I started my layout some 10 years ago, have roughly tripled the size, made changes to tracks, added buildings, planted landscaping and many other improvements. I also keep buying more rolling stock, but this has diminished some recently. Over the years I have used most of my time at the layout making changes and modifications, but have seldom taken time to run the trains. Also, over the years I have spent less and less time at my layout. I hope to resurrect my interest in the trains when winter comes to Iowa as I have a problem looking at a seldom used and somewhat expensive layout. Just wondering - do others have this same problem (if this is a problem)?
I’m a Builder. I don’t spend much time running my trains, either. When I do, I often just set them up to loop around the layout, and I railfan while tinkering with something. There’s something about large stretches of pink foam that makes we want to keep going on the scenery, and there’s something about small patches of it that makes me want to finish up that section and move on.
I keep telling myself I need to get involved with some group that does operations, so I can see how it’s done and implement something like that on my layout. But then, there’s some pink foam I want to get covered up first…
Yes, I have had your problem. Just be glad your hobby isn’t a boat. With a train layout you can shut the door and walk away, with a boat there’s license fee’s gas, upkeep etc. etc.
At times it’s difficult to maintain a high level of enthusiasm when it comes to hobbies. I’m sure it’s natural. Life has a way of getting in the way of leisure time. As human beings our moods change as does our degree of interest. A layout is a constant work in progress. It’s never truly finished even if it looks “finished.”
So go with the flow. I don’t see this as a problem at all.
Frank B.
Dorval, Canada.
I am also a builder. BUT - I knew there was a time coming that I needed to do more. Running the trains by myself was getting old, so I set up some operations so a couple of other guys could come over and run trains too.
Now I have regular operating sessions with three other regular operators at least once a month. This is a lot of fun. I think you should try it. You hear of those layouts that have five to ten people over to operate them, but even if you only have two people to operate your layout it’s more fun than with no one.
I am still improving and working on my layout, but now I look forward to the operating sessions.
The big risk is that you are doing this backwards. Building the layout and then saying, “Its done, how do I operate it?” is pretty much guaranteed to give a less than optimal result.
Its like doing all your scenery and track, then deciding to tackle the benchwork.
If you build the capability to operate into the layout, you will have a better result.
It is possible to build the layout first then modify it for operations, that is essentially what the real railroads did, starting with “scenery” and adding “operation” afterwards. If that appeals to you just remember, the real railroads did that by blasting their way through mountains and moving millions of tons of the scenery around. You just have to be willing to plow up the scenery you built to put in a railroad, just like the real railroads did.
My suggestion is to figure out the operation first, then build the railroad, then put in the scenery.
I like to build things, mostly buildings. My layout doesn’t really get used much from about the 1st of May to the end of Deer hunting season. For me MRing is mostly a winter time hobby. I’m still active in the summer but I don’t work much on the layout.
I’m like some of you guys. I’ve been spending all my time building, and not much running the trains. But when you get a few places finished with scenery, it looks so much better. So I continue to build. I also just started an extension room layout.
I don’t see a problem. Build now when you can, later you may not be able to thats when you relax and do operations.
It’s your hobby. Enjoy it in whatever manner you please. There is no law or commandment stating “Thou Shalt Run Trains”.
My problem is the opposite!
Once there’s enough track to do more than just shuttle back and forth like a ping-pong ball, I tend to spend more time running than I do building. Even when I approach the layout with the specific intention of doing a specific bit of construction, the temptation to, `Just run one train first,’ is often irresistable. As a result, construction progress is glacial.
HOWEVER, I’m still having fun. That IS what this is all about, isn’t it?
Chuck (Modeling Centra Japan in September, 1964 - eventually)