2005-09 Model Railroad Happiness From Donboy Model railroading seems to have more then it's fair share of armchair critics. It seems that for some their hobby is to be critical of manufacturers and other hobbyists. I have seen this in other hobbies so it must be part of the human condition. I have to confess that for me second guessing other people's choices does not seem to “fit” with the word hobby. I think model railroading is a hobby where the hobbyist is required to make many choices because the size of the prototype is so large we can not make an exact copy of most prototype trackage or locations. When you add on missing and incomplete information on the prototype you end up with many choices about what to leave out from the prototype, what you need to guess at and what to add (like a return curve to keep the layout in the room) to make a layout work. While I think it is good practice to improving modeling skills by building very accurate models of prototype locomotives and rolling stock. I am a bit taken back by the current focus on “prototype” layouts as being the “correct way to model” because many attempts to model a section of a prototype mainline will have 100 to 1 compression so the model will fit in the owner's property. I think it really stretches the true to prototype point when you factor in 100 to 1 compression in one dimension (just try it on a locomotive model some time). From my point of view there are no “prototype” layouts just layouts with prototype models and perhaps some prototype switching areas on them. The point is not that “prototype” layouts are not wrong or the layouts are not interesting (in fact I find them very interesting), the point is that they still are doing what we all have to do and that is making choices about what to include and exclude from their layout. If you want to have fun with model trains (I assume you do) this is very important issue to address how you feel about prototype vs freelance for long term enjoyment. I have learned that it is odd but in fact I like to study history and of course the history of railroads so it was natural for me to look at modeling a prototype. I had collected a sizable amount of information on my favorite railroad and knew where to get more . At first I was focused on the locomotives and rolling stock being accurate but running on freelance track. After a while I started looking at the prototype traffic patterns and the freelance traffic patterns no longer seemed right. Starting with my discomfort with freelance traffic patterns my happiness with my “prototype” layout started to breakdown. Once you start looking at traffic patterns you start looking at prototype locations and prototype trackage. I found that I could model a branch line of my favorite prototype but then I would not have the operational activity that I wanted and if I cheated on the operational activity I would always feel like I was cheating. I was lucky and figured this out before I had to much invested in the “prototype” layout approach. For over a year now I have been focused on a 100% freelance layout that pulls generic information from my narrow guage prototype knowledge. Today I saw some fussing about prototype vs freelance on the web and realized that I still very happy with my freelance choice. The fact that I choose to go freelance is not what I am proud of it is the fact I thought it through and made a choice that will give me the most enjoyment from the hobby that makes me feel good.