Modelrailroading for mental stress.

[rambo1]

[:)]I just want to know if anyone out there finds any relief from modeling or running trains if you have a medical problem. I know I do! rambo1.....

[JeremyB]

I know how you feel. My girlfriend is going through treatments for Leukemia and the days that she has chemo she is in bed by 5:00 and that's when I work on the trains an try to stay away so she can get a good night sleep.

[brothaslide]

Life can be very stressful these days. It is a big help to build a kit and get my mind off of things.

I have my own business so it is very easy to get wound up or worried about getting new customers, etc.

Praying, spending time with my wife and daughters, and building model railroads always helps.

Sean

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rambo1

[:)]I just want to know if anyone out there finds any relief from modeling or running trains if you have a medical problem. I know I do! rambo1.....

I suffer from depression and take meds for it. Sometimes I feel really bummed out even after dosing. Getting involved in some aspect of model railroading is but one way I have to lessen the impact of depression, as it helps me to focus on something else besides how lousy I feel. It doesn't always help, but more often than not it does.[8)]

[AggroJones]

I am bipolar and modelling helps keep me in the upper range. [:)]

[dragenrider]

Working as a flight nurse is a very mentally stressing job. [:(] It's great to get off work and go home to my cottage on the mountain, see my wife and little doggie, then dissappear to my train room (OK, garage) and forget the death and destruction from the shift before. Everything's perfect in my "little" world of trains! [:)][:)][:)]

[AntonioFP45]

[:)][8)][;)]In addition to enjoying Church and my family, watching model locomotives and cars cruise through scenes on smooth trackwork and well detailed scenes is very "stress" relaxing. Airbrush painting, decaling, lets me see something that reminds me of my childhood/teenage days. Always a pleasant experience in these times!

[:D]Lately, going to train shows like GATS and local shows has been especially fun, since I now go with two longtime friends that have recently returned to the hobby thanks to the tremendous offerings that DCC provides![dinner]

[8D] Some may laugh, but to me model railroading: [1] Beats going to bars and throwing money away on alcohol drinks that damage your liver. [2] Smoking or shooting up drugs that destroy your mind & organs (it's been proven that "weed" is NOT HARMLESS!) [3] gambling money away at card games or casinos. [4] Having an affair which is very expensive & will destroy your marraige.

Trains are too cool! Peace![:)]

[AggroJones]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

[:)][8)][;)]In addition to enjoying Church and my family, watching model locomotives and cars cruise through scenes on smooth trackwork and well detailed scenes is very "stress" relaxing. ]

[8D] Some may laugh, but to me: it beats going to bars and throwing money away on alcohol drinks that damage your liver, smoking or shooting up drugs that destroy your mind & organs (it's been proven that "weed" is NOT HARMLESS!) , gambling money away at card games or casinos, or having an affair which is very expensive & will destroy your marraige.
Trains are too cool! Peace![:)]

That is what my father does. Hangs out in a bar, getting blitzed. [V] Wasting money, killing brain cells, and destroying his liver. [:(!] Damn.

He is way beyond conversion to the "rail side".

[AntonioFP45]

That is rough, Aggrojones and it's saddening that you're experiencing this. It's apparent that you love your father. It's stressful, but don't ever give up on trying to help him. - AFP45

[Anonymous]

I don't do MRR "for" mental stress but to relieve mental stress. [:D] Sorry Rambo1 I couldn't pass that one up. Just messin' with ya so don't flame me!!

I see that some of you have shared your story with us and I enjoy hearing from others. So I will share my story of why I do MRR.

In January 2001 I was diagnosed with an incurable brain disease. The dr. told me that he thought that he would be able to keep me out of a nursing home for at least 5-7 years but could expect my name to come up on roll-call up yonder in about 9-10 years. In Novmeber '01 the company that I had worked for for many years told me "we don't need you" and put me out on long term disability. Being told that I couldn't do my job and that I was no longer needed was a big blow to my ego. For a year and a half I sat around feeling sorry for myself and did nothing but watch the grass grow. Then one day last spring ('03) I realized that there were things I wanted to do before leaving this world. I took a deep breath, tightened my belt, and decided to get back into doing models. I had built a layout back in the mid-80's and enjoyed it very much so decided to build another model RR. Hence the "Double Six Northern" railroad was born.

I didn't post this to get pitty, however I do except prayers. I just wanted to let everyone know that MRR is a great stress reliever! When I'm working on the railroad (sounds like there is a song in there somewhere.) I forget my troubles and enjoy the moment.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Snake
[I didn't post this to get pitty, however I do except prayers. I just wanted to let everyone know that MRR is a great stress reliever! When I'm working on the railroad (sounds like there is a song in there somewhere.) I forget my troubles and enjoy the moment.

I for one thank God for your post. To me, it's a testament to how we can continue to live our lives as fully as possible even when faced with storms of many kinds. God bless and embrace you Snake each day that you live.[:)]

[Anonymous]

Hang in there SNAKE, we look forward to your posting for a long time to come.

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SuperChiefFan

QUOTE: Originally posted by rambo1

[:)]I just want to know if anyone out there finds any relief from modeling or running trains if you have a medical problem. I know I do! rambo1.....

I suffer from depression and take meds for it. Sometimes I feel really bummed out even after dosing. Getting involved in some aspect of model railroading is but one way I have to lessen the impact of depression, as it helps me to focus on something else besides how lousy I feel. It doesn't always help, but more often than not it does.[8)]

I know very well what depression is like, and after taking medication for it for over 13 years, have made the decision to try to quit. There have been recent stories in the news about some of these medications being addictive, and congressional hearings on this subject may be forth coming.

There have been a number of major changes in my life recently, but there has always been one constant, and that is my love of trains. I have recently increased my involvement in the hobby after many years away from it, and I can honestly say that I am feeling much better, and have been med free for months now.

I'm not sure that it is specificly the trains that provide the relief, but doing an activity that you like and makes you happy, can take your mind off your troubles, really does make a difference. For me, and I'm sure many others here, trains are the activity of choice!!!![:)]

[Anonymous]

I hope all of you here who suffer stress, depression, medical problems, or your family members in those unfortunate positions, can all overcome them and go on to improved lives.

Certainly a good hobby can help, and we do have a good hobby.
Good contacts can help too, and I think we have a lot of caring people on this forum, who can maybe help pick each other up.[:D][:D]

Sometimes I feel like quitting the actual hobby itself, but a bit of chatter here on the forum, a trainshow or two, and I tend to feel differently.[:)]
regards;
Mike

[AggroJones]

You will be in my prayers, Snake.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Thanks Mike, I know for a fact that chatting with you and everyone else here brightens my day and makes it possible to function, and that laughter is good medicine. And on this topic I am being very serious. My humor can be found elsewhere, as you well know.
Actually, careful reading of all of my posts, reveals much of my life story, since my life is so closely tied to my trains.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SuperChiefFan
I for one thank God for your post. To me, it's a testament to how we can continue to live our lives as fully as possible even when faced with storms of many kinds. God bless and embrace you Snake each day that you live.

QUOTE: Originally posted by emeraldisle
Hang in there SNAKE, we look forward to your posting for a long time to come

QUOTE: Originally posted by AggroJones
You will be in my prayers, Snake.

Thanks guys!

[Anonymous]

Before you go quitting anti-depressants cold turkey, go see your doc! I tried doing that a few years ago and my family wanted to commit me. It's strong medicine. I'll probably be on it all my life, and I don't really mind, as I am a much nicer person when I'm on it. But the railroading helps smooth out every stress sooooo much. I've also started railfanning recently, and that's a fun hobby too, that goes well with my model railroading. And I think it's a whole lot cheaper than alcohol, tobacco and going to bars.

mike

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mehrlich

Before you go quitting anti-depressants cold turkey, go see your doc! I tried doing that a few years ago and my family wanted to commit me. It's strong medicine. I'll probably be on it all my life, and I don't really mind, as I am a much nicer person when I'm on it. But the railroading helps smooth out every stress sooooo much. I've also started railfanning recently, and that's a fun hobby too, that goes well with my model railroading. And I think it's a whole lot cheaper than alcohol, tobacco and going to bars.

mike

I am in total agreement that the decision to go off any medication should be made only after consulting your doctor, and am in no way suggesting that anyone should simply try what I have done. The truth is that I did talk to my doctor about this, and for a number of reasons it was decided that I give it a try. In my case, a number of things in my life had changed, including a divorce from what may have been the underlying problem in the first place.

This afternoon I received an email from a concerned member of this forum who had read my earlier post. I assured him, and I want assure anyone that reads this post that I am doing well.

No, every day is not perfect, and I do get quite teary writing a post such as this, but I do have the support of friends and family. I find great solace in this hobby, and with each passing day, my outlook on life becomes a little brighter, and my troubles just a little further behind me.

I realize that these comments and feelings go well beyond the scope of this topic and forum, but I feel that sharing them is an important part of the healing process.

With focus and hard work, anything is possible. One day, the mess disarray that you see here will be a model railroad, and may even be featured in MR (again).[:)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by robmik

I hope all of you here who suffer stress, depression, medical problems, or your family members in those unfortunate positions, can all overcome them and go on to improved lives.

Certainly a good hobby can help, and we do have a good hobby.
Good contacts can help too, and I think we have a lot of caring people on this forum, who can maybe help pick each other up.[:D][:D]

Sometimes I feel like quitting the actual hobby itself, but a bit of chatter here on the forum, a trainshow or two, and I tend to feel differently.[:)]
regards;
Mike

It's kinda sad...but I've seen more of a helpful nature, kindness and humor in this forum than I do in the outer world, the sole exception perhaps being attendance at worship services on Sunday.[^]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005


With focus and hard work, anything is possible. One day, the mess that you see here will be a model railroad, and may even be featured in MR (again).[:)]

Dear BigBoy4005

After consulting with our legal team I have been advised to warn you that the following photograph and subject matter is a copyright violation! We here at the Musquodoboit, Eastern Shore & Sydney take exception to those trying to copy our M.E.S.S and then distributing them as such. Furhter more the inference that what you have remotely constitutes a mess is a mere under statement. We see no evidence of track blockages, collapsed roadbed or rolling stock strewn across the right of way. Whre's the hand tools?I don't see any of those sitt'n on the track!!!
Bottom line, This is not a mess but a work in process. Stop messing around and get back to work!!!

Seriously, from someone who's walked some lonely paths, it will get easier and the next time your back is against the wall it won't seem as bad as you will find those experiences you have lived before have made you a stronger person. The Demons in our lives can be controlled it just takes time and understanding.

Progress: Two steps forward, one step back

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SuperChiefFan

QUOTE: Originally posted by Snake
[I didn't post this to get pitty, however I do except prayers. I just wanted to let everyone know that MRR is a great stress reliever! When I'm working on the railroad (sounds like there is a song in there somewhere.) I forget my troubles and enjoy the moment.

I for one thank God for your post. To me, it's a testament to how we can continue to live our lives as fully as possible even when faced with storms of many kinds. God bless and embrace you Snake each day that you live.[:)]

[#ditto] - and to you, Big_Boy_4005, and to you, Aggro, and to the rest of the kind and nice people here - way to go, guys! Keep on (model) railroading and have fun! [swg]

Best regards,
Oliver

[Big_Boy_4005]

In order to avoid any further legal action, I have decided to henceforth cease and desist from refering to my clutter as a "mess", and will from now on call it "disarray", and hope that you will accept my apology for any confusion this error has caused.

This is a perfect example of how this forum can brighten one's day!!! Thanks Fergie.

Seriously, this thought will be with me all day long, as I ru***o finish paying my monthly bills, so that I can get downstairs and continue working on the railroad. I have not actually run a single train in over 10 years, since the closing of the display at the mall. (See my profile for more information)

I sincerely believe that my inability to have a functioning railroad for that prolonged period has been a contributing factor in my mental condition, as my trains are such a major part of who I am. To some people that may sound somewhat "crazy", but anyone who really knows me, would say that there may be some truth to it.

I want to thank everyone here for their kind thoughts and well wishes, because I use them as motivation to push forward in my grand endeavor that is the construction of this layout.

P.S. This is my 500th post, and I have no plans on stopping!!! 3 stars and heading for 4.

[Anonymous]

Well I'm glad I made your DAY! However this little bit of legal action may cost me a lot more cash and some valued real estate than anticipated. The Barristers and Solicitors of I. Wreak, H. Avoc, & Gouge have advised me that there present abode is not suitable for their type of business. In other words I’ll be adding an addition to the layout. Lets see who will MESS with me then.

Take notes boys we just upped the ante.

Now have a nice day!

[Anonymous]

I have found that working on the layout helps me forget the worries of the day. As for relieving mental stress? There have been times when I think layout has caused me some.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Oh please, anything but lawyers (as we call them here). I don't want this to become an international incident. [:)]

Actually Fergie, I haven't finished paying mine from my recent divorce. This is still a slightly raw nerve for me, but I know that you were just having more fun, and I am smiling. I think the worst of the lawyer stuff is over, and now the trick is to deal with the constant reminder of child support at the beginning of each month. Speaking of children, they will be home any minute. [:)]

[CP5415]

I'm guilty of modeling to relieve stress. Nothing is more relaxing to me than going to the train room & running trains or building the layout.
Unforunately for me, there isn't enough time in the day to allow me to do all the things i need to do & get some stress relief. [banghead]

Gordon

[AggroJones]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

[b]

I sincerely believe that my inability to have a functioning railroad for that prolonged period has been a contributing factor in my mental condition, as my trains are such a major part of who I am.

Me too. Very much a major part of me. [^]

[rambo1]

I would like to thank everybody who responded to this post. I know this is a topic that many don't like to talk about. I was very pleased to know that I am not alone. thankyou all and GOD BLESS. rambo1....

[Big_Boy_4005]

Thank you for starting such a deep topic, as you can tell I don't mind sharing, and actually find it helpful to talk about it. Finding others who suffer similar troubles, and getting together to talk about has long been known to be helpful, the experts call them support groups.[:)]