When do you generally do your modelling and/or undertake an operating session? Essentially, how does your hobby fit into your everyday life i.e family/work/other routines and commitments? For instance; · If you have a family/partner do you try and fit your hobby around them maybe engaging in modelling or the layout when other members of the family/partner are/is out of the house, asleep or doing their personal and sometimes privatised activities such as watching the TV/gardening/reading etc? · Is your modelling/operating session a seasonal activity? Talking with modellers so far this seems fairly common for a variety of reasons. For instance for one person who was also a motorbike enthusiast he biked with his club alot at weekends during the summer (motorbike rally season) and spent the weekends in winter in the ‘railway room’. Another example has been that a workshop was too expensive to heat during the winter. On a related note; - Do you undertake a modelling session/operating session when you are in a certain mood, frame of mind? – maybe angry over something, frustrated by something or feeling sad, nostalgic, relaxed, excited? - Has there ever been any confrontations either with yourself or others over time spent with models and modelling? In an ideal world would you like to do less or more than you currently do?
Good question. I've been building layouts since 2006 I guess. I'm on layout #5 for me and have built around seven for others. I must admit that in seven years I've probably not logged ten hours total loco running time. Not my thing I guess. So while I spend a lot of time in the layout room my wife is always happy and lends a hand if I need one. Being retired model railroading is, for me, simply building and tearing down. I enjoy the journey not the destination and I don't really bother anyone doing my hobby. Jim
I have a workshop that does have heat. Sometimes, when we get to low double or high single digits, no way. Our operating sessions are once a month in winter, when the clocks change (last weekend) we go to twice a month. Printed waybills, we've had 20 distinct trains at once running. Occasional live steam visits, ties the railroad up something fierce when they run out of steam halfway up the 4%. Snow Plow Extras run when the weather requires. Sometimes if it looks bad, the plow is transported to the upper yard and stored. Rain, folks bring rain gear. Wife could care less about what I do....she has her own hobbies. Confrontations are limited to idiot operators who crash a long train and I have to go fix couplers. Or, park on the single track main to head to the can. Had to generate a new "rule" to cover that one. Dave
"Or, park on the single track main to head to the can." ha ha i've heard of crews parking a train to go eat lunch somewhere, but this is new for me.
Mine is the year around. Always has been. Not an obsession by any means, as I do a few other things as well. But it is always there as the mood might strike me.
I also model year-round, but, in contrast to many, I do most of my work in the summer months. I'm a skier, and I really don't care much for hot weather, so my winter weekends are often spent on-mountain at Sunday River in Maine, while summers are a great time to use the great outdoor paint booth and keep cool in the train room, which is heated and air conditioned. I still try to do some modeling and running during the winter, but there aren't a lot of hours available. Next year, though, I hope to retire, and then I will finally have all the time I want for my hobbies.
HI, I too model all year, but there are times that weeks and even months go without anything happening out at the Train Building, for example, I was away from home from February 1st to March 2nd this year. Planning for the trip took me away a few days before and the "Honey Do List" after getting back has kept me away. I really thought that once I retired a year ago that I would spend more time with the trains, but as my signature line states "So many projects, so little time." Events like the "Winter Layout Party" gets me out there and motivated. Gary
Since I now work away from home, my modeling is limited to weekends and only as I have time. I usually set up a tray table in the living room so I don't disapear into the train room and ignore my family.
I too model year round however modeling picks up in pace around February, March and into the summer months. From August to about November it slows done a bit as I am working on other hobbies. My home office is also my work shop and layout room and I usually eek out a few hours on the weekends when everyone is a sleep or watching TV. I often get accused of "disappearing from the family" when I work on my railroad projects since my girlfriend and her 13 year old are not interested in it at all like the are the model planes and Jeeps.
My life has been in a bit of turmoil since '05 so it is rather erratic. But, soon I hope to get back to motorcycling so the trains will have to wait for less favorable weather. I'm also now in an apartment so that will have some influence. And I'll have to wait and see what kind of job I might be able to get.
