You are in the right news group. Model railroading is a many faceted hobby. Construction of model rolling stock, electrical wiring, DCC and signaling, structures, track laying, scenery, painting of backdrops, photography, both model and prototype, rail fanning and prototype research, painting and weathering, tinplate collecting, live steam, and operations. Some of us concentrate more on one facet than upon others. Some folk on this news group will advocate the facets of the hobby that they enjoy, attempting to gain converts. As in any endeavor, there are controversial subjects, discussion of which sometimes generates more heat than light. Fidelity to prototype vs free lancing, NMRA standards for wheel and track dimensions, sniping on E-bay, off shore manufacturing, tinplate vs scale, the price of brass (and other things), the demise of the retail hobby shop, RTR vs scratch building, and of course, everyone's favorite scale. Welcome to R.M.R. and feel free to tell us how your railroad in coming along.
David J. Starr