Hey, I have always wondered about this. Why is it that Americans are less likely to model European Railroads and "not at all" other countries. Meanwhile people throughout the world love to model American Railroads. I would hope we are not just selfish. I don't want to think that today being the 4th of July! My guess is that we are just less worldly and many of us can't afford to buy imported foreign models here. LGB makes American style trains, but the room and expense anyway of building large scale keeps many away. Even so, those who model LGB seem to go American. I do know someone who modeled Marklin, but he was more into the quality rather than history or geography. Just thought of this as an add on question. Does anyone make models of other countries (non-European or American) trains, or subways, trolleys, etc?
<font color="336633">I suppose the most obvoius one is Kato's Japaneese range.... I saw one of their Shinkansen (spelt wrong no doubt ) at a show this year and it was a fantastic model. There are several makers of OZ stock but I think its mostly brass.. and as far as Africa/china/rest of world is concerned I really dont know, But I am not aware of any. On the why dont Americans model any other country........ don't forget that America is the same size as most of europe in land mass, so I guess it just seems a long way away, if you was to model a railroad 1000 miles away chances are it would still be in America, in europe it could be several countrys. Also its a lot easier for us to visit other countrys in europe than it is for Americans. Anyway just a few thorghts... and all those in the USA Have a Great day </font>
There's a bunch of reasons I think, why folks over here model American. There is a "quality vs price" (or value for money) equation happening in which US prototype modelling comes out fairly favourably in the UK, although this is becoming less so over time, we've had some very good new models in the past couple of years. Check out Bachmann UK. I personally also know modellers who are modelling Swiss, German, Japanese etc, but the vast majority of folk over here model the UK. You wouldn't naturally hear from most of those on a board like this one though... If you've seen US railroading first hand it's mostly pretty impressive stuff, there's a lot of variety and colour, lots of scope for dramatic scenery and a vast legacy of interesting history. Modellers like doing "something different", my US modelling started with buying an Athearn GP50 during a previous trip to the US, just as a souvenir. I then had to get a couple of freightcars for it to pull & so on.... you know how it goes! From the US point of view you don't neccesarily have to go outside the US to model "something different", the country and therefore variations are larger. There are quite a number of folk in the US modelling British outline, there is in fact an organisation called the British Railway Modellers of North America (or somesuch) dedicated to that. But again they wouldn't neccesarily hang out on a US-centric board so I guess they get overlooked by many. Happy 4th of July there, and if you suddenly want to start modelling British trains let us know & we'll see if we can help! All the best!
Wow. The answer was right there in front of me all this time! Oh Sticky, I do realize I forgot that Japanese trains are very popular too. They are often found here in shops.
Oh yeah! Forgot the "other countries" bit of the thread! As said before, Japanese N scale is really popular!, and there are folk over here modelling it that I know of as well. Kato do some great models... There are a handful of folk in the UK modelling Chinese in HO, inspired by the remaining steam ops out there. They have been working with kitbashing US steam but recently Bachmann has brought out some excellent Chinese stuff. I've seen some south american layout's too, I think Frateschi is the name of the manufacturer of some of the gear for that. Pretty cool, they do things like the US export loco's. Can't remember much other overseas modelling other than mainland Europe and the US though...
On the international front, there's a lot of European stuff by compahies like Rivarrossi, Roco, Graham Farish. Add in structures and vehicles from Herpa, Noch and Preiser and it's a good selection. As for the US modelling, I think one of the major draws is that the US was, in a lot of ways, built by the railroads. The distance also plays a big part: a lot more commerce goes by road or sea in Europe and Japan. The closest comparable nation might be Russia, and there were both political reasons (Cold War) and aesthetic reasons (Siberia) for a lack of interest.
I have modelled British, Swiss, Belgian, and American railways. I guess I finally settled on US railroads because I love freight trains, and US ones are awesome! Although fast freight trains in Europe are very impressive! Most of europe is electric traction, which makes modelling them a bit more of a challenge, and I for one would not want to build catenary in N scale Another main reason for me is quality, at a good price. Ok, there are good quality european trains made by Roco, etc., but at a much higher price than comparable US ones. I guess it is all a question of a larger market for US model equipment. (And far eastern assembly plants) Happy 4th July to all Americans We also have our wedding anniversary on the same date
Talking to Australians who model North American Railways: The biggest reason by far is the ready availability of a wide variety of models. There are lots of Australian models available. Also there is heaps of information available on North American prototype and I think for some of the guys I know - they use it as an 'excuse' to go on a US holiday every once in a while (research you know)
Well, there is certainly nothing wrong with non-North American railroading. Or modeling other than this region of the world. I find some interest in Swiss, Irish, and Italian RYs. I was raised next to a busy branch line in the NW USA. There were many RRers in my family, and amongst their forebears. It kinda gets in your blood. So I suppose you go with what is most familiar. Also, the explosion of available high quality US stuff in recent years hasn't hurt...... BoxcabE50
Availability of information is a big issue too. I model the Spokane, portland and Seattlr Ry and even though I can (and have) been to much of the area it ran in, I find prototype info hard to come by. I'd be somewhat interested in modelling russian power and rolling stock, but information is non-existant on it. A few years back the russians sent a pair of locos to a grain company in Texas in trade for a shipment. There were a couple of pics of them in Trains mag, but those are the only pics of russian rolling stock I have ever seen. Also, a significant amount (though I realize by no means all) of the European lines are electrified, and electric just doesn't turn my crank. Are any of these good reasons? not really, but they are my reasons.
I model the American scene because, well, I live in America. I've seen European models, and I can understand why some folks would model the foreign roads (read- non-North American), and I'm OK with it. I would like to see some model railroads of Europe, Aisa, or Australia- any good sites out there?
I can post some pics from a couple of shows over here, all (I think) by UK based folk but including British, Swiss, German, Italian, Chinese and Japanese models, any use? Let me know. (is it worth starting a new thread for?)
Well I also model American Railroads for a few reasons. 1. Availability of models in N scale. 2. I like American Railroads. 3. I work on australian Railways to modelling American is relaxation for me. 4. Australian N scale models are rare or requiring scratchbuilding that is beyond my skills.
Colonel, I love your answer about modeling American to get away from the job. Bob, your right about living here and modeling what's around us. I do the same as Catt. I like it! Thanks for all the answers about other nations models. Maybe I'll discover someone here that loves to model other countries. Do countries such as India or Africa get represented in the modeling world?
Here is a page with several links to various model railroads located in Australia. Some are North American prototype, some are Australian http://www.australianmodelrailways.com/lnkframe.htm
Rob, that's an impressive site ... thanks! I have to assume that model railroading is not widespread as a hobby in Australia, because railroads are not as widespread as they are in the US, UK, or Europe. Though looking at the latest issue of Trains, you Guys are building that brand spanking new 800+ mile line up to Darwin .... way to go! [ 06 July 2002, 00:19: Message edited by: Hank Coolidge ]
That is an impressive site Rob, some very detailed Model Railroads. Yep, I started in British OO (Too far back to remember) then switched to the American scene after reading a magazine with an article in it by John Allen. I suppose I model the American logging side because of the freedom it gives me to create that little piece of magic. I just love this hobby and all connected to it. Paul
Actually, the closest we have to the European model RR scene in the Thompson household (thank you, J.K. Rowling) is a Harry Potter Hogwarts Express set, purchased from the local train pusher for the boys. They're nuts about it, and have even sneaked into our bedroom to operate on Dad's layout (which is OK, as long as they don't act like Gomez Addams & race madly around the layout ) I have seen some Marklin gear in action at swap meets, and I'm impressed with it.
