I am still a young whipper-snapper at heart. However, I fear I am slowly slipping into into the state of being a curmudgeon.
I'm definitely in middle age, and now I know what it means- that's where all the weight I've gained has been going...... I do know that I get much more worn out, and earlier, when I'm doing yardwork now. But I don't feel the least bit offended by the title of this thread. Of COURSE it's a hobby, and there are folks of all ages and situations in life involved. It's interesting to know how people deal with their time, available funds, and family requirements to follow this hobby. Nothing more, nothing less.
I actually had the opportunity to operate on the C&S this past weekend as part of a "visitor session" for the Friends of the Burlington Northern Railroad historical society convention that was held in Tulsa. It is a fantastic layout...we really had a great time. This is relevant because of the discussions of limited time. Here's my "portfolio" of time spent. 1. Historical Society - I am the social media chair for the FOBNR and try to attend a convention every 3 years or so. Probably less than 15-30m/week on average, plus 4 days every 1,000 days. 2. Layout building/general model railroading. Probably 2 hours/month. 3. MRR Projects. Generally means freight cars/loco superdetailing, scratchbuilding, and kitbashing. Probably 4 hours/month. (include online research) 4. Forums. Probably 1-2 hours/week on average, which is too much. Actually it's been less of late. 5. Ops sessions. 5 hours/month on average. 6. Train Shows. Normally 1 or 2 local shows, and 1 "road trip" show/year on average. Last year I only made 1 local show. I usually travel to OKC for their show but last year was too icy. Figure 1 hour/month on average. (8-10 hours for OKC, 1-2 hours each local) 7. Other purchasing. Between eBay, LHS visits, e-tailer shopping, and hitting shops while travelling, probably averages 1-2 hours/month. These are probably high estimates, but even at that it seems pretty high. Part of that is that 5-6 years ago I had virtually zero money or time, so I've been "catching up" a bit. I've started backing off of the ops sessions and purchasing, plus less forum time as well. I want to really "finish" my layout to the point where I'm not doing major things to it and that will allow more time for other items or for paring back even more. (necessary with school) I suspect all of it will be limited in the coming months but I'm not 100% sure what the impact will be.
this last weekend the club was open for the county fair. Due to family commitments, and because I knew that most of the club seemed to always have someplace else to be in the afternoons of show days, I signed up for the 2-5 shift on Sunday. Which of course meant that the layout had been in heavy use for 2 days and all the quirks that brings on were in full effect. It also meant that every little flaw in my rolling stock was exacerbated. so I now have a new goal. Starting in July when I get back from my 4th of July vacation, I'm commiting to getting at least one piece of rollingstock onto the work bench to have it's couplers, weight and wheelsets tweaked. Or alternatively, attack the backlog of kits. Only once that is done for the week will I work on my layout or on club scenery. I just need to attack the backlog.
I am amazed at how the original question was perceived as being directed to everyone. Kinda like asking about N Scale engines and having people tell you about HO Scale couplers. YoHo, when time is at a minimum, it is a good idea to have some projects waiting for that spare moment in between work and running the kids to and fro. I use bad car forms so I can keep track of which cars are having issues. I try to have all the parts waiting so when that moment arrives, I can pounce: 1) Remove wheels and coupler pins 2) Check car weight 3) Graffiti the car(s) 4) Add BLMA crossover platforms 5) Weather the cars and their trucks 6) Paint the metal wheels (I use the Minuteman jig) 7) Check the wheel gauge 8) Test run car I try to knock out 4-6 cars at a time, I was trying to do 4 a week, but time constraints got in the way and now I'm happy if I get 6 a month done. It's a project that you can do no matter how big the layout and the family are.
I'm glad to hear that- the C&S is one of quite a few awesome layouts in the area (you weren't very far from Jim Senese's Kansas City Terminal in Claremore). It says an awful lot to George Maulsby's widow, as well as the members who keep the C&S going, that this fine layout is running. Plus, if you had some time, you could have caught a boatload of BNSF and UP action in Claremore. May not exactly be Saginaw, but still quite a few trains roll through. On the C&S, I prefer to either run the Sand Springs Ry. or one of the locals, if I'm not shanghaied into running the yard drill job (which really isn't that bad).
