Michael,
When I was getting into it back in the late 90's, I was always interested in becoming a railroad modeler rather than a model railroader. While I dreamed of a large layout (who doesn't?), I really just wanted a small "scene" in which I could have various rolling stock that I modeled switched back and forth. I remember "meeting"* a railroad modeler on one of the first news lists I subscribed to in the 90's who modeled just one particular day in one particular year at one particular locale. He had a lot of data on what went by that day, and he just wanted to build a scene where he could "train watch". An interesting approach, but very rewarding for him. Likewise, I found one of my bosses at work is a scale modeler, but he just likes modeling HO scale buildings. If memory serves, a very highly regarding modeler and author for Model Railroader has never had a model railroad in his life. He just models buildings and scenes. That was his interest and specialty.
Like you, I'd like to have a seperate "off topic" area so that members here can show off their other modeling interests. They did it over at the 72nd scale Aircraft forum so that members there can show off their vehicles, and it's been a great success so far.
FWIW,
Warren
