Railroaded's post in particular was sad to hear. I hope he can see his way through this. I have a really great girlfriend, so I'm generally happy in life. But she has zero interest in my trains. Also, I have no friends which are interested in trains, and I don't have any desire to attend a club. So, I have to enjoy my trains for myself. I'm also "stuck" right now, but I do have a running layout (part of the reason I'm stuck—I enjoy running my trains too much and can't get myself to tear down the track to complete the scenery).
Well, I'm back to working on the railroad. I started by painting some track and then worked on a scene I started many moons ago. With the juices flowing I turned on my Millers animated sign. It didn't work due to battery corrosion, a casualty of my abandoning the layout.
The first picture is of the prototype located North of Marion, VA as seen from I-81
To repair the sign I bought a Millers wall wort, the bus board, and a new Meadow Gold sign. I attached it to the roof of a building, cut the battery case loose, but am having trouble tinning the wires. It's a good feeling to be making progress on the RR. Bob Still having some picture posting problems! Today has been one of those days Just made my 4th. edit
To repair the sign I bought a Millers wall wort, the bus board, and a new Meadow Gold sign. I attached it to the roof of a building, cut the battery case loose, but am having trouble tinning the wires.
It's a good feeling to be making progress on the RR.
Bob
Still having some picture posting problems! Today has been one of those days
Just made my 4th. edit
Don't Ever Give Up
Go Bob and Kevin!
Now that you're feeling the need and doing something about it, I can only join Bear in wishing you well in this "model railroad revival" movement.
I think encouraging others is a fine thing. It's even nearly cost free as Bear indicates, but I think there;'s value for us by offering another way to adjust our attitudes by offering our platitudes. When you're becalmed, there is power in positive thinking. It doesn't cure everything, taht takes more, but it is a sign of movement, a slight breeze that may be the first sign of moving at a faster clip soon.
Good luck and bon voyage!
BTW, my inspiration (at least temporarily) arrived in the form of getting ready for an ops session in 3 days That may be just enough to get me going out of my rut. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Regards, the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
I've been going through the doldrums for a little while now. Just seems like lately everything has been coming at me at once. The last time I ran trains, I was finding some issues with my track that needed corrected in several places now that all of my rolling stock has Kadee couplers on it. Plus, it seemed like every locomotive was starting to need tuned up/serviced all at once.
Since then, it seems like life has been throwing everything at me. We went through a big merger at work, and while my job isn't in jeopardy or anything, keeping up with all of the changes has been a huge undertaking. Add in the struggle I've had with trying to get my oil paintings to sell and finding time to try to paint as well as the depression I've been going through (was diagnosed with cyclothymia in 2006). Then the hosting site for my personal website that I've been building for 20 years went down, leaving me to try to get everything back up. Thankfully, I have backups of everything. Then Firefox announced that they were dropping Windows XP support, which left me no choice but to finally get a new PC before my XP PC from 2003 was unsafe to go online. Not only was that an expense I hadn't wanted to make, I then had to learn Windows 10, which thankfully has gone smoothly. In April, one of my dad's brothers passed away. A week and a half after that, one of his two living sisters had a stroke. After my uncle's passing, there was some disagreement about how my grandpa's US flag from his funeral is being passed down through the family, and now my parents aren't speaking with the rest of the family. Then I went through a couple major heartbreaks over the past couple months, which has worsened my depression.
I'm thinking what I need to do with regards to my layout is take some time to go down and make a list of everything that is needing to get addressed so that I can prioritize things and break things down into manageable chunks so that I don't feel so overwhelmed like I've been feeling.
Kevin
http://chatanuga.org/RailPage.html
http://chatanuga.org/WLMR.html
bandofan There's nothing wrong with getting the doldrums. I think it happens to most everybody from time to time. Model railroading is my hobby, so when I find myself in the doldrums of what I'm working on, I do take a break. I already have one job. I don't want another one. Another good piece of advice is to get involved in your local NMRA division or a local railroad club. Model railroading can be a solitary hobby. I think the solitary nature of the hobby can sometimes lead to the doldrums. I'm a member of the NMRA and really enjoy going to our monthly Divisional meetings. The social aspect of a club or a division meeting can put a different spin on things. I think talking with friends, seeing their layouts, and seeing how they do something different than I do helps change my perspective and gets me re-invigorated during those down times.
There's nothing wrong with getting the doldrums. I think it happens to most everybody from time to time. Model railroading is my hobby, so when I find myself in the doldrums of what I'm working on, I do take a break. I already have one job. I don't want another one. Another good piece of advice is to get involved in your local NMRA division or a local railroad club. Model railroading can be a solitary hobby. I think the solitary nature of the hobby can sometimes lead to the doldrums. I'm a member of the NMRA and really enjoy going to our monthly Divisional meetings. The social aspect of a club or a division meeting can put a different spin on things. I think talking with friends, seeing their layouts, and seeing how they do something different than I do helps change my perspective and gets me re-invigorated during those down times.
Even the late great John Allen hit the wall so to speak. I think it was in the book written by Linn Westcott about the G&D which quoted a letter he wrote in which he wondered if he would ever complete the railroad and operate it as he envisioned and whether model railroading was a worthwhile use of one's time. Apparently that feeling passed because he got going again. Sadly, he passed away before completing the final leg of the mainline which would have allowed him to operate it as it was designed.
rrebell My problem is I may be selling my house, so not really into doing anything. Also I am one of those people that once I prove to myself I can do something, I lose intrest.
My problem is I may be selling my house, so not really into doing anything. Also I am one of those people that once I prove to myself I can do something, I lose intrest.
My problem is that I usually have to totally screw something up before I learn how to do it right. Rarely do I get it right the first time I try something new.
superbe I am making a resolution......don't Laugh......... On or before August 1st. I will clean off my work bench and layout top of all extreaneous material so trains can run unimpeded and without their view obstructed. Now for the hard part. Track painting will commence. Results will be posted.
I am making a resolution......don't Laugh.........
On or before August 1st. I will clean off my work bench and layout top of all extreaneous material so trains can run unimpeded and without their view obstructed. Now for the hard part. Track painting will commence.
Results will be posted.
I made this resolution because I would have to answer to the forum if I didn't keep it whereas my other resolutions I only had to answer to myself.
I cleaned off the work bench several days ago and today was the day I returned to model railroading. After painting some track ala Dr Wayne's suggestion I moved on to working on an unfinished scene before going back to track painting. The juices are flowing again and am anxious to get back to work tomorrow.
Thanks to Ja Bear for his post, the many responses, and Dr Wayne's painting tutorial I'm out of the doldrums.
Thanks all
Ususally a trip to a train show or Regional convention, with a friend or friends, re-invigorates me.
Bear,
Oh, I know that feeling, in fact, the winds seemed to have died off around us both at about the same time it seems most recently. I even started this reply several days ago and am just now getting back to it, as the modeling doldrums now are morphing into a writing doldrums that pre-existed them. How do yiu get there and what do you do about it?
For me, I would say it's partly due to getting the layout into a state of completeness (not finished, but looks a lot that way to the casual observor), so that I don't feel the pressure of big projects staring me in the face.
Right now money is tight or I could jump in on a number of projects, so that's another factor. I do have plenty I could do, but much of it just doesn't catch my fancy, like painting a bunch of HO figures. I've burnt through much of the more attractive offerings in my kit stash, although still have some interesting standard gauge ones in queue. But these days I generally favor narrowgauge builds and I have just a handful of those on hand. Even bought couplers and trucks to complete them last year...still haven't got back to that. And there's a bunch of structurers I'd like to mod, detail, upgrade, or completely rebuild. But I can usually find a project if I try.
So to get some perspective and get outta the rut, I staRTED ON A LONG LIST OF OTHER HOUSEHOLD PROJECTS. THIS INLCUDED TIDYING THE GARAGE, WHERE I ENCOUNTERED A CABINET FULL OF LARGE SCale (nevermind the ALL-CAPS, dang tiny Mac keybolard! ) stuff I stashed about 20 years ago. This matched a Shay that sat under the layout far too long...and about 3 months later, the Telluride & Tin Cup is up and running. A good excuse for not hardly walking into the layout room in all that time? Maybe.
Partly that's the result thw result of finding it hard to get to critical mass on operators the last few months I had ops sessions. Not talking big numbers here, 4 would be nice, but it;s hard to get to four. Six would almost be a crowd, but only got there during the ops sessions I hosted during the national convention last year. I do have a FEW REGUALRS, BUT THAT MAINLY SPREAD THE DISCOURAGEMENT WHEN OPS HAPPEN and there's only 3 of us available (NEVER MIND THE CAPS, AGAIN, What tiny handed people built this thing? I'm reminded here of Kristin Wiig's "tiny-handed odd girl" sketch on Saturday Night Live for some reason. Maybe she works as a keyboard designer at Mac now?}...
Hmmm, that just proved the frustrations of life can get you down...and reminded me I've been struggling to adapt to the Mac after switching from PC. So that's upset my regualr stream of postings...my funk is now even affecting my virtual life. But it's a minor thing comparted tp what some face. Same witrh physical ills (most won't want to know the details in this case ). I tend to use the hobby as good therapy and it mostly works well, helping with both my physical and mental agility. Until it doesn't. So if as many of us tend to do, the problems of the world, mind, and body have been held at bay previously, maybe something with them has changed for the worse and the hobby can no longer hold them at bay. When the real world crashes into the creation of fantasy, even when it's therapeutic, it can certainly have a negative effect on one's modeling motivations even when you've relied on them before to get you through hard times.
To get back on track after your mojo gets derailed, try this:
Read a book, you know, those bound paper volumes of knowledge many once found even more indipsensible than smartphones. A book can give a new perspective on a afmiliar subject or a new look at an unfamiliar one.
Join a historical society. Yes, they can be sources of books, but lots of other great contacts and info, too.
Explore the internet. I tend to get stuck in familiar groups of tabs, when a new search is what I need to try.
Try building something in a different scale or gauge. Maybe a friend would welcome a model that would work on their layout? Perhaps there's a certain special prototype that would make a great display model in a larger scale? Maybe the project will only end up making you appreciate your chosen scale/gauge that much more?
If you have a home layout that seems stuck, evaluate if it's going to satisfy your present needs as well as when you started it. If not, then maybe it's time to reconsider your approach? Maybe some is salvageable? Maybe it's a complete tear-out? If there is no home layout, consider a module, a mini-layout, or diorama, even if it's not in your primary area of interest. The most important thing herre is to size the project and materials so that you will end up with something you canm say is complete, if not wholly finished. Think small.
Consider chasing some prototype trains, even if what'slocal isn't an area of modeling interest. You'lllikely still learn a thing or two that will be useful.
I've probably rtambled on enough and not all applies to Bear, just as I've likely not covered every situation that leads to the modeling doldrums and certainly not every piece of the useful advice others have offered. The thing that's most important is that you don't need to be doing this and if the motivation isn't there right now, don't consider it a disaster, but simply an interlude when you don't feel the need to model right now. Having experienced the same, the need does come back. If the need is already there, be patient and the will will come along eventually. There's plenty of RR-related possibilities in our hobby that don't even involve touching a model; enjoy them and you'll likely soon be back to your old ways. If you're like me, it could get ugly, but something will get built.
"...And a close second most-bang-for-your-buck (and time) is ballasting...another one of those things too many people dread only because they haven't attempted it. Both of these tasks are in the category of "just do it" jobs, and forget all the hand wringing.
Wayne"
Thank you Wayne for the excellent post, and pics on painting track. I feel the same way at times about painting couplers, trucks, and wheels. It's not exciting, but the immense difference in how realistic our models look when that's done, it immediately gives one a great sense of satisfaction.
Alvie
I go through the doldrums phase every so often. Lately, I'll just put down the modeling tools, box up whatever freight cars are in the process of being built, walk away, and use that time to think over what do I want to do next, and go from there. I've come to feel I have enough train stuff in general, so much of what I'll do from now is finish off my collection of freight car kits, and enhance the models I have usually by adding weathering, extra detail parts, lighting, etc.
The idea of getting some Kato Unitrack and setting up enough track to run at home sounds great and one I will look in to. I do love going to my local club layout and running there, but it is nice to not have to go out sometimes.
doctorwayne This isn't a race, and if you approach it with a good attitude, it can actually be quite relaxing...almost therapeutic. Wayne
This isn't a race, and if you approach it with a good attitude, it can actually be quite relaxing...almost therapeutic.
Wayne
Dr. Wayne,
Ballasting for me is not a problem. Like you suggested with the painting I do sections at a time and when I get bored I stop. But paint and I never got along. If I walk by a paint bucket I'll get it on me.
Your tutorial on track painting sounds convincing and the pictures prove it. Your track really looks good as does the rest of your modeling. I'll be giving it a try.
As for painting track being theraputic, Ill let you know if I can cut back on the Xanax.
Thanks for the reply.
NYBW-JohnDoes the hobby help my ADHD? Not at all. In fact it seems to accentuate it.
Cheers, the Bear.
superbe...Before I do more scenery I have to paint track and for various reasons I need to do it by hand. Of all things that have to be done painting track is for me the worst part....
That's only because you assume it to be a rotten job. I have about 250' of mainline, not counting passing sidings, staging yards and industrial tracks. While the staging yards are "off-scene" and don't need to be painted, all of the rest was done with a brush. The layout is an around the room design, but since I often place my camera on the layout and facing towards the aisle, both sides of all rails needed to be painted.I used Pollyscale, and applied it using a fairly stiff 1/2" brush. There's no need to be too neat, as the rust and dirt on prototype rails ends up on the ties, too. After painting 10' or 15' of track, I used a dry rag over my fingertips to remove the dried, but not-yet-cured paint...it wiped off easily. Turnouts need a little more care, but only on the points and stock rails where electrical contact is needed. Set yourself goals for each painting session - perhaps from one turnout to the next or all of one curve or one straightaway. When it becomes tedious, cap the paint, clean your brush, and walk away. This isn't a race, and if you approach it with a good attitude, it can actually be quite relaxing...almost therapeutic.
Some random views...
While I tended to do mine in fairly large blocks, the beauty of it, compared to using an airbrush, is that if you've got 10 minutes before suppertime, or a half-hour before you have to go somewhere, then you've got time to accomplish something. Clean-up takes 30 seconds, if that. Of all the things we need to do to make our layouts look better, the easiest, and the one that gives you the most bang-for-your-buck (and for time spent) is painting rail...you may not believe it now, but when you start to do it, you will. And a close second most-bang-for-your-buck (and time) is ballasting...another one of those things too many people dread only because they haven't attempted it. Both of these tasks are in the category of "just do it" jobs, and forget all the hand wringing.
NYBW-John, tell me to mind my business, while it frustrates you from time to time, does the hobby also have the capability to help?? BTW, Your Mill Gorge in WPF looks great.
Thank you for the compliment. I spent the better part of two months on that scene, often reworking it to get the look right. I think I achieved what I was trying to.
As to your question, I'm not sure what you mean when you asked if it helped. Does the hobby help my ADHD? Not at all. In fact it seems to accentuate it. I can be so scatter brained at times. I am a master at hiding things from myself, whether it be tools or components. It is just one more thing that slows my progress. I think I spend more time looking for my tools than actually using them and I am not exaggerating.
Despite all the bumps in the road, I usually ended up getting what I set out to do. Sometimes the finished product is even better than what I originally envisioned as I get better ideas and make adjustments as a scene is being created. I am more artist than engineer. A plan is nothing more than a starting point to me.
Despite the fact it takes me three times as long to complete a project than I think it should, the end product usually makes all that extra effort worthwhile and it keeps me going to take on the next project.
Like many modelers I got completely out of the hobby when I was a teenager. Didn't get back in until I retired the first time. Started researching and buying things. I was well into prepartion to start construction of my railroad when I let the sheriff talk me into coming back to work. 4 more years went by with me just spending the extra money on trains. Then I retired for the last time (I think). I now had time for the hobby. But I found that if I worked on it full time it was like a job.
Right now I'm coming back from about a month off. During that time I had a couple of my grandchildren staying here with me and we did a lot of sightseeing and outdoor activities.
Now I'm getting interested in working on the railroad again. But there are other things in life so when I take another break, I don't worry about it. None of my projects has a dreaded suspense date....
Take a break, do other things, the bug will bite you again...it's fun....that's the purpose of the hobby and if it's not fun, do something that is fun for awhile.
Jeff White
Alma, IL
I have had the same thing happen to me. Dont do anything drastic.,just walk away. One time I got into flying radio control airplanes,after crashing a few of those $300.00 airplanes in a few months, I got to thinking about the train engines I had at home for 10 years & I never crashed one. Another time I decided to sell most of my trains,boy what a mistake. After a few months I wanted them back. What Im saying is just walk away for a while til the bug bites again then you will be good to go for a while.
A year and a half ago, my LHS closed. It was a victim of significantly higher rents, but the owner wanted to retire anyway. (The store is still vacant, by the way, so the strip-mall owner got nothing for his greed.)
Every month, I would check out the Walthers flyer and order stuff through the shop. I can do that direct, of course, but the old way saved the shipping charges, and a stop at the train shop always kept me in the mood.
Once the shop closed, I found myself doing less and less modeling, and almost no running at all, and that's the way it's been.
Now, I'm going through a divorce, I have to sell the house and the layout must come down and be packed away. For now, it will go into storage, and who knows if it will ever get re-built?
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
A while back I reluctantly took over as the co-ordinator/ organiser of the Clubs annual train show, I was busy enough with w**k and was also annoyed the time lost from my own modelling projects. After the show, I couldn’t get motivated to start back on my projects but figured that I was “trained out”, and just needed a breather. However, two months later I still find myself “stalled”. I go to the work bench pick up my current project, look at it, then put it back down. I then look at something else, then perhaps look through my future projects file, or look in a drawer and find a half done project I’d almost forgotten about. In essence, I’m spending a whole lot of time doing nothing! As you can see I’ve got more than enough to get on with but don’t seem to be able to escape from the Model Railroad Doldrums. My question is twofold, am I the only one to suffer from this malady, and if not, what’s your remedy to get back into a more productive mode? Cheers, the Bear.
No, you are not alone. I have had ADHD all my life, maybe even before they had a name for it. Staying focused on one task is problematic. My mind is always changing channels. It is the reason that the layout I figured would take me five years tops to complete has taken me over 16 years and there is still a substantial section to build.
The other thing I've learned is that model railroading can be mentally fatiguing. So many decisions to make and often that creates a mental block where I just don't feel like dealing with an issue which also halts progress on the layout.
I'm working through these issues, but it takes time. I'm hoping eventually I will get to where I am going.
Bear, Been awhile, but I've experienced a few unexplained model railroad becalmings.
Setting modest goals for projects both hobby and otherwise helps keep me motivated and strengthens my perseverance. When falling short of a goal there is solace in having made headway.
Reading and viewing MRR & MRH each month also keeps my fire stoked, so too this forum with the great exchange of ideas, methods, photos, movies and web links. But from day one it seems that viewing public layouts, plain old rail fanning and model railroad day dreaming has provided much in the way of traction towards sustaining my modeling drive.
BTW, sure hoping to one day see your splendid carfloat ferry in the drink.
Regards, Peter
Hey Bear!
Looks like we need to start a club!
I am in the same boat right now, but I do know why I stopped working on stuff, and I do know what I need to do to get back into it again.
First, I have decided to not feel guilty about taking a pause. I have a number of projects on the go, some of which I have posted about. I don't think that I will cause any crises by not posting on those projects for a while.
I stopped working on my various projects because I messed up the LEDs in one of my critter projects after having put a lot of time and effort into installing them. Basically, I left the wires too short. That ticked me off at myself for not thinking things through better and I haven't touched anything since.
I know exactly what I need to do to get myself back into the project(s). I need to clear off my workbench. I bought a number of car kits and electronic components recently and instead of putting them away I have allowed them to pile up on my workbench to the point where I have no space left to work in. I do lack storage space but that's nothing that a trip to the local Canadian Tire store wouldn't cure (they sell a lot more than tires).
The other thing that I seem to be lacking of course is a good swift kick in the butt!
May this thread be a motivator for us all!!!
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
JaBear:
do you think it could have anything to do with "no end in sight so where do I start (or resume)" fatigue? I've never been there (been back in the hobby for just 4 years). But even at that I've had very short periods looking at the unscenicked thing and thinking"I don't have it in me tonight." And scenery is my favorite bit! My plan, if I ever hit a lengthy wall, is to build a diorama or module. I'd love to have a Lake Superior ore dock but it's highly unlikely I will ever have the room for it on a layout, so would be a cool project with a distinct beginning and end. If that doesn't do it, maybe I'll dust off the drums and form a prog rock cover band. Maybe rrinker would come to a gig, haha.
Part of my problem with my basement style hobbies like trains & model kits & whatnot is the fact that my son is now 19, has a full time job, has a car, & a girlfriend in a distant town. Hes' busy with his young life now & doesn't have time for me like he did even 2 or 3 years ago. My dad is gone 3 years & the hobbies have fallen from something 3 of us did together to only me now & they just don't have the same 'feel' anymore. All this change in the last couple years really affected me & its' just not that exciting anymore like it used to be. Sometimes, I work on something, being careful to do a good job & make things look very realistic & detailed, & then when I finish it, theres' no one to show it to or enjoy it with & suddenly it all seems completely pointless.
Another setback is my declining patience. Sometimes, for some odd reason, I start a project & then lose focus & rush it thru without taking my time with poor results. I'm not really sure why that is, but it might be either boredom or frustration stemming from the first reason I stated.
One other thing is social media. The internet & Facebook have taken away some of my free time because I'm involved in a few different groups on industry, military, shipping, railroads, & architecture & posting, managing, & editing all my articles is so much easier than building & reparing things & I get a lot more instant feedback on it all.
I'm also running out of room to display model kits too because I have a small home. That makes it hard to get motivated to build something really big & nice if I can't show it off somehow.
Last, but not least, of my 4 friends that are into trains, 2 bought houses on the opposite side of town with a 45 minute drive on a good day, & over an hour in bad weather. 1 got married & had 3 kids right away & hasn't touched his trains in about 5 years- they all sit in boxes, & the last guy wants to buy a bigger house & has held off on modeling until he eventually moves some day. The result is- they're all either too far away, too busy, or just not active in hobbies anymore.
That about just kills it for me.
I have in my life been involved in,
Hangliding
Scuba diving
Flying. My friends and I would each rent planes and chase each other through the mountains North of Vancouver pretending we were fighter aces.
R/C and line control airplanes
A lot of both road and mountain biking.
Motorcycles and sportscars.
Guitars. I played for three hours in the early morning sun yesterday.
Backcountry backpacking. Even took a two week outward bound survival course.
A lot of golf. Worked at a Golf course for two years in high school.
Use to plummet down Whistler Mountain on skis as fast as I could possibly go.
I have also traveled a whole bunch and have had some real adventures in that department let me tell you.
Over the years I coached kids Softball, Baseball, and Hockey.
I have done some extreme river rafting in a few countries around the world.
Now do to being a high mileage unit my health is in decline and I have come full circle back to model railroading. MRR was what Dad and I did together and I am glad he introduced me to it. Dad had Muscular Dystrophy so Trains and sitting in a boat fishing is what we did together.
All of the above activities (and more) I did off and on throughout my life with the exception of skiing, biking, and golf which I did on a regular basis. I was never obsessed with any of them but enjoyed them all immensely.
My wife, sister and departed mother are/were involved in the dog show hobby at the highest levels and seem to be on airplanes to dog shows constantly. There are some pathetic sick obsessive individuals in that hobby, let me tell you. My sister and wife are never like that and avoid all those that are.
The one thing about all those things I have mentioned is that in each and every one of them they contain people involved them that are so obsessive about their interest that they wouldn't save their own children from a burning building if it interrupted making it to a dog show or missing a round of Golf.
Being able to take a break from an interest is a healthy thing and I often step away from my interest even if they remain top of mind.
I get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing I have a train room I can walk into and pick up where I left off whenever the spirit moves me. I have seen lives/families ruined through obsessiveness. Taking a break from anything is a healthy thing to do in my book.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."