There is one other thing of note, it is much easier to build a large layout than it once was. Wiring can be quite simple (two buss lines with drops) or even no wiring now. Foam construction makes building landforms faster, cheaper eisier. You can caulk your layout together (caulk has been out a long time, wondered why it wasn't promoted 30 years ago ?). Oh and by the way I just built a 30x15 foot layout in less than two years but I could have built it in a month if I worked on it more.
Larry and Bob,
I want to thank you for your awesome contribution to this thread. It has had a revelatory effect on me. I myself have had a totally surprising heart issue myself two years ago that has caused a lot of frustration and confusion over my hobbies. I'm a very fit 54 year old teacher of normal weight who has never smoked, has always had normal blood pressure, still do, strive to eat well etc. But two years ago I felt an odd feeling halfway through my 50 minute workout. I did finally go in to find out my right arteriol artery was 90% blocked. After putting two stents in things seemed great. This summer though I developed a blood clot in one of the stints. So now I will be on blood thinner the rest of my life. The positive is my heart function is above average for a normal 54 year old and because of my fitness neither incident caused any damage.
The major mental issues I've had with this is a complete reevaluation of my future hobby plans. I have even considered selling off one or more of my other two. But your stories have shown me my condition is not so bad. Maybe I can finish the layout and continue to build the WWII scale models I love.
thanks again
SB
blabride Larry and Bob, I want to thank you for your awesome contribution to this thread. It has had a revelatory effect on me. I myself have had a totally surprising heart issue myself two years ago that has caused a lot of frustration and confusion over my hobbies. I'm a very fit 54 year old teacher of normal weight who has never smoked, has always had normal blood pressure, still do, strive to eat well etc. But two years ago I felt an odd feeling halfway through my 50 minute workout. I did finally go in to find out my right arteriol artery was 90% blocked. After putting two stents in things seemed great. This summer though I developed a blood clot in one of the stints. So now I will be on blood thinner the rest of my life. The positive is my heart function is above average for a normal 54 year old and because of my fitness neither incident caused any damage. The major mental issues I've had with this is a complete reevaluation of my future hobby plans. I have even considered selling off one or more of my other two. But your stories have shown me my condition is not so bad. Maybe I can finish the layout and continue to build the WWII scale models I love. thanks again SB
Glad our stories helped!
When my situation happened - I was really making a revaluation of my situation and thought I best take care of myself a bit better - now that I was given a second chance.
I put serious effort in the Cardio Rehab and have never felt better!
I guess we are never to old to reconsider our lives!
Anyway I have fun working on my layout and any others I can - been getting back into the swing of things at our Club as I had been loafing along for a number of years there too!
I guess I just needed a wake up call!
BOB H - Clarion, PA
cmrproductsI guess I just needed a wake up call! BOB H
I'm just glad your wakey wake up call wasn't as bad as mine since it changed a lot of my life's views.
I forgot to mention I had to relearn how to model using my left hand since my right hand had very little use at that time..Talk about huh,mm,backwards..Thankfully I regain around 70% use of my right hand still limited and far better then the once 20%.
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SB,Glad our stories help you.I will say this hobby help me more then anything during my recovery..To be sure it was hard re leaning the hobby by doing things one handed but,I overcame the awkwardness of using my left hand after years of being right handed..
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Howard Zanedown in Columbia
Russell
MisterBeasley I'm 67 and looking forward to retirement so I'll have more time to build. I would ask, though, if we are ever young enough to have a serious expectation of being able to finish a layout?
I'm 67 and looking forward to retirement so I'll have more time to build.
I would ask, though, if we are ever young enough to have a serious expectation of being able to finish a layout?
"Are we ever to old to build a pike"?
No! I say Howard, at 76 you should have at'r!
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
Hi,
Really a good topic for those of us over 65 or so. I myself tore down a layout and began a new one when I was 65 (I'm 70). One of the reasons was that I was afraid if I waited much longer I would not be able to do the work, or worse, not want to do the work.
That said, I believe it is an individual question, as we are all aging differently. Building a layout is a long term project, often taking years, and I believe your question needs to be thoroughly considered before any "senior" takes it on.
That being said,
ENJOY !!!!
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Bob Dylan wrote "He not busy being born is busy dying". I think I would vote for rebirth.
You mentioned that you've reduced the collection somewhat, and now have mostly items from your traditional favorite roads like Erie, PRR, and NYC. How about choosing one specfic geographic area and concentrating your efforts there? Maybe Buffalo, NY or some other area where your favorites converged. Your past efforts have involved freelanced locations, and a prototype-based approach might give you a new, refreshing focus for your talents. And most readers of this forum know those talents are very impressive.
Tom
I suggest that maintaining a balance of optimistic and realistic is appropriate. I can see that another move may be in the offing, so I have started stockpiling some flextrack and other items that would be needed for the "next" layout. I also recognize that the time may well come when an "assisted living" facility will be appropriate, so I sketched out a track plan for an HO micro-layout that could fit in such a room. I have a box where I am stockpiling items for that potential micro-layout, where a sector plate and a transfer table will allow switching problems in an industrial setting.
My Mom was a seamstress, and a very good one. It got to the point where she could not longer do any sewing and she allowed her very fine sewing machine to be passed down to my daughter-in-law. It was a sad sad thing for me to carry that sewing machine away from her room, and I sat in the car and thought "some day, they'll come and take away my X-Acto knife...." Till they take it away, however....
Bill
At nearly 73, I'm building the March 2014 MR industrial short line, which I hope to super detail, In addition I'm also building from scratch and bar stock an 0-4-0 switcher.
So I ain't done yet.
Dennis
I was going to say something about having my railroad mostly done and not wanting to build another, but then I realized that I have been building various model railroads for the past 7 years. O scale traction, On30 old time 4 x 6, S gauge 4 x 12, O gauge (Lionel) 8 x 8 layout and an HO 4 x 16 layout. the 3.5 x 18 N scale layout I'm leaving to another guy to build and he is doing a great job. I just revised his backdrops a little and painted one for him.
Ok, I had help on the 0 scale traction and S gauge, and Lionel, but the HO is all mine. :-)
I'm 75 and still going strong. My helpers are 79 and 65.
[This is in the basement of the Madison County (Indiana) Historical Society.]
Roger Hensley= ECI Railroad - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/eci/eci_new.html == Railroads of Madison County - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/ =
Howard ZaneAre we ever to old to build a pike?
Yes. Age of expiration +1.
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
Go for it man, your never too old!
You still are of sound mind, so don't let the numbers bother you.
I'm not very far off from the GERITAL crowd myself and still get a bang out of The Lawrence Welk Show and Watching reruns of The Rochester Van Jones Show.
A friend of mine who is in his 80's recently told me he wanted to build a new layout. He built a couple of layouts back in the 1950's and 60's after he returned from military service. He was stationed in Japan in the 50's, and bought a number of locos and kits directly from the Tenshodo factory. Some of these were never assembled. I told him I'd help if he ever starts the layout project. I hope he does!
-Stan
I would say your never to old.
It is good to know that there are still many relics and artifacts still active in the hobby. I believe each scale has a different average age group with N having the youngest and O with the eldest by far. Actually after attending an O scale show, I became convinced the "O" came from "octogeniarian." I believe HO runs the gamet of age groups as does G and the many narrow gauge scales. Z, TT, and S ????
Update on my moving plans......not going to happen as of today. I am going to add three engine teminals, a new mine, and another staging yard with scenery. Another addition had been approved years back and is most likely still valid....so there is another option, but if I take this route, I most likely in future rants be asking advice about family law. Every spouse has limits and I can understand again ripping up our wooded back yard.......well it's a thought that will require much thought.
HZ