme of things we have decided that this
will be Hobo’s final column. The big picture is that our
magazine is dedicated to and celebrates the art of 1:48
modeling. That is our goal… period.
Hobo has learned a lot over the years that he will
attempt to share with you in his concluding comments.
Please read on:
There is no right or wrong way to pursue the hobby.
Hobbyists have many modeling choices today. You simply
have to choose what you want to do. If you model
a Hi-Rail layout with scale models, extensive scenery
and lots of details, that is great. If your choice is a scale
2-Rail layout with a point-to-point terminal with little
or no scenery, that is great, too. Even if you prefer to
be an armchair operator with no layout and have cases
of beautiful brass “shelf queens” hanging on the walls,
that is OK. If you haven’t purchased your first loco yet
because the manufacturer missed a couple of rivets,
that’s all right too! It is your choice. Do what gives you
satisfaction.
Scale modeling is scale modeling. If you are modeling
in scale, it really doesn’t matter how many rails
you have. This hobo has seen some pretty spectacular
layouts with full scenery and details that looked very
realistic. Some had two rails, some had three rails, and
some had both two rails and three rails. To be honest,
sometimes they were so well done you didn’t even consider
how many rails were in the track!
This is a big tent. As mentioned before, the scale railroad
modeling tent is quite large and takes into account
several venues, including everything from Hi-Rail,
3-Rail, 3-Rail Scale, Stud Rail, Scale 2-Rail, Traction,
On30, and Proto 48. Everybody shares the ideas and
goals of fidelity to prototype. Each group defines their
comfort level of perfection and detail. Each individual
decides what modeling level is obtainable and acceptable
to him/her. That is the nuts and bolts of this hobby.
That is what fuels the passion.
Observe the thin, gray line. In recent years, the line
between scale Hi-rail and scale 2-Rail has continuously
gotten thinner. As manufacturers moved in the direction
of more details and scale products, the availability
of new products encouraged a hobbyist to get involved
with the great scale movement. It is no longer a simple
matter of toy trains vs. scale trains, as many levels of
products are readily available on today’s market and are
offered as scale versions ready to run right out of the
box.
Don’t shoot the messenger. This column was always
meant to be informative. I have always maintained my
friends on both sides of the track regardless of the number
of rails. It does appear however, that I was unfortunately
always on the wrong side of the tracks. This effort
has been an attempt to encourage and promote great
modeling. Enjoy your choices.
As this old hobo catches the last train out of the yard
and rides it off into the golden sunset he calls out one
last time: “Y’all enjoy the hobby and just have fun!”
(Even if a certain aspect of the hobby isn’t your cup of
tea, as Hobo has shown us, there is always something to
learn. We at O Scale Trains Magazine extend our appreciation
and wish Hobo well on his journeys.-Ed.) u
July/Aug ’08 - O Scale Trains • 25