A Model Railway Channel Reality | ml51

[@LittleWicketRailway]

What matters is how you feel, but I think you look great 👍🏼

[@modeloco]

It was so huge for me but, what a relief to finally let go 👍

[@BattleshipOrion]

I'm glad I saw this on my recommended feed. Not because of mental health day, buut because I finally saw someone who's benen in the hobby longer than I have say it's ok to do a thing I already started doing. When I first started model railroading in 2014 with HO, I was an absolute control freak. I knew which railroad I wanted, and how to go about it and wanted to do so quickly because at the time I wanted some stability for the first time in a couple of years after moving from one state to another, and finally another. in 2021 I sold what had become of my HO collection which went from a CSX themed collection to Burlington Northern, BNSF, and finally Southern Pacific. Took a 3 year break but now I model N-scale, and have modern engines pulling cars built prior to US involvement in ww2 as regular service...and soon, even older. I found that the inner control freak was a result of a handful of horrible years during my childhood, and now, that control freak worry's about which boats I model, I as in myself here in 2024 control the railroad. Best part is, I don't have one set railroad I model....for those familiar with the topic no I'm also not doing a joint-line. I'm doing the very thing many of us should let happen naturally. Getting equipment that is cool & colorful, and running it, even if they aint supposed to. As for my fears....I fear (in a way) google earth. Not because of something obvious...nien....because I found & know how to back-date the satellite footage....and I know where to look....Being blunt, I don't want to see my childhood on satellite.

[@modeloco]

Thank you 🙏 for sharing your story. Do know this video is the closest to myself I’ve been since beginning the channel and people seem to resonate back in the same way. I’ll read this a few times as there’s a lot here and again thank you for such a generous and open response 🙏

[@peterberesford-l3s]

kindness and honesty are at the heart of what you say. well done. these are the values that will help us all and reduce people's distress. great to meet you. peter x

[@modeloco]

Good Morning Peter, Simple and clear reassurances. Yes, doubt can present itself when we present these fears. Yes can be said and interpreted in many ways. A simple sentence to a maximum of several leaving no room for ambiguity is a valuable gift. Thank you 🙏 x

[@4994DowntonHall]

As someone in their youth, this has been an immensely therapeutic video. Cheers and happy modelling:)

[@modeloco]

This comment struck a chord very deep and is very gratefully received. Your words also mean a lot and speak volumes to me. I can look at my son and think he has everything but, he faces a very different world today, I suppose, just as I did to my parents. People may look at me now and think the same. We don’t always see ourselves as useful, talented or as having anything to offer. We can feel isolated and not part of a clique, trend, narrative or group. What I would say is don’t sell or try change your self in an attempt to try and fit in. I put on masks to get round it and there are things we can use but, in the end, each time I’ve pulled those masks off, I’ve felt liberated when they began to rule the roost. 🙏

[@4994DowntonHall]

​@@modelocoAbsolutely! Such is the circle of life. Thanks very much for your kind words, do take care too.

[@dionwoollaston2389]

Come on Andy a man like you with all the talent you have Your world is so big in comparison to a lot of people just look at what you can do not only in the modelling world but that fantastic fiddle yard and your three layouts the one downstairs that runs out to the shed ,then there is your music which just blows me away and also your editing skills and filming skills on youtube. You are one fantastic man with or without I was 28 stone and I have lost 17 stone after having a gastric bypass it was my choice and im glad i made it otherwise I think I would be dead ,so little things soon fade into insignificance Andy, wow, you are so talented we need to see more of you Playing "Last of the Summer Wine "theme tune and all your great layouts my friend

[@modeloco]

Wow ❤❤❤ though very hard to embrace, take in and again accept. Thank you 🙏 Not used to so many kind words and in such quick succession. Probably the most flattering thing anyone has ever said to me all in one go. I’m truly grateful and you have been such a beacon of goodness and light. Now the fear is I’ll say or do something and upset the flow but, then of course can see that it’s all the same stuff trying to get another grip on reality. I am truly grateful to have you following my journey into even these unexpected places 🙏

[@BrianConnell-xe1ju]

Thanks for sharing that with us 😊 I enjoy your videos as I am exploring TT120, keep doing what you are doing it’s great stuff Mr!!

[@modeloco]

@@BrianConnell-xe1ju Thank you Brian for saying 👍

[@AntoekneeDE]

Rather than tell you that you look great sans integument (which is a given, but risks shaming anyone not at the same stage of their follicular journey and would be contrary to your positive message of it being up to the individual), just want to say thank you for the bravery sharing your story to help others which is what really deserves recognition 👍

[@modeloco]

Appreciated. My Mother is still unaware , no internet, etc though am sure my brother may have seen this and let her know. Just a feeling and working toward that final leg of the journey soon 🙏

[@Section....7-k5f]

Hello. Being a fellow bald one. I can say shaving my head was the best thing ever. No more stress. And also grew a beard and it looks bad ass. Well done . Always find if I’m getting a bit stressed a quick head shave makes me feel better.

[@modeloco]

Actually like rubbing my head too. My son keeps saying to do the same and grow the facial 👍

[@wamgoc]

Well done! Thank you for sharing!!! Happy Modelling!👏👏👏

[@modeloco]

Yes, The original title to this video was The Happy Modeller but, I’d already used that in almost as many words somewhere else 🙏

[@DarrenLewarne]

10 or so years i will be there my self, good on you! (love your railway too!)

[@modeloco]

@@DarrenLewarne Thanks Darren. When it begins to impinge on your life too much let go. It makes things a lot easier 👍

[@justinclayton3022]

Well done. You'll now need headware to keep the sun off / keep warm. I rarely leave the house without my trusty Harris tweed cap. But as as old mate from Wigan said: "Get ahead, get a hat"

[@modeloco]

Very true. At present catching some Autumn Sun to take away the white bits 😂

[@Oderick99]

Great way to bring this issues to the fore. Well done for facing yours. Thank you for making this video.

[@modeloco]

Thanking you. It’s so tough to accept and guess we all have these fears about this or that. When I had hair in abundance then, didn’t quite get why a dear friend lost his way at 26. To me he still seemed the same, apart from losing his smile and sparkle but, for him it was so huge and only now, looking back can only begin to fully appreciate why, in part, he suddenly became withdrawn, left his incredibly beautiful partner and almost joined the French foreign legion, after crashing out of his RAF base, on his motorbike, by accelerating at full tilt, cheered on by some, belongings on his back, through the security barriers, now being brought down to stop him going. He’d signed up for 10 plus years or something and had done two. It cost him very dearly financially to take such drastic action but, we can’t run away I’d say. He ended up out of food, fuel and money, handing himself in at the British Embassy in France 🙏

[@Oderick99]

@@modeloco i lost my hair at 21 from allapecia. (sp). Took a good 12 months to come to terms with it as I long wavy hair until then. That was almost 40 years ago and I now I cant imagine having hair and have saved a fortune on barbers bills :) I hope your friend came to terms with it too.

[@Haymarket47]

Looks fab, well done!

[@modeloco]

Thank you. Big step breaking through massive fears and the very real illusions they can create. 🙏

[@johnswallow8153]

Looking good dude! I went to a zero/buzz cut years ago and it's one less thing to worry about

[@modeloco]

That’s the way to do it. For me it held such emotional baggage and fear and linked very strongly to the persona I’d built to protect myself from feeling vulnerable, which of course was created because of not really being able to love myself, even when I had plenty of it to hide behind 👍🙏

[@scottmcneil1150]

Lovely video, thanks. I've subscribed. Here's to model railways and men's health. Brilliant !

[@modeloco]

@@scottmcneil1150 Very positive message. Thank you! When these things begin to consume us, it’s time to find ourselves 👍

[@DennisRobins-ly9pp]

Great video, well done for facing your thing.

[@modeloco]

Thank you Dennis. Very much appreciated 👍

[@yorkiepudd2]

Good move - it's a lot less maintenance, trust me🤣. You're still the Andy we know and love 👍

[@modeloco]

Thanks Yorkie 👍

[@DaveC1964]

Good headwear when on Simon’s seat!! Fantastic video 👍🏻 😊

[@modeloco]

Thank you ❤ Simons Seat was a place I’ve always wanted to go but, never quite got to. Think I did take a pull on hat in case it rained. 😂

[@robelvery]

Great video and thanks for sharing your own fears. I must admit, I'd never really noticed your hair as I tended to focus on your trains. A similar thing happened to me quite a number of years ago now. As a youngster and through my teens and early 20s I had an amazing head of thick curly hair which everyone used to complement me on. Imagine my shock when I got into my late 20s and it began to go! It was more of a shock as both my parents had good hair though there was baldness in other members of my family. I didn't try any forms of cover up or products - there wasn't much available back then but I did consult a reputable top London trichologist. He basically told me the 'bald truth'. He did discuss the pros and cons of possible treatments such as transplantation and anti androgen and minoxidil reasearch which was going on at the time but I decided against any of this because the area was a minefield. And an expensive minefield at that! So long story short after keeping my hair cut very short for a number of years I started to buzz it. Starting off on a #4 I think then gradually working down to a #1 then eventually a zero then I took the plunge and shaved it smooth. Initially people did comment when I first buzzed my hair (nothing negative though) but by the time I'd got down to a completely shaved head hardly anyone noticed. I've come to the conclusion that hair isnt everything now. After all there are other things which you can do to look good such as dress well, go to the gym or experiment with facial hair. I think a short neatly trimmed full beard or a goatee really compliments a shaved head. Glad you've taken the plunge and faced your fear. As you say its liberating. Great video. Thanks again 👍

[@modeloco]

Thank you so much for your story too. Even more so for taking the time to right it. It’s so good to share our experiences and fears. Bring them into the light 💡 👍

[@paulmarmion358]

Fantastic video thank you 👍

[@modeloco]

Hello Paul. Let me just say, a big thanks too for your support & positivity!

[@PeckhamHall]

Try growing a beard, that will always be there and just tell people, you put your head on upside down.😊

[@modeloco]

Yes, humour is a great truth speaker and my son wants me to grow one 👍