i was just curious what do you do when and even if you get to the point that what you are doing on your layout you get bored? well, not really bored but you just get to the point that you do not want to do anything on it. i feel like i am at that point right now, maybe i should hit Discount Trains. i am sure that would get me going again.
that's when I switch over to this: Spruance Project Everyone has the 'ol boredom phase once in a while. I'll just blow it off for a while.. watch movies instead.. It'll come back eventually. If it doesn't can I have all your stuff? :tb-biggrin:
WOW, VERY IMPRESSIVE !!!!! I was involved with the Foster when she was being built at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, MS, then worked with her first skipper for many years after he retired, so what you are doing is close to my heart. Sorry, I'm not hijacking this thread, just wanted to applaud an outstanding project. :thumbs_up:
I find it helpful to sometimes switch from working directly on the layout to doing some projects on the workbench like; coupler conversions, engine maintenance, building a structure, armchair dreaming, making trees, etc. Sometimes a change of focus helps.
I got into N gauge recently as a change of scene from my O gauge HiRail pike. I still like my O scale but it is refreshing to do something different for a while. Sure things can get stale, but try asembling some kits or researching and scratchbuilding something like a large coaling tower or even your childhood home. After I run my course with N gauge I'll be back bigger than ever in O scale. Already my O scale juices are stirring again. Odd-d
I got through times, (in one right now), where I don't do much with the layout, or running. However, I generally don't drop it completely. When I am in a slump and too lazy to do big projects, I tend to just tinker with some smaller stuff and details. I am now tinkering with my Rock Island consist, doing little things and small steps just to keep me busy. Eventually, I get gung ho again, and that is when I do the bigger stuff, and spend alot of time with the actual layout.
There's always non-layout stuff to be done. I enjoy fiddling with freight cars as much as anything...detailing, etc. I have at least half of my fleet that need "direct attention" and I guarantee I could find SOMETHING to alter on every single car and loco I own if I really had the mandate. Building structures, as mentioned, is always a good thing because like rolling stock they can be translplanted to new layouts. And of course research is always a good fallback. The great thing is it's mostly free and only takes your time, not your money, like Discount Model Trains will. ;-) But, the trip to DMT could definitely inspire as well. And maybe some railfanning along the way. But not today! Then you might have to factor in auto body repair to the cost of the trip. I'm sure it will be fine by the afternoon though.
I switch from work to operation or from operation to detailing with mini scenes,from doing that to whatever I find to do for a change of pace which will include painting and decalling freight cars. There is always something to do. On the other hand HO became boring with no layout and not that much to do so,I switch to N Scale as my primary scale so I can have a layout..Since doing that I have built several buildings for layout use and ready to start building the layout.
Pretty much the same for me. If I dread doing something on the layout, I avoid it until I finally get the motivation. In the meantime, there are other little things I can do. The hobby has many facets, and I dabble in most of them. If it's no longer fun, I stop for a while. Like DiezMon, I also do something completely different. Model railroading is a winter sport for me. During spring, summer and fall, I'm an avid gardener. So the trains collect dust for a while. Keeps me away from the boredom thing pretty well.
I don't really get bored so much as I get burned out after doing a few marathon days or weeks of work. In that case I usually leave it and go do other stuff--with two young kids there is usually no shortage of other activities to participate in! As a matter of fact, as of today I haven't touched the layout in about a week and a half after burning out a bit trying to get projects done for the Winter Layout Party thread. Jamie
Burned out is my thing as well. I take a vacation and go to Disneyland! Well, not quite. Not without a senior discount. I do take a vacation in the sense of working on a non-model railroad project. For example I've been working on a church sound system. Not so different when it comes to the basic electrical applications. The only thing is I like to blow the Santa Fe Super Chief Horn to announce the Pastor. I wonder why I was fired from the job? Don't believe everything you hear. Oh, I want to blow that horn. Sort of a Gabriel thing...LOL. I know better...grumble, mumble, mumble, drat it, aw shucks! Someday, it will happen...heeheehee! I went from the grunt on the job, to training the new sound techee's, to being in charge. Maybe that explains why I'm the only one running the sound system? Or the only one foolish enough to accept the responsibility. Well, that's not entirely all true. There are four of us on the sound committee presently working together to get her done. Yep, I can fib or stretch the truth...just entertaining you! All kidding aside: The four of us on the sound committee are doing well and providing not only a quality product but attentive attention to the details of each program we amplify. It's not our job to tell them how to run the program but it is our job to amplify it. When my model railroading turns into a job, "JOB" did I say Job? At that moment, it's time to find something else to do for a awhile. The above is the perfect distraction or vacation. Then it's back to the fun of model railroading. Fun! It shasta be fun. Switching gears. Now someone besides me hasta remember the lines we made up when drinking Shasta soft drinks. They weren't bad drinks either. Of course I'm diabetic now...hummm...it was fun while it lasted. Fun! If it isn't "FUN" it isn't worth the effort...don't do it! Let's see 'Insanity" defined is: Running around in circles, doing everything the same way and expecting different results. Kind of like watching a train circling the layout and expecting it to show up at a different location... on said layout. Only if you take responsibility, appropriate action and throw the right switches...grin! Aw, "Turnouts" for you youngsters and newbies! But that's a differenet discussion for another thread.
Like some of the other posters, I have read railroad related material and railfanned in the past to alleviate the burnout. I have also quit my job and went on a 2.5 year railroad "sabbatical" while I took a vacation, learned to drive a truck, drove a truck, spent a month living in a hotel room feeling sorry for myself, finding another job, getting disgruntled, and finally coming back to model railroading for a nice diversion.
i guess i should change what i said about being bored. after reading what you all have said, i would say it is more of BURN OUT! i guess what bothers me the most is i live about an hour from Discount Trains in Addison, and when i run out of "stuff" from my last trip, i just feel like there is nothing for me to do. i am motivated, to do something, just really dont know what. i am home today because of ice, have to have root canal tomorrow, so i am going to have a few days to work. i dont have any more couplers to install, mostly out of scenery material, locos are all running great, track is good and clean. suggestions?
I wish I had enough train time to get bored! You can always weather rolling stock, add signs and details, change something, start ops, or simply let go of it and start over.
Wish I lived that close to Discount Trains or any other hobby shop for that matter. Every time I get to the Fort Worth area (have a friend in Haslet, TX) I try to get to Discount Trains. Sometimes twice per visit. As for burnout I too have experienced it. I just go off to one of the items on the Honey-Do-List. Gary
