Jan 10 2009
Railroad Art and Model Railroads as Art
Railroad Art and Model Railroads as Art
Railroad art is part of the fun of railroad fans and model railroad builders.
Model Railroad as Art
Model Railroads involve such a high level of creativity and human expression that the model railroad itself may be considered a work of folk art. Some model railroads are stunning in their overall design and beauty. Individual scenes, buildings, equipment, and miniature people are art in and of themselves. The sculpture required for making miniature people and animals for a model railroad rivals sculpture for any other purpose and setting. The highest level of skill and creativity by machinists, jewelers, and clock makers is often reserved for making miniature machinery and miniature engines and railroad rolling stock. Lighting design, set design, sound design are all recognized forms of art when practiced in the context of movie studios and Broadway stages. Model railroads are enjoying a surge of interest and activity from professional designers and artists. It is being played out in the smaller scale world of model railroads. A very well known example of this is CitiGroup’s New York City train exhibit was designed by a famous Broadway set designer. Theme park designers and imagineers are getting into the act by designing and fabricating model railroads for hospitals, museums, and wealthy clients.
Railroad Art
Railroad art is art, usually fine art, that has railroads and railroad related items as their subject or theme. This is so popular that there is a railroad art web ring. This web ring shows a gathering of web sites that present and (many) offer for sale railroad art. Railroad art ranges from original oil paintings, and drawings, to prints, stationary, and cards. Railroad art includes fine china, reproductions or replicas of railroad items such as pins, buckles, and lanterns. Don’t forget to look into standard art galleries, online art auction sites, and traveling “train shows” for railroad art.
Soon your enthusiasm for railroads will grow beyond the limits of your model railroad.
When people ask what you are doing with a model railroad you can tell them you are an artist or an art collector.
Have fun!
Trainguy
