Cudaken, nice.....yea, I love it. So in my retirement years, I take it out on old lawn tractors.
I had a few friends who competed, back in the late 60's, a county highway just out of town had a perfect 1/4 stretch, nice and flat. We even used to stop regular traffic (a very rare occurance) so a race could finish. At that time, one township squad, with one cop, covering a township.
Mike
My You Tube
I collect 1/24 1/25, model car kits. Diecast NASCAR cars in 1/24 and 164. Sports autographs, racing autographs, WW2 Veteran and Medal of Honor Autographs, beer cans and bottle caps. Things that go bang, bang. War Between the States Bullets and canon frags. And Donald Duck & Uncle Scrooge Figures, hard plastic and stuffed and Waly Disney, Uncle Scrooge, Donald Duck and GI Combat comic books. I think I missed a few thing to. Oh, and all the bands from when I have been in the hospital, got about 30 of those now.....
Building duck hunting boats, decoys, training hunting retrievers, (Chesapeake Bay)black powder shooting, fishing, duckhunting, panning gold, (Swift River) fly tieing (most look like small road-kill- but seem to work) reading, and other sundry things as time permits.
herrinchoker
Model Railroading is where I spend most of my 'hobby time' but my wife and I are also into bird watching. We are by no means experts but we really enjoy it. In the winter we spend our weekend afternoons driving country roads searching for snowy owls and hawks. Every May we spend a few days at Point Pelee on Lake Erie which is one of the primary spring migration spots in the world. We also go through a small fortune in bird seed which we buy 100 lbs at a time. That's good for about three months, less in the winter. In fact, some of our best bird watching happens right in our back yard.
I used to be into MGs but back then (late 80s) the cost of restoration was greater than the potential selling price. Plus, I couldn't justify a two seat sports car with two young kids in the family. I sure do miss them though!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
My hobbies tend to rotate pretty evenly between model railroading, hunting, and competitive shooting, both smallbore and blackpowder. Have two English setters and love to bird hunt. Also love history so I read a lot. Secondary pastimes include messing around with a '48 Ford F-1, and we've also done quite a bit of birdwatching and wildlife watching over the years. Until my kids got old enough to drive, I also was their primary taxi driver. Best two days of my life were when each of them got their license.
Jim
When the weather's nice, I like Volksmarching (non-competitive fitness walks). http://www.ava.org
USAF (Retired)
I must admit that model railroading, combined with railfanning and studying railroad history obsorbs most of my hobby time. But I also enjoy reading a lot, mostly history, historical fiction and biographies with a bit of astronomy. I also enjoy target shooting (but not hunting), 1940'/50's film noir, gangster, period and horror movies. Horse racing is good too and even contributes to my my modeling operations.
come to think of it, with still working a bit, I guess I do keep pretty busy after all. Still, nothing like my first love of trains.
Since I learned to control my Lionel trains before I learned to read I can say that model railroading is my longest-running continuous hobby - 78 years' seniority.
I am a voracious reader, mainly history and science fiction. That led into writing - science fiction in the Confederation Universe, 2082-3626 and beyond. Since I make liberal use of (other people's) real names and copyrighted material, I have never tried to publish my several novels and multiple short stories.
Health problems have put the brakes on railfanning and long-distance hiking, but I enjoyed both when I was younger. I also enjoyed watching gymnastics - until they went to the current scoring system, which is too much for my simple mind.
I can't claim international travel. All of that was at the behest of the US Air Force. I did take full advantage of the opportunities to learn about the places I've been.
And then there's my most expensive hobby - the young lady who's been my wife for 55+ years...
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Chuck:
Congratulations on the 55+ years!
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
For me, it's videogames, music (violin and guitar), as well as fursuit building (Furry fandom)/cosplay.
-Peter. Mantua collector, 3D printing enthusiast, Korail modeler.
Golf and bowling are my other two hobbies. It would be hard to say which of the three is the most frustrating. All three are in the conversation. Golf and bowling are seasonal hobbies. Golf in the warm weather months. Bowling in the cold with just a little overlap between the two. Generally I golf until the end of October and this is about the time I pick it up again. Just got my clubs regripped yesterday and am now waiting for a good day to play. Probably sometime next week. I bowl Tuesdays and Thursday mornings and our bowling center eliminates morning hours at the end of April which ends our informal bowling sessions. They resume morning hours in September although usually I don't join our group until it becomes too cold to play golf or my golf course closes for the year. Golf takes up far more of my time then bowling and as a result model railroading has become relegated to being a cold weather hobby as well. Every year I promise myself I am going to make time to do some MR activity during the summer and every year I break that promise. But this year is going to be different. I promise.
LION's Hobby is Railroading, always passenger trains. LIONS have no need for freight. Passengers, afterall are tasty.
First trains were American Flyer and about '59 dad talked me into switching to HO. In 9th grade, I sold the trains and bought a printing press. In the late '60s I bought more trains while I was in Japan complements the USN Navy and the Vietnam war.
Eventually I sold the printing presses and moved back in with my parents for a few years until I joined the monastery. After making my profession, I asked the Abbot if I could set up my model trains. Him, perhaps remembering model trains on a 4x8 layout gave permission. Apparently he had never encountered a raving Model Builder. No sooner had he given permission, I had two ping pong tables end to end in the old basement room.
That basement room was to be remodled, and so I snagged myself a unused classroom above the Library. Today, the route of the Broadway LION boasts of 10 subway trains and 14 miles of track.
Oh... Other Hobbies....
Well I dearly miss hnad set lead type on a platten press, but that technology has gone the way of the dodo bird.
Well some darn fool invented a Personal Computer, and I was hooked. And now one of my jobs is Network Administrator with five servers and 30 workstations.
Still Typesetting on a computer is still a lot of fun. LION likes doing that. Him is also a Registered Nurse, and is in charge of the infirmary. Him also sells wine in his spare time. I wonder how I ever get up there to play with the trains.
Oh well, life is interesting. And I don't have to spend any money. 'Cause I don't have any.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Only parent of two young kids so hobby time is limited. Photography is one, but that's also my second job so I don't pick the camera up "for fun" very often. I play Ultimate (Frisbee) because I can do that during lunch at work. Little bit of drawing/art. I like outdoor stuff like fishing, hiking, kayaking, etc. I finally have a solo backpacking trip planned this summer in the Sierra Nevadas that I'm really excited about. I actually picked up model railroading as a hobby because the kids made it more difficult to do the outdoor stuff. Sure, we can go for a walk in the woods, but I haven't been able to do a 12 mile hike since my first kid was small enough to fit in a backpack. I work on the layout after they go to bed when I should be cleaning the house or doing laundry.
Well, I railfan sometimes. I play videogames a lot, I write, and draw, and plot to take over the world
Indoors, I play strategy games on the computer, including flight simulator with the pedals and flight yoke and all.
I'm still skiing black diamond trails, riding both road and mountain bikes and playing competitive ice hockey.
Lately, I've been picking up my guitar occasionally, too, trying to recapture the lost glory(?) of playing in a dorm band so many years ago.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Carnegie Falls work on the layout after they go to bed when I should be cleaning the house or doing laundry.
Sometimes it pays to hire a housekeeper.
Here, I clean the "lunch room" each morning, and on Sunday I do the dishes. Others clean other things, and we have a central laundry. Laundry is picked up once a week, you you need lots of socks and underwear to make it through the week.
Get the kids to help you. They will be happy to.
Trains can really take over if you aren't careful. Last summer was the first in 20+ we didn't get the kayaks into the water. Photography and freelance writing are side businesses that seem more like hobbies. Did a few seasons of SCCA sports car racing but that's a sport that makes model railroading look cheap.
My thanks to the OP. I think this is a great topic. Besides my mrr layout, I do quite a bit of woodcarving (see my website at jimcarves.weebly.com)and I like to play chess (over the internet on Gameknot.com and in person when I can find someone who will play). I still do some occasional fishing but not like I used to in my younger days. I can get into a first person shooter PC game (prefer WWII genre) once in awhile. I have been retired for 11 years and still don't seem to have enough time to do the things I want to do.
wdcrvr
Golf and photography. If I am bored, it's my own fault.
Bear "It's all about having fun."
Nice topic!
Other than model railroading, I enjoy railfaning, photography, fishing, reading, games (board, cards, video, playing baseball, football, basketball, volleyball, bowling with friends) and I play drums.
I will also watch NASCAR, Indycar, baseball and football on TV when not busy. (Watch more NASCAR and football than the others, but must see Indy 500 for Indycar, and always catch Daytona 500 for NASCAR. Watch Indians baseball, Packers football, when I can, and always catch World Series, and superbowl.)
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
Where to begin....... I'm 71 and have had wayyy too many interests over the years. Model trains (HO & Lionel) have been the mainstay, and today Im also in to stamp/coin collecting, mechanics, woodworking, yardwork, firearms (yes, I have a license to carry), reading, crossword puzzles, and "doing lunch" with my other half.
Historically, I was also a motorcycle and bike enthusiast, took a lot of long car trips, enjoyed being a baseball/football/NASCAR fan, etc.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Wow, ok, um...not in any particular order, there's golf, fishing (not so much), hunting, bike riding, back packing/hiking, X-box, guitars, some gardening, the chicken coop (3 hens a laying), historical reenacting Rev War, MR. Like others, I look at MR as mainy a winter activity.
Seventy four years old with Macular Degeneration in left eye cannot do close up work any more and I wear trifocals. Little trouble doing fine work anymore.
Ride bicycle on rail trails in my area. Sun Electrolite ebike. 36 volt PWM motor with lithium battery for help on hills. I can switch it off. Some arthritis in both knees. About forty mile of rail trails.
My little city still has the train station that is now a bagel shop. City nearby has a Union Station that served three railroads at one time. Now a restaurant. Amtrak still comes by but a little station nearby. Enjoy riding and seeing all the places the railroad use to serve.
Still dating and dancing. Dance four nights a week.
Workout at Snap Fitness.
Planning going to the Lake Placid railroad where they have two seat and four set rail bikes for tourist. Six mile and sixteen mile rides. Saw the two seat at a train show.
Rich
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.
ricktrains4824 Nice topic! Other than model railroading, I enjoy railfaning, photography, fishing, reading, games (board, cards, video, playing baseball, football, basketball, volleyball, bowling with friends) and I play drums. I will also watch NASCAR, Indycar, baseball and football on TV when not busy. (Watch more NASCAR and football than the others, but must see Indy 500 for Indycar, and always catch Daytona 500 for NASCAR. Watch Indians baseball, Packers football, when I can, and always catch World Series, and superbowl.)
The Indy500 was on my bucket list and I crossed it off a few years ago. I'm glad I did it once but wouldn't do it twice. It was actually quite boring because you see so little of the race from a fixed location. I was near the top of the lower level and all I could see was turn 4 and the top of the home stretch. Very little passing. Just watching the cars go round and round. On the last lap there was a wreck involving the cars not too far behind the leader but I missed that because I was focused on the lead car as he headed for the checkered flag which of course I could barely see because it was so far away.
I feel the same way about the Kentucky Derby. I'm glad I did it once, but not twice. It was the year Big Brown won and he made his move at the top of the stretch right in front of me but I ended up watching the stretch run on the Jumbotron.
These big venue events are best seen from your easy chair in front of a big screen TV. I would include golf tournaments in that as well. You just don't get to see much when you're there. It's nice to do it once to soak in the atmosphere, but I want to see as much of a contest as I can and you just can't do it from a fixed location.
One thing I failed to mention in my original reply because I've never thought of it as a hobby so much as a special interest but I'm a real buff when it comes to all things related to the JFK assassination. It might seem morbid to some, but it is a fascinating subject with lots of interesting side stories. And for the record, I am not a conspiracy theorist. I am convinced Oswald did it and I've seen no credible evidence he had even a single accomplice. I'm not looking to start an argument because I'm already involved in an online discussion group and I spend way too much of my time arguing with people there.
Other hobbies/interests - when I have time:
Hi Fi speaker design and construction - designed, built and marketed some years ago - still listen with my own designs
Music - collecting/listening - 1700 plus vinyl records
Gravely garden tractors
Firearms/shooting
History
Architectural History
Classic Cars - restored a few in years past - might do another one day.
But Model Trains remains my number one hobby interest from the standpoint of continuous activity and investment of time and money.
Of course my "other hobby" is my work - restoring old houses. My father suggested that I like whatever I chose to do for a living - I do.
Sheldon
Indoor hobbies aside from model trains would be table top sports games and sports video games. Also enjoy reading. And lately have been painting miniature hockey players for my table top hockey game.
outodoor hobbies would be bike riding, playing baseball and of course being Canadian playing hockey.
My fiancee tells me I have a "hoarding" problem. This relates to my hobbies. I enjoy buying books, however, I don't read many of them. I have good intentions, but my life has been consumed by my profession for a few years, and now, preparing to get married. I love history (Civil War, WWI, WWII, and Irish history). I have a small collection of WWI and WWII post cards. I also love to travel and teach abroad. Sadly, a wedding, purchasing a house, and starting my master's degree has put traveling on hold for awhile. While traveling, I love taking pictures, especially of street signs, empty lanes/alleyways, and as grime as it is headstones/cemeteries. I am also a big sports fan. I have been into collecting sports memorabilia since I was about 6 years old. A few years ago, I focused my sports card collection on a few players, the Green Bay Packers, and cards with a certain serial number. Sadly, this is on the back burner for awhile, too. I also follow several sports teams and play fantasy football and fantasy EPL soccer. Model railroading is mainly a dream at the moment. It's going to take a lot to convince my fiancee to build even a small layout. I need to consolidate and sell a lot of what I have. I know my future is not going to get any less busy in the next few years. Might as well find one or two hobbies that I can focus on when time allows.
Hi every one. I enjoy golf and make daily weather observations, since I used to do that for a living, along with weather forecasting.