Are you a Model Railroad Gatekeeper???

[@donnieshaffer741]

Many years ago when I lived in Southern Pines, NC between 2007 to 2017, I use to frequent a model railroad club in Aberdeen, NC until I was voted out in 2009. The club had two layouts - a DC layout in Southern Pines, NC and a DCC layout in Aberdeen, NC. I generally got along with the elder members as I would attend every meeting - even though my status was as Visitor. The club even helped me to understand how to operate “cab blocks” on a DC layout. When it came to Digital Command Control, I knew the basics based on what I had read in issues of Model Railroader when DCC was still in its infancy back in 1996. What I didn't know about DCC was how to setup a DCC layout. I decided to ask one of the elder members of this model railroad club a simple question about how to set up a DCC operated layout and this person's response was beyond rude when they responded that it was beyond my capability to comprehend. Not long after, this same individual managed to convince others to vote me out of being a member of the club. I was even told that I couldn't return unless I was invited back - which never happened. Although I have turn my back on model railroad clubs because of the “gatekeeping” that you described, I haven't turned my back on the hobby.

[@stevequinn5024]

I made a post about this exact thing the other day on many of the Model Railroading Facebook Pages. It has received widespread support and positive comments, with of course the occasional unwanted comment. I would like to think that you read my post and it gave you the idea for this video because that would mean one of my top KZbin Creators I admire is watching me…🤷🏼‍♂️😀. Love the channel and keep up the good work.

[@OwenConcorde]

I’m glad you made this video to keep the model railroad hobby alive! I experienced gatekeeping, but in some anthro art community which was so bad that it created a lot of drama and all I can do is to cut out toxic people and be myself. Why can’t every hobby and fandom be more welcoming of others? Seriously.

[@lastswordfighter]

That Fandom is just toxic. There is no redemption to be found there.

[@traintools585]

Golden rule of model railroading, my layout my rules, your layout your rules. It's not black and white, it's like art, feel free to do whatever you want on your layout and don't be critical of others for doing something different. How boring would train shows be if every layout looked identical and all vendors sold the same product.

[@vikingofengland]

Rule 1 always applies 😊

[@thehastyterrainmaker9485]

I've hit the gate keepers because my first layout wasn't proto, I was still learning and didn't even get into the train hobby for the trains at first... I started a WW2 diorama and wanted some running trains to not make it so static.. First time around my loop and I was hooked and wanted to learn. A LOT of people out there who are Gatekeepers AND snobs. It's easy to turn someone off this hobby with comments I have seen on other channels.

[@beerengineer01]

Well said. Gatekeepers need to remember rule #1: They are MY trains, I run what I like. If you don't like it, you are invited to leave the same way you came in. If you don't like my SD40 and 2-8-0 consist pulling mixed freight and passenger cars, you don't have to stay and watch. "Have fun" should be the most important thing, and I'm having fun.

[@johnbanicki7232]

Very well said. Many people do not consider peoples feelings when telling others what is wrong with their layouts. I always try to find something that I like. But at the end of the day the person building the layout has to do what they want and enjoy.

[@davidf9630]

OMG !!!! JIMMY!!! Spot on! When I got into this hobby years ago, I would like to run my train underneath my bed. The locomotive had a light on it, and I would watch it come around through the dark and just enjoy the view as a 10 year old kid…. Fast forward 46 years I only have room for a 3 x 6 fold up a Layout over my window in the garage. I have over 100 cars of rollingstock, and to this day I think I’ve only purchased five that were “brand new “. The reason I got back into the hobby, is because I was at a local hobby shop, and I seen a Bockman starter set. It was a steam locomotive, and the tenders numbers were 3283! I told my wife “it’s a sign! 3283 spells, Dave on the keypad of my phone”! So since then “I have purchased used garage sale, hand me down, crusty rollingstock. Some I have put micro trans couplers on, some I have left with their RAPIDO couplers ON. And yes… Some still have their Bockman couplers on them. One thing I make sure of is that the trains run well on my track. So having said that the only toxic material anywhere near, my Railroad are the tanker cars that I have lined up.(15 at least). My layout has an over and under, a few turn outs that barely work, a toilet paper roll for a oil tank, a replica of a lumberyard that I used to work at for 15 years. And a bunch of other stuff, even a taco truck. So, if Trains aren’t supposed to go over and under around in a circle or have passenger platforms on the main line.… I don’t care….model railroading is what gives me solace. And your channel is an avenue, to give us that peace of mind, that information, and most of all that encouragement to be creative and to be happy.

[@jacksonthomas1851]

This video is more important now than ever. With the growth the hobby is experiencing particularly in HO and N scale I know as a younger person myself is that I want both scales to expand and more people to get involved. All are welcome and the hobby of model railroading is one of the best hobbies out there for everyone.

[@battlefielddivisionofnorfolkso]

Great Video as ALWAYS!!! After all, as Steve Brown says, “It’s My Railroad Baby.” Jimmy, you have been one of my “Go-To” model railroad authorities for a few years now. I have about four or five KZbin Channels I use regularly to keep my skills polished.

[@Cbtrainnut]

Good morning Jimmy! Folgers here! Always Folgers! Inexpensive and brewed at home! It’s a hobby and should be fun. I run what I want with what I want all the time! My wife and I have almost all standard scales from Z scale cars to G Scale trains. Mostly S Scale! Love my trains!

[@Coreyt1976]

Great video. I haven’t been in the hobby long. I encourage everyone I can to enjoy this hobby and do what makes them happy. It’s your railroad and run it your way. Ignore the gatekeepers!

[@neilcrawford8303]

Interesting to hear that it happens your side of the pond. In the UK we have what we call rivet counters. You sometimes come across them at exhibitions, huffing and puffing to themselves. Comments like- "That locomotive wouldn't be on that train. It was scrapped after a derailment in 1978, but the wagons (freight cars) weren't introduced until 1981". I'm all for detail, not that I can do it myself, and fully appreciate the lengths some modellers go to. Model railways mean different things to different people. If it's recreating a moment in time to the finest detail, or just running a train around a loop going Woo Woo like Sheldon Cooper. At the end of the day it's about fun, fantasy, losing yourself. There is no right or wrong, just appreciate it for what it is. My bugbear at exhibitions is speed. Beautiful layout, the scenery, rolling stock all looking perfect, then a train comes in too fast and then stops like its hit a concrete block. When it leaves the station, it exists like it's been shot from a catapult, with the acceleration the late Enzo Ferrari or Carroll Shelby would have been proud of. To me that spoils the illusion. At that point I walk on, it's my opinion and I keep it to myself, no need to pee on someone elses fireworks because it's not to your specific liking.

[@glencalvert9510]

Could not agree more with everything you said. I have ran into several gatekeepers over the years but fortunately for me it was never a deterrent probably because I am hardheaded. I try to be positive and offer advice only when asked because I want more people in this hobby and not less. Your channel is an excellent example of how to promote the hobby.

[@ifanai]

Great little chat, I am blessed to have feet in a few areas but agree that the more experienced need to be ambassadors not Gatekeepers

[@melkitson]

Very sensible Jimmy. I found that the UK was the worst for gatekeeping. You HAVE to do things their way. This I why I never joined any of the clubs over there. It seems that things are changing a little probably due to the increasing interchange of ideas online. You are one of the best examples of having fun and do what you want as long as you are happy doing it.

[@TwoRailfans]

I knew where you were going before you even started the video, and you are spot on.

[@MartinaJendao]

I fully agree with this Video. there are whole clubs that are gatekeepers. they claim that anyone with a joy of the hobby can join, but the moment you ask for advice all you get is critisism and complaints. no helpful advice. there might be one or two good members. the group im thinking of, i tried to join paid my entry fee and spent time running trains on the club layout. the full members showed up about and decided where they were going to eat. the club had evolved into a lunch club not trains. now I'm left with no local help or Advice and when i start asking for advice on my personal layout they kick me out. im tired of old Members and such complaining that no young people are getting into the hobby but also keeping others from wanting to keep going.

[@eddiejoe5928]

Amen to that. My message to gatekeepers is "it's my layout, my world and my rules".

[@TheTrainFreak]

This is very good information! As I created my company as a layout designer, I always try to give my customers options and explain why do this and not do that to save future frustration. It's all in how you portray it. If someone doesn't have a lot of experience with something, such as I and detailed scenery, asking that person if they tried a specific method (if you're knowledgeable on it) is a good starting point but be there to coach them on it and praise their efforts, even if it doesn't meet your expectations. Don't just do it for them because then, they won't ever learn that skill. - Jason

[@thomasgriffing5902]

As someone just beginning in this hobby, I appreciate this video. I’m building my first layout, so I know I’m going to make a bunch of mistakes. So far I’m enjoying it, so that is really all that matters.

[@robertmyers5269]

Participating in modular layouts can be great opportunities for anti-gatekeeping. You get to talk to a lot of people who will be at varying stages in their journeys. You will often be able to show differing levels of involvement and skill across modules and trains. You will often be able to run that F-unit with 40' cars followed immediately with a modern stack train. You will also be able to show a great way that participating in model railroading doesn't have to be a major investment in time or resources. jimmy, here's a problem I see currently as bar to entry. It used to be that when an interested person (usually a parent) asked about cost of getting into the hobby, I could show the cost of a good quality starter set, control, scenery, and compare it to the cost of a TV or other piece of family entertainment and offer it as alternative. Unfortunately trains aren't getting any cheaper, while TVs are.

[@VestedUTuber]

True, but then you run into another form of gatekeeping - some people just outright hate modular layouts _because_ you get this mix of scenery and consists, and will look down on anyone who builds modulars for any standard, regardless of how they're using those modulars.

[@LRSX]

I have dealt with gatekeepers in everything through out life, you make some great points. Avoid toxic people at all costs, and sometimes it pays to be a Lone Wolf. I swear toxic people never had to face adversity, or they wouldn't act like that.

[@richardcorcorran8965]

I call those people snobs, wine snobs, cigar snobs they know better than anyone. They push people down call people out, not building people up or encouraging them to continue and grow in the hobby. Keep it up the great content.

[@Trains-With-Shane]

Gatekeeping is going to sink this hobby faster than anything else. Especially the brand/quality myopathy. On my videos and posts I get a LOT of comments about how beginner level stuff like Bachmann isn't worth it, don't bother with DC, etc. etc. And it's getting tiring having to refute them at every turn with facts. This coupled with a "don't touch that, get off my lawn" mentality that I see often-ish at train shows, etc. does not do any favors when it comes to trying to keep the younger generations interested, especially in the instant gratification world of digital entertainment such as video games, etc. Heck even at 43 years old I find it difficult to convince people to involve me in learning processes. I've been trying to get some helpful tips on simple airbrushing. I learn best by being shown in person and by attempting with guidance and or critique so KZbin videos, etc. aren't always the best learning tool for me. Although they are an incredibly valuable resource.

[@randallellison6421]

Oh I hear ya! There's people that absolutely dunk on beginner (or as I like to call them "budget friendly") level locomotives and rolling stock, and say, "companies should only produce models that are detailed to the max, and priced so no one but them can buy the models"! It's literally the "This hobby is for "Rivet Counters" only, and you're not welcome here" mentality! I think there's actually people that would rather see the hobby completely die than to share it with others and keep it alive! It's a pretty selfish attitude really!

[@Trains-With-Shane]

@@randallellison6421 True story. Anything less than a 100% prototypically accurate and microscopically detailed representation would not be allowed if it were up to them. Can't teach anybody how to do terrain because you might learn how to do it better than me and that's unacceptable, etc. etc. That's why i'm glad there are people like Jimmy here, Steve Straum over at Steve's Trains, Tom over at Tom's trains and things, etc. actually putting this stuff on KZbin. All i'm reasonably good at is making locomotives run that didn't prior, lol. Wish I could add some meaningful layout work to my channel but.. Trying to learn how has been glacier slow to say the least.

[@acrranscaleandlifejourney4330]

The one thing I always say is it’s your railroad do what makes you happy. And Bachmann Spectrum line are very nice if you want to spend some money. Overall Bachmann is fine. Thanks.

[@lastswordfighter]

If you don't gatekeep than the hobbies and franchises will be overtaken by soap craptivists, snake oil conmen, and grifters. They already had their grubby hands in video gaming and different movie and TV franchises.

[@randallellison6421]

@@lastswordfighter so you're basically saying it's okay for people to berate others who are trying to get into model railroading because someone's layout and equipment doesn't "meet their insanely high standard"? That doesn't sound like it's helping the hobby survive either. There is a difference between helping the hobby flourish and just straight up being a bully and trying to run people off because they don't like someone's layout and/or how he/she runs it!

[@troysimpson9550]

Here is some advice I would give to those new in the hobby. If you get a criticism and they offer no advise on how to improve, you can just flat out ignore that comment as they are most likely trolling. Also as many have said "It's your railroad, do what makes you happy" Well I take that 1 step further " It's your WORLD you are creating with your model Rail Road. If you want Godzilla in the corner knocking down powerlines, star wars dog fights, Dinosaurs or even a Rail Road based in the future or some other planet, knock yourself out brother (or sister), It is your World, do what bring you joy and happiness. Lastly, if you do offer some criticism, use the sandwich method. Find 2 things that are positive, and place the negative in the middle. Jimmy I so appreciate your time and effort in making these videos for us.

[@michaelamoroso4561]

Thank you for the commentory. We should all remember that we started small and we learned from what we saw other modelers doing. We asked questions and as you stated we asked for opinions. Thank you again. Really like your videos and your new channel showing your layout.

[@davidbross6942]

A brilliant video. It applies to lots of hobbies! In my hobby, flying models planes, I like the phrase, "Be safe, be friendly."

[@andrewpalm2103]

Thanks for this video on this topic! I have many less polite terms for the people you call "gatekeepers" (but I keep those thoughts to myself). Any hobby should be viewed as a "big tent" that has room for many different people with many different goals. However, there will always be some folks whose character traits will lead them to exclusionary behaviour when they become part of a group. The hard core ones of this type are rather hopeless (unless perhaps they are young), but we can try to minimize their influence by not getting caught up in their behaviours toward others. Cooperation and encouragement are key.

[@juliusjames5577]

I had no idea about these guys in model railroading! I’m blown away! Seems like such nice guy hobby.

[@alantrains]

Probably the best video you've made Jimmy. Great advice no matter which phase you're in.

[@bethanythedford9226]

Thanks for making this video, i experienced gatekeeping from someone on a coding group on facebook, i ignored the negativity and continued on with my day, i also had someone tell me it was too hard to scratchbuild locomotives and rolling stock for my layout, it’s not that hard to make your locomotives and rolling stock if you want to that is, also i just finished making the shell for a lumber car with a cow head out of epoxy sculpt

[@markswiatly9613]

Well said. And definitely something that needed to be said out loud. I share my videos on You Tube just for others to see and enjoy. Luckily I just let the negative comments slide right off, because the only thing that is important is that I'm having fun again. Thanks.

[@Stussmeister]

Very interesting and informative. Although I've been planning my model railroad layout for over five years, I'm still very much a novice, and have asked hundreds of questions of folks online and at my model railroad club. I've taken these suggestions and opinions into consideration, and will most likely use those which fit best within the parameters I want to set for the layout; I don't want to stress so much about details/specifics that it starts taking the fun out of the hobby. By the by, I drink Dunkin' Donuts Original Blend coffee "innocent of lacteal adulteration" (no cream) and without sugar.

[@vincenthuying98]

Dear Jimmy, absolutely agree on your point. Very much like the ‘capstone’ characterization. Negative comments are in general, for any hobby or accomplishments, not constructive, nor considerate on anything. They just reflect the stance some people are apparently in and/or getting their dubious satisfaction from. It definitely isn’t helpful. Especially for those who are just getting into the hobby. Cheerio

[@dave6695]

More than once on various KZbin videos or Facebook groups, I have been ripped into by what I call "the nitpickers, rivet counters and prototype authenticity, operation types" for saying some cars and locomotives are good enough as they are "close enough". Not all of us can afford (or WANT) detailed to the max cars and locomotives that cost an arm, a leg and require a second mortgage to purchase (aka: Walthers Proto, Walthers HO named passenger trains (all the cars and locomotives), Atlas Master Series, Tangent, Exact Rail, Rapido, Athearn Genesis and other "high end" train brands). It's "the nitpickers, rivet counters and prototype authenticity, operation types" that take the fun out of the hobby for many and keep some model railroad clubs from attracting new members as they are such sticklers for accuracy and things being done one (THEIR) way.

[@melkitson]

Very well said.

[@TwoRailfans]

Yes!

[@randallellison6421]

Absolutely! They treat it like a job instead of a fun hobby!

[@EricSchreiber1]

Thank you for this video! The gatekeeping activity I see a lot on Facebook is people complaining about how fast someone else runs their train. "Well, it's not prototypical!!!", they'll say. Yeah? So what? It's his train, let him run it at whatever speed he wants, and keep your opinions to yourself. Also, not everyone is interested in prototypical railroading. I don't buy engines from only a single road - I buy the engines that appeal to me. Could be style, color, logos, whatever. As a result I've got engines that would never be seen together, or even in the same decades. And don't even get me started on my rolling stock. Maybe a hundred or so cars collected over the course of 30 years, I've got a real mish-mash. And I love 'em all. Run your trains however you want, and don't tell someone else how they should run theirs unless they ask.

[@VestedUTuber]

I've occasionally told people to slow it down at the club I run at, but not because of it not being prototypical. The issue is the risk of property damage. If you're running on your own layout, then sure, crank the throttle up to 11. But if you're running on a club layout and have to share the tracks with other people, don't blow past their rare, imported, Orient Express Commemorative Edition KATO D51 with your Atlas SD40-2s at full throttle and no speed limiting on the decoders.

[@loispadgett6306]

Well said Jimmy when I do get to my layout and if anybody wants to run any kind of train on it they can. I like them all. Show kindness and incourgement helpful tips that is what it is all about fun. I always like to learn just teach in a kind way and you will have train buddy for life. GOD BLESS 🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖

[@chadportenga7858]

This video should be a prerequisite to allowing someone to get into this hobby 😉 Seriously, one of the worst gate keeping discussions I see is the arguments between graffiti/no-graffiti and also weathered/clean. People keep forgetting the 2 most important rules of Model Railroading: 1: My railroad, my rules 2: If you not having fun, you're doing it wrong. This hobby should be fun for all, not just the gate keepers! Keep up the good work, Jimmy!

[@jermca]

Hear, hear! There's plenty that I don't like in the hobby, and plenty of people whose work and interests I don't care for. But that's what they're into, and who am I to say they're wrong? Enjoy the hobby, however you want! Thank you for making this!

[@lonluna721]

Thanks Jimmy, I built mine from different eras. If someone has comments, I don't care. I love the hobby and as long as I am happy with it, it works. Keep up the good work on the videos!

[@louanderson1264]

Well said. This video should be required viewing for every model railroader!

[@davidstokes8441]

I often get asked "How much did the layout cost?" I answer "As much as your circumstances can afford". Most of my mates are battlers or pensioners, and so I don't sugar coat the answer, but say "It can be expensive, or you can go down to (Hobby shop) which sells second hand gear at good prices and get some track, a DC controller, a loco that floats your boat and a few pieces of rolling stock" Trains sets are now the preserve of the overly affluent and new, top shelf stuff is too big an investment for some one starting out. I then keep track and see how they are going, help with magazine articles that can help beginners. Mentoring is important but let him/her make their own decisions and then support them to achieve their own results.

[@CWFTrains]

Preach!!! At the end of the day this is a hobby and we're supposed to be having fun.

[@TheNorthwestWind]

Its the truth! Unfortunately - It seems the old timers in these FB groups, and that comment on my videos (on my RR channel) will never give up their ego, no matter who/what/where.....they will always be superior

[@hobbyroomx]

Excellent video Jimmy! I got back into the hobby in 2020. I had not run a train since the early 80s. So I bought what i remembered, some Tyco stuff. Well I was having issues with how it ran. I did get some good help, but had more than a few people tell me it was junk and just trash it. I understand now that they do run bad, but there are ways to communicate things without being a jerk and a kill joy. I try to always keep that in mind when I offer advice.

[@andrewpiskel8542]

I love this hobby. Over the last few years I have rekindled the love. I only operate a small shelf switching layout. This layout happens to run 40 ft box cars and ice hatch reefers with 50 ft modern box cars and bull head flat cars along with older and newer locomotives all of which have come DCC or have been converted to DCC non sound. Example a 1980’s atlas RS 3 converted to DCC which will 5:08 switch out modern rolling stock So rivet counters, stuff it 🤣 It’s my rail road

[@CatHeadKnows53]

Thank you for this, Jimmy. I also appreciate your terminology on the 3 phases of modeling. "Capstone" is a better way of describing that tier than "rivet counter" fir example. I know myself and my capacity to handle tiny details is next to nil... I will probably always reside in beginner level or slightly above. And I'm okay with that! But I shudder to think of the comments if I were ever to share photos or videos. So this post is great and I wish a lot more people would get the message!

[@stephaniesinger1159]

I never heard of such an issue, model railroading has always been fun for me. Everyone does their own thing depending on space, money and their capabilities. Christmas was always exciting when everyone had a Lionel or AF train running 90 mph around the tree. That was so much fun..! Now I'm into N scale and the fun part is creating a realistic layout from childhood memories. If someone is constantly critizing your fun, they don't need to be around.

[@KevinSquire]

"WHEN IT IS ASKED FOR" !!!!! I could not agree more!! I have tried to share this soooo many times with people. If you are providing "Constructive Criticism" when the recipient is not asking/ready for it -- it is just Criticism!!! And just because someone shared their work online does not imply they are ready or asking for criticism!!! (If a 5 yr shows me the picture they drew, I am not going to criticize it ... the kid is just excited about what was accomplished and wants to share it with me. the kid is not asking for my to critique it. ) And this "they are an adult, they need to get tougher skin" ...why? that is just silly ... why do they need to get tougher skin when YOU are the one being rude? Thank you SOOO much Jimmy for sharing this and putting it out there!!!

[@LeoStarrenburg]

Back in the days where we could get a copy of Model Railroader in The Netherlands, I'd first jump to the "It aint prototypical" section before drooling over the track plans. Decades later I find myself gone over to the dark side and running an On30 layout just the way I want it.

[@rayronvr]

I agree to a point. We should be ambassadors for the hobby yes by encouraging those to join, mentoring, and guiding their ambitions. But we also have to face a hard reality that there are smart, bad actors who create toxic environments. The only "gatekeeping" we have to consider sadly is identifying those who negatively impact the hobby via not treating others with respect, breaking laws and so forth. Now If you have your own layout, feel free to do what you want, your not hurting anyone. Out in public, however, is a different story. I would make a case that other clubs, official organizations and similar entities do naturally gatekeep certain parts of the hobby by the rules they establish; such as, must have metal wheels, kadee couplers, must be a certain age, must run a certain era and so forth. Any rules in a public layout setting does naturally gatekeep. Is this wrong? Not necessarily if it means everyone can enjoy that entity. Great topic and video.

[@Mike__B]

I don't think I would consider that gatekeeping. Said club wants to do a prototypical 1920s industry layout for a show, then yeah don't bring your Thomas and Friends train to run on it. However if it's common shared layout in a warehouse or something, then I don't think you can gatekeep in that situation with things like period, that seems like you're being exclusive about something that other members paid money (possibly) to be a part of, and yeah I want to run that Acela through the mountain passes next to a old western town, now that said if there are certain days where said setup is period related or whatever then I think that is ok.

[@rayronvr]

@@Mike__B Yeap all great points. i think we could go down a massive rabbit hole philosophically on particular examples on how, money, exclusive layouts, and so forth could or could not be a form or act of gatekeeping that would take hours of discussion. makes for a great video essay. why i call it a sandbox hobby. :)

[@randallellison6421]

You do have to have some gatekeeping in order to prevent damage to the layout and equipment and also to prevent theft as well, that's all true. The club I'm in has always tried to gear towards kids being in the hobby and getting them involved, but as you mentioned, we do have some rules, mainly to prevent the things I mentioned earlier, but after that, it's pretty much run what you brought as long as in good working order. Like you said, there's a way to "gatekeep" without being toxic about it!

[@rayronvr]

@@randallellison6421 yeap exactly and i want to make this perfectly clear, gatekeeping has NO PLACE in personal home layouts. but when it comes to a shared PUBLIC layout , natural gatekeeping does happen. which already stated we can do an entire video essay on when its right and wrong and the tools implemented for it.

[@clayfourrier3769]

Absolutory the best advice to give a model railroader!

[@mightychilster6215]

Consider compassion for the gatekeeper and offer them a broader perspective. I'm confident that their hearts are not wanting to push anyone down, but rather simply justifying their own limitations. A quick example : I asked a fellow MMR club member how he advanced RR operating sessions with character development and storyline. His answer felt like gatekeeping, but really he just could not comprehend a MRR being the diorama for a RPG Skirmish. Helping him expand RR operations into story telling was too much too fast for that old MMR'r. Hey Jimmy, are your kids are old enough to play CLUE? Consider inviting them to play CLUE in your model town "Orient Express" style. With a hand full of CLUE rule mods, you are off the card table and immersed in a virtual world. You have my email if you want my few simple mods. Meanwhile, I'm looking for a 1/87 Scarlet & Colonel Mustard and trying to figure out if the gatekeeper is at the dungeon under the rail station or roundhouse?

[@atshinkansen7439]

Story, character, and worldbuilding are fundamental elements I aim to integrate into my railroad. They add a whole new dimension. I consider operations to be part of this, but they can expand even outside the railroad itself, to the point of even crossing over to other hobbies not necessarily railroad related, just as you described in your example.

[@chriscummings4206]

I think the biggest problem with for example starter sets is that they don't have enough information for the beginning model railroader. A little bit of information on the box about what each one does and even the distance that each one travels would be very helpful. When many people think about a train they envision something going a long distance with a lot of cars or a fast passenger train for sentimental reasons. I watched some other channels talk about starter sets and how they "suck" for numerous reasons but I understand where they are coming from because of my own experience growing up. I only knew what I saw at the railroad crossing and when my parents gave me the Chattanooga Choo Choo train set for Christmas It was pretty neat but, it wasn't anything like what I saw on the tracks in 1979. Many years later I begged my dad to purchase for me the Walthers catalog and looking through that I did learn quite a bit about trains. I will never learn everything there is to learn about trains so I always have something to look forward to.

[@Petemonster62]

Chris - There was quite a few variations of the Chattanooga Choo Choo set; some with steam locomotives and a couple with diesels. At the railroad crossing in 1979, you would have seen covered hopper cars like the "Old Dutch Cleanser" car, the caboose, and maybe the tank car.

[@LordPhobos6502]

I do see quite a bit of gatekeeping in some model railroading communities (you have to do this, you have to do that, if your model is not custom & top notch, don't bother)... I got no interest or time for that. On the flipside, I do see a lot of very encouraging people as well... I've started dipping my toes into 7.25" gauge; my main goal is to build and operate a particular engine. And... I thought it wasn't worth it, as I don't really have the space or land to run it. The FB group I follow has been highly encouraging, reminding me that many people started out with smaller space & budgets, and that club tracks exist for a reason. So... thanks to that encouragement, I have started building; if I was left to my own devices I might not have. So there are a lot of good, encouraging people out there, sometimes you just need to find the right community :)

[@JakobHill]

Another important thing to remember is that model railroading is an EXPENSIVE hobby, especially new locos and rolling stock. A hobbyist may use less realistic scenery because it's what they can afford, or they may mismatch rolling stock because it all came from flea markets and garage sales. And not everyone wants to spend thousands on a layout, even if they can afford it. Thank you for this important video.

[@tonysegro]

Agree 100 per cent. Sometimes clubs can take the fun away. I always encourage new modelers especially younger first timers. Yes in some cases I may have done things differently but what they did worked for them

[@99somerville]

Good points. Ham radio suffers from the same problem.

[@the_autism_express]

I have a hunch that most gatekeeping in the hobby is centered around a locomotive's nationality. There's a bunch of modelers that have engines and rolling stock that are models of British or german classes (myself very much included) and I feel like some of the sticklers that only have American engines and rolling stock would try and knock us down just because we like other trains than American designs

[@genejablonski9909]

This video was a great message and I hope everyone hears exactly what you are saying.

[@SpiceRainbow]

I'm still in the exploritory phase. As i'm still using starter set track. And all my locomotives and stock are used apart from a few things

[@N_scaler]

Jimmy you are an amazing person and great ambassador to the hobby

[@pattipilot]

I love what you do, keep up the great material and work! Thank you for sharing

[@plushieproductionslol]

I am 14 years old, have my own n scale layout… And I’m always getting stuff from both sides. From adults and kids my own age, “You’re an old man, You’re obsessed with trains, etc.” And from people with the model railroads, stuff like “Go back and play on your Xbox!” (I don’t even own an Xbox) I usually just ignore them. Trains are trains!

[@politicsandtrains]

I enjoy having kids stop in with fathers or grandfathers to check out the trains.

[@nsanenscale9390]

I appreciate the videos you make and the vast knowledge that you seem to have and share. I have a 2.5'x6' N scale layout that I'm working on. It features 3 reverse loops, with 6 switches, a tunnel, and a incline on one of the reverse loops thus far. I've been struggling as far as what I want to do with the scenery. I've been watching videos on different layouts trying to muster some ideas, but I think the design of my layout is what's causing me to struggle. If anyone sees this and would like to see pictures of my layout for some advice, please feel free to let me know.

[@Donleecartoons]

Gatekeeping. What a ... polite ... word for it. Also, Maxwell House. A French press (from a farm supply store) makes it drinkable.

[@oldgrumpyhunter]

Too much drama from the keyboard worries who want to destroy just about anything these days. Jimmy, this is a very timely video.

[@JDsHouseofHobbies]

Oh, boy! Have I had my share of gatekeepers. There's a forum that I used to frequent quite a lot where they would pop up constantly. One guy made it a habit of telling other model rails that they weren't "real" model railroaders because they used code 80 track. Another told me when I was in the process of building my HCD layout that I shouldn't be doing it that way and when I told him that I lived in an apartment and didn't have a place to do carpentry, he went to the effort of looking up clubs near me to join! (BTW, the one he suggested was 40 miles away!)

[@VestedUTuber]

Oh, yeah. Rail code elitism. The mindset behind that is also why we don't have a reliable coupler standard in N scale anymore (we used to have Rapido/NEM-style here but the rivet counters demanded realistic knuckles). Personally, I prefer oversized rail codes, as they allow for more reliable running and give more room for error when ballasting. This is especially important with N scale where the trains are extremely sensitive to imperfections in track.

[@raymondleggs5508]

I love the beginners layouts just as much as I do the giant expertly done ones

[@johnluechtefeld134]

Model Railroading should be fun. Personally, I may like to see a very vintage, crude model making circuits on a layout knowing that whoever made it contributed to the hobby. I hope to make some small contributions myself.

[@ixiairisborne1695]

The advice I always give people when they're early in the hobby is "Do it the way you enjoy, the way that's fun for you. If that means running a bright blue Big Boy with Conrail on the side, go for it. Fun > Realism."

[@Mike__B]

Me using my Acela loco to pull a bunch of coal hoppers, followed by some Hiawatha passenger cars... Come at me bro! 🤣🤣

[@VestedUTuber]

I once used my SC-44 to pull a string of ore hoppers - mainly to test if something was actually wrong with the hoppers or if the club member who ran them during ops was just having bad luck with them. I also have a BR Class 04 for use as a privately owned switcher for a coal mine I'm planning to have on my layout, and while I do have some JNR tatami coaches for my D51 to pull I'll also sometimes use it to pull North American freight cars.

[@randybrening9528]

I have so much rolling stock and some locomotives. Also have all scenery materials and track for a layout but no layout

[@damianl3]

“Text is tone deaf “ is the best thing to keep in mind. I have seen “toxic criticism” that was really meant to be funny but the writer is not a natural comedian so it comes out sounding cruel. If your comments are always being taken out of context, time to check your context. Remember your posts are not written in the font of sarcastica.

[@TwoRailfans]

That is true but a lot of this also occurs in person at train shows and train shops. It’s even worse if you’re a kid. My son has experienced this a lot and often gets told he shouldn’t even be looking at something because the gatekeepers make assumptions.

[@asmccleaf]

I drink a lot of Kirkland coffee from Costco! It tastes good and is priced right. I suspect it has a more expensive label in other settings.

[@Mapplewell_Park]

Great video. And totally agree, I model British Trains. I have a stressful job and it’s a great way to unwind. Ultimately as long as the ‘user’ enjoys what they are doing well ‘Good For them’ 👍. Enjoyed watching………anyway where is my coffee 👌 (Starbucks today)

[@daveoftheclanburgess]

Sound advice. Same could be said for life in general.

[@muir8009]

I think something to remember or be aware by all, is that not every modeller may the same aims as what the gatekeeper, or anyone may presume. Theres a large amount of hobbyists that end up moving into, say, prewar tinplate and they'll be enjoying what they have as much as anybody

[@johnnew3096]

Interesting video. Same issues over here in the Uk.

[@vincecrysler3821]

Well said, I think you nailed the gatekeeper issue right on the head! Mind you if there is someone at the gate, I say, climb over the fence and join the gang on the otherside!😂

[@Clarinetboy82]

This is a good video with great advice! For me, I look at model trains as toys. Often times very expensive toys, but to me they are just toys. Do I like realism? Sure! It's fun to model something realistic. Years ago I made the decision to look at model trains as toys, and I stopped stressing out about the hobby, and I just enjoy the heck out of my trains. Each their own though. 🙂

[@simonetaormina7080]

I agree but many times with beginners they buy the cheapest Lifelike stuff setup track wrong eliminate curve sections that are needed, have track set up on a rug , not even a roadbed track like Bachman and wonder why they get derailed and trains tipping over every foot of track. Or track disconnects. Then call up a friend who is in the hobby, tells them all there faults and mistakes that they don’t want to hear. Then throw them in a box and blame the trains. Anyone with some experience can get a set of Lifelike or Bachman starter sets to run well because of the experience that others are unwilling to learn. That’s why most go to O gauge with Fast track or Realtrack but don’t expand because of the expense. And I know many that have wanted to treat there trains like race car sets instead of slow running freight. In trains it’s not how fast they are but how slow can the run. I just recently tried to help a beginner friend with Marklin HO left by his father which is very simple and run great but refused to use the space needed for even a decent small RR. He was looking for me to squeeze 10 lbs into a five pound bag. Another problem the beginner has no idea what is involved in building a real model RR and think they roll out of a box like a carpet. It’s not gatekeeping Most people kill it themselves. Even that little RR you showed in the beginning of your video is more than most will do. I think most model Railroaders start at a very young age. Leave it in there teens and go back at some point later in life. And keeping your opinion to yourself with a beginner is no help at all. In my life I have helped many start in the hobby some want to some don’t. And refuse to listen , want to cut down space for a specific track plan and still build the same track and wonder why it doesn’t fit and then I’ve gotten, is 6 inch’s really that much? In a 96” x 48” layout in HO scale yes it is. If people want to get into this hobby they will do so as we did. Like I told my friend with the Marklin who wants an entire layout on a 5x3 board I wish you the best and just have fun with it. But how long can you watch a train go around in a circle. That’s the difference between toy trains and true model railroading.

[@gusshadleythelunaticfromar7125]

I never gave this any thought, but your right.

[@1stArizonaSub]

So true. In my role as Superintendent in the NMRA I see this gatekeeping all the time. To grow the hobby, we need younger generations. God forbid at shows I run Australian, American and even Thomas on the same modules at the same time. So what if it is not prototypical. It does not matter. What matters is having fun, capturing kids' imaginations, developing a story and plenty of hands on. Its no surprise kids will choose what they like. Some like switching troublesome trucks with Thomas (well I did fit him with an ESU sound decoder, keep alive, led lights, sprung buffers and Kadee couplers :) )Others like the big black ATSF Mike with sound and smoke., or the Doodlebug going back and fourth down the branch line, and the Australian 44 class diesel doing yard work. The purists might not like it but when our layout is one of the most popular with queues of kids (and big kids too) wanting a go, I think that speaks for itself.

[@beerengineer01]

"To grow the hobby, we need younger generations." 100% spot-on. My grandfather introduced me to model railroading at a very young age, and we used to run trains on his layout for hours at a stretch. He's sadly passed on, but I have some of his rolling stock and locomotives that I'm using for my layout, and my son loves to play with his Brio trains. I'm taking him to his first model train show in a few weeks.

[@glrider100]

So, I went to a train show today.. I spent money I shouldn't have, and bought train stuff I didn't need. But, I'm perfectly OK with that. I bought a few cars, and three different locomotives. So, my questions to you are...1) How would you go about checking out a used locomotive to see if it's viable/useable? and 2) What criteria would you use to determine if it was a viable candidate for DCC conversion?

[@kenshores9900]

Jimmy: Very well said!

[@dhh7501]

Absolutely. I am a professional, experienced and advanced programmer and love helping the noobs out. But the rules apply there too. Probably every hobby, or trade to be honest. Be it cooking, arts and crafts, painting, makup/hair, trade skills like carpentry, metalwork, electronics etc.. The proverbial "holier than thou" is never welcome, helpful or progressional. All people like that are doing is helping to kill off their beloved hobby/trade without even realising it. Sure you might know better but give experience not derision. PS: As for me and model railroading, while i was into it in my teens a bit, so know a thing or two about "scenery", i recently took it up again (so somewhere between beginner and improving), i am making a dedicated iconic HST layout and using switched DC! I don't care what they say, shinkansens will run on the same rails as the mallard A4 and Intercity 125. I am doing it for me, because most who will see it are not experts anyway.

[@firestar9360]

I address a very problem having an F7 unit run with my two SD-40 locomotive . I call it the Santa Fe heritage line and it runs any locomotive that is in a Santa Fe paint scheme. Bit strange but hey, My layout my rules.

[@atarihotel]

I've run into them myself. I once got told " you're Canadian you at SUPPOSED to be running Canadian trains." by a hobby store owner. I run Santa Fe. and other criticisms by know it alls.. and ham radio is even worse, and is a large part of why my radios just collect dust.

[@shamancredible8632]

Gate keeping keeps a hobby pure, in theory it benefits the hobby. You only described general harsh criticism, which isn't even gate keeping. People will be rude on the internet whether you like it or not. Better advice would be telling people to try to learn as much as possible about the best practices in the hobby, and leave it up to them if they want to go along. The whole point of gate keeping is to keep unwanted people out of the community, so if you can't be what the community wants, why should you be part of it? The world may never know.

[@plb7822]

This is a fun hobby purely for fun and nobody should ever tell anybody how they should put their layout together run their trains or how many trains should be running so let's all just be happy and play with our trains the way we want to play with our trains and watch some good videos to learn some more about them

[@modelrailpreservation]

I have a saying for our hobby, that it's like the old candy commercial. There's no wrong way to eat a Reeces, and there's no wrong way to enjoy your trains.

[@ronduz1281]

Great video👍👍👍down with gatekeepers

[@Crookedriverandeasternrr]

Great advice jimmy.

[@ollifh3434]

As a Metalhead and model railroader, I had my fair share with gatekeepers. As a teen when I was at concerts, now they annoy me at conventions….

[@turboseize]

The nice thing about model railroading is that there is a clear distinction between right and wrong: are you having fun? Yes? Great. No? Go to model railroad jail! Everything is a compromise. Unless you are a multi-millionaire, you probably won't have neither the space (nor the time... and even the multi-millionaire might find the time challenging) to built a realistic, prototypical layout. There will always be some compromise necessary. The only difference is in which areas do we compromise, and to which degree? Some people are happy with running trains in circles. Some enjoy shunting. Some like modelling landscape or structures, spend weeks carving out rocks from plaster and layering 27 layers of paint and washes, others scracth-build belle-epoque facades to museum quality, and yet others are into electronics and could do without any landscape at all, and all their effort goes into the electronics and programming necessary to recreate a prototypical signalling and reach a point where an automated system is running trains safely and on schedule... While I am fundamentally opposed to sugarcoating, and find harsh and honest critique much more healthy than saying something nice for niceness' sake*, any critique needs to take into account the goals that the critised persons aims for. If your aim is to run colourful trains in circles at unreasonably high speeds to amuse small children (or just your inner child), critique regarding realism is nonsense. But critique regarding tracklaying or safety (i.e. some distance to the layout edge or incorporating some landscape features that will act as a railing and prevent your rolling stock from crashing to the ground in case of a derailment; or even hints regarding electrical safety) might be helpful. And if someone aims to model a specific location at a specific time of day on june 26th, 1928, then it could be worth pointing out that a particular locomotive might not fit, as the class may have been used on this line, but the paintscheme, while period-correct, was only used in distand parts of the country and never ever on this line, or that a certain type of catenary had not been invented yet... But if the main point of your railorad is running beautiful trains through a gorgeous landscape without regard of the any resemblance to a specific prototype, than this will probably not very helpful. How to build that stone viaduct without weiging down your benchwork with two tons of plaster, on the other hand... *But then, I'm german, so I am blunt, impolite and harsh by default. If there is something to critisize, it is my cultural duty to do so, no matter if asked or not. ;-)

[@damianinCanadaTT-OO]

Rule number one. My railway, my rules. 😊

[@garyforestier1118]

Very well said Jimmy