model railroading in a "low point "?

[Anonymous]

I have hardley done any model railroading here latley. except for a couple of kits and a loop of EZ track, I have always been an armchair modeler, but I havent done much with here lateley. I havent even been on the forums much. I spend alot of my time at my church and I spend alot of time reading, daydreaming, and sketching an occassional track planning idea. anyone experinced this before ? does anyone know some good model railroading books that are woth the wait on an inter-library loan ( I have read most of the train books and all the model train books in the Oklahoma City library system ) ? Thanks !!!

[fiatfan]

Train boy,

I think we all go through periods where we seem to lose inteest in an activity. There are many factors that bear on this. Sometimes life just gets too busy. Sometimes our mood gets altered by a seemingly minor event that throws us completely off our routine. I wish I had better answers for you. In any event, I don't think you should be too concerned. Maybe it's time to try something different. I tried to think of a clever way to end this but can't come up with anyhing better than good luck and remember you always have people here in the forums to talk to.

Tom

[Anonymous]

I am assuming you are younger and a on bit of budget. Why not put a decent layout together. Perhaps one of the best Woodland Scenics kits is the least sold one, and the one most don't look at. Its a "sleeper"of a kit, its excellent - purchase the Woodland Scenics Mountain Valley Scenery kit. Ignore the track plan that comes with the kit - its a poor one - instead find a track plan for an HO layout either on the net, you can start at the atlas site to find one, or post a question about it and others will give you a link.

With the Woodland scenic kit, everything is provided except engines, power pack, rolling stock and structures.

Buy your self a 4 by 8 piece of plywood and start building, your enthusiasm will come back.

[MAbruce]

Trainboy,

I hear you. Since the weather turned warm, I've lost interest in my layout and have turned my attention on work around the house. I find that there is an "ebb and flow" to interest level in any hobby. Sometimes I feel like scratch building an entire town, and sometimes I can’t even look at trains.

It's all normal. Remember that it's a hobby, and should only be there for your amusement. Don't force your interest or you will burn out completely. Sometimes you just need some time away.

[philnrunt]

I pretty much agree with the others, and just want to add that by far the best railroads are the trackplans we draw up, 'cause nothing is better than imagineering.

[Anonymous]

Yes this probably happens to all of us, I try to go to a train show during these times, it always seems to get me going a little.

[Anonymous]

Not to worry, listen I've been going thru the same thing for 2 & 1/2 years now, ebb and flow, ebb and flow. In my case it was brought on by job stress, a bad club experience, which I'll never repeat, and the grand daddy of them all, my wifes close brush last year with cancer. Believe me your priorities really change with that last one. Everything else and I mean everything, takes a back seat, with hobbies way down the list. When the s@&% hit the fan last year I couldn't do anything but hope that all would be ok in the end and for us, fortunately, it will be. It still leaves you and your spouse and kids scarred for life, and things are just never quite the same but life does return to some form of normal and gradually you start finding some time for other things including hobbies. When I'm tired of MRRing, I increase my activity in diecast collecting, a great hobby and very enjoyable. Try it sometime. I even include 1/87 scale models. Believe or not, even the great ones in this hobby ebb and flow. It's human nature.