Hey all.
Took me a while, but tstage asked current participants to start new threads, so here it goes.
With the start of Model Railroading Season for many as the weather begins to turn cooler, I ask simply what your return to model railroading looks like the first few times to the layout. For me, I first take a quick look at what projects I had begun and then left, give the layout a cursory overlook, and then try to run a train. If that's successful, I'll run another. If the trains don't want to run, I usually find something else to putter around with while I steel myself for an evening of track cleaning in the near future. Once I run a few trains, I'll pick up those in progress jobs and try to get at least one finished to help with a sense of accomplishment. Then I'll either finish another partially done project, or start something totally new.
I'd like to hear about how others approach this return to more train time.
Cheers!
Mike
MIke, good topic to discuss. First, now that I'm retired, I spend a little time over the summer at the layout, mostly just running trains so as to keep things from seizing, but very little time. I have maybe 2 more weeks of yard cleanup/winter prep and then my season will begin.
So, my season begins with fixing anything that needs fixing. Troubling turnout, dead track spot, etc. Then it's on to the "Projects/Things To Do" list. My brother in law comes to the house one weekend day a week from around Xmas thru April 1st. We keep a floating list of projects and we will resort it/reprioritize it. On opening day (he'll come one early Saturday for our "meeting" and then I begin acquiring necessary supplies/components, etc. That's basically it.
Regards, Chris
I'm also retired (partly), so modeling is never totally on hold. At this time of year, I do get a little more into it, especially after the fall chores are done. I will probably go for a push towards scenery work. Took a break from that this summer. And of course, soon I'll be thinking about the train loop under the tree. I think I'll go for a HOn30 scene this year.
Simon
For me, actual layout work stops as I have it in an unheated garage. (Not the first time some of the equipment has been that way. The old layout was in an unheated building as well.)
However, during winter time, I tend to work on building and painting any car projects that have come up. This year I have a pair of boxcars that need new doors made for them and then painted and decaled for my layout. I also have four caboose that need worked on for a museum diorama. One needs painted and lettered. The other three need a bit of kitbashing to approximately match a prototype class and then painted and lettered. If I decide to get ambious, etc, I should build a few things for a park area on the layout. (Custom fencing, details for a shelter area, etc.)
I have only done a few minor things since May so my first priority will be running the track cleaning train around the mainline a few times. Then I'll work on sidings and industrial areas by hand. I define a big project as one that will take most of the "season" so my next step will be to decide which one to tackle next. I still have some work to do on my last couple of big projects and I will have to decide if I want to work on those before I start a new one.
Some time in the process I will run some trains and see if there are issues that need to be addressed. Of course I will also need to find some excuses to put off items on the honey do list so I can focus on the train room.
Rick
Is Model Railroading Season like Duck Season, or Wabbit Season? What's the best way to go hunting for one in the wild?
I'm going to try and finish a custom bridge for the layout, and if I can get that done then I can finally put more track down and do some actual new work on the layout. It's been years since the last bit of grass and ballast went down on the old section!
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Darth Santa Fe What's the best way to go hunting for one in the wild?
What's the best way to go hunting for one in the wild?
Put a sign out that says Free Model Railroad Supplies. Then wait.
Water Level Route Darth Santa Fe What's the best way to go hunting for one in the wild? Put a sign out that says Free Model Railroad Supplies. Then wait.
You need a good duck call. Cup your hands on the side of your mouth and shout:
Hey duck. Yo duck. Come here, duck.
For rabbits, substitute rabbit for duck.