Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

New Year Resolutions For Model Railroaders

3495 views
32 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
New Year Resolutions For Model Railroaders
Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, December 31, 2020 10:36 AM

The image shows new year being celebrated in New Zealand, so the end of 2020 is finally with us. Bear got out of it early, but we will all be rid of this mess soon.

WELCOME 2021!

What are your resolutions for the electric trains next year?

Mine is predictable. I am going to work on this house everyday, as hard as I can, and get my train room done.

I know I have been planning this for a long time, but I am right here on it... it can really happen now. It is all up to me. No escuses, no waiting on contractors, no material delays, just get it done!

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Milwaukee WI (Fox Point)
  • 11,439 posts
Posted by dknelson on Thursday, December 31, 2020 11:08 AM

SeeYou190
No escuses ... just get it done! -Kevin

That in a nutshell is my resolution and I suspect that of others.  It is a variant of the same resolution I have been making for, oh, six decades or so.  Sigh

Dave Nelson

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • 252 posts
Posted by Lazers on Thursday, December 31, 2020 12:15 PM

Hi Kevin, Thanks for this. My MRR New Year Resolutions are:

1) Stop whinging and upsetting other Forum users.

2) Get my Layout up and running (Track & Electrics) to a level where I can start posting photos. This has to happen ASAP - since as soon as the weather picks-up, it's back to house DIY & Renovation - "and that's an order" - apparently.

3) Save any spare cash I have, to purchase PECO SL83 Track & Turnouts and use it to replace all my Shinohara (apart from some Curved T/O's and Diamonds)

Best regards to all for the New Year, Paul

"It's the South Shore Line, Jim - but not as we know it".

  • Member since
    October 2020
  • 3,604 posts
Posted by NorthBrit on Thursday, December 31, 2020 12:19 PM

The building of Leeds Sovereign Street,  Crown Point Yard and Clarence Dock has been a seven year pleasure.

Things are wrong but I am learning new skills  and the errors will be rectified.    The track plan is as I like.  Train services are as I like.  All I want to do now is to run trains.

Forward Planning.

This year.   Apart  from correcting many errors  I am giving hints on pressies for next year.   Dawn's family were heavily involved in Consett Iron Company.   K R Models are in the process of making some C. O. I. Co  wagons.    They will be available by the end of 2021  (hopefully).  Yes they are 'out of area',  but  then everyone in the family is happy when I 'disappear' to the train room.  Laugh

 

David

 

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Blair, Nebraska
  • 205 posts
Posted by Boiler-man on Thursday, December 31, 2020 12:24 PM

My New Year Resolution; Is to get a house that I can have my model railroad in as it's still in storage back in Nebraska !!!

Boilerman
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Hilliard, Ohio
  • 1,139 posts
Posted by chatanuga on Thursday, December 31, 2020 12:28 PM

My only resolution for my trains is to get more organized with my projects that I'm working on.  I'm going to go over everything and make a to-do list of not only projects that I want or need to get done but also break down each project into smaller steps to make the projects more doable rather than overwhelming.

Kevin

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, December 31, 2020 12:54 PM

chatanuga
My only resolution for my trains is to get more organized with my projects

I did that about 4 years ago. I really did it.

It lasted about six months. Now I have about 25 in-process projects again.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Thursday, December 31, 2020 1:47 PM

chatanuga
I'm going to go over everything and make a to-do list

Making a to-do list only takes up time you could use for doing. Sounds like a Government operation.Laugh

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Thursday, December 31, 2020 1:48 PM

My New Year's modelling resolution is to get moving on my layout so that I can actually run some trains!! That means I have to get moving on clearing out the garage. Having a yard sale is out of the question, even if we were to wait until warm weather, so I might have to resort to Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Thursday, December 31, 2020 2:02 PM

SeeYou190
What are your resolutions for the electric trains next year?

Get rid of the clutter and provide a neater workshop area. Always has been a bane of mine. I buy dozens of storage bins, drawers, cabinets and such and never seem to get them fully organized.

My "shop"

 Shop-Floor by Edmund, on Flickr

Needs work Embarrassed

Happy New Year everybody!   Ed

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Thursday, December 31, 2020 2:23 PM

 Work on the layout on a more regular basis so I can actually make progress. And get my bench area all set up - I nedd to put up some shelves, build a new test track, mount my electronic parts cabinets on the wall, and reinforce the shelf risers on the electronic part of my workbench - the weight of test gear on the shelves has started to put a curve in the 2x4 risers the shelf track is screwed to. I plan on taking a couple of 3" wide strips of plywood and form an L girder, though vertical. 

                                --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, December 31, 2020 2:44 PM

gmpullman
I buy dozens of storage bins, drawers, cabinets and such and never seem to get them fully organized. My "shop"

I would never leave that room. I hope that is what heaven looks like.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    April 2018
  • From: Northern NY (Think Upstate but even more)
  • 1,306 posts
Posted by Harrison on Thursday, December 31, 2020 3:00 PM

My goal for 2021 is to design my new layout and get the benchwork and most of the track laid. Oh, and to scratchbuild some cars (specifically TOFCs) and structures.

Harrison

Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.

Modeling the D&H in 1978.

Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"

My YouTube

  • Member since
    April 2020
  • 526 posts
Posted by Ringo58 on Thursday, December 31, 2020 3:13 PM

Mine is to focus on the layout till its done- no weathering, now new rollingstock or locos and definatly no paint projects!

Also to spend less money. Need it now more than ever with a baby girl on the way!

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Thursday, December 31, 2020 3:21 PM

SeeYou190

 

 
gmpullman
I buy dozens of storage bins, drawers, cabinets and such and never seem to get them fully organized. My "shop"

 

I would never leave that room. I hope that is what heaven looks like.

-Kevin

 

It does, I will know I am in the right spot by the gatekeeper.

No photo description available.

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Thursday, December 31, 2020 3:27 PM

Ringo58
Also to spend less money. Need it now more than ever with a baby girl on the way!

Congratulations!

I found I never had time for anything once the kids popped out. It will be waiting for you once they hit the age where they don't need Dad so much.

I get hauled to the hockey arena still though, even though he is 22. He tells me Dad just belongs there when I'm there.Cowboy

Kid(s) are the best thing that will happen to you.

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
    January 2013
  • 1,034 posts
Posted by PM Railfan on Thursday, December 31, 2020 4:00 PM

If dogs gaurd the entrance to heaven - then its up to us to be THEIR BEST FRIENDS!

 

As for the resolution thing - "i would like to actually get some projects to the finished stage before starting others. id like to break that habit."

 

(Great pic Brent!)

Happy New Year,

PMR

  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 2,775 posts
Posted by snjroy on Thursday, December 31, 2020 4:25 PM

Ok, here are mine:

1) Finish the last handful of buildings I need to make and start the scenery work.

2) Get more involved in the club's projects

3) Build new storage space for my parts and pieces (!)

Simon  

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Thursday, December 31, 2020 6:21 PM

A. Spend less time on my computer.  It isn't looking promising;

B. Spend more time completing my switching yard;

C. Spend more time on my feet;

D. Do more photography this year, of all kinds, all places; and

E. Drop another three kilograms in body mass.

I can do all of them on my head, but A is going to be tough. Tongue Tied

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Heart of Georgia
  • 5,406 posts
Posted by Doughless on Thursday, December 31, 2020 6:51 PM

1.  Finish the wiring on the final leg of the layout, so I can start the fun stuff.

2.  Stop starting modeling projects I'll never finish.

3.  Stop saving models for future projects that I will never start or finish if I start.

4. Throw out or sell the models causing 2. and 3. or that I know that I will never use.

5. Finish the layout and operate it with the equipment I really like.

- Douglas

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central Vermont
  • 4,565 posts
Posted by cowman on Thursday, December 31, 2020 7:04 PM

Looks like I have a lot of company, get the train room ready for trains.  Seems to range from finding the right house, to finishing the already designated room.  That's where I've been for about ten years.  Now, with a great grandson wanting to play choo-choo, how can I take down the curent layout to finish the room?   He's not a patient person.

Happy New Year to all.

Good luck,

Richard

Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,249 posts
Posted by tstage on Thursday, December 31, 2020 7:15 PM

Hopefully spend less time on the forum.  While some things have improved since the time I joined in 2003, I find it less informative and more social-driven.  But...everyone has their own interests and reasons in why they come here...

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • 6,526 posts
Posted by RR_Mel on Thursday, December 31, 2020 7:36 PM

When I hit 80 I stopped making New Years Resolutions, I’m just happy to still be here tinkering with my trains.  I’d forget them anyway, half the time I can’t remember what day it is let alone a New Years Resolution.

 

Mel



 
My Model Railroad   
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

  • Member since
    January 2018
  • From: Douglas AZ.
  • 635 posts
Posted by Little Timmy on Thursday, December 31, 2020 8:08 PM

This year, I resolve to cleaning my shed so I can actually use my workbench !

I started the "great purge" at noon today. If my wife leaves me alone for the next 24 hours, I will have it done by the second of January.

I will post pictures of the before disaster, and the after joy.

Then, I resolve to build something... anything , a few hours a night...

( this will all end badly...)

Rust...... It's a good thing !

  • Member since
    March 2020
  • 290 posts
Posted by Engi1487 on Thursday, December 31, 2020 8:35 PM

My resolution for model railroading in 2021, is one of self discipline. I have been making too many posts, and not enought practice on real physcial models.

2020 was a important year in the hobby of model railroading for me. I would join a forum for the first time, being this one, which was the very forum of the same major model railroading magazine I have read snce I bought my first issue in 2004 at the age of ten.

I made a few mistakes, a few of my posts where removed due to me being mistaken and taken for a troll, which in reality I was just asking questions. I have made friends such as Overmod, whos vast knowladge of steam locomotives helped alot enouraging with a future project I have in mind to do once I get my scale modeling skill level up.

But still I intend to post when I need to, and show that I am making actual process on physical models.

  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: Wyoming, where men are men, and sheep are nervous!
  • 3,392 posts
Posted by Pruitt on Thursday, December 31, 2020 11:02 PM

My resolutions:

  1. Get my roundhouse rebuilt.
  2. Finish some scenery
  3. Get Casper far enough along to move it into place and start on the connecting benchwork.
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Thursday, December 31, 2020 11:56 PM

PM Railfan

If dogs gaurd the entrance to heaven - then its up to us to be THEIR BEST FRIENDS!

 

As for the resolution thing - "i would like to actually get some projects to the finished stage before starting others. id like to break that habit."

 

(Great pic Brent!)

Happy New Year,

PMR

 

 I've always liked the Will Rogers quote "If there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went." Got several friends waiting for me. Also reminds me of the Twilight Zone )original) episode, "The Hunt" where the old maountain man and his dog are walking along and he finds a fine gated entrance and told it is the entrance to heaven but that dogs aren;t allowed. He turns away rather then go on in without his buddy, and then comes to the real entrance to heaven, where ghe is told they keep the dogs out because the dog would know right away something wasn't right, and that both he and the dog are welcome in heaven.

 Sorry, end of year refelections, it's not been a great year for anyone, and I lost my best little 4 legged bud at the beginning. 

 As for my project list - what I have on my web site is what I had at the time I packed everything up to move 7 years ago. The list has only grown since then, and I suspect it never will get much smaller - every time I finish one thing, I find two new ones to do. But I'm ADD ewnough that I never work on one project start to finish, I jump around. Work on this one for a while, then switch to taht one. Eventually they get finished. Now I have some new things to learn, since I got a 3D printer, and then I'll probably come up with some more projects to add to the list...

                                        ---Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, January 1, 2021 2:58 AM

Doughless
2.  Stop starting modeling projects I'll never finish. 3.  Stop saving models for future projects that I will never start or finish if I start. 4. Throw out or sell the models causing 2. and 3. or that I know that I will never use.

I will never comply with number 2.

Little Timmy
I started the "great purge" at noon today.

One of my first posts when I joined this forum was about my own great purge right after I took down the spare bedroom train layout.

It was so liberating. Everything that was causing a log-jam in production hit the waste basketand went to the landfill.

After that, I moved forward at break-neck speed on the Fleet Of Nonsense project.

Sometimes a purge is needed.

Dis your wife sound a horn to mark the beginning and the end of the purge?

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Friday, January 1, 2021 8:25 AM

A few years ago, I resolved to NOT make news years resolutions.  It's really an up-lifting experience.  

And when people I talk to, start to ramble on about new years resolutions, what they've resolved to do, the progress they're making,  yada, yada, yada, I am polite, and understanding, as I start to laugh!  Mischief  

Happy New Year!  Smile, Wink & Grin

Mike.

  • Member since
    February 2020
  • From: Philly area
  • 32 posts
Posted by HVBL on Friday, January 1, 2021 8:43 AM

Ugh......I am dreading the continued project of relocating my current layout from my parents basement down the road to my current residence. I suppose my resolution would be to stop thinking about it and go rent a truck!!

Rich

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!