BUILDER OF RAILROAD MODELS – BUT WHY ?

IT IS AN OUTLET FOR MY CREATIVE URGES

I must have been eight years old the night I was introduced to HO scale model railroading. That would be 1940. I was with my Father and his Brother that night. My Uncle was one of the first persons to construct railroad models in HO scale. We visited Karl Wald’s HO scale model railroad, built in his garage at his home in Alhambra, California. Karl’s model railroad was one of the very first HO scale model railroads built in the United States. In modelers terms, it was almost 100 % scratch – built. In 1940, if you needed something, you made it yourself. The  visit marks the beginning of my involvement in the hobby of model railroading. My involvement in the hobby continues today; this computes to be seventy one years since my visit to Karl’s home. Why on Earth would any one spend seventy one years worth of precious spare time on model railroading? Good question! My simple honest reply is I do not know why I am a model railroader. I do know myself well enough (now) to realize my vital needs include  hobbies which require a broad spectrum of mechanical, intellectual, and creative skills. For me, hobbies are like breathing – necessary!  The circumstances of early childhood led me to model railroading; I did not choose it. My hobby chose me. I believe showing photographs of my models is the best way to tell this story. The model photographs  shown here were taken by me of  models I researched, designed, and constructed. The models are for the most part scratch – built. With some exceptions, all represent the Union Pacific Railroad as it was in the years 1900 to 1930. I believe these photographs speak to the intense pleasure and satisfaction I derive from this hobby. Enjoy!