After re-reading these comments, I'm reminded that the "whole railway hobby" encompasses several "sub-hobbies". :mrgreen: In addition to model railroading, here are some others -- all pretty much hobbies in their own right:
-- kitbashing/weathering/scratch-building locos, buildings, freight cars
-- railfanning / train watching
-- railway photography
-- railway histororical research (generally for modeling different regions or researching locos that you might be kitbashing)
-- assisting with or simply riding on heritage railways
-- collecting rare or vintage locos and coaches (i.e. Lionel or the British Hornby Dublo or Triang products)
And I'm sure I've left some out. I've dabbled in all of these areas and find that this variety helps to keep the hobby "fresh & interesting"! :mrgreen:
Enjoy!
Rob