Hello all,
I have a 17'x17' HO layout (cantilevered) in the basement, this is the only room down there (old home, built 1847). Been working on it off and on (more off than on) for about 25 years. Seems every time I go to play with them, there's the track cleaning, derailments, etc., that have to be tended to before any runtime can be enjoyed. Also seems I am the only one in the family, or in my circle of friends that comes even close to taking an interest in them
All that said, I am thinking of dismantling the whole thing, but storing it in the off chance that someone in the family may take up the hobby in the future.
At the same time, my wife, a retired 1st grade teacher, thinks our grand son, age 6, may take a renewed interest in the layout like he used to. His current interests lie in sports, friends, etc.
The room in the basement doubles as my wood working area, so plastic has to be used to cover this layout when tackling a project, which is a pain as well.
Thoughts on this? Has anyone else walked away from a life long hobby like this?
Thanks, tngeorge
Friend of mine got tired of the burden of a layout about the size of yours, but ramped up his involvement in a local club and has got re into photography. But thwere aren't any kids involved.
Check out the somewhat recent thread, The Saga Begins and Ends, by mobilman44.
That's what he did. Torn down the bedroom layout and put in a treadmill. Reminds me of that Joni Mitchell song, Big Yellow Taxi. "They paved paradise and put in a parking lot.
Truth be told, I often think about doing the same thing as mobilman44 did. I have a basement layout that I consider, on and off, tearing down and leaving the space empty.
You capture the essence of layout boredom precisely.
tngeorge Seems every time I go to play with them, there's the track cleaning, derailments, etc., that have to be tended to before any runtime can be enjoyed. Also seems I am the only one in the family, or in my circle of friends that comes even close to taking an interest in them
Seems every time I go to play with them, there's the track cleaning, derailments, etc., that have to be tended to before any runtime can be enjoyed. Also seems I am the only one in the family, or in my circle of friends that comes even close to taking an interest in them
Beyond that, I have no advice for you. You can always tear the layout down and if you live to regret it, build another layout. Good luck!
Rich
Alton Junction
Big Yellow Taxi was written by Joni Mitchell. Sorry to be a rivet counter.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
MisterBeasley Big Yellow Taxi was written by Joni Mitchell. Sorry to be a rivet counter.
I always get those two confused for no good reason.
Send in the clowns.
I edited my prior reply to give proper credit to Ms. Mitchell.
MisterBeasleyBig Yellow Taxi was written by Joni Mitchell. Sorry to be a rivet counter.
Returning to model railroading after 40 years and taking unconscionable liberties with the SP&S, Northern Pacific and Great Northern roads in the '40s and '50s.
crossthedog MisterBeasley Big Yellow Taxi was written by Joni Mitchell. Sorry to be a rivet counter. Beas, I'm so glad YOU said that, and not me. Phew!!
Beas, I'm so glad YOU said that, and not me. Phew!!
I have had stints where the layout goes for a while without seeing me because I am busy doing other things. I get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing it is there waiting for me when I make the effort to get in there. Sometimes a quick run with the track cleaning car is required to get things up and running but that is all.
Repairs and maintenance are required in most endeavors. I change my guitar strings frequently, not a job I enjoy but I sure enjoy the end result.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Mybe you should build a new layout.
tngeorge Hello all, I have a 17'x17' HO layout (cantilevered) in the basement, this is the only room down there (old home, built 1847). Been working on it off and on (more off than on) for about 25 years. Seems every time I go to play with them, there's the track cleaning, derailments, etc., that have to be tended to before any runtime can be enjoyed. Also seems I am the only one in the family, or in my circle of friends that comes even close to taking an interest in them All that said, I am thinking of dismantling the whole thing, but storing it in the off chance that someone in the family may take up the hobby in the future. At the same time, my wife, a retired 1st grade teacher, thinks our grand son, age 6, may take a renewed interest in the layout like he used to. His current interests lie in sports, friends, etc. The room in the basement doubles as my wood working area, so plastic has to be used to cover this layout when tackling a project, which is a pain as well. Thoughts on this? Has anyone else walked away from a life long hobby like this? Thanks, tngeorge
On the other hand, you seem to have an ongoing interest in the hobby. As mentioned above, you can dismantle and rebuild a smaller, more manageable layout. You did not post your layout plan, but maybe there is a way to downsize it. If derailments are an issue, you might want to start over. I designed my plan to minimize them - smallish layout, simple trackwork, no curved turnouts on the mainline (only turnouts with the straight bit of track used for the mainline), ease of reach to all sections, short rolling stock, etc... I can do an entire operation session with zero derailments. When they happen, it's usually because I forgot to flip a switch.
If you have the space, you can also build a wall to protect your layout from the workshop dust. That's basically what I did. I cannot envisage having to remove a plastic sheet every time. Unless you build some kind of cover that can be lowered from the sealing (cone of silence style).
Simon
In my fairly long life, I have put model railroading down twice. At those times, I didn't have any form of layout, so it was just rolling stock and tools. I didn't get rid of any of it, so I still am able to gaze fondly at my first steam engine.
This wasn't planned--just did it. And the same thing happened for coming back and starting again. Just happened.
You aren't obligated to keep your layout up. Or even keep your trains.
As for your grandchild: If he's interested in model railroading, he'll likely remember you've been involved in it, and come to you with questions and interest. Maybe he will; maybe he won't. If you dismantle the layout, you can leave a few things out that might prompt discussion--your faves.
Ed
If you're having constant trouble with derailments and bad track, it's probably time to start over. Maybe a smaller layout using click track (Kato Unitrack for example) so you don't have as much track issues to worry about. If you use DCC, maybe add 'keep alives' so track dirt isn't as big an issue. I've seen shelf layouts with a fold-down in front that covers the open side when not in use, keep things clean.
Renewal is often what is needed to keep a spark alive. New oxygen, new fuel, new interest, new ideas, or even the renewal that comes from absence...which makes the heart grow fonder.
I don't recommend the practice for one's closest humans, but material things can be ditched and replaced as needed. If the layout presents more drudgery than it does pleasure, it's time to bust it up and think about a replacement. Replacement as in, a new concept and layout, or a new pastime altogether.
I think most of us do much better as we age by taking up new challenges and pursuits. I took up photography after I had built a layout, my second one that was a great improvement, and wanted to take realistic images of scenes in it. From there, I went on to nature, the local airforce base and flying acrobatics, and other types of imagery. I also sing in two choirs, volunteer as a shopper for shut-in seniors at a local grocery store, and I am on the local board of Crime Stoppers. One has to keep active, keep some kind of a calendar with obligations in his head, or on his phone, and do stuff.
One word: Operations.
Disclaimer: This post may contain humor, sarcasm, and/or flatulence.
Michael Mornard
Bringing the North Woods to South Dakota!
tngeorgeThoughts on this? Has anyone else walked away from a life long hobby like this?
I have three lifelong hobbies. Model Railroading, Wargaming, and Photography.
I cannot imagine walking away from any of them.
rrebellMaybe you should build a new layout.
That sounds like a great idea.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I have many hobbies all revolving around transport and incorporate most of them in my layout.
When they visit, my grandchildren bring their hobbies and have them around the layout. It allows them to get involved in railway train running as well.
Perhaps the OP could do the same even if it means a rebuild.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
Sorry everyone, I must have notifications turned off here. Ooops.
Thanks to all for the ideas and honest feedback. My other hobbies include a vinyl stereo, but the receiver is awaiting new parts - thanks Covid - and a 75MGB that is currently getting a bottom rebuild. So.....that leaves the trains. Since I wrote to voice my concerns, I've worked on rolling stock, engines, etc. to get everything 100% operational. A couple of derailment spots exist, but worthy of repair, fairly easy.
I guess I'll keep it as is. Work around it all as I have. Doing a teardown and rebuild just isn't peaking any interest on my end at this point. Part of that thinking is the layout as is - design wise - is about as interesting as it can be. I put some good thought into it 25 years ago. I am able to run 2 trains in oposing direction (block control, DPDT switches), with a third option of fiddling in the yard. So it could keep 3 people busy at a time.
Thanks agin everyone. Notifications are turned on, lol
Tyler
Also why do you have running problems, a lot of times it is either the equipment or track cleaning and for that there are lots of cleaning cars out there. Old layout I used to run a couple engines and cleaning cars as a unit when I hadn't used the layout in awhile which was in dirty dusty place. What brand of engines and type, how do you clean your track?
richhotrainTorn down the bedroom layout and put in a treadmill.
Paved Paradise and put in an exercise machine?
"I Don't Think So, TIM"
My interest in the hobby never died, or even lagged much, but as Graham Line mentioned, joining a local model railroading club definitely helped spark my enthusiasm to do more on my own layout. Met a lot of nice individuals there who warmly welcomed me into the group as well as gave me ideas for new processes to try out. I too have a grandson (3 years old) who I want to share the hobby with so tuning things up on my layout for his benefit is high on my list.
A little more than 10 years ago. I had the whole second floor of our tiny cape house to do what I want. The slanted walls were painted light blue, and work was started on a small layout. Then the daughters marriage went haywire and her and two grandchildren moved in. All the trains went into storage. The past few months I have been digging out a few locomotives and installing sound decoders in them.
Since then it's been RC helicopters and a camera drone. I'm going to check out the local model RR club again. I was a member for 3 years and never got a key. There was always some excuse for me not receiving a key. Finally I asked in the last meeting about why they didn't want me to have a key. The president said he hasn't had time to get one made. I said see you later and walked out with my dues in my hand. After all the stuff I did for the club. I built cars for the club store, donated track and roadbed, building materials and worked on the layout during work sessions. I did decoder installs for most of the members using my own material like wire, solder and shrink tubing, even LEDs and resistors.
You may leave it alone but you will get the urge again.
Just thinking behind the keyboard but, with respect to the poster, this thread is rather saddening. But I realize that the issues mentioned are a part of reality.
I've enjoyed trains since, I think, age 3 after my very first subway train ride way back in the day. I'm hoping that when I'm in my 70's-80's, I'll still have some type of layout, even if it's an 8' x 2' shelf, that I can run a locomotive or two on it, conducting simple switching operations.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"