If you liked this, you’ll probably enjoy my book When Pulling Groupies Isn’t Enough: Rock Stars Nerding Out. Chapters on Neil Young (model trains); Johnny Cash (model trains); Frank Sinatra (model trains); Bill Wyman (old man with a metal detector on the beach); Steve Vai (beekeeper); Grandmaster Flash (mug collector – seriously).
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Joe Walsh (ham radio) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wb6acu.png
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I am seriously jelly.
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It’s a hobby with a small but passionate fanbase. Enthusiastic people make new companies regularly and then go bankrupt a few years later. How many times as Lionel been resurrected now?
If you have a chance search for a local train group in your area. There’s a good chance one exists and holds regular meetups at some location. My local group has a standard size board that they build everything on so the segments can be worked on at home and then brought in and connected together in a grand display. There is some seriously impressive work done in re-creating parts of the city, a 1950s diner and drive in, a woodsy section of the Island of Sodor, or even downtown Springfield from the Simpsons. Usually with lights and motorized elements.
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He told Railway Modeller he worked on the skyscrapers and other scenery while on tour, requesting an extra room for his constructions in his hotels.
That kind of dedication (and patience – but on a much smaller scale 
) reminds me of another hobbyist (well known to the figure-building/painting community) who also built while on the road and on ‘business’ (Bill Horan); each figure below is just over 2" tall.
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It was a hoot, you just could not have fun at that place. Many a day off from the crazy life of running restaurants in the SF City [100 hour weeks], I would walk over with my son and take a ride through their fantasy land. Miss it, but not living there, too sleepy of a town for me…
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Oh man. Dad would have really loved this.
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Saints, preserve us.
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“The collection was priceless and I [Rod Stewart] am donating £10,000 to help compensate those affected and asking fellow enthusiasts Jools Holland, Roger Daltrey and others to do the same.” Who knew this about Classic Rock artists?
Daltrey: “Out of my brain on the 5:15… out of my brain on the train.”
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I believe it. Hobbies can be creatively satisfying in very personal ways… and addictive.
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Don’t forget Pete Waterman, also an avid model railway fan, who took it further and owns full sized trains.
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Now we have a new vacation idea for the husband.
(If we ever win the lottery, the basement of the house we have will contain a 100’x100’ train layout. Since we never play the lottery, this will, alas, always remain just a dream for him. 
)
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