No, it’s not what you think.

Yes, all of them are (or were) very successful and popular musical artists. But that’s not what I’m talking about.

I’m referring to the fact that all of them are (or were) model railroad enthusiasts. A recent article in The Guardian, titled “I’m proud to be called a nerd,” explored this phenomenon. Rod Stewart may not be the best known of the six for his music, but he is definitely the one who is best known for his devotion to the elaborate hobby of model railroading. Here is a shot of just a piece of his layout:

Anyway, do read the Guardian article in the link above. It is surprisingly in-depth, it talks about connections between music and model railroading, and it describes some non-musical celebrities who are also model railroaders. Most importantly, it also has more photos.

Pro-tip: Unless you’re talking about a child’s hobby, don’t say “train set”! Or, worse yet, “toy trains.” For serious modelers—whether the celebrities listed in the headline or nonentities like myself—the respectful phrase is either “model railroad” or just “layout.”

Categories: Model Railroading