Modelling- Theory

[scott_efc]

Hello Chaps.

 

I have mentioned it before but im studying Fine Art at Uni and as such i combine my interest in model railways within this to create work based around the model particularly railways. So far i have created crash scenes, ive had engines engulfed by severed hands (joke shops ones) and hidden cameras watching the viewers aswell as a loop round the top of my space. But im struggling for ideas at the mintue so come to you guys for inspiration and maybe a few ideas! Would be brilliant if you could answer a few questions and hopefuly your responses will get my mind going again but also its just interesting to hear as everyone has such varying opinions and reasons for it.

 

1)Why do you model

2)Why do you model what you model

3)Is the act of modelling a secretive thing to you or not

4)If you exhibit how important to you is the viewer i.e watching their reactions

 

It would be brilliant if you could answer a couple or even all of the questions. But also if you have any ideas or anything else to chuck in their go for it! Its my third and final year at Uni and my brain has chosen now to stop working. But yeh thats enough rambling, really look forward to any responses and hope its of interest to everyone not just me

 

Cheers, Scott.

[Allegheny1600]

Hi Scott,

In the interests of helping out academically as it were, my answers are as follows;

1)Why do you model - Partly to exercise my desire to build things & partly to let me re-create a scene, picture or memory.

2)Why do you model what you model - It will be a subject that i find interesting either through having experienced it, reading about it or simply because no-one (or not many!) has yet tried it.

3)Is the act of modelling a secretive thing to you or not - No! I always try to involve those around me, from loved ones to peers! Although i can produce my better work when on my own but it's not done in secret!

4)If you exhibit how important to you is the viewer i.e watching their reactions - VERY important! I always like to entertain and inform the viewer and i really enjoy seeing their faces if they spot something they recognise or identify with.

Hope this is helpful to you!

Cheers,

John E.

[Flood]

Scott,

 

1)Why do you model I enjoy it and since I've been doing it since I was seven I can't imagine not making models

2)Why do you model what you model Possibly a throw-back to remembering my past but I always choose aspects I am personally interested in

3)Is the act of modelling a secretive thing to you or not I don't go into detail about it with my non-modelling friends unless they show an interest

4)If you exhibit how important to you is the viewer i.e watching their reactions I hope anyone viewing the layout enjoys what they see but if they don't it does not bother me

['CHARD]

1)Why do you model

2)Why do you model what you model

3)Is the act of modelling a secretive thing to you or not

4)If you exhibit how important to you is the viewer i.e watching their reactions

 

1) Because it's a therapeutic contrast to the rest of my life, I have enjoyed model railways since pre-school age, and because certain elements of it be they shapes, finished forms, juxtapositions, scenes or individual activities within modelling are very satisfying in themselves (filing the last bit of filler to get a true representation of a cab roof dome, a bit of weathering convincingly done, a realistically consisted long freight on sweeping reverse curves...)

 

2) Because it recalls and attempts to capture in miniature a place no longer served by rail, in a period that I was too young to experience at the time and which can only be evoked by pictures, a tiny amount of video, and the odd memoir; the research into which is another fascinating aspect as satisfying as the modelling itself but in a different way.

 

3) Not in the slightest; people can take it or leave it. I don't force it onto them, but I make no secret of it either - many find it a bewildering (dare I say placid and reflective) contrast to the person they (mis)take me for!

 

4) I suppose people's reactions would be important which is maybe why I consider my modelling attempts too inferior to exhibit! This is given the lie because I've done commissions specifically to sell for profit, so maybe I just don't want my esoteric efforts on show to a typical exhibition audience, or maybe my anarchic streak would tempt me to wind-up the rivet-counters too much: Dr Who characters sneaking into cameos, an errant loco in completely fictitious livery, or a model of a mainline station on the day of a national rail strike....

[pirouets]

1)Why do you model.

Its a great way to relax and un-wind from the stresses of my day job.

It beats sitting on the sofa watching TV where there are, in the words of Bruce Springsteen, 57 channels and nothing on.

I get to listen to Planet Rock with out any complaints from my wife and kids.

 

2)Why do you model what you model.

Damn good question and i'm not sure I have the full answer. If I ever do move to the BR Blue period though of the mid to late 70's, my answer would be "because its what I grew up with and it seemed to be the railways at the best because I did not undersand all the other issues. I could just stand on the bridge near home and watch the trains go by."

 

3)Is the act of modelling a secretive thing to you or not.

Its a mood thing. Sometimes I talk about it, and sometimes I don't. That could be attached to my shyness, but some times that does not matter at all. I guess my question here would be if Jekyll an Hyde had a model railway, how would they do it?

 

4)If you exhibit how important to you is the viewer i.e watching their reactions.

No idea as I have never done this, so picture me scratching my head as to what this really means to me.

[Dave777]

1)Why do you model

Because it’s creative. I’ve always had a bit of a creative/arty leaning and the idea of creating something in 3D appeals. I also like the challenge – how realistic can I make it, can I make this layout plan work, I wonder if there’s a new way to disguise the fiddleyard exit, and so on. Each layout usually has something about it that’s new to me and will hopefully stretch me a little bit.

 

2)Why do you model what you model

I don’t tend to stick with one particular theme or era, and some layout inspirations for past and future layouts include…

Can I make a double folding baseboard layout work?

Can I recreate the 1970s trains of my youth?

That new RTR release looks good, what sort of layout can I base around that?

I’ve never modelled the LMS before, I’d like to try it

I’ve modelled in N gauge for years, I’d like to try OO for a change.

 

Something usually sparks it off.

 

3)Is the act of modelling a secretive thing to you or not

Yeah, I keep it secretive I admit. Most of my friends don’t know I’m a railway modeller, and only two of my work colleagues do and they are modellers themselves. When I ‘come out’ to someone new I usually call it my anorak hobby so as to get that ‘joke’ out the way early. I even refer to it with my girlfriend as ‘anoraking’ (as in ‘I’m just going out to the garage to do a spot of anoraking’).

[Karhedron]

1)Why do you model

I have enjoyed making models since I was very young and I still do. I also model sci-fi and wargaming stuff so it is not purely limited to model railways. It is very relaxing and theraputic to put on some music and tune out the rest of the world by concentrating on a precise manual task. Plus there is the satisfaction of creating something in your mind and then slowly bringing it to life.

 

2)Why do you model what you model

I model the western region transition era although it is far before my time. Steam was gone a decade before I was brown and even the diesel-hydraulics were extinct around the same time so I cannot claim I am trying to recreate childhood memories. I grew up on the old GWR at its first terminus in Maidenhead so I guess my first exposure to railways was Western. I was always fascinated by the fact that I could tell the stations were evolving things. I could see sidings leading to nowhere, recognize old railway buildings that had been converted to other purposes and even walked the old Bourne End - High Wycombe line that Beeching axed.

 

All these relics of bygone days made me curious about what the railways used to be like. Since I don't have a time machine, I try to recreate things I have never seen as the next best thing. Plus I enjoy the research in its own right. When I was young I modelled modern image 00 but long trains and restrictions on space and time meant I never got a satisfactory layout running.

 

I am now working on a classic WR BLT in N gauge in the hope I might get it finished to a decent standard.

 

3)Is the act of modelling a secretive thing to you or not

Not secretive but it tends to be private as I am not a club member (apart from the NGS) and I wait until the boys are in bed before I break out the modelling stuff. My wife OK with my hobby but not really interested so she tends to leave me to it while I am modelling.

 

4)If you exhibit how important to you is the viewer i.e watching their reactions

I have ever exhibited although I might give it a go if my current layout fulfils my hopes.

[iak]

Fascinating idea for a thread...

 

1)Why do you model - As a means of expressing the inner muse, the need to create something as a means of self-expression.

 

2)Why do you model what you model - Both to recall an active passage in my mind memory wise and also to attempt to reproduce something I find both esthetically pleasing and stimulating.

 

3)Is the act of modelling a secretive thing to you or not - Certainly not, it is an open expression of who I am

 

4)If you exhibit how important to you is the viewer i.e watching their reactions - Very important... They have paid to see the exhibits and deserve a "show" which both entertaining and stimulating...

[Mallard60022]

1)Why do you model

2)Why do you model what you model

Cheers, Scott.

Scott, I'll answer two if that's OK?

1: because I enjoy the creativity and challenge and it is very theraputic.

2: to recreate things I remember seeing or would like to have seen, or to build something I really like (e.g. buildings, wagons and some loco's I never actually saw. All based around 50's /60's; it's an age thing!)

Sincerely, 36E

[-missy-]

Hello Chaps.

1)Why do you model

2)Why do you model what you model

3)Is the act of modelling a secretive thing to you or not

4)If you exhibit how important to you is the viewer i.e watching their reactions

Cheers, Scott.

 

Hello Scot

 

1) For me its a carry on from when I was young. My Dad was heavily into steam and railways and had a OO layout. My brother was not interested in railways so I ended up going to all the shows and things with him, so I guess it has just rubbed off onto me. Maurice of Osborns Models has alot to blame too, he got me interested in 2mmFS, the rest is history....

 

2) I kinda like the challenge of building things. As for the period I guess its tied in with (1) and all those trips to preserved steam railways. Highclere came about because of Maurice again, he suggested it and the idea of a layout.

 

3) I only really tell people about it if I get asked. Only a few of my 'Girlfriends' know about it and at work I use it occasionally to show off my skills.

 

4) Its very important to me, after all its why I am there. I have always got time to talk things through with anyone who is interested. I always try to start a conversation with someone at a show too because I find the majority of people wont talk to me.

 

Hope that helps?

 

Missy

[Guest stuartp]

1)Why do you model

I can't remember ever not modelling. I'm 41 so I'm one of the 'Airfix' generation - we all built plastic kits of one sortb or another. My dad bought me a trainset when I was 5 and I've been at it ever since, I can create my own little world where I say what goes and nobody else gets a vote (there's probably a deep-seated control freak issue there somewhere). More sensibly, I enjoy the craft element, I can create something tangible and say 'I did that' whilst not having to faff about with imaginative abstract stuff - if it looks like the prototype photo I'm happy.

 

2)Why do you model what you model

1960s era because I can model steam and deisel, I don't have to choose. Location because it reminds me of some of our best family holidays when I was a kid. Despite working for the railway for over 20 years now I don't model what I know from my day to day contact with the railway and have no interest in doing so.

 

3)Is the act of modelling a secretive thing to you or not

It was, it was a bit geeky and nerdy when I was at school so I kept myself to myself. Now I'm old enough and grumpy enough not to give a stuff what anyone thinks. If you think football beer and shouting is more fun you go for it.

 

4)If you exhibit how important to you is the viewer i.e watching their reactions

I don't exhibit, although I do post some of the less disasterous results on here. It's always nice when someone says they like it.

[Kenton]

1) Possibly having too much time on my hands during the day and requiring very little actual sleep. But also the therapy and pleasure of being creative. It is such a contrast to work that I think it benefits both me mentally as well as my work by being such a contrast. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly time passes with so little physically to show for it.

 

2) Primarily a kit builder - the choice really comes down to availability and an interest in the prototype. Layouts are small and abstract - and they are more about the planning and starting than the detailing and actual operating. I become bored at the slightest hint of delay or new opportunity.

 

3) Hardly on RMWeb, most friends know of the affliction and some encourage and contribute to it.

 

4) The whole raison d'etre for exhibiting is the viewer. IMO Any layout that does not put the public 1st and foremost should stay at home in the loft/clubhouse. To some extent it is about showing off - perhaps a little bit educational - but the greatest part is entertainment.

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

[1)Why do you model

It is fun to make use of practical skills, many of which get little other physical outlet. And it is a pleasant relaxation watching the trains weave their way around the layout.

2)Why do you model what you model

Golden memories of youth when there was relatively little affordable ready made entertainment, and the railway was a never ending source of interest.

3)Is the act of modelling a secretive thing to you or not

Not remotely, most of my acquaintance know about 'the train set'.

4)If you exhibit how important to you is the viewer i.e watching their reactions

when I was active in this, I would gauge the interest by the number of questions asked. Not much point exhibiting unless those watching find something to pique their interest.

[298]

1)Why do you model

 

Because I enjoy the varied aspects of it, from research to creatively making something, and it teaches useful practical skills that can be used in everyday life. It's also fun to photo match parts of the layout with an unseem image that might have been taken 30+ years ago.

 

2)Why do you model what you model

 

I first read about the prototype in 1985 when I was 11, and decided to model it because I fancied a challenge and it was unusual. I also find it more rewarding to model a subject, rather than freelance a layout around what can be picked out of a catalogue.

 

3)Is the act of modelling a secretive thing to you or not

 

No, people I work with might find it fun but are genuinely quite interested, especially if I bring in a magazine with one of my articles in. They might take the mickey out of my general railway interest, but are the first to ask if they want to get the tain somewhere and want to know routes, times, or where to get the best fares.

 

4)If you exhibit how important to you is the viewer i.e watching their reactions

 

Very important, the best shows are the American-biased ones as they may recognise my prototype or might have even visited the area. Families can be good if the parent is involving the child, asking what might be in the fruit crates or pointing out little details. Although you need a bit of "pioneering spirit" with any overhead layout, it's another aspect that keeps someone's attention, especially if they're prepared to ask how the trolley pole stays on the wire or why it takes the right route over pointwork. The groups I can't relate to are those with an insular interest and will walk striaght past a layout because it's N gauge or not their region, or those who only seem to go to a show to pick faults and decide the layout is rubbish just because something prototypical happens such as a derailment or a car becomes uncoupled in the wrong place.

 

Andy Gautrey.

 

http://andygautrey.fotopic.net/

[Burkitt]

1)Why do you model

I've always loved railways because my family have never had a car, so whenever we went anywhere we got there by train. Many of my earliest memories of trips to visit grandparents, the zoo, museums, the beach etc are associated with travelling on EPBs, CEPs, VEPs, CIGs and later Networkers.

I was introduced to modelling by my grandfather, who had a model railway using Hornby Dublo three rail which he had in turn inherited from his father. We spent a lot of time working on it together, but I wanted to model my favourite Intercity 125s, so I had to get my own train set too.

Today I enjoy modelling because it's a nice break from reality, and it's also a change from constantly using a computer.

 

2)Why do you model what you model

I model the LMS in Dublo three rail because I inherited my grandfather's model railway, the one which introduced me to modelling. It's great fun to play with when I'm at home from uni.

I'm also working on an 800mm long micro layout to the timesaver trackplan, depicting an electrified narrow gauge railway within an heavy engineering works, in O-16.5 for the 2010 challenge. The size of the model was driven by the need for it to be easily transportable by public transport between uni and home. I chose the trackplan because I wanted something which would provide sustained interest in the small space available, so a shunting puzzle seemed ideal. The setting was prompted by wanting an industrial railway, which justifies higher frequency workings than the bucolic rural narrow gauge railways. I was also inspired by my liking for electric trains, having grown up in the southern region, and various electric tramways I have visited. The scale was chosen because I love adding lots of detail to models, but in 00 this tends to run up against the barrier of my skill level. O-16.5 permits lots of detail, while allowing small stock and tight curves, ideal for a restricted space.

 

3)Is the act of modelling a secretive thing to you or not

It's not something I tend to shout from the rooftops, but I certainly don't keep it secret either. I often read the latest copy of Model Rail during breaks in lectures, and happily chat about my modelling with anyone who asks. Of course it's also all documented on RMweb, accessible to anyone who Googles my name.

 

4)If you exhibit how important to you is the viewer i.e watching their reactions

 

Can't answer this one as I don't exhibit, though I'd like to try showing my 2010 challenge layout when it's done.

 

Paul

[pointstaken]

1)Why do you model - creative instinct I suppose. Returning after a 50 year absence (at the start of it girls were more interesting). Also the precision of modelling - if I wasn't into this I would possibly be into horology.

 

2)Why do you model what you model - Even in my teens, I was absorbed by US railroading, an attraction which I have never lost.

 

3)Is the act of modelling a secretive thing to you or not? I follow my interests and my wife follows hers, so we are aware of what the other is doing, but as far as letting the outside world know, more of a private hobby.

 

4)If you exhibit how important to you is the viewer i.e watching their reactions. Not applicable.

 

Dennis

[scott_efc]

Hello again chaps. Just really want to say thankyou for all your replies its really interesting reading and certainly gives me alot to think about.

 

Incase any of you were wondering my current ideas yet again use the model railway. Using body casts etc i aim to create 2-3 human forms dressed up so that they look like real people(in this instance modellers) but as if they have been kidnapped tied to chairs etc. All of this within the setting of a model club, as if terrorists had hijacked their model railways and taken control. This idea that models allow people a bit of escapism (which i gained from your opinions so thankyou) but then flipping this by bringing real world fears e.g terrorists into the clubhouse is what im after. Yes its very odd but i think dark humor is really important and allows me to yet again do a bit of modelling. Alot of people think contemporary art is a load of nonsense anyway so i may aswell make it vaguely funny

 

But yet again thankyou for all of your replies and hope to hear more from you. Cheers, Scott.

[grahame]

1)Why do you model?

 

I've always had an urge to make things. And I've always been interested and dabbled in art. Modelling is part of both of those things. It's constructional and a satisfying and rewarding (when it goes right) way of replicating things of interest.

 

2)Why do you model what you model?

 

I've also always had an interest in railways (an enthusiast rather than a spotter) so consequently railway modelling ties two interests together. But I also enjoy modelling other things of interest including ships, 'planes and sci-fi.

 

3)Is the act of modelling a secretive thing to you or not

 

It's never been secretive but I am wary and aware of the stigma that can be attached to it by certain people.

 

4)If you exhibit how important to you is the viewer i.e watching their reactions

 

Very important. I like people to recognise and enjoy the things I make. Their reactions are a way that I consider they have complimented (or dissed) me on my acheivement/modelling/art.

 

G.

[jamie92208]

Hi Scott

 

Just picked up on this topic but here are my answers:-

 

1)Why do you model

I don't know, it must be genetic with me as my father used to model O gauge and I grew up with a Hornby tinplate set in the House. I also started on Airfix plastic kits and KeilKraft balsa ones and enjoyed the results and the comments. I also had Meccano and learnt a lot of basic mechanics from that. I suppose that all this got me into creating things and enjoying the process. Now I model for the sense of satisfaction is seeing a completed model. It also ties in with other interests such as research and history.

2)Why do you model what you model

 

I was born in Carlisle and grew up at Chesterfield and Settle so the Midland Railway and its subsequent owners is not surprising. Thus my layout is 1923 Midland based at the southern end of the Settle and Carlisle. Modelling a prototype has always appealed to me as I enjoy the research which is now a form of industrial archeaology. Finding out about a long lost prototype is very satisfying. However I am always looking at prototypes and thinking 'that would make a nice model' and collect odd bits of rolling stock that appeal to me. That's why I run a Union Pacific 4-8-4 on my Midland layout, becasue I like it and its my train set.

 

3)Is the act of modelling a secretive thing to you or not

No and it never has been. Fortunately there was no peer pressure on me as a child and many of my friends also modelled (We also enjoyed getting rid of excess airfix kits as target practice with an air rifle). After leaving home I never felt any embarrassment about my hobby and used to display my latest efforts on the windowsill of my bachelor pad. Since then i couldn't care less what poeple think. If they don't like the hobby that's their problem. The only slight pressure has been from my children as teenagers not wanting me to embarras them in front of their friends. My wife has never ahd any illusions as when we met my first layout ran from the dining room into the kitchen.

4)If you exhibit how important to you is the viewer i.e watching their reactions

 

Very important and very satisfying. When it's not my turn to operate I sometimes stand in the crowd and listen anonymously to the comments both good and bad. Exhibiting is fun and attracts new members to the hobby. Also the youngsters love seeing the 'big black loco' run and that makes it all worth while. I suppose that in a later stage of life (retired and in my 50's) the hobby adds greatly to quality of life as it presses lots of buttons.

 

I hope that this is of use to you.

Jamie Guest

[Steve B]

1) I've been modelling as long as I can remember. Small Airfix planes when I was a kid, model cars as a teenager. Trains and fantasy (D&D) models in my 20's and now just trains.

 

2) Memories, mostly. I left the UK 40 years ago when I was a kid but I still miss it. Building Craven Bridge is giving me the opportunity to recapture the time and the place where I was born. By building the surroundings, it lets me walk around there again, when I can't get on a plane and fly home. Beyond that Great Grandad was a driver on the L&YR and Grandad was a driver for LMS. I think they'd come back and have words if I tried another area.

 

3) Not a secret at all. I've even got a youngster (son of one of my friends) going to the train shows with me. I get some odd looks because I live in the States and model 00, but I don't care. My wife rolls her eyes a bit when I say there is a show or that I need to stop at the hobby shop 'just for a minute', but it's all good.

 

4) I don't exhibit at this point. My layout is not at all portable. I have considered doing a small portable layout in corporate blue, but that's down the road a bit yet.