There are three distinct approaches to model railroading. Like personality types discussed in psychology classes, people don't generally fit exclusively into one category but will often have tendencies that reveal an emphasis in their approach to model railroading.
Modeler
A modeler is someone who builds models. Most modelers today build their own layout scenery. They usually use plastic, wooden, or brass kits to add structures to their layouts. Many will add weathering and details to their locomotives and rolling stock. Next in the line of modeling expertise come the kitbashers. A kitbasher will take a commercial model locomotive or railcar and alter or "kitbash" it into another kind of locomotive or railcar that isn't available commercially. And finally come the scratchbuilders. These are a rare breed who will make a locomitive, railcar, or structure entirely out of raw materials: plastic, glue, paints, and patience.Operator
An operator is someone whose model railroading experience emphasizes running their trains as opposed to building and/or displaying them. Some operators, particularly children, may not even want a permanent layout; preferring to use integrated roadbed track so that they can change their track layout frequently. Modelers often refer to this as "playing with trains", and may look askance at the toy-like appearance of some operators' layouts. Serious operators, however, frequently have beautifully detailed layouts with industry structures and elaborate railyards. This allows them to simulate realistic railroad operations.Collector
Where modelers and operators focus their model train purchases on a narrow range of locomotives and rolling stock, with the intent of running trains consisting of numerous railroad cars of the same types (i.e. trains of boxcars or trains of coal hoppers), a collector's focus is on variety in their acquisitions. They may be looking for one of each type of locomotive and railcar offered for a specific railroad, or perhaps one of each product offered by a specific manufacturer during a specific period of years. They there are the wealthy collectors who simply want one... or two... of everything.
