Model Citizens Page #2

and I start dusting.

It, I never thought dusting

could be so relaxing,

but,

I would say that...

It could be a substitute for

an anti-depression medication.

- The concentration

that comes in working on

a model, doing the research,

adding small details

parts to something,

is a little like yoga

in its concentration.

I mean you cannot

worry about the

world outside when

you're working with small

tools and a magnifier,

trying to get

something just right.

And with every small detail,

again, you're evoking

something from that period.

It is, in some ways,

I think, a protest

against the world as

it is because you say

I'm going to be God for a while,

I'm gonna create a happy ending.

I'm gonna create characters.

It's a protest against

the world as it is.

I don't accept the

world as it is.

In some ways, with

a model railroader,

you're creating a world.

For a little bit of

time, there's power.

- The whole concept of

having a small

empire that you're

in complete control of,

I think, appeals to some.

- [Voiceover] Just

drives you crazy

trying to keep the

world in shape.

Come on up there, that's better.

- What isn't compelling

about the idea

of creating a world the

way you wanna see it?

The way that you

wish the world was,

or the way it was

at a time where

you thought it was just

particularly great.

- To me, the act of

creation that way is just,

is just great.

And model railroading

is the venue,

it gives you

something to aim for,

rather than just, I'm

gonna build a dollhouse,

I'm gonna build a bicycle.

Now I'm gonna build a train,

I'm gonna build a town,

I'm gonna build a city,

I'm gonna build a layout.

The creation part of it is

what's so cool about it.

- John Allen, who was a

prolific modeler back in the

early days of model railroading.

He always had these little

whims built into his scenes.

A stegosaurus pulling a boxcar?

Come on, who does that?

(laughing)

What other hobby do you know

could do that and kind of say,

it's my world, so what?

(laughing)

- I might go to, let's say

I go to somebody's house,

and I look at their

model railroad and

let's say it has a

lot of toilet humor.

It might have, say,

a scene where

there's a prostitute,

or things like that.

And you wonder what

made him put that there

because this person that has

a prostitute and a John

modeled on his layout...

It might be your

pastor at your church,

and it kinda makes

you wonder, like,

hmm, is he trying to

live a secret life there?

Or something like that.

But I have noticed that.

You look at somebody's

layout and you'll

have a scene on

there that I'm like,

I wouldn't think of you

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