I’m on the “Horns of a Dilemma”! Although I have always been interested in Narrow Gauge, a trip to Colorado and a ride on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, has peaked my interest in slim gauge.
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
Keep in mind this is a hobby, something you do for enjoyment and relaxation. The only wisdom I can see is if you are unhappy with the current state of things, the hobby isn't fulfilling it's purpose. Don't over-think things. If you can afford it and prefer to go in a different direction, you can alway sell off some or all of your current trains and materials and pursue something different. The only consideration is can you accomplish the goal you've set, to get enjoyment out of the new project and get it to a satisfying level in the years you have ahead.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
[quote user="riogrande5761"]
Keep in mind this is a hobby, something you do for enjoyment and relaxation. The only wisdom I can see is if you are unhappy with the current state of things, the hobby isn't fulfilling it's purpose. Don't over-think things. If you can afford it and prefer to go in a different direction, you can alway sell off some or all of your current trains and materials and pursue something different. The only consideration is can you accomplish the goal you've set, to get enjoyment out of the new project and get it to a satisfying level in the years you have ahead./quote]
When the "satisfying level" is the process of building it, I'm certain the goal can be reached. You would think this would answer my question; however, I am still interested in what others would have to say.
In not having a few MRR friends in your area will certainly make things less enjoyable.
In western PA - is not like being in the big cities but we are very lucky in being able to put together about 30 of us in a Club.
This also worked well when I was deciding to building a new large layout in my then new home.
At 53 and finally purchasing a new home - the thoughts of starting over with a new (and Larger) layout was a concern.
But having a fairly large group of modelers in the area - made the decision to go ahead and build the big one.
Now at 67 the layout is well established and I have modelers travel 2 hours to attend an OPs Session.
I can usually muster up 20 guys regularly for my twice monthly OPs Session.
Looking for local modelers in your area may take some work but if you only find a couple it is way better than doing it alone.
In my case we were regular travelers to many other layouts for Operations that were 2 hours away and we kept making new friends along the way.
Joining the NMRA is probably one of the best ways to find Modelers and nothing says you have to stay a member once you get to know these new modelers as you will now be part of this new group.
This is what we did (those of us in Western Pa) to find like minded people to spend time with doing Model railading!
BOB H - Clarion, PA
How about "almost 60?" I started over at about 58, but I did that by opening up boxes that had been in storage for 40 years to see what there was to start with. Brass track, warped cardboard structures, DC power packs and a batch of locomotives that wouldn't run well no matter how much I cleaned and tweaked them have been discarded or stored.
I had a new world of model railroading to explore, with much higher quality models and DCC. It's all been a great adventure.
I'm also a "builder." I enjoy running trains around, but my passion is scenery. For that, I need to be continuously "under construction," and that's why I keep going and keep expanding my layout. I'm building staging now, so that I can actually "operate" the layout. I'll have to see how that goes, I guess.
I'm retiring at the end of the year. I plan to have time on my hands, and I'm counting on the trains to help fill it.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
After my wife passed away, I decided to build an indoor HO gauge layout in what had been the living room. At almost the same time, I built a G-scale layout in the back yard.
These projects gave me something to do, but after the construction was completed on both, they have barely been touched in 5 or 6 years.
I'm in a local club with 25 members, where we have indoor HO and N scale layouts, and a G-scale outdoor layout.
I spend far more model railroading time working on projects at the club than I do at home being a 'lone wolf' operator.
I found construction of the layouts to be an enjoyable way to spend my time, but once they were completed and there was no one else around, interest in them waned.
It sounds like you may be in the same predicament, but without a local club to help occupy your time.
NP2626:
First off, MANY {not just you} are asking for advice but don't want "criticism". You ARE going to get some criticism, perhaps, so be prepared...you have opened your self up for it by ASKING THE QUESTION. MAny will NOT blow smoke to your satisfaction! Now here is my response, hopefully you won't consider it that I have been critical of you.
I "started over" about 7 or so years ago, and while a decade younger than you, I found LOTs of enjoyment of it, but now, as you said, I am "in a funk and out of the hobby interest much anymore". I imagine in a decade {IF I have somewhere to put it} I'd like to build a bit of a bigger layout than the 3.5' x 5.1' {yes FOOTs} HO as all I can afford space for now. The constraints I have space wise, have failed me for now.
First: Shame on your "friend"!!! You MAY start OVER at ANY age, unless BUDGET or PHYSICAL constraints severely krimp that Idea! SO go ahead and start over! But, here are some things to consider:
FOr example: i have been contemplating a change to a Z scale layout in an under the bed storage box. But, budget wise, it ain't so likely to happen, at least not quickly! It also sort of addresses the other issues I have..bad back, bad knees, etc that prohibit working on a layout {even if only to run trains} for about longer than an hour. At least the under bed box can be set on a table for me to work on.
Now YOU have to make a list of constraints and pro/cons:
~How IS your budget for starting over? If miniscule, can you wait patiently while you budget hobby savings grows to a point you can buy?
~ how is your body's ability to work? DO you have a bad back that would prohibit you {like me} from spending as much time as you'd like on it?
~how about Eyes? are they as good as they used to be?
~how about dexterity? are your fingers as nimble as they once were?
~what scale are you choosing? You mention narrow gauge, but Choose a scale carefully for your current and future abilities. SOme have gone to a scale larger than the old one for reasons of physical abilities. {i, for instance, can see up close without lenses, but wonder if I go to Z will I still be able to see them adequately, and I wonder if in a decade, will be able to manipulate them in the future?{get on the tracks for instance, or service the locos}.
~It appears obvious you are not to happy about your current layout, and if it is not narrow guage, so you WILL have to tear down...are you ready for the emotions that may come with tearing it down? It has been a part of your life for many years, unless you spent more time away than with if. SOme are so attached that tearing down an old layout is an immense emotional event. Can you RE-USE anything of it? salvage what you can to cut costs on the new one. Track, especially Atlas track can be VERYHARD TO get right now. It comes in in waves of availabilty.
~can you adapt to newer tech stuff? Or be happy with perhaps limited available things? Will you stay with the old system of straight DC, or, the 'latest' used to be digital DCC, but now Bachmann has a smart-phone driven loco system that allows you to control your train on the smart phone easily, reported to be far easier than the "old stuff" of DCC and DC controls. IT may become the future. Can you adapt? Decals now can be hard to find, but if you know how, you can MAKE your own now.
~What livery would you like? You mention a "name brand", but There aren't to many things made for "Back Woods & Alley RR", so will you choose something like The D&S, UP, B&O, Pennsy as an easy-to-aquire-stuff lovery or stick with the BW&A??
~ can you be a "lone wolf" if no one near by? can you stand to order only online where you can't see and touch first if no LHS nearby? Many have been distance friends on here...they can help if you befriend them here. If loner status will hurt, then maybe seek another hobby where by you have interaction w ith others.
Its a HOBBY, meant to BE FUN! SO, If it will give you joy and "fun" for years to come,..and can meet the basic requirements I mentioned and more, GO ahead!
{If it becomes a chore, then it is no longer fun and perhaps you should abandon it.}
Have a great day!
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
I tore down and started over at 67.5 years old. I am like you as I am rural and no clubs or others near me so I have always been a lone wolf. I am having just as much fun now as before. I live on an acerage and summer keeps me busy on the place but when fall comes I'm itching go get going again and that is when next step planning starts and parts procuring etc.
I have built my new layout so that it will come apart in sections. Just un bolt and un plug and reset it up. My Son wants it when I am gone someday and so all the planning has that in mind.
So my advice is to go forward for your next dream layout. To me the whole idea is to enjoy what you are doing in life and expecially when retired as I am. Don't forget that a layout is really never finished. All my track and DCC system is in an operates wonderfully and I have been working on scenery for some time now. But by no means am I in a hurry. I enjoy what I am doing. That is my feeling on the subject in answering your question. Doug
This topic is both timely and inspirational. I " just" turning 53 this year and had the exact same thoughts last winter when I decided to tear down the layout I worked on for nearly 7 years, it was the layout that most educated me into realizing which parts of that layout I enjoyed most and wished to carry onto my now much larger layout. It scares me to think I may be retired in the next 8 years or so and with retirement comes the fact that threr is less income and perhaps a downgrade of living accomadations may be needed and we know that what that would mean. I've come to the realization that RRing and all that is involved is for the most part a very important part of relaxation for me and helps to find the inner creative side and at the I think of how I really want to get free I jump on my old EVO and twist the throttle to which ever direction the wind sends me. Saying all this you not so much older gents have always helped myself and many others to bring this great hobby to the forground so please do keep modelling on and search out the happiness I'm sure you've always found in this great hobby.
Lynn
Present Layout progress
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/p/290127/3372174.aspx#3372174
Heck I'm 55 and am just starting on a modest sized layout after 15+ years of having no space and keeping the dream alive until I could buidl a layout and run trains. The one I'm building now is smallish and I do hope to be in a place with more space in another 5 years give or take, and build something a little bigger but not massive. Life throws lots of curves at all ages and you just have to do the best you can - some have families or other things which hold them back at younger ages in their 30's and 40's so often it isn't until after the kids are out of the house and settled we can truly have time and space for a decent l layout although some manage it if they have a good income at younger ages.
I am 58 and I just start all over again - the second time this year! My On30 layout was an epic failure, trying to put too much into too little a space. This time it will be a small N scale roundy-rounder. It´s not going to be a project which will keep me busy for decades to come, rather something which allows me to run a train pretty quickly, but I will take my time doing the scenery and the details.
NP2626
In six years you will be six years older. While tearing out your layout and starting over leave you happier at that time than spending the interving years watching television and regreting that you have nothing to do?
Health and finances permitting, go for it.
Dave
I know some guys locally that have started over at that age and beyond, and interestingly, both of them elected to start over with On30 trains from Bachmann and others after having been in HO. One of them essentially re-used his HO layout with new strutures and some scenery. Another started totally over. In both cases the larger size was an attraction not just for building and detailing but for basic running and ease of re railing their trains. Their idea was that presumably they would have fewer structures, vehicles, figures, etc. due to the larger size so that the cost would not be inflated. They were both also able to use the opportunity to move to DCC without having to convert a bunch of older equipment. I assume they were able to finance a fair amount of their new interest by selling their older trains.
One of those layouts, the one that reused the track plan and track, was featured in MR a few years ago. I saw it in person and it looked great. He did not overdo it with rolling stock. Those Bachmann On30 engines run extremely well.
Dave Nelson
Nobody can decide for you as everyone has their own ideas. Think long and hard and when the time is right you will know which way to go.........
Jim
So don't tear it out....you are considering modular. Go small at first, see if interest holds. You might end up bouncing back and forth between the projects. Two could be better than one.
Shopcat So don't tear it out....you are considering modular. Go small at first, see if interest holds. You might end up bouncing back and forth between the projects. Two could be better than one.
That would be the ideal situation; however, I don't have room for two layouts.
Soo Line fan Nobody can decide for you as everyone has their own ideas. Think long and hard and when the time is right you will know which way to go.........
NP2626So, my question is: Have any of you started over while in your 60s and no matter your age, I would be interested in your opinion on this!
At 66 I'm thinking about changing scales from HO to either S Scale or On30.I even though about O Scale 2 or 3 rail.
Will I? Suffice it to say I'm in the research mode so it a strong possibillity...
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
MisterBeasley How about "almost 60?" I started over at about 58, but I did that by opening up boxes that had been in storage for 40 years to see what there was to start with. Brass track, warped cardboard structures, DC power packs and a batch of locomotives that wouldn't run well no matter how much I cleaned and tweaked them have been discarded or stored. I had a new world of model railroading to explore, with much higher quality models and DCC. It's all been a great adventure. I'm also a "builder." I enjoy running trains around, but my passion is scenery. For that, I need to be continuously "under construction," and that's why I keep going and keep expanding my layout. I'm building staging now, so that I can actually "operate" the layout. I'll have to see how that goes, I guess. I'm retiring at the end of the year. I plan to have time on my hands, and I'm counting on the trains to help fill it.
Sounds familiar, except my 'stuff' got moved back and forth to the East Coast without ever being opened. Once I did, I wondered why I still had all that 'old stuff'. My Grandson was the beneficiary and I started over. Joined a Club and have never looked back Great hobby and the wife doesn't mind me spending a lot of my retirement time at the Club or in the basement making Athearn Blue Box locos come back to life. I say ... Go For It!
Len S
How much time including tearing down the old one do you anticipate this new lay out to take?
I have been in HO since 1959 and am now 69. I have always loved the narrow gauge and have lusted to do a narrow gauge layout since 1975. Back then it was a hard row to hoe with about 90% scratch building....Even locomotives, if you couldn't shell out for the rare brass loco offerings.
All that changed for me in 2010. I was 64 and discovered Blackstone! All the really hard work was taken out of the narrow gauge MR'ing. Locomotives,RTR, DCC and sound! Ready to rock and roll. Rolling stock, too, if you choose not to build the many narrow gauge car kits available.
I had a long down period from 1998 to 2010 and found that model railroading had really changed when I went to a large train show and saw the Blackstone K-27 and C-19's in action.
It was an instant no brainer. I leaped back in, feet first, into HOn3 narrow gauge. This let me keep all my period specific figures and many structures from my HO pike as I remained in HO scale.
There was never any thought of On30 as no real decent locos existed in it that were realworld classics. Sure, while the stuff might run on HO track, 100% of my great HO figures and buildings would be worthless. I definitely did not want the larger scale in my already limited space and the added expense of purchasing 100% of everything new.
So take the plunge. It is a small and cute little empire with no need for 50+ switches, ladder yards, two and three track mains, etc.
HOn3 is ready for most any space from an around the wall layout to a sprawling wilderness with single track mains and quaint little towns passed through by two car passenger trains and 9 car freights. Double and triple heading those monster 21 car ore and freight hauls.
If you seek to resist the mountains. Model the old Tweetsie or the East Broad Top or better still model a free lance dream road. I have never modeled a real road in HO over about 5 different layouts and never felt the slightest twinge of remorse. It is even easier in the narrow gauge.
Sn3!! Wow! That is going lone wolf! If you have the money and space and are willing to kit bash and create from scratch, then my hat goes off to you. "Crusader" is the best place for odd Narrow gauge, stuff. I was at the Great Scale Model Train Show last weekend near Baltimore and they actually had a lot of Sn3 kits, and supplies, Also a lot of HOn2, SRRL material with one of the SRRL locos in Sn3! I was impressed! I bought a lot of HOn3 stuff from them while there.
Richard
If I can't fix it, I can fix it so it can't be fixed
Soo Line fan How much time including tearing down the old one do you anticipate this new lay out to take?
narrow gauge nuclear Sn3!! Wow! That is going lone wolf! If you have the money and space and are willing to kit bash and create from scratch, then my hat goes off to you. "Crusader" is the best place for odd Narrow gauge, stuff. I was at the Great Scale Model Train Show last weekend near Baltimore and they actually had a lot of Sn3 kits, and supplies, Also a lot of HOn2, SRRL material with one of the SRRL locos in Sn3! I was impressed! I bought a lot of HOn3 stuff from them while there.
There are kits available for Sn3, both locomotives and rolling stock from places such as Railmaster Hobbies and PBL. Although the square footage of the layout would likely be bigger than my present HO layout, I'm thinking 2 to 3 locomotives would be all I need and 30-40 cars and far less turn-outs. I'm sort of a car nut, so my guess is I would end up with more. My track would be hand laid. All of this is still in it's formative stages. I may just plan something out do a lot of study and drop it; or, change my mind. I like thinking about things and dispite what someone has said, I can't ever over think anything.
Even if you don't rebuild your layout, you will still be 62. I'm 59 and will be starting another layout in a year or two, so there.
In the Boston area, Harvey Robinson cut apart his layout and rebuilt it when he was in his mid 70s.
Age is just a number.
Disclaimer: This post may contain humor, sarcasm, and/or flatulence.
Michael Mornard
Bringing the North Woods to South Dakota!
NP2626 The current layout has some problems. It was my fourth design and first since becoming an adult, so of course it has some things that I would do differently, knowing what I know now. So, my question is: Have any of you started over while in your 60s and no matter your age, I would be interested in your opinion on this!
I too had been bitten by the narrow gauge bug, but 30 years ago. After I built a NG layout, I got over it.
Then I switched scales and started over with building a new layout (standard gauge HO) at around 63. I am 71 now, and I haven't regreted it. I also have been a lone wolf most of my modeling days. As far as operations go, get a computer program set up for it. That way you can operate the RR with switch lists etc the computer prints and it will be ramdom for the most part. That is what I did.
When I started building my second layout, I also was not too interested in scenery, but when I finally got around to it, it was fun and easier than I had thought.
You didn't say what kind of problems your present layout has, but would it be easier to fix them than tear out and start over? Just something to think about.
Could you change the track arrangement enough to add a narrow gauge branch to your existing layout? It could have a town where the two could interchange together, and that would make for an interesting feature. Again, just something to think about.
But back to the main question, should you start over with a new layout. If that is what you feel would make you feel better and be more of a challange for you than continuing with your present layout, by all means, start over. It is not too late.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
As a somewhat distant friend, and almost 44 years younger than you, I'll support your decision either way you go.
Age is only a number NP, either way I look forward to your choice.
SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.
http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide
Gary DuPrey
N scale model railroader
Details, details...
Since either choice is within your means and capacity, it comes down to what will sustain your interest and keep you coming up with new things to do. Maybe over the next 10 years that needs to be a new layout and all the challenges that provides a hands-on guy like you with enough to hold your interest. Where will you be in ten years with the present layout if you keep it? Answer those two questions and you'll have 90% of what you need.
I didn't realize you might have more space available? Maybe I misread. I carved out some extra space to expand into once the main layout got done. It's a work in progress and meant to be that way, although the scenery is roughed in. Then after that, there are multiple large buildings on the layout that can be redone better or redetailed to bring them up a notch or two. Then I have a (somewhat lighter) ton of kits I've not built and far more I've never acquired (...yet). Which you could do as an HOn3 addition to your present layout. And never have to touch Blackstone. There is so much great stuff available in kits in HOn3, so that's another place to compare what will hold your interest if you look likely to build your way out of new material in Sn3 in 5 years or so. That will never happen in HOn3.
Another option if there is new space available, start there with Sn3 and see where it takes you. That way you can do both, at least for now, and have some perspective on how big a deal it would be to convert the current space partially or wholly to narrowgauge down the road a ways. Doing so with HOn3 would be just as easy.
Anyway, hope that's helpful, if somewhat at random.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
My friend, I can relate!
My previous HO 11x15 two level layout was built in the mid '90s. In 2008 (I was also 64 that year) I found myself unhappy with the layout, and decided it was time to build a new one, or sell out to Ebay.
I was still working at that time, my health was OK, and I had the money to do what I wanted. But first I had to be sure, certain that I wanted to do another, what dos and don'ts I would incorporate, and I even contemplated going to another scale (Lionel O or On3). And of course, there was the elephant in the room - should I go DCC or remain in DC.
Well, I started drawing plans, and soon finished drawings (both trackplan and benchwork) for a new two level layout, utilizing DCC.
The first cut (with the recipricating saw) was the hardest. But soon I had the room cleared out, painted the walls and a new backdrop, and then put up the benchwork, roadbed, track, wiring, and base scenery. Trains were running in 2010, all DCC powered.
It was easily the BEST decision I have made in a long time. The layout came out as planned, and the DCC is outstanding. I corrected the bugs from the earlier layout, and did all the construction to the best of my abilities.
Today I am 70, and fully realize that while I could build another layout, I'm not sure I would. Time does take a toll on ones body and frame of mind.
That being said, if you are up to it, and really want a "new and improved", I say "go for it"!!!
Good Luck, and of course keep us informed!!!
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Other than a few turnouts that are less than reliable and of course in difficult locations to get to, my current layout has been tweeked to get the best performance it will ever deliver (excepting as mentioned). One big thing I would not do again is, this layout has a duck under, where most of the controls are. Designed in 1988 when I was 38, the duck under was not a problem, then! I can still get in there and the more I do it, the easier it gets. I would also have more of a walk around set-up with as many ground throws on the turnouts as can be reached. The older ways of doing things are just that "old" and I would like a little more ease in operation.
I don't have anymore space in the room than I do with the present layout, I would just attempt to use it more effeciently.