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.
Bob
Don't Ever Give Up
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.
Wayne
NYBW-JohnDoes the hobby help my ADHD? Not at all. In fact it seems to accentuate it.
Cheers, the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
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.
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.
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.
Alvie
"...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.
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.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Ususally a trip to a train show or Regional convention, with a friend or friends, re-invigorates me.
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.
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 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
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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
Regards, the Bear.
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!
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.
Still having some picture posting problems! Today has been one of those days
Just made my 4th. edit
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).