Maybe it's just me, but when I was a kid back in the upper midwest, a snowy day always enabled me to turn to my model railroading hobby with enjoyable concentration. Perhaps it was that bad weather outside foreclosed other options- and back in the 1960s, choices between one-screen movie theaters or going with your mom to the local mall (again!) were less- attractive options.
Down here in Florida, after an unusually cold (but sunny!) and dry winter, we are getting some welcome rain more frequently now and- just like it was on those snowy winter days back then, this old man's thoughts turn to trains. Working on a modeling project on my workbench on a rainy day just seems like the right thing to do. That "honey-do" list can wait until next weekend while I engage myself in the restorative and therapeutic hobby of model railroading.
Excuse me, but I hear an Athearn BB calling out my name!
Cedarwoodron
I agree 100%. I get alot of my model railroading done in fall, winter and rainy days. Yesterday was raining and I spent most of my day in the train shed painting scenery and putting down more roadbed and track.
No matter where we live, bad weather tends to be a time for model railroading.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
For me, all I need is free time! That has become quite a rare commodity in my life right now.
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I have a lawn service now, I use a drop-off laundry service most weeks, the kids have moved out, and I still struggle to find free time.
I am looking so forward to a time when a rainy day means relaxing at the workbench.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
You betcha! I keep a log of what I've done on the layout on a month-to-month basis, and while most months show significant progress - there are precious few entries during April-May-June. The weather is terrific and its prime time for putting in the crops.
My second hobby is veggie gardening...
"One is a plant, two is a crop!"
Jim
Almost all my model railroading happens from late fall to early spring. Once the golf clubs come out, it seems that I never find (make) the time to work on the layout. During the months I do work on the layout, the weather doesn't much matter. If I'm in the mood to work on the layout, I do it even if the weather is perfect. My problem is that on the days when I do work on the layout, trying to stay focused is the issue. This hobby can be mentally fatiguing and even if I have 8 hours to work, I rarely put in more than 4. In fact right now I am taking a break after having spent just 2 hours in the train room. I'll probably check out WPF and hope to get some inspiration to get back at it.
Add train shows to your list. Lousy weather on train show day usually ....actually all of the time....brings in a huge attenance increase. co-running the Timonium show for 31 years will attest to this. We had a period of over ten years of good weather, except for a major snow where attendance was down. We even spoke of hiring a witch doctor from the Carribean complete with long stick and a monkey skull on one end to bring rain. There is a term called "train season" which usually begins in October and sort of winds down by end of March.
For me.....I could care less about the weather as not much can keep me away from my hobby.
HZ
Living on the West Coast means a more moderate climate. Year round sailing, golf, and cycling mean I don't have a reason to stay indoors. It rarely snows and we have years where the temp never gets down to freezing.
Train shows are on in the Winter and early March is the last one. Heaven help anyone that plans an event if the Canucks make the playoffs and there is a conflict. Huge dog events that my wife attends have learned that hockey playoffs will greatly affect the turnout to the point of big losses.
I spend fewer days than most in the train room because of the climate, but this makes me go in and enjoy it at any time of the year. I have to cut the lawn 9 months of the year. At least I have the option of staying in or going out at any time. I don't know how you guys back East stand your long winters. Glad my Dad moved us West in 1959.
This sight is so rare I had to take a pic.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
My actual desire to work on the models indoors is fairly seasonal. Just don't wanna be indoors when it's beautiful out there, even if it's yard work. But if the bug bites in August, I'll make some time. Yeah, it sure is great to have the train room to retreat to when it is foul weather outside. I'm not a big TV fan, theres not one in the man cave/train room. Dan
Edited in a few minutes later: If the weather was warmer out there today, I'd be painting that 5 foot long crane shed.
My model railroading does tend to be seasonal.
When the weather is good, I can:
Work with noxious chemicals, like flux cleaner and solvent paints--not on the approved list supplied by the executive committee
Work with power tools--my shop is mostly outdoors, so significant wood working is nice weather work
Work on modules--there's no room for them indoors, so good weather is necessary
All of that tends to support doing rolling stock work in the inclement season.
Ed
Well, I will buck the trend here. Weather has little to no effect on my model building either way.
Summer is actually a great time for me to work on trains. My train room, located above my detached garage, is heated and air conditioned, a great place to escape the summer heat or a winter weather day. Likewise, my model workshop is in the basement of the house, also always cool in summer and warm enough in winter.
I like some outdoor stuff, but I'm not really the "outdoor type", no sports like golf, etc. When it comes to outdoors, I like spring and fall, and winter is ok (I did a little snow sking when I was younger), summer, once it gets hot and humid here, you will find me indoors, hopefully building trains.
So if I can make the time, and get past other obligations, any time of year is model railroad time of year.
My spray booth vents outside, my garage has plenty of room and tools for building anything without regard for weather.
My bigger problem is simply making time, but I manage.
Sheldon
Monday was going to be my first golfing day of the year but I just saw the forecast and they are calling for a dusting of snow so the golf season might be delayed for a bit. A chance to finish up a few projects.
I'm going to make the same vow I have made for probably at least the last ten years and have broken every single year. I'm going to run the trains at least once a week. Lotsa luck with that.