How's Covid-19 affecting your hobby time?

BNSF FAN Mar 18, 2020

  1. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Just for discussion (without getting political PLEASE), how is the Covid -19 threat affecting your hobby time?

    Foe me, we are still having to work our normal hours in the office but with so many places shut down, I am seeing that I will for sure have more free time over the next couple of weeks that I can devote to my models, layout, and another hobby. My only concern is if I need some supplies, I can't just run to the store and pick them up. Well, I could but the wife is already nervous about it and going a bit overboard to make sure we stay healthy so it's easier to just wait it out.

    So how about everyone else?
     
    Mo-Pac, SP-Wolf and nscalestation like this.
  2. Ashpit

    Ashpit TrainBoard Member

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    I could now work on the layout far more than I did when I was working. I'm retired and have been since the end of 2012. so the reality is I could put in as much time as I wanted.
     
  3. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    I have a ton of unfinished or unstarted projects as well as piles of supplies to create new projects. My usual mode of operation is to work on one till I get distracted by another. Eventually I end up finishing one. If I run out of anything, there are two two small shops in Houston I can sneak in and out of during a one hour trip. Not many folks gathering at any one time so worth the risk. And I get cabin fever if I stay in the train room too long so I may take a supply run just to get out of the house.

    I am ready to go.
    IMG_3027.jpg
     
  4. Many Trains

    Many Trains TrainBoard Member

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    I've got enough track coming to rebuild my small layout. I've used Unitrack and have an intermittent short in the turnouts. Decided to break down and use something totally different (Peco) and got my order placed before/if the shops get shut down.

    I've needed to do this anyways for a while, but dreaded taking everything up and starting over. But since I've potentially got a lot of free time, I figured I'd go ahead and take the leap!
     
  5. nscalestation

    nscalestation TrainBoard Supporter

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    My area (Santa Clara County, California) is one of the areas with a lot of cases and is under a shelter in place order. My wife and I are well stocked with necessary supplies and have not been going out at all for about 2 weeks . She is great about storing lots of food and ordering things on line.

    I too am spending more time in the train room and getting quite a bit done on my home layout. Not doing anything on modules right now as who knows when the next train show will be.
     
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  6. RailMix

    RailMix TrainBoard Member

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    The community college where I work part time is going to be closed until April 5th, so if anything I should have more hobby time, but then there's the matter of money. I haven't yet been able to find out what's happening with adjunct payroll and that could be an issue. Good thing I've been stockpiling kits for years.
     
  7. COverton

    COverton TrainBoard Supporter

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    I pick up my dearest who is flying back from a week in Calgary, AB, helping our youngest who is pregnant and due in June. They shopped, cleaned, etc, and today she's back and we'll go into 'hunker-down' mode for at least the next two months (British modelers have predicted that this will extend into the mid-winter, and that millions will die before this disease has run its course. After that, we'll need a vaccine, just as we do for measles and diphtheria.

    I expect to commence yard work since the next week is sunny and warmer, and probably to start serious work on the layout after about 15 months of absence.
     
  8. gmorider

    gmorider TrainBoard Member

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    I too am (working on being) retired. Still more time at home than I would like. I hope the April train show is not cancelled. Good Health to all. :cool:
     
  9. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    Well, this just got interesting. I am on my spring vacation to match the kids spring break. I now will have to work from home. While me doing hobby work is a stress reliever, it stresses out the wife, unless I can justify it...
     
  10. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    If any effect, it is less time available, due to increased work hours.
     
  11. Metro Red Line

    Metro Red Line TrainBoard Member

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    To be honest, though I'm working at home now, I haven't gotten to modeling yet (aside from running trains occasionally). I have made progress in cleaning up my room though :) I'm sure the layout work will continue in due time!
     
  12. Keith Ledbetter

    Keith Ledbetter TrainBoard Member

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    Increased work hours dealing with and schools closed so homeschooling 2 elementary kids so almost zero time now.
     
  13. Onizukachan

    Onizukachan TrainBoard Supporter

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    No real difference for me, they just sent us home today to work from home until this thing blows over. Pretty much same, jsut an hour earlier and everyone will have sundays off, and one other day instead of my normal Friday Saturday. Will find out next week what my schedule for next week will be.

    if anything maybe a little less time as now we had to move our work equipment home and set up a home office in the kitchen, little shorter commute now, 15 feet instead of 15 minutes! Lol.
     
  14. Mike VE2TRV

    Mike VE2TRV TrainBoard Member

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    So far, not very much. I still work at the office, and we're already in minimum staff mode, with lots of "social distancing".

    I already do some work at home (programming) but the electronics hat needs to be worn at the office.

    In the event that I would need to work from home, I'll set up a small table in my layout room and work on the laptop while nice trains do their thing right next to me. :)

    These days, that's a darn sight better than watching TV...:rolleyes:

    And if I get bored with work, I can either pop a DVD in the playing machine thing or get onto one of my modeling "work orders" (fixing various layout or rolling stock issues). Or assemble a kit. Or fill a hopper with a simulated load (Brita filter contents make neat coal). Read books on trains. Take a walk in the fresh air.

    The worst part is that the Tim Horton's coffee shops have closed off their dining areas. Take-out, drive-thru or delivery only.:coffee::eek:

    The best thing is to keep good spirits (emotional, not alcoholic - maybe a bit of both helps ;)).

    Have fun, play with trains. Best hobby ever.
     
  15. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    The Mississippi Coast Model Rail Museum is closed to the public. However some of us (less than 10 at any one time) are still building/repairing exhibits spread out over a 20,000 square foot area. Interestingly, and unplanned, two guys dropped in to work on their exhibit just as Ben and I were leaving. Gotta keep the population under 10. :)
     
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2020
  16. SP-Wolf

    SP-Wolf TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yesterday was my first day of working from/at home. It is very strange. I was pretty much busy all day -- other then my normal 10-15 minute commute (each way) - not much has changed. So -- no additional MRR time.

    Y'all stay safe and healthy,
    Wolf
     
  17. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    Well, in my area, this weekend was supposed to be the NMRA PNR Spring Meet, but it has since been postponed indefinitely. I had been working furiously and feverishly to get my T-Trak Z modules ready, but it looks like I have another 6 months or more to prepare now.

    I'm mail ordering bulbs and flowers for my spring garden to avoid public interaction at the garden center this spring. And I am going camping up in the mountains next weekend for some fishing, 4 wheeling, and cookout fun with family members who live in a rural area not yet affected by pandemic.

    I can't wait to try my new toy, a 22" cowboy wok made from a plow disc.

    So, to answer the question, Covid-19 is giving me lots more hobby time.
     
  18. Mr. Trainiac

    Mr. Trainiac TrainBoard Member

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    My school has been out all week, as well as next week. We have online classes, but of course our workload is less. The week after next is spring break, so I will not be at school for 3 weeks, if we even get back after spring break. Our quarantine might go longer; there is talk in California that schools may not go back at all. Other states may follow suit if the coronavirus doesn’t die out soon. I don’t live anywhere near California, so hopefully we can get back to normal soon.

    I am getting back to the Diamond project (again) to see if IRM has drawings in the Pullman Archives. I don’t know if the Museum is even accessible to staff as of now, but I sure do have a lot of time on my hands, so I might as well talk to somebody there and see.
     
  19. Philip H

    Philip H TrainBoard Member

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    Me, the MRS, and all three kids are now home for the duration. We are both teleworking and the kids have about 4 hours a day of online school . . . so there's no real additional hobby time during the week. This is our first weekend coming up with most of our social activities and engagements cancelled, so other then routine yard work I may have a couple of extra hours here and there.

    Now if I can get someone to deliver the two sheets of 1 inch foam I need to finish the layout sections i have built that would help.
     
  20. Ashpit

    Ashpit TrainBoard Member

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    I have lost some interest in working on the layout, don't know if it is because of the Covid 19 situation; or, not. I'm also noticing that my abilities have decreased, I attribute this to old age. I just don't seem to be able to be as precise as I once was!!
     
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