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FUNDAMENTAL  IMPLICATIONS

OF  A  MODELING  TERM

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     The following statement is a revised transcription of a conversation I once had with a fellow model railroader concerning the terms "model railroading" or "model railroader."  I posted this once on a newsgroup where there had previously been some discussion on the matter, and I thought World War III has come as a result.  Yet I feel that never has a more true statement been made to end this rediculous debate.
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ARTICLE :
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     The fundamental implication of the terms "MODEL RAILROADER" and "MODEL RAILROADING" is the strongest arguement AGAINST those who consider themselves to be true Model Railroaders.  I'm am specifically addressing those modelers who refuse to acknowledge as Model Railroaders other folks who don't choose to be as meticulous and precise in their modeling efforts as Prototype Modelers do.  Modelers who believe that you can't be a true Model Railroader if you aren't precise about the prototypical look of the models you build need to remember that the term "Model Railroad" does not only address the locomotives and rolling stock that they build, but their layouts as well.

     Those whose claim to fame is that their models are almost perfectly accurate when compared to its prototype need to humble themselves and come to terms with the fact that, no matter how exact and true-to-prototype their rolling models may be, their layouts are not (and cannot possibly be) even remotely as prototypical.  What do I mean by that?  Well, look at it this way... if you were modeling a railroad, then wouldn't you have to be just as precise at modeling the scenery as you are at modeling the rolling equipment?  I mean, if you are going to argue and debate about the distance between two grab-irons on a railcar or locomotive, or the exact location of a herald, or some other detail, then shouldn't you also argue about other things on the layout such as...

     - the number of cross-ties used on the prototype's trackwork between any two given points?

     - the distance between two rocks in the track ballast?

     - the number of blades of grass found sprouting up through the ballast in a span of so many feet on the prototype?

     - the number of times the rails are joined with bolt-plates between two selected points?

     - the actual distance in feet and inches between one depot in one town to the next depot in the next town?

     - the number of leaves on every single tree on the layout... etc, etc, etc?

I could go on forever picking out things such as those to consider, but that should be more than enough for me to make my point.  If you must argue about the accuracy of a model of a piece of rolling equimpent, then you must also argue about such things as those I just listed above, as well as a plethora of other scenery related details if you want to be a model railROADer!  Is this rediculous?  YES, absolutely!!!  But it is no more rediculous than the "rivet-counting" that goes on by those who constantly bicker and debate about the imperfections of the details on a model that someone has built.

     So, with all due respect for and admiration of those who are capable of building beautiful and extremely accurate models, I must say that, based on the fundamental meaning of the terms, it is safe to determine that there is actually NO SUCH THING as a true Model Railroader.  There may be Prototype RailCAR Modelers, but there are no true railROAD modelers, because one cannot justify their claim to the title of model railroader simply because they built a model of a locomotive or railcar that is so precisely accurate that it leaks real grease from the bearings and bleeds air pressure from the release valve.  That can only earn them the title of Prototype RailCAR Modeler, not RailROAD Modeler.

I don't want to make enemies with this article, I just want people to lighten up and allow everyone to enjoy this hobby.  But if you choose to disagree with my article and would like to debate it... or if you'd just like to voice your appreciation for my words, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter; Just click on the envelope to send me an e-mail :

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