richhotrainwe can continue to talk amongst ourselves, but I doubt that the OP is listening.
I think that is what we tend to do!
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I suppose it is possible that the OP is still reading this thread, but after starting the thread on May 30th, he stopping replying to posts on June 1st. Subsequent replies ended on June 3rd, until this thread was revived on July 15th. So, in my opinion, we can continue to talk amongst ourselves, but I doubt that the OP is listening.
Rich
Alton Junction
Wayne - truer words have hardly ever been said!
Murphy has moved in with me and he is with me now for the last 20 years. He kicked me in my backside or pushed me to the grownd many a time in those years and yet I am still standing. Why? I don´t look back - I look way ahead and somehow manage to see a silver lining on the horizon.
To the OP - don´t mourn your losses, cherish your blessings!
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
John-NYBW....This is what I find so frustrating about this hobby. Something is always going wrong. Something is always breaking and in need of a fix, whether it is the locos, rolling stock, turnouts, scenery, structures, etc. Had I known 40 years ago what I know now, I would have never gotten into this hobby or at least not to the extent I have. It has simply not been worth the time, money, and aggravation that comes with it. The rewards simply haven't been worth the cost. Now I am so heavily invested in it, I can't just simply walk away. I could never get back the time I've put into it and could only get back pennies on the dollar for what I have spent over the years. If I thought I could get back ten cents on the dollar for everything I've spent, I'd tell you that you could go down into my basement and haul it all away. I'm that fed up with it. This is why I would never recommend this hobby to anybody else....
I've mostly avoided this thread because of what you've written above, John, but what I've written below is done with my utmost respect.
Murphy is everywhere, and we all get visits from him...sometimes we can deal with the things that go wrong, other times we may be able to simply ignore the problem. Unfortunately, sometimes Murphy never leaves you alone, and that appears to be the case in your current situation.
I think that you're looking at it bass-ackward, worrying about the time and money you've spent that's put you into an unfortunate place. The time can never be recovered, but you can stop wasting more of it by simply walking away from the hobby. Sitting around bemoaning your misfortune is wasting the time you have left, when you could instead be happier with this all put behind you.
Worrying about the money that's gone down Murphy's drain-pipe is equally futile - that money's gone, but you're continuing to bemoan the waste, yet continue to waste other opportunities for you to be happy, if only you would allow yourself to let go of the problem.I cannot believe that the money aspect of this is what's holding you back - you're the one responsible for that, not Murphy....own up to your mistakes - your happiness and well-being are far more valuable than any amount of money.
If you don't want to continue fishing in model railroading, then it's time to cut bait. Do it!
I'll send you a PM on a possible solution to re-coup some of your money, but let's face it: is the money worth more than your well-being and sanity?
Wayne
Water Level RouteMaybe. Sometimes though it takes experience to flesh that out. And tastes can change. At one point I had concluded after much reflecting that I wanted to model a freelance road set in the late '70's/early 80's and began to build a roster around that.
Boy-Oh-Boy is that the truth. It took me five layouts, a change in scale, a change in era, and location changes 4 times to figure out what I wanted the STRATTON AND GILLETTE to look like.
I hope I have it right this time.
If I am wrong, next time it will be a G scale switching layout in 1964 with one GP-9 and a dozen freight cars.
ATLANTIC CENTRALI still think too many people do not take the time to figure out what they really like and want before diving in the deep end....
Mike
SeeYou190Model Railroading is certainly going to challenge you.
Kevin, I haven't had that much challenge in the 65 years I been in the hobby but, I suspect that because I found my happy zone in using the kiss modeling method. I never found a real need to over complicate the hobby.
As I mention earilier I know my limitations and I'm happy with that.
I always liked MR's "Model Railroading is fun".
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
rrinker "For enjoyment and everlasting challenge"
I like that.
Model Railroading is certainly going to challenge you. If you are the kind of person that needs everything to go right all the time, and cannot deal with the unexpected challenge, this is not your hobby.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL I still think too many people do not take the time to figure out what they really like and want before diving in the deep end.... Sheldon
I still think too many people do not take the time to figure out what they really like and want before diving in the deep end....
Sheldon
You see that evidenced all the time in posts here. Like wanting to run Big Boys and Alleghenies (interesting museum concept, I guess) and Dash 9's and stack trains with room for no more than 18" radius curves.
And no, I am not being a model railroad snob. Back in the day, I did the same thing. Got whatever looked interesting (although avoided the really big locos and cars because I did know they would never work on the 18" radius curves we were limited to). I didn't though pull the 60's and 70's era cars with the Rivarossi V&T steam locos, nor pull the old time freight and passenger cars that went with those locos with the 60's and 70's era locos. We had a common concept seen in magazines back then - an old west town, filled with period buildings and having authentic looking trains, more of a tourist attraction than part of the actual layout.
At some point though - after being in the hobby for a while, you ought to be able to figure out what you like and what you don;t care for. How you see the hobby, and yourself in it. If you still lean towards the concept of just running anything and everything, at least in HO that usually means the lower cost brands, and it keeps costs down over paying Lionel prices to do it in larger scales. But settle in on some realtively narrow target - and not only does the whole thing start to come together better, you can save a lot of money by only buying what fits, instead of every 'neat' product that comes out. It also makes it easy to avoid the brands that develop bad reputations for reliability and quality. Which seems to be the leading cause of frustration in the hobby.
Of course the hobby is challenging - back when they rotated slogans, one of the ones that MR used was "For enjoyment and everlasting challenge". That's as much a reason to participate as it being fun.
But some people just may not be cut out for it. Just like everyone can't be a doctor, or welder, or engineer, or lawyer, or mechanic. With all tof the various aspects that form the overall hobby of model railroading, there's no shame in not being an expert in all of them. There's always a way out. But I've never felt that I needed to escape. Can things be frustrating at times? Absolutely, but none of it has ever been the end of the world for me. Step away for a few days and relax, a solution often presents itself when you look again with a fresh set of eyes. Some may say I've been lucky to not have some of these problems, but it's not luck. It's contantly increasing knowledge - I'm always looking to learn new things, and I am a very logical thinker. As such, my scenery, what there's ever been of it, has been mediocre at best, but my trains do run, and run reliably.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Shrug. The third or fourth time he said he wishes he could quit the hobby, I chose to believe him.
Disclaimer: This post may contain humor, sarcasm, and/or flatulence.
Michael Mornard
Bringing the North Woods to South Dakota!
Sell your models and do something else.
-------------------------------------------------
That's akin to the time I was called a disgrace and embarrassment to the hobby and I should quit the hobby posthaste .
I'm still here because I won't let allow anybody to chase me off this or any forum...
I hope John stays..
John-NYBW As I said earlier, I have too much time and money invested in it to simply walk away from it. I could never get back the time and only small fraction of the money. As I said in the OP, if I thought I could get back a tenth of the money I have invested in it, I would get out.
As I said earlier, I have too much time and money invested in it to simply walk away from it. I could never get back the time and only small fraction of the money. As I said in the OP, if I thought I could get back a tenth of the money I have invested in it, I would get out.
True story. My father, rest his soul, long ago had a short regular radio broadcast in Waltham, MA. Sometime in the 40's.
It was, I'm sure, rather opinonated commentary on the times. He told me that he used to close the show by asking his listeners, "What do you think?" And he loved to tell about the caller who responded, "I think you stink!"
Cid (Memphis, Tennessee)
John-NYBW Sorry, but I needed to rant.
Sorry, but I needed to rant.
ATLANTIC CENTRALI still think too many people do not take the time to figure out what they really like and want before diving in the deep end.... Sheldon
I fully agree. Also they fail to ask a simple question.. Do I need a large layout since my only goal is to run trains?
Many may chuckle at my small 1' x8', 1'x10' or 1' x12' ISLs but, they are easy to build,easy to maintain and requires a small investment. I can have a 1' x 10' ISL up and running in three days complete with scenery.
I know switching industries isn't for everybody but, ISLs seems to becoming popular.
Doughless jjo I Read the replys in this thread...many different viewpoints and opinions. In my eye, this is supposed to be an ENJOYABLE hobby...if it's not, then don't do it or at least, take a few days off from it. If frustrations rule your time in model RRing, time to move on.. just my humble opinion. Agreed. Another way to limit the frustrations is to downgrade your expectations and standards, or add to your knowledge or skill, depending upon how much time you have and overall interest to begin with.
jjo I Read the replys in this thread...many different viewpoints and opinions. In my eye, this is supposed to be an ENJOYABLE hobby...if it's not, then don't do it or at least, take a few days off from it. If frustrations rule your time in model RRing, time to move on.. just my humble opinion.
I Read the replys in this thread...many different viewpoints and opinions.
In my eye, this is supposed to be an ENJOYABLE hobby...if it's not, then don't do it or at least, take a few days off from it. If frustrations rule your time in model RRing, time to move on.. just my humble opinion.
Agreed. Another way to limit the frustrations is to downgrade your expectations and standards, or add to your knowledge or skill, depending upon how much time you have and overall interest to begin with.
Yes, matching your goals and expectations to your time, skills, knowledge, space and budget are key to success and enjoyment in this hobby.
Some personal examples.
I prioritized my goals years (decades) ago and have not dramatically changed them.
That's why I don't need:
DCC
Sound
Every car to be high detail
Brass locos
Computers in the layout room
But I do need:
A large enough layout for long trains
Wireless throttles
CTC and signals
Display and realistic operation
Lots of staging
DoughlessAnother way to limit the frustrations is to downgrade your expectations and standards, or add to your knowledge or skill, depending upon how much time you have and overall interest to begin with.
Agreed.. I know and understand my limits and I'm happy with that.. As I mention my only claim to fame in the hobby is 100% derailment free operation and IMHO that's more important to me then knowning how to wire a DPDT toggle switch..
As Dirty Harry (Clint Eastwood) once said "A man gotta know his limitations".
- Douglas
NittanyLionTopGolf is the answer to your needs
There you go!
It is impossible to get frustrated at Top Golf!
I hosted three "team building" events for work at the Top Golf in Atlanta. Of course, that just means the evening went on a company credit card.
I really don't know if you can make a hobby out of Top Golf, but it sure is fun.
Sheldon, very well said.
Brings back memories. Back in my mid and late teens, I was into cars and could tell you every year, brand, and model of American cars from about 1967 to 1976 and about 90% of what the engine options were (we called them engines, not motors, that was for those small European things). I was a little shaky on some of the oddball stuff like Mercury Montego's etc.
My self and three year older brother were MOPAR guys, churning through a Fury with a 383 Commando, The Dart, a '72 Roadrunner with a 400 4 speed pistol grip, and then a 74 Charger with a comparitively wimpy 318 2 barrel. I got his hand me downs as he kept churning, always coming up short in drag races with his friend who also churned through MOPARs to keep one step ahead. We learned to be pretty decent mechanics and were able to do the limited stuff basic tools could accomplish. Dad had some specialty things we could borrow.
Gas crisis hit in 1978 and that was the end of that after a couple of years, and dad demanded we buy more practical vehicles. Having said that, the original body early/mid 70s Datsun 240, or 260, or 280z with the straight six and 5 speed was a really cool car, but not a hot rod. Wish I owned one.
BigDaddy ATLANTIC CENTRAL I have never even been on a real golf course, nor have I ever had any desire to be.... I played a little golf in high school and college. Never enough to be any good. It feels good to hit a great drive or a great put. Unfortunately I rarely put all that together on the same hole.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL I have never even been on a real golf course, nor have I ever had any desire to be....
I played a little golf in high school and college. Never enough to be any good. It feels good to hit a great drive or a great put. Unfortunately I rarely put all that together on the same hole.
TopGolf is the answer to your needs. You get to combine the feeling of a good drive that seemingly only comes on the range with the monkey brain chemical reaction biological reward of the ball going into the hole, because there's like 9 holes the size of greens.
As a GM hot rodder from way back, the solution to a quadrajet is a Holley vacuum secondary spread bore.......a carburetor that works and can be tuned. All my GM cars had them.
SeeYou190 Doughless Nothing is difficult once it is learned, and level interest drives the desire to learn. Assembling a Quadrajet Carburetor is difficult even when mastered. It is impossible until it is mastered.
Doughless Nothing is difficult once it is learned, and level interest drives the desire to learn.
Assembling a Quadrajet Carburetor is difficult even when mastered.
It is impossible until it is mastered.
Hey, I can't say that I've fully assembled one, but when I was 15 I helped by dad rebuild a Carter 4 barrel that was on my 1969 Dodge Dart with a 340 that we bought for $700 in the late 70s. Yee-hah that was a fun car once I turned 16
Damm, wish I still had that car.
Surgical precision on that lettering Kevin, nice work.
I am just about to sit down and restring and clean my two guitars which I do about once a month. I don't enjoy that job at all as it can be very time consuming. It takes time for the new strings to stretch so they stay in tune and that can sometimes be a pain.
I was just wondering if there is any pastime out there that doesn't require effort that is not considered an enjoyable part?
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
gmpullmanYour one-at-a-time lettering is excellent I have trouble keeping commercial sets straight
Thanks Ed. I used three different type styles on that car, and was not sure if it would look OK. I am very happy with the results.
Full disclosure... the words "The" and "Route" were taken from a SEABOARD decal set, and the EP&E initials, car number, and data were stolen from a NYC data set, so not quite everything was one letter at a time.
Well I have desided the OP is right and you should all give up the hobby so I can buy the stuff cheap on e-bay.
Tinplate Toddler As a model railroader, you need to be a glutton for punishment and pain. If you are not, better stay out of the hobby.
As a model railroader, you need to be a glutton for punishment and pain. If you are not, better stay out of the hobby.
I will disagree with the punishment prt.. The hobby can be a pain if one wishes it but, I never had any punishment just enjoyment..
I will go along with the pain bit though seeing in the past 65 years I've been in this hobby I been cut, shocked,bruised and heart broken from seeing one of my BB SW7 or GP7s I spent hours paintinng,decaling and detailing bounce off the big catch all..
Punishment never! Pain..Yup.
My only claim to frame in this hobby is one I pride myself with.. 100% derailment free operation. Simply put I will accept nothng less since a derailment at a open house causes me great embarrassment..