Glad it's winter!

[dale8chevyss]

As an avid bicycle enthusiast, I'm glad it's winter, because the cold persuades me to stay inside and work on my layout.  This winter has been mild as of late (tuesday and wednesday were in the low 50s here) and it was difficult for me to keep working on the layout and not jump on the bike, although yesterday I biked to the hobby shop to look at turnouts   When it's cold, blustery and nasty outside it's easier to light a fire in the fireplace, turn on the record player and work on the layout.

 

How is the weather affecting you? or does it?

[Geared Steam]

Living in the sunny south, we get two model railroad seasons. 

1) Right now, 35 degrees, raining, 80% humidity, bone shivering cold. (Yea I know what a northern winters are like, I grew up in Montana) Trust me, it can be very uncomfortable.

2) Mid July to the end of August , 90 degrees plus in the afternoon. Time to cut grass in the morning, then stay in the A/C from noon to 6 PM and model. After 6? Time to go mix a drink,  sit on the back patio, and enjoy the smell of fresh lawn clippings

(Currently listening to "The Rover" while waiting for my soldering iron to heat up.)  

Sometimes it's the little things in life......

[CSX_road_slug]

dale8chevyss

How is the weather affecting you? or does it?

Since I have a 1.5-acre lawn, I have to spend 3 hours each weekend mowing it.  Add normal weekend errands to that, and my model railroading time starts to dwindle.  So I always look forward to the time when I can stop worrying about the lawn.

On the other hand, there are things I can do in the warmer months that are difficult to do inside.  For example, last September I roller-painted 8 8x2ft masonite sky backdrop panels that I spread out on the lawn.  Took me less than an hour.

[gabeusmc]

I hate the winter cold. When your layout is in an unisulated garage in northern MI youget the picture. The only good time to model is spring and fall. The summer that grage gets to be 110, but sumer makes it easier for my other hobbies, running and airsoft. But airsoft is played in winter, it is just a little harder to carry a rifle and run in deep snow, but atleast you don't get dirty crawling. But back to model railroading, in the winter I bundle up and try to operate. At least its protypical for northern MN.

What I do for this hobby...

[UncBob]

I hate the sun coming up so late and going down so soon

[JeremyB]

I like Winter modeling the most, When its freezing cold out Id rather be in the basement with the furnace on and a small portable heater in my workshop area, working on a building or detailing a piece of rolling stock with a nice hot cup of coffee and maybe throw some music of the PC as I work

In the summer I tend to spend more times outdoors but the days that its too hot I will be in the Air conditioned house and even cooler basement working on the layout. I also like sitting on the porch after it rained overnight and site out there and read MR with a cup of coffee. I love that rain smell in the summer time.

[sfcouple]

I sort of like the winter, I too like going to the basement in the winter, with a small heater on, cup of coffee, some music, I'll run a train because I love the sound of a train running, always have dozens of little projects to do. It's good that I do like the winter because in Montana we have two seasons: winter and road construction. Although this year the winter has been rather mild, we had temperatures in the 50's just a week ago for goodness sake. However, we did get dumped on with 6 inches of snow two days ago.  Winter is also fun as we get white tailed deer walking all over our front yard and the bears are all asleep---at least we hope so! 

We have a small yard so there is not much yard work in the summer...heck last year our lawn was mowed twice the entire year.  I do far less railroading in the summer as we frequently go on day trips to visit Yellowstone, or some other scenic spots in this area.  

But yup, I do like the winter and do far more railroading this time of the year.

Wayne 

 

[willy6]

Most of my MR is done in the winter,Dec to March.It normally doesn't get too cold down here.As soon as spring gets here,all the outside stuff starts,fishing,boating, planting the garden and cutting 3 acres of grass. I will do some layout work during rainy days in the hot season.

[grizlump9]

you guys got me to thinking about how great it is to be retired.

   it is always around 70 deg. and dry in my basement.   i don't worry about the amount of daylight either since i have electric lights.

  yard work in the summer??  i pay somebody to do that.

  and as for not being able to ride my bicycle, well at least some jerk like me won't be able to squirt me with his windshield washers like i do cyclists when i pass them taking up the road.

grizlump

[galaxy]

Winter has not arrived here yet! We have had only 2 days this season that have been 20 or below and sn*w? what's that? we got about 1-2 inches totally this season.

Skiers and snowboards and ice fisherman have been disappointed. Around here we have the "almost annual Crappie derby" for ice fishing. Nope Not this year { hence the "almost" in the title}.

I personally don't mind. No snow to shovel.With my bad back that is a blessing!

I usually do projects like putting kits together and painting and weathering them in front of the TV while winter winds blow. Since I have torn my small layout down to tracks only in antipation of building it a shade bigger, I am not doing any kits or weathering of buildings this season.*sigh* DIdn't even work on the new under the Xmas tree winter scene layout. It needs painting white for unayment of scenic snow and trim board applied and wiring recessed to proceed.  just no energy to do so.

I am really enjoying the cooler/warmer weather we have been having.

I hope others are enjoying the season and modeling like crazy though!

[HaroldA]

Winter finally arrived in my area of Michigan last night. We now have snow - although not much - wind and bone chilling cold. So, after clearing the drive - which is about my 10th favorite thing to do. I used to be a downhill skier but fortunately one year common sense set in but maybe it had to do with that cracked collar bone. Anyway, this is my season for retreating to the basement and working on the RR. so bring on the snow!!

[Sailormatlac]

I must admit winter is the best time of all... But I prefer summer when it's time to airbrush. Habitually, my 2 weeks X'mas vacations are my most proficient time. I start at 9 in the morning and stops late in evening. Another downside is the time spend shovelling the snow... But I tr to see it as a healthy exercise between modelling sessions. Help me wait the paint dry! I'm an impatien man!

 

Matt

[aloco]

I never have been nor will I ever be a seasonal model railroader.  When I get the urge to do something, I do it.  It doesn't matter what time of the year it is or what the weather is like outside.

[richhotrain]

Living in the Chicago area and being an avid golfer, the model railroading hobby season for me is November 15 to march 15 when I am stuck indoors.

I will "play" with the layout the rest of the year, but all of my serious modeling and layout work is done during the winter.

Rich

[mobilman44]

Hi!

Normally we have two seasons down here in the Greater Houston area - Hot and Humid, and Cold and Humid.   Our winters typically have only 3-5 days of lows in the upper 20s, and the rest of the time its in the 50s - 60s.   This winter has been a bit different, with several days in the 70s, and only three nights just below freezing.

With my layout in a spare room on the second floor, it does tend to get a bit warm in the summer, but the winters (late November thru March) is pretty nice.  That being said, my MR efforts typically run in major spurts, irregardless of the season.  Having just finished putting together 23 Walthers petroleum tank cars, I am "between spurts".

By the way.......... I grew up in Chicago and spent a number of years there and in Joliet Illinois - which means I know what a northern winter is all about.   But being down here, when the temps are in the 30s, and the humidity is high, and the north winds are kicking in - well it gives a new meaning of the word cold.

Gotta say this, I really do miss "4 honest seasons"......................

[dragenrider]

Winter has been mild in the Ozark Mountains so far.  I've been piddling with my layout some.  Mostly I've been eBaying things I don't need and fixing friend's stuff.  Most of my activity has been with the local round robin train club. 

[aloco]

richhotrain

... being an avid golfer...

Not me.  I hung up my golf clubs for good.  I'd rather sit in a nice cool basement and play with my trains than work up a sweat walking around on a golf course.  

[ollevon]

Yes, it's got to be the fall and winter time for me to really get into some serious modeling. I'll putter around a little on the layout in Spring & Summer, but what I do in one week in the Winter is all I will do for the warmer months.

   Sam

[Rdrr]

Hobby time is at a real premium for me in any season, but I look forward to the winter when I get more oppotunities than usual. I'm self employed, most people think that affords a person more free time but just the opposite is true. I'm not complaining, I'm fortunate to be busy these days. But a good ol' snowy, sleety day when I can postpone a job for a day would give me a chance to head to the basement and try to remember where I left off...if I don't end up in the office doing bookwork.

[CTValleyRR]

Between children, scouting, and other hobbies (including golf and painting miniature figures), and all the necessary housework, I have to grab my modelling time when I can.

Winter may or may not be here.  We got our second significant snowfall last night:  the forecast was for >1", and I walked outside to 6".... stupid weather people.  But that's not too bad, considering that the first was right before Halloween and left 3/4 of the state without power for as long as 10 days -- though not me this time.  I guess I'd paid my dues after Irene (8 days w/o power)....  Now, today, it's 45 degrees and raining (lots of FOG); tomorrow, back in the 20's.

Gotta love winter in New England.