I sort of agree, a bloke spending hours up in the loft or in a shed to run trains around a track is odd.
But I like model railway's and steam trains, so I would pay to go in to see a proper mahoosive model railway that are in some places, like Polperro in Cornwall.
Model railways are often a suitable substitute for a wife that has walked out on you.
Especially the wives who are asked to wear a cap, wave a flag and blow a whistle when it's bedtime.