Having been involved in model railroads for 60+ years, I finally realized that the railroad portion of the layout only amounted to maybe 30% of the total; the other 70% would be the "artistic" aspect. By artistic, I mean the scenery, background, structures, people that make up a complete model image. Imagine a model railroad that consisted only of track and trains; it would get pretty boring after a while. It's the scenery, houses, vehicles, roadways, lighting that brings the railroad to life. A more accurate term for a layout containing trains might be just a "model scene" or "model layout" as there is so much more to it than the trains alone. I'm not trying to change anything; just thinking whatever comes to mind. I mention this because I'm pretty much finished with the trains and track part of the layout and now, I am spending all my time on scenery, building model structures and all other aspects that add up to a visual image of the world around me. Sure, it's the trains that first attract you to this hobby, but it's the other 70% that pulls it all together. Take for example the "Miniatur Wunderland" in Hamburg. It contains so much more than trains. It's the scenery, vehicles, people, buildings, ships and even airplanes that overall make up a miniature wonderland. You could probably omit all the trains from their layout and still have something spectacular to look at.

A toy world for all aged.

Yesterday I went to one of the model train Clubs to which I belong here in Brisbane.
I was talking to a gentleman at the live steam track (O, 1 and G gauge) and he said that he was not interested in railways as such, more in the mechanics of the models.

In the main clubhouse there was firstly a group of 20 year olds running and showing their collections of O gauge model trains, some going back to the early 1900s.
Then on a large comprehensively landscaped HO scale layout British OO trains crossed American trains at passing loops, some driven by guys in their 70s/8os.

So across the hobby there are many facets.

Kimball

It's just as strong if not more-so further down-under in NZ, particularly per head of population

"What is a model railroad?" is a dangerous philosophical question to ask us!
(MMRIP)

For many of us its a controllable microcosm of a world we wish existed, not a world that really exists.
And in that world we dream of, we find solutions of what could be, or perhaps should be.

And sharing that world with you lot is what makes it fun!
- M5

My friends like me when I go shopping in 2nd hand shops, they always say: I hope to see you soon.