Well, the leaves are changing and it’s cooling off. I’m starting to get that itch to work on the RR, etc. I don’t model during the warm months as there are other hobby interests then. An interesting thought crossed my mind today, I don’t really have a major objective(usually plural) this season. Probably the first time in decades. I mean I know I want to work on my Polar Express train, but don’t feel a compelling desire to finish it. Maybe I’ll develop one later?
How about you, is this the time you get back into it and do you have a main objective this year?
Richard,I’m active in the hobby 52 weeks a year the only “slow down” is during railfan and fishing season here in Ohio. but,I still model during the hotter summer days when its better being under the A/C then outside.
I don’t fool with gardens or stuff like that nor do I have any interest in yelling “FORE!” and then whacking a small white ball and chasing down only to repeat the process until I finally hit it into a hole containing a round plastic cup…
It’s a really good way to get a free lunch and a couple of beer while sitting out on a beautiful deck while looking at the girls view. It just takes a round of golf to make your buddy buy it for you. [(-D]
MRRing is not seasonal here in 'Bama. Its a year round affair, along with railfanning, fishing, (no closed season).
However you won’t get me on a golf course again. As Stephan Fachit (IIRC) of NPR, (he does the sport news there), wrote about golf, he described it perfectly with the title, “A Long Walk Spoiled”.
This issue and question comes up every now and then. Winter is certainly a more active time in MRing for me, at least. I have too many interests, sidelines and hobbies already. Being a model rail is just one of them. Winter shuts down shooting, rock hounding and some scientific endeavors that favor good to moderate weather.
Of course, the weather hear in Virginia is still very pleasant, thus, increased MR activity is still off on the horizon.
The model railroading is a year round activity for me. Since I’m moderately disabled and vigorous outdoor activities don’t work well. I do get out to the rifle range when the wallet allows me and I feel inclined to do additional driving other than going to work. Also here in northern Nevada when you are a non gambler like me…well, there just isn’t all that much to do. The model railroad becomes a lifestyle.
Year round modeling here. The warmer months are the slower months, with baseball, hiking, and canoeing/kayaking. But I still do work and routine maintenence on my HO layout throughout the year. Off to a great start on my Son’s new N Scale layout. That will be our (his and my focus) this fall-winter-spring. Really enjoying it and really excited about it!
I’m also year round, but the warmer months require lawn mowing and other outdoor chores that cut into my time. Fall is football season. So Winter is my most active time.
I get less railroading done mid year for a variety of reasons, spending more time in town and indoors in the fall through early spring. Last winter, having got the new layout track down and working, I spent more time on structure and freight car kits, plus a significant track revision.
This fall/winter I plan to make major progress in scenery (have just started with some slopes and hills), plus hope to get the trackage painted (including taking on the new airbrush in a box) and ballasted.
Golf is year round here, for those so inclined (insanity helps, expecting different results from the same repeated efforts).
I once caught grief on this forum for stating that I felt Model Railroading was somewhat seasonal. I mean of course there are people like Brakie who do it year round. However, I still think that a majority of us Model Railroaders work on this hobby, seasonally. During nice weather, I am in my shop very little as I have other activities I’m involved with.
Since speculating on what we do with our free time is pure conjecture anyway, I’m going to stick with my hypothesis and I urge you to stick with yours!
`The good news I got to enjoy my other passion this year, fishing, since I have more flexibility in my right hand.This is the first year since I lost 80% use of my right hand after having a heart attack in '05.I slowly regain 70% use of my right hand since that time.To be sure my modeling did slow this summer but,I manage to build 14 MDC car kits and detail two locomotives-my turning away from RTR to kits would make a interesting topic but,one that I will never do.
Of course I always preferred to be under the good old A/C when its above 90 or inside on rainy days.[(-D]
I’ll say I model 45 weeks out of 52 in a year. There are periods when I have almost zero free time and/or access to the layout: The first week of September, when my kids go back to school and there are all these mandatory parents’ meetings; the entire month of December, when everybody and his brother/sister is having a Christmas or Hannukuh(sp?) party; and two separate weeks in the summer, when my family visits relatives on distant corners of the continent.
We’re skiers, so I have an inverted modeling calendar. My winters are busy, but I’m not one for heat so I do much of my modeling when it’s too hot to be outside. I still get a bit done mid-week in the winter, but generally progress slows to a crawl in another month or two, and doesn’t pick up again until the snow melts.
I do model all year 'round but it’s been on-and-off throughout the year for about the last three years. In summer it slows down with increased outdoor activities as well as increased social activities.
as a consequence, work on the railroad goes very slowly. At the beginning of this year, I expanded the layout. So far I have the benchwork up and roadbed almost all laid down. As this is a small switching layout, I don’t go off of a track plan; laying out track on the bench top is easier to visualize than a drawing, so I’ve been trying to figure out the best “bang for the buck” in the small new space that I have added.
I am with you Larry ! Never really understood the fans for that game. Other than it seemed to be an excuse to leave the office, be out doors with friends and drinking of alcohol laden beverages. I think the latter part is the has the most draw.
Anyway back on topic. I model in the heat of the summer. After working out all day in the heat I am about AC in the evening . During spring and fall we are B**ls to the walls and not much time for fun. After the first f the year production is slowed down a bit. Get more in then.