Playing with Trains: A Passion Beyond Scale

by Sam Posey

Why do grown men play with trains? Is it a primal attachment to childhood, nostalgia for the lost age of rail travel, or the stuff of flat-out obsession? In this delightful and unprecedented book, Grand Prix legend Sam Posey tracks those who share his “passion beyond scale” and discovers a wonderfully strange and vital culture.

Posey’s first layout, wired by his mother in the years just after the Second World War, was, as he writes in his Introduction, “a miniature universe which I could operate on my own. Speed and I was fascinated by both, as well as by the way they were inextricably bound together.” Eventually, when Posey’s son was born, he was convinced that building him a basement layout would be the highest expression of fatherhood. Sixteen years and thousands of hours later, this project, “the outgrowth of chance meetings, unexpected friendships, mistakes, illness, latent ambitions, and sheer luck” was completed. But for Posey, the creation of his HO-scale masterpiece based on the historic Colorado Midland, was just the beginning.

In Playing with Trains , Sam Posey ventures well beyond the borders of his layout in northwestern Connecticut, to find out what makes the top modelers tick. He expects to find men “engaged in a genial hobby, happy to spend a few hours a week escaping the pressures of contemporary life.” Instead he uncovers a world of extremes–extreme commitment, extreme passion, and extreme differences of approach. For instance, Malcolm Furlow, holed up on his ranch in the wilderness of New Mexico, insists that model railroading is defined by scenery and artistic self-expression. On the other hand, Tony Koester, a New Jersey modeler, believes his “mission” is to replicate, with fanatical precision and authenticity, the way a real railroad operates. Going to extremes himself, Posey actually “test drives” a real steam engine in Strasburg, Pennsylvania, in an attempt to understand the great machines that inspired the models and connect us to a time when “the railroad was inventing America.” Timeless and original, Playing with Trains reveals a classic, questing American world.

Genres: Trains, Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Railways

217 pages, Hardcover

First published September 7, 2004

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this look into one man’s obsession with model railroading. I was often amused however, by his nonchalance about the privilege with which he approached the hobby. Need bench work? Hire a carpenter. Confused about wiring the layout? Call in an electrician to do it. Progress slow? Hire an assistant to help. Support beam marring your presentation? Nothing three skilled craftsman can’t handle. A fun read and look inside the hobby, though.

[Robert Karl Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book I think 4 times now and enjoy it every time. It helps that I am a model railroader like Sam. Reading it rekindles my enthusiasm to work on my own railroad. His adventures exploring hobby shops and train shows reminds me of my own. Finding that gotta have piece of rolling stock or structure for a specific place or train is a fun quest. If you or someone you know likes trains, they may enjoy reading this book!

Some reviewers have mentioned the lack of pictures. His layout was featured in the February 1995 issue of Model Railroader magazine as mentioned. There are pictures of his layout in the article. It was nice that I had this issue to refer to after reading the book.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

American culture suppresses rather than honors eccentrics. I think that is a shame as there is nothing as boring as a uniform society. Sam Posey is one of those men with a passion which propells him through life and insures that he is never bored or without something to do. This glimpse into the world of model trains is wonderful and amazing.

[Caryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an entertaining exploration of a wonderful childhood hobby which evolves into a strong adult passion, as is often the case for those who love model railroading and collecting toy trains. If you grew up in a house with a parent who was heavily into it, as I did, you will truly enjoy the history and details of both real life and model railroads, well told with candor and wit by the author.

[Andy Polizzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant enough book, a quick read. Probably more for those who will work 12 hours a day (as the author sometimes did) for years to create a layout than for the general public or for those with only a passing interest in model trains.

The complete lack of photos was extremely disappointing.

[Raymond Medrano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living my own emotions.



I also am I evolved with model trains a d am holding a small layout He ref!ected my feelinbs. I remember when he raced cars and felt as if I knew him. I enjoyed this book very much.

[Glenn Beebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read about a great hobby

[Iain · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pleasant read about the model railroading hobby and the authors experiences both within that world and through life more generally. I would rea Sam's other book.

[Norm_W · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was amazing and want to read it again and again!

[Ronald Kelland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Model railroaders can be a quirky bunch, trust me, I'm one of them. Not surprisingly this book greatly interested me. It is setup almost as two books in one. The first half of the book explores the author's nearly lifelong fascination with model trains. As a child running Lionel trains with his mother and stepfather to his rediscovery of the hobby as a new father trying. The second part is very much a "state-of-the-hobby" address as the author explores the quirky, and surprisingly contested, hobby. Overall I definitely enjoyed the book. It is a short, easy read. The nostalgia with which he looks at his childhood trains is very touching. His interviews with current modelers is also interesting, revealing the different approaches to the hobby, between the technical minded people who focus on imitating real-life operations and the more artistic adherents who focus on landscape and design. Other railroaders would likely enjoy this book, and non-hobbyists may find it interesting as a guide to understanding why model railroading continues to fascinate people.

[Elizabeth Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in memoir-style, Posey's book shares some of the challenges and thrills of creating a model layout. along with observations about those who enjoy the hobby and their varied styles of craft. I learned, I laughed, and I grew in appreciation for all the detail that goes into model layouts. It was quite understandable, even for someone who doesn't know a THING about model railroading - but my husband enjoys the hobby, and I was glad to learn a little more about it for his sake. It was a good read!

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fun to read. Posey has a very easy, intelligent, and conversational style that makes for quick reading. It was interesting to discover this side of a person for whom all my prior knowledge was gleaned from sportscasting. This book took me back to my childhood, when my dad and I built a layout in our basement. Now I find myself pondering just where in my house I could fit a new layout of my own...

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about model railroading but not a conventional one. Posey is very insightful about what drove his interest (connections with his youth and his children) and how it fit into his own life and growing issues with MS. His connection to others who create model railroads and what this is all about adds to the biography as he evolves in his life and his passion.

[Michael]

Great idea...I can see why an editor would want this book. However, the execution, from the writing to the organization to the general superficiality, left a lot to be desired. It was probably too much for a non-train enthusiast and not nearly enough for a dork like me.

And...why would you agree to publish this book and then not have better photographs of Posey's layout?

[Davy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you need a small, quirky, delightful book more than you need a great big jaw-dropping revelation. This one was about the charmingly idiosyncratic subculture of model railroading, and it hit the spot!

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

YES YES YES
one of the best auto racing commentators writes of his passion for toy trains, visits other enthusiasts and even becomes a train conductor. one of the coolist books i've ever read! and lots of pictures

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable book for anyone who has ever played with a toy train. Captures the culture of the hobby from detail-obsessed modelers to artists to manufacturers. A book written by a man who is passionate about the subject.

[Tom Warger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Posey came late to model trains but (maybe as a result) quickly came to know all of us cellar-dwelling train nuts better than we know ourselves. Best book I know on the hobby--told with real appreciation.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read on the airplane from San Francisco. It describes one of my passions, but to the extreme.
Note: Firstborn son, Lionel as a youth, Z scale as an adult.

[Sonya Carlson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Captivating writing but I seemed to miss something. The train details are interesting but he didn't seem to connect with his son or anyone else meaningfully

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly about layouts; would have enjoyed more about trains. Enjoyed history of steam and diesels in last chapter.

[Jeramey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit meandering at the end, but overall an enjoyable read.

[Duffy Laudick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a how to book, but a look at one persons passion with model trains. Great read! It was fun to look up on the internet some of the other layouts that are mentioned in the book.

[Tony Kliment · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun little book if you're at all interested in model trains.

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read about someones passion for a hobby.