Has anyone ever started a layout at say age 75 or 76?

I moved from Pennsylvania to North Carolina, the hobby room will be done in December and I will start a new layout at 71.

I have a friend that started a very elaborate layout at 75 and in two years he has six trains running at a time complete with different elevations, he is now starting ballasting and landscaping.

Mikey

Sure.  I started one at 85.  My advice, though, is to keep it modest.  Remember, you may have time to build it...but in later years lack the energy to handle the maintenance.  I'm having fun with mine, and plan to keep on doing so as long as possible.  

                                                                                                                                     You're never too old.

                                                                                                                                                               Logan 

It won't take you long to be operational at some level if you plan your build right.Besides it has been said the journey may be more exciting than the destination.Go for it you aint dead yet.Nick

Haven't been to medical school, but I can recognize the symptoms of 'run a trainitis'.  In the cases I have diagnosed the frame work is in place and some track is laid when the disease begins its incubation period.  This is the critical time.  If a section can be wired and an engine with a few cars run back and forth, the disease can be cured.  However, if the work continues until a complete loop is constructed and wired, the disease can still be cured by running a small train.  The cure only comes when a train has been run.  The stage of the layout does not matter.  Not all (if any) scenery needs to be in place, not all (if any) buildings need to be in place, not all (if any) spurs need to be in place.  All that is needed to conquer this disease is to run trains.  How are you going to feel if two years if you do not start this new layout?  Do you plan your life in two year segments?  Is your current layout such that segments could be altered?  A new spur(s) or crossing track, different era buildings?  A new body of water?  A body of water removed?  Small changes may be easier than a new layout and would not allow the disease a foot hold.  Are you in a national train club which has members in your area who might help you?  A weekly/monthly construction session does wonders for morale as does a weekly/monthly operating session. John in Lansing, ILL

I'll be starting my next layout next spring once we get moved, I'll be 75 in the summer.  I don't see any reason that I can't squeeze one more out.

You're never too old to have fun.  I'll be 70 in two months and my layout is still in the planning stage.  As Logan Matthews pointed out, try to keep it modest.  

I have a garden railway that is twenty-five years old.  During that time, I had much more detail than I have now.  Without diminishing the size of the railway, about 125' in length by about ten feet deep, I have slowly simplified it during the last few years.  My point is that maintaining all of the detail get's old as we do.  

As I mentioned in another thread, my new "O" gauge layout will be a post-war display, featuring operating accessories as the main focus.  I have a space in the garage attic that is about fifteen feet by maybe ten feet that I plan to utilize.  At least, with an indoor layout maintenance should be easier on my back and knees.   

I had a friend who started a 3-rail layout when he was 99.  With the help of some friends, he had it running  with full scenery in his garage when he was 100.  He also bought himself a new very hot Porsche for his 100th birthday.  (He was a former race car driver and loved to go very fast.)  Unfortunately, he passed away at age 102 after a very short illness.  He had a very good time those last two years.

NH Joe

I'm 69, I started my layout about 23 years ago and guess what, I restart it every time I go into my train room.

Don't worry, we are never to old to have fun! When it stops being fun start a club and let the younger people do the work.  

I started a round-the- room 9x16 attic layout in January 2010 at age 78.  I had just demolished a 25x15/12x8  layout just down the hall here in our Greensboro October 2009 and in Spring  2008 had already removed the twin shelf 5 track airborne operation at our mountain cottage in western N.C..  Health issues were driving us from the hills as well as from the upstairs room here in our Greensboro condo where the layout [above] was being vacated for installation of the Domestic CEOs exercise and viewing equipment .

In the little attic room I had trains up and running on double track and a service yard fully tracked by mid February 2010 when I became ill and I have done little since except place some structures. Unfortunately in old age one cannot schedule when something is going to break and the MDs have to fix it. More unfortunately things have kept breaking but still more fortunate have been fixed. Very lucky but unable to do very much physical work but I'm hopeful

I'm 72 and planning to build a layout in the next few years.  I don't even see what the issue is?

Bill

I'm 74 and just starting a new around the room layout.  Mobility is a problem for me so the new layout will have a max depth of 30" and a height of 32" which will allow me to work on it from my electric scooter.  I also have COPD and need supplemental oxygen at times from my portable oxygen concentrator.  I'm hoping to have another 20 years to enjoy my train.  So go for it Dennis.  We're never too old to have fun.  

Dennis Rempel posted:

And how did you do energy wise in working on it. I know some people build 2 or 3 or 4 layouts in their life. I'm contemplating starting a new one and am afraid of running out of gas before I get it operationable. It would take me a couple of years to get it running.

If I don't ever get it running I would have nothing whereas I do have a layout in that place now that I can run in my old age.

I'm 74 and have been building the Cabin Lake & Western mostly alone for 10+ years.  My partner now retired works on it with me now so when I run out of steam, which does happen, get discouraged .. whatever, she reminds me "we're making progress!" it keeps me going and diminishes the concerns about age and getting it "done" ... mostly because a layout is never done anyway!  But it runs, it's fun, and now actually has some "scenery" in the way of buildings and a couple of cars and trucks.

If your focus is more on running trains than scenery, my advice is to keep the scenery simple.  There are a lot of options out there now to make scenery a lot easier than in the past, while still keeping realism.  The Woodland Scenics Scenery Sheets come to mind for creating terrain, mountains, etc without all of the plastering.

Yup. I'm 74 also and presently tearing down my existing layout in order to build an even better layout. I believe that playing w model trains keeps our minds and body young at heart.

jim r

I’m an old west fan and built a small layout 4ft x 8ft one train. Unsatisfied so expanded to a dog bone 12ft x 6ft two to three Trains. Still unsatisfied so started building up until I was running 5 Trains at once. This all in two years - started at 73. Recently needed a change  so I tore it all down and went back to small layout again but with lots of scenery representing Tombstone and the old west. Lots of fun to be had.

YOU WILL NEVER BE YOUNGER THAN YOU ARE TODAY GET STARTED AND ENJOY

Dennis,

I'm close to 60 and may not get around to another layout before retiring and maybe moving. So, I'd be interested in your decision and if you move forward, I would be glad to follow your progress.  

Tom 

Well, that's a Fair Question,  are you a Young 75 or an Old 75, if you feel good, have energy, and possibly a friend or two in the hobby, and a nice room, by all means Get Started. You measure your Wealth by your Health, so if all systems are operational, its time to get your Plans in order and Build a layout to Run Your Trains. I started my layout 20 years ago, age 53, and now am 73 and feel really good. (Also some good friends)  I enjoy working on the layout and we have a lot of fun when friends are over running our trains. As someone said earlier, Your never going to be Younger, so, for us Senior Kids, its time to have fun. Your layout does not have to be big or fully landscaped to have fun. Its all about having fun in this great hobby...

leapinlarry posted:

I started my layout 20 years ago, age 63, and now am 73 and feel really good.

Larry,

You are either fibbing, or mathematically challenged..... Laughing with you, NOT at you!

Simon

Why not ??  I started my last one at 80, I think and am 83 now. If I had the space I would start one today. I like to run trains so didn't waste too much time on scenery and wiring.

I had to tear down my layout to make a repair to the wall behind it.  When the repair was finished I decided to rebuild but smaller and more simple.  I am 79 and still have lots of energy (play golf 3 times a week) but I just didn't feel like crawling around under a layout and installing extensive wiring.  So I built a layout that is about 6'6'' wide by about 10' long with a 10' extension along one wall that is a yard complete with Menards big power plant.  I used Lionel Fast Track with two loops isolated at a crossover.  Also Fast Track 042 TMCC switches.  Two wires to the inside loop; two wires to the outside loop.  The entire things runs smoothly with no derailments and no problems.  It's really a display layout that lets me run most trains except for the very biggest.  I could work on it in my leisure and enjoy it any time I want.  

Yes, thanks for correcting my math, yes, I was 53 when I started my layout, "Leapin Larrys Looney Lines RR, really the Quad L System. Your never to old to start building your layout, if you have your health, space and the desire to have Fun....

My dad started a layout 7 years ago at 75 and is now 82. He loves the challenge and swears it is helping to keep his mind sharp. He even sold most of his gun collection to finance his trains and layout. Some nights he is so into it, my mom has to drag him to bed 3 o'clock in the morning. One day he said to me, David, I have more fun with toy trains then any gun or target shooting has ever given me. Ride on Dad.  

Like Dennis, I moved from New York to North Carolina 2 years ago.  I have built, and am continuing to build, a new layout and I‘ m 72.  So, why not!

A family member started his most recent layout at 71 and years later is still doing fine. I think his only regret was designing the new layout with a duck under and having to go under that every time he wants to run trains. 

Let me offer you a practical concern, as well as encouragement to go ahead and indulge yourself, with planning and intelligence; plus, enthusiasm.

You may want to consider building a layout that has every inch of it within arm's-reach of your standing in the aisle(s). I'd also keep crawling around on my hands-&-knees to a minimum.  Plan carefully and cautiously.

I offer that advice because, at 73, I am not looking for reasons to mount the layout any more - climbing aboard, especially at this spot which is where I usually used to climbed aboard....

....putting a ladder by that pole and... ....stepping over those bridges, into the valley of the first level, with the second and third levels around me...

....both within reach, when needed (derailments; dusting; changing trains on the upper levels, etc.) I had thought about going up, a couple days ago, but decided it was not sufficiently necessary to do so.

Also, you can always start with one size; then, expand it later if your imagination requires it and your energy permits it. I did. Those two sections of the layout on the left and right of the top photo were not part of the original plan. They were added later once I had what had been planned accomplished and running.

That's the best perspective I can offer you, from personal experience, Dennis.

FrankM

Just turned 75 this past October and added an LGB oval to my standard gauge layout/display. Does that count?

I think there are only three valid reasons not to start a layout in your mid-70s:

1) a move is coming, whether it be to assisted living, a one floor ranch home, or downsizing

2) your health is failing you or you expect it to

3) you simply can't afford it

These reasons actually apply to all people, regardless of age.

I say go for it.  Being, say 75 or so, just means you're a little older and likely retired.  But you are not dead.  Far from it.  So enjoy your layout, family, friends, and every sunset and sandwich while you can.

Good luck and stay young!

All 75 year-olds are different. I'm 75 and have been blessed with very good health (even though I'm hard of hearing, have a hip replacement, and take heart pills). Seems like I'm about the only one doing their own yard work. I've pretty much traveled the world in the past 7 years (16 countries).

I'd say the fact that you might be downsizing your living space is important to consider. On the other hand, I found building scenic items for my small layout was a great hobby in itself. It also helps if you have other hobbies and interests besides trains. I have quite a few.

A lot of good advice but everyone is different and you have to be willing to make a cold, hard assessment of your situation. What you like to do in model railroading, what is possible and achievable. If I did scenery I would certainly try to make it as  light and simple as possible. Keep everything within reach.  Good luck- do it !!

Have you considered a modular layout, perhaps using the LCCA standards and plans for the portable benchwork?  You can control the size of it.  If you move, it can go with you.  You can put it in your will.  You can reach everything.  And you can really enjoy running your trains.

There is no reason that you can't add scenery to modules.  I'm 71, and - although in very good health and physical condition - I would enjoy the easy and somewhat repetitious (learn by doing) module construction, to have the trains actually running while taking on the scenery one module at a time.

I'm 87 and I am still building layouts. Also the last 2 years I have been seeing America. I have taken the Silver Meteor, California Zephyr, Southwest chief and in June will be taking the Empire Builder.

ogaugenut posted:

I'm 72 and planning to build a layout in the next few years.  I don't even see what the issue is?

Bill

Agreed.  My layout is fairly modest, but I started it when I retired, at 65.  And last year, I started a Marx/Lionel tinplate layout, to which I am in the process of adding a K-Line barrel loader.

I began the 10-by-5 layout pictured below at age 69-1/2 - when I retired about 3 years ago. It has been therapeutic and has kept me occupied more than anything else during retirement. Layout was designed to be transportable and is built in two lightweight 5-by-5 sections which can be lifted off the Mianne benchwork and moved. I have built everything on the layout including the scratch-built truss bridge, trestle, extruded foam scenery (the hill and tunnel are removable), and scratch-built and craftsman kit structures. Although it's just an oval, it's taken a lot of time - just what is needed during retirement. Layout now about 90% complete and I hope to add another 5-by-5 section so that I can continue working on it. I think it's best to start with a small layout in which the initial modules can be completed in a few years and then expand it later if circumstances and interest permit.

MELGAR

If  I was starting over at age 74, the layout would be a shelf type around the wall , no more than 2 feet wide and  between 3 and 4 feet high, I'm not sure of the perfect height.    

Melgar - I agree with your ideas. Nice work.  Yes, a layout is really good for the "golden years" or whatever they call them. I miss mine. My layout was  32" high so I could get 3 legs out of a 96"(8 ft) piece of wood and worked very well for me. (6 ft tall)

Kudos to everyone here who still has the stamina, drive, wherewithal, and still remain limber enough to still do this. At 71, I am still working on may first and probably elevated layout.  All my life I have been running on carpet central layouts.  But, I am having fun with this one.   Good luck to everyone in their current and future endeavors.

Well, both my wife and I am 79 and started building a modest 28x12 ft. layout 3 yrs. ago this coming Feb.. I would safely say it is about 90% completed.Gargraves,Ross, Brennan ballast,DCS control ,the whole enchilada . We are still spry enough to climb into the remote spaces to work ,either above the platform or below.We have more time to do this now than any time in our lives having sold our sailboat and retired from ski teaching [27 yrs.]. The beauty of living on the coast of Maine is that we have great winters to spend in the train room.