I started my layout some 10 -12 years ago and did spend many hours constructing same. It has grown to a rather large layout and I did enjoy the building aspect. I did construct some scratch built building and did have some success with kitbashing. I reached the point where I had no room to expand the layout, thus no more building and adding to my layout. I never did get into running my trains on a schedule, no waybills, etc., but rather just operated the trains over various tracks, through switches and so forth. However, after doing the construction of my layout I have not spent much time with it for the last two years or so. I do have a loss of interest with no more contruction plans (this my be due to my 85 years of age). Query, are there others that have had the same loss of interest or am I alone?
I think we all have gone through that at one point of time - regardless of our age. It´s maybe one of the reason I favor to build small layouts - it doesn´t take ages to complete them and they can be sold if my interest ceases or changes.
Unless you have no interest in operations, consider developing an operations plan for the layout. This need not be complicated. The standard car card/waybill system (available from Micro-Mark and other vendors) is a good way to start. Another way is to develop one on your computer, using Excel or something like the JMRI operations features or a commerical project.
Just thinking about how you want to implement this is an interesting exercise. Some insist on using a timetable, which can be a project to develop in itself, but a sequence scheme, where trains start in an order, but without the pressure of the time component timetable ops add, is very easy to implement. This may or may not include passenger trains.
The goal is to take things you already have and fit them into an ops scheme with the purpose of simulating real world operations. Especially if you model a prototype, but still needed even if you don't, the research to find out what was done is often very interesting in itself.
The good thing about all this is it's mostly non-physical work, which may be a factor if you're no longer a youngster. The bonus is that such mental stimulation has been proven to lessen the effects of aging on the mind and even in some case, physical aging, since it will eventually get you out of the chair and back to mving around the layout.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
More seriously: some like running trains, others prefer the layout building part and are not so much into running it. Nothing wrong, everyone is free to pick what likes more!
If the interest in the building process is still there, but a new layout seems to be a too large project: why not build a small diorama /shelf scene? The time investment is reasonable, and at the end it is easier to sell/give it away!
sebastian
Can't beleive your skill level has not changed in those 10 years. I bet it has improved so rebuild something you know is not up to snuff, add a passing siding, a spur or other change. Also one thing I have noticed is we tend to pick up too much stuff as we a planning our layouts so sell the stuff you know you will never use and is just bogging you down. Upgrade your rolling stock is another thought, I have been getting rid of stuff that just dosn't live up to my currant standards, and on occation buying stuff that dose.
We all set our footprints in this hobby based on our personalities and our interests. I won't offer you any advice since you seem to be more interested in seeing if others experience what you are experiencing, and not so much how they get around it or deal with it.
What you describes gives me the impression that you are more of a visionary and an 'empire builder'. You have designs on creating a more and more intricate and vast picture, and you take steps to create it after a fashion. The actual movements of the trains is not something that interests you. By that I mean how and why the real rails operate to generate revenue efficiently. After running the trains for a few weeks, your mind wanders to other things, other possibilities, but not to improving your understanding of what you created and how it could be operated realistically.
So, you would be in very good, enduring, and a storied company if you were to tear it all down and begin to craft something new. It seems to be what you like to do. Those who have come to this point, even after many years of building their dream layout, are many. Legion. At some point, the vast majority heave a sigh, begin to dismantle what they have built, hopefully carefully harvesting all materials they can so that they can reuse them, and then they start over with another 20 year plan. If this is something that leaves your blood running cold, then those who have suggested you seriously find a way to enjoy the most realistic operations your creation affords you have advised you rather well in my opinion.
One other possibility comes to mind: it could be that after all this time you really have come to the end of your fascination with model trains and layout-building. At your age, other priorities, perhaps an important item on your bucket list, are weighing on your mind and you haven't quite put your finger on it yet. However, trains no longer seems to be it, or at least not quite able to suppress this other urgency that looms nearby.
It's a thought....
I began my present layout 16 years ago when I retired. I enjoyed building it and testing and running on each section as I completed it. I joined a club, and I do so much work on the clubs layouts I have been neglecting my own layout not running or working on it for several years. This past summer I installed a new DCC buss and a 12 volt DC buss for tortoise switch machines and signals. Over the coming Winter I plan to work on it and do some running. It happens, priorities change and available time dwindles.
85 years of age says a lot.
My previous layout was fairly large, but I grew weary of it, could no longer get under the tables, and it needed so much repair, that I had not used it in years. After a young visitor from Germany insisted on running it, my interest sparked again. I tore down the layout and built the Route of the Broadway LION, originally envisioned as a commuter railroad, Life-Like had just released New York City Subway cars. Instantly the Layout morphed into a subway layout, and now has 14 miles of track, 10 trains running under full analog automation, and features a full size representation of a GRS model 5 interlocking machine.
LION is still going strong with this even though high temperatures in the train room preclude much summer use. Right now the LION cannot yet climb stairs again, but with the trains on the second floor of a building with no elevator him has been known to limp up asw best he can.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
I'd like to second the suggestion that you look a little further into operations. However, instead of jumping straight into operations on your own layout, find an operating group in your area and attend a few operating sessions so that you can learn what its all about. There are different operating sysytems and one might interest you more than others. Once you find an operating system you like, you can then adopt it for your own layout.
I recently started operating with a group of about 25 to 30 people operating on several local layouts and have learned far more through hands-on training than I ever could reading books. Actually performing the various operating functions provides a lot more information with the added benefits of entertaining activity and social interaction with like-minded people. You'll end up looking at your layout in a whole new way.
Hornblower
Butlerhawk I started my layout some 10 -12 years ago and did spend many hours constructing same. It has grown to a rather large layout and I did enjoy the building aspect. I did construct some scratch built building and did have some success with kitbashing. I reached the point where I had no room to expand the layout, thus no more building and adding to my layout. I never did get into running my trains on a schedule, no waybills, etc., but rather just operated the trains over various tracks, through switches and so forth. However, after doing the construction of my layout I have not spent much time with it for the last two years or so. I do have a loss of interest with no more construction plans (this my be due to my 85 years of age). Query, are there others that have had the same loss of interest or am I alone?
I started my layout some 10 -12 years ago and did spend many hours constructing same. It has grown to a rather large layout and I did enjoy the building aspect. I did construct some scratch built building and did have some success with kitbashing. I reached the point where I had no room to expand the layout, thus no more building and adding to my layout. I never did get into running my trains on a schedule, no waybills, etc., but rather just operated the trains over various tracks, through switches and so forth. However, after doing the construction of my layout I have not spent much time with it for the last two years or so. I do have a loss of interest with no more construction plans (this my be due to my 85 years of age). Query, are there others that have had the same loss of interest or am I alone?
I'm the opposite.. I hate building a layout so,when its finish I can obtain the real goal of that work..Operations! Nothing fancy since I build switching layouts instead of loop layouts.
As far as losing interest..Yes,especially during the construction stages!
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Butlerhawk However, after doing the construction of my layout I have not spent much time with it for the last two years or so. I do have a loss of interest with no more contruction plans (this my be due to my 85 years of age). Query, are there others that have had the same loss of interest or am I alone?
However, after doing the construction of my layout I have not spent much time with it for the last two years or so. I do have a loss of interest with no more contruction plans (this my be due to my 85 years of age). Query, are there others that have had the same loss of interest or am I alone?
Just kidding. Welcome to the club. It happens to a lot of us. I have had this same conversation with others. For some of us, the thrill is in the construction stage, and the reality of completion leads to a certain degree of frustration. A sort of, now what? I don't have an answer, but I did want to let you know that you are not alone.
Rich
Alton Junction
Butlerhawk Query, are there others that have had the same loss of interest or am I alone?
Query, are there others that have had the same loss of interest or am I alone?
Yup. Happened to me twice (so far). It lasted several years each time. And then I regained interest. Playing with trains isn't COMPULSORY. If ya don't feel like it, it's just fine not to do it.
When this "event" happens, it should be a positive thing. Which means you're happily doing something else. Say skiing. Or stamp collecting. You may come back to model railroading. Or you may not. But as long as you're happily "doing your thing", that's great.
If, however, it's a negative thing, that needs consideration. If, for example, you find yourself unable to do things that you used to be able to do--or you find an irritting lack of energy or enthusiasm about way too many things, I would suggest getting what is politely called "counseling".
I, for one, am NEVER out of modeling projects. In fact, I kinda tricked The Big Guy when I negotiated to live long enough to finish ALL my projects. So, I find it interesting that your "bin" of interesting projects isn't automatically refilling. Again, though, it's OK to take a break. If you're in the mood.
Also, I strongly recommend maximizing interaction with other people. And model railroaders (many of them, anyway) are people. It can be at varying levels. Joining a club can be very rewarding. And very stressful. But yakkin' with a guy over at his house while downing a beverage can be VERY pleasant. And even here, on this forum, you can get a goodly bit of interaction (and advice). I now know a whole buncha people here. Some are most wonderful. Some are a bit less. And some are kinda cratchety. But it really is a good group.
I must complement you on bringing up a subject of concern and asking about it. I hope we have been helpful.
Ed
I am still building my 'empire' that has consumed the past 7 years; I am 74 now and enjoy the building aspect. I realize that I may never finish the complete layout but if I do, I plan to continue building structures and rolling stock that can be used to 'update' current ones or just sell them on Ebay as a 'continuing' hobby. Don't let the running of trains stop you unless you don't have the interest in the other aspects of the hobby that you obviously 'endured' throughout the construction of your layout.
I have enough locomotives (60-70) that I can run each one and not see the same one for a couple of months. I don't run my trains on any schedule or use any waybill system, I just run them to enjoy them going through the various 'scenes' on the layout. My roundhouse and turntable also give me pleasure in their operation and seeing a 'Big Boy' rumble onto the turntable and slowly move on through the yard.
Just revisit what you did enjoy in the hobby that got you to where you are now and see if you can't rekindle some aspect.
-Bob
PS: Hope I never get to where I 'lose intererst' in model railroading.
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
I’ve been on and off for several years. I'm at the point where I am upgrading everything, but I also decedided to expand into another room. It is a life long hobby and I keep coming back to it but I also have other interests which I get boarded with too.
You sound like a goal oriented person. You reached your goal of construction and now you are boarded. Everything gets old after a while and you need a break from it or else someone to rekindle the fire. Maybe you should join a club or find some friends who need help. You could be around people who will restart your interest and there is most likely a lot of building on their layout to keep you busy.
Since you don't seem interested in operations, I suggest you tear down the current layout and build a new one in a different scale.
Give Proto48 some serious consideration if you like building track. Otherwise On30, O 2-rail, or S may be just the ticket.
Good luck
Paul
I don't like operations also but I like to build scenery and run my trains. Nothing wrong in what your doing, the whole point of our model trains is to have fun no matter what you like.
Change a portion of your layout, make a new town or building, rearrange some track. Do what you like but most of all have fun.
After working logistics for 36 years that included more than a few adrenaline filled days, Ops on a layout do nothing for me, even though I have tried on more than one occasion to get interested in it.
To me building the layout is what I really like. I want to make a scene look as real as possible and have a train run through it. Watching a train (or two, or three) run through different scenes I find is very relaxing.
I have had periods when I have wondered if I have lost interest in the hobby, but most of the time I get a warm fuzzy feeling, knowing the layout is in the house and I can go in and pick up where I left off any time I wish. It would be much worse if I was always at that stage where all I could do is dream about the layout I hope to have someday.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
BATMAN After working logistics for 36 years that included more than a few adrenaline filled days, Ops on a layout do nothing for me, even though I have tried on more than one occasion to get interested in it. To me building the layout is what I really like. I want to make a scene look as real as possible and have a train run through it. Watching a train (or two, or three) run through different scenes I find is very relaxing. I have had periods when I have wondered if I have lost interest in the hobby, but most of the time I get a warm fuzzy feeling, knowing the layout is in the house and I can go in and pick up where I left off any time I wish. It would be much worse if I was always at that stage where all I could do is dream about the layout I hope to have someday.
Butlerhawk...I can relate...absolutely! I've said on these forums on several occasions that my layout is a highly detailed and very functional test track. I rarely run trains...but have lots of them. I like all aspects of the build...running trains is incredibly dull, much like watching paint dry. I only run trains anymore to test track or electrical changes I make.
For me, it's boredom with what I have as a layout but also a matter of being priced out. That simply means that if I tear down to build new to alleviate that boredom...I would permanently have an empty living room. Funds just aren't there to start over.
I'm doing the NMRA supported layout tours in my area this weekend and showing on Sunday afternoon. After that...who knows. I may continue looking at my relatively large layout as a big piece of living room furniture, or tear it down permanently and tinker on a table top with the 108 locomotives and 400 pieces of rolling stock I have accumulated over 40+ years in the hobby.
Just not sure at this point.
Mark H
Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history.
Many different levels of complexity - including complete non-complexity -- can be included within the simple term "operations" and even a modest sequence of trains type timetable and fairly simple car forwarding can be enjoyable without having to learn the vocabulary of timetable and train order operations.
Sometimes just the process of assembling all your rolling stock and creating car cards for each car can be a motivation to discard sub-par cars or begin a program of repairs.
Frankly when I think of operations I think of operating with others, not by myself. Are there nearby groups that would welcome you at least as an observer?
There are other things to do to keep fresh in the hobby. Starting a project and completely documenting it with photos, for example, with the goal of presenting a clinic to a local NMRA division or other group. Writing up some technique that you have used and perhaps perfected and submitting it to an NMRA divisional or regional publication (or go whole hog and send it to MR, RMC or the NMRA Magazine if you think the photography is publishable at that level). Indeed perfecting camera skills is a new and fresh avenue all in itself.
Another way to keep fresh is to get involved with the local boy scouts and the railroading merit badge program.
If there is a local NMRA presence and if you are a member, there are a host of things they need help with. There are many ways to keep your hand in the hobby and enjoy it without building layouts.
Not long ago out of necessity I had to temporarily vacate the area where I store my trains -- used the opportunity to rearrange and organize everything and found a considerable amount of stuff I could discard or put aside to sell. I am not saying it was all fun but it was model train related, took up some real time, and had my full attention. I wrote about it here
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/p/242783/2703531.aspx#2703531
My point (I do have one) is that there are many things to do that are still well within the definition of model railroading that might be new and different and command your interest and attention. After a while the layout may well beckon again.
Dave Nelson
Not at all. I lost interest in my layout as I have eye issues in determining distance in modeling. 75 years old. Still have a lot of info in modeling and DCC so I look at forums every so often.
My small city has a rail trail connecting to a couple other rail trails so I bike them a lot and one trail runs along a mainline with freight and Amtrak and is next to a Union Railroad station. Use to be four lines at one time. Amtrak started though our area last January.
Will be 75 soon and bike the trails with girlfriend. Life is good.
Just make the best of what you have. The forums help a lot.
Keep a positive attitude.
There is a lot of railroad history on the Internet.
Google should be your best friend.
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
I think we all lose interest from time to time. The layout my sons and I have is basically down to just me operating it, and occasionally my 16 year old. My inspiration has been posting images and vids in various locations on the layout. I post many of them on the Facebook pages where there's a very active model RR community. Doing this has inspired me to rebuild some scenes, or try different effects for images on the layout like fog scenes. I still enjoy switching the refinery with a Pennsy I1, but sharing the pics is the most fun for me now.
Others correctly pointed out that interest waxes and wanes on the layouts. For me, that happened after significant job losses. The mental roller coaster was not conducive to working on a layout. Finding new areas to approach on the layout is a challenge when you run out of room. Yes, you can consider upgrading rolling stock, or engaging in operations to introduce new ideas to the layout.
The other option is also asking yourself 'are there other industries I want to model for my timeframe or location?' You can also flip through covers of MR to get other ideas. How many of us literally carve out part of the layout to put in something new we've seen from a forum or article? Guilty! There must be something on your layout that you want to change and do that!
As others have said, try to develop a prototypical operating plan for the layout. Spend time designing a plan.
If you like the building aspect of layouts, you might find that you may have to rebuild some areas of the layout in order to help the operating plan work correctly.
- Douglas
B&O1952I think we all lose interest from time to time...My inspiration has been posting images and vids in various locations on the layout. I post many of them on the Facebook pages where there's a very active model RR community.
Good point. I draw lots of inspiration for perspiration trying to get projects done in time to take and process pics for the early Friday morning start of WPF right here in the MR Forum.