Have you turned your attention...

Absolutely its now all about the environment the RR operates thru and details details details to make the most realistic scene possible and weathering the operating equipment. Simply put its art! And I get great satisfaction doing it. And Ill tell you I have over 150 engines and a thousand pieces of rolling stock.

WOW! You sure know how to play, Don!

I never turned.  Since getting back into model trains right after college, it has always been more about building the layout and modeling buildings, roads, scenery, etc., than operating trains.  Even as a kid, I know I spent more time moving  and accessories and track around, constructing train bridges from erector sets and buildings with Lincoln logs, etc., than actually playing with the trains.  

Like you, I have a lot of locomotives - about twice as many all the rolling stock I have and so many that most get run, if they are lucky, once a year for a day or so,  but I like to look at them on the shelf and I do keep three or four trains running whenever I am working on the layout.  

Not a big buyer of stuff. I do tend to be loco for locos, but I prefer to run my trains rather than keep them in boxes or on shelves, so a layout is mandatory for me. Mine isn't big or super detailed, but it allows me to run my trains. I have more locos and rolling stock than will fit on the layout at one time, but everything gets run for a week or so.

Once a layout is running, I seem to slack off in finishing details in favor of running trains, but I do keep at the layout work.

I've slowed buying stuff....and I am working on building a layout. I have more than enough trains.....but always looking for deals!

It's why even after 40 years of doing it I STILL prefer having just a Christmas layout.  I change and improve things every year and I consider the planning and "preparing" process (making new things, buying, etc) as a very big part of the enjoyment that I get in the hobby.

- walt

I have few trains, compared to many of you, and my 5 small layouts (5x8 "O", 6x3 "S", 2x4 "N", and 2 "O" Christmas) are full, scenic -wise...right down to detailed interior buildings and passenger cars.

I am, however, adding to other interests, shooting, and reading 3 books a week on average.

I think for myself I rode the crest of a wave and I am coming down the other side. This came from wanting to have what I owned as a kid. Add to this disposable.  income and as a grownup kid I was turned loose like a kid in a candy store.

As  kids I think the vast majority of us pined for this or that without any means to get what we wanted. Waiting for Christmas and birthdays etc. A lot of lost opportunities.

As an adult I made up for lost time in a big way. I went further up that cresting wave with layout building. Now I have three layouts. Clockwork, Garden and O.

I spend about an hour each week running the trains which I still enjoy but you can only spend so much time running trains until it becomes stale or at least for me.

I still enjoy the hobby but not with the same goals in mind.

Frank:

On the surface what you have said is very logical. I think many have done just what you have said and applied their resources to building or modifying their layouts. Having said this, here comes out of the blue a long sought after engine. Enough said.

I totally agree with your philosophy and have been doing just that and really enjoying it.  Working on scenery is much more rewarding than seeing how many engines I can collect. 

Art

i buy a few engine a year but mostly i spend my time on my layout and fixing what ever needs to be fixed.  that reminds me i should be working on some stuff right now. 

A good topic. I am guilty  of spending money on locos and rolling stock and down-playing the right-of-way they go on. Recently, I decided to do something about it: Once a month, I take something that needs to be done and DO IT. Nothing major, but necessary. For example, I added an 0-36 switch to a siding that lacked connection to the outside world. Looks better. Needed. So, why did I wait? No answer, except getting more stuff to run.

Buying trains has significantly slowed for me. A piece of rolling stock or a new engine has to really jump off the shelf / table for me to buy. My trains budget is more spent on scenery and animation these days.

Yes.

My wife's been in the hospital twice this year (in right now) and money's tight.  All I can afford at this point is try finishing my scenery (just bought 2 bags of True-Scene Fusion Fiber to fill in a few spots.  I have some tree material that's been laying around for 2 years so that'll keep me occupied too

I have collected three locomotives and about sixty pieces of rolling stock, several diecast vehicles and a dozen or so buildings.  All Primer MTH.  I have the basic track plan laid out and the elevations finalized.  I need to work on the wiring and base layer of hard shell.

Unfortunately, I have very limited space for a layout.  I run the trains on it as often as possible, but there just isn't room for any more layout space.

Like far too many messages in this, the Hi Rail, O27 and Traditional 3-Rail O Gauge forum, this particular message more properly belongs in the 3-Rail Scale forum.

Pete

Well I need to get my layout up and then work on installing all the track. This layout has been a dream of mine for 11-12 years. Then I got very sick on dialasis , Lost my right leg, had a kidney transplant, then a 3 way bypass. Then in November I went and had a Valve replaced in my heart. So give me some time and I'll have 100% of the bench work complete.  Then comes cutting some track.   The 1 leged man.    Scot

WHY? Judging from the interesting and intelligent replies, up to this moment, and considering the well-reputed voices that have made those replies so far, I honestly have no idea what the point is you are trying to make, Pete. Nor do I understand your intention.

FrankM

It couldn't be more obvious, amigo.  There are far too many postings in this, the Hi Rail, O27 and Traditional 3-Rail O Gauge forum, regarding what amounts to three-rail scale modeling.  I simply would like to see this section be more "as advertised."  I can always look in three-rail scale if that's what I prefer to read about.

As to the "intelligent well reputed" voices, they too address three-rail scale modeling and that's cool, but they need to be in the scale forum, not the traditional one.
My feeling is this department is overrun with scale modeling at the expense of traditional layouts.

Over and out.

Pete

Pete,

This  thread has nothing to do with the 3RS forum. It belongs right here.

On second thought if you don't like it just bypass this thread,  geez talk about raining on somebody's parade. 

No likee, no clickee.  Of course.  My bad.

Pete

Good topic.  I have convinced myself this is THE year I actually get all my track completed and start on scenery.  I have two operational loops right now running coal trains and my plan is to add 3 elevated loops and a point-to-point line.  I have bought many, many trains, bridges, and some signals that are still in their boxes.  So over the years, I have had grandiose plans and bought beyond my needs...and now the time has come to execute.  Lionel's forthcoming Batman subway is going to be my inspiration and motivation to get moving, as I am planning a subway line and want to make sure it is completed by October when the Batman set is released (hopefully on time) so it can go right on the tracks. I also have Lionel's M7 Metro North commuter set...sitting in the box...waiting on me.  So it's time to stop sitting back...and start laying some track. 

Rick

What ever the next small piece of the empire I see that catches my fancy is what I buy. But soon, owing to layout relocation, more strategic thought may be required.

FrankM,

I could not help but giggle a little over this one.

I've been blessed with more than sixty-seven wondrous years watching my trains going in circles. Not one time did my heart lose interest.

I'm devoting more and more time with my layout(s) these days. Not once have I lost interest because my layout(s) will never be completed. My grandpa's prewar tinplate layout is begging me every day to do at least one or two small things. Grandpa started his layout around 1920-1922. He and I worked on his layout until his death in 1955. At that time his layout and all of his prewar tinplate became mine. Even tonight I'm going to add a few more tinplate trees, cars and residents.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

I have slowed/stopped my buying. I have one large purchase to buy and that just might be it.  can't say I will ever stop but if something comes in then something must go out. 

Still having fun though. 

Ay-yah!  I've been convicted of the same crime....to which I attribute a 'loco' motive.

lo·co  /ˈloʊkoʊ/ Show Spelled [loh-koh]

adjective

6.

Slang. out of one's mind; insane; crazy.

 

---

Origin: 1835–45,  Americanism; < Spanish:  insane

 

 

Who appointed the forum police?

Who appointed the forum police?

I don't know but the policeman didn't pay attention in training when it comes to the distinction of which thread should be where. This topic is fine in any of the forums. It's about reaching ones train collection limit and focusing on building a layout. Where the "3RS forum only idea" came from  must have been from outer space.

I've been directing my train budget to purchasing items for building my new layout. I believe if you want a nice layout, you have step back from buying trains and make sure some of the creature comforts are in place in the layout room. A finished room with adequate lighting makes guests want to stay and view the layout. Perhaps you need to direct the money to building storage shelves so all the trains you do have are not an obstruction or distract guests from viewing the layout. How about spending money on a photo backdrop instead of that next locomotive. Heck, I even cut York from my budget this year to save time and money for building my layout.

George

Absolutely! I have been through the process of building my attic train room. That budget spent, it's way past time to put that space to "use".

When I visit eBay, I seldom see anything that I don't already own or want. I've got more engines and rolling stock than anyone could legitimately say that they "need".  I have not been able to bring myself to toss the empty boxes for the rolling stock (yet).

The cases (literally) of track were taking up way too much space. My wife is very happy to see the empty cardboard boxes headed out the door. Buildings take up an inordinate amount of storage space as well. I'm confident I'll be receiving a bunch of help unpacking and placing them as soon as the track is down and wired.

Gilly 

My railroad is essentially complete (NOT done), and was always meant to be a model railroad in the `46 - `56 time period in the Northeast. It consists of mostly PRR locos with some NYC, NH, and LV thrown in. I'm quite content with my small (compared to some of you folks) roster of 5 GG1's, 1 O1, 1 H10, 1 K4s, 2 RS3's, 1 GP9, 1 FA/FA, 2 PA/PA's, and 1 PA/PB. Have only bought 2 new engines in the last 6 years. I have spent most of my time modeling and detailing existing areas, such as Coalyard Andy's, the Warthog Coal & Oil Co., custom painting, and working on my subway, as well as converting virtually everything to LED lighting.

I've wanted a scale 44 ton switcher forever, and missed out on the Yoder ones of a decade ago. I was excited when WBB announced one a few weeks ago, but the $399 list (or even a street price of $300) leaves me with sticker shock considering it will take roughly another $150 to add TMCC and sound. At age 70 i have to consider do i really need another toy (which incidentally at $450 would become the most expensive loco on my roster). Decisions decisions.

jackson,

CEO, Not-So-Great Eastern RR aka the Never Done Lines

Division of the Southern Adirondack Railway Cartel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...&feature=channel

No more room, no more trains. Besides, I'm happy with the O stuff I have... Now all I need is a few (see: 5-10) G scale things to play with.

Don't give up hope on that 44-tonner quite yet.  I imagine the street price will be considerably more realistic than the cataloged list.  I will likely get one, fit it with CC and sound (if at all possible), and have it stripped down and repainted into U.S. Army Transportation Corps livery.

Besides, I imagine the release is some time off, so just put aside a few bucks or so each week--in a place where you will not be tempted to use it--and in a few months you'll likely be close to your goal.  I have a coin bank that rather quickly accumulates several hundred bucks since I hate carrying coins around.  It's about 30% full right now, and I expect it will be topped off by the time those WBB 44-tonners appear.

Quite awhile back I had posted a thread about my layout completion blues. To paraphrase it, I said that just running the trains wasn't enough. So, buying more became my cure for the blues. But even that didn't do it after awhile because I realized that A. I didn't need the stuff and B. I was running out of space on the layout for the extra engines and rolling stock. I have 288 sq. ft. of layout, 6 diesels, 12 passenger cars and more than enough rolling stock. At this point, I don't need anything more! So why am I eyeing up that Milwaukee Road AS-616 in MTH's 2014 Vol. 2? I believe it's because no matter how much you have in engines and rolling stock there will always be something that catches your eye and has you saying "I would like that." I guess if I an keep the buying frenzy well under control, I'll be happy.

I couldnt agree with you more..thats what I discovered as well..for what its worth.

Frank, I have a major job ahead of me building my new layout. It is "L" shape and about twice as big as my last one. As you might know I'm finishing each section, electrical, rail, scenery before I start the next. In this way I can write a article in OGR for every section completed, plus some "how to's" along the way. 

I love building the layout much more than running trains. I also have enough rolling stock and engines with the exception on one more engine. 

The first OGR will be in the August/September issue. Hope you enjoy. Don

Hi Moonson, I sent you an Email, Rolling Thunder, and it's the Scenery That sets the stage for our Trains to run through, for Fulfilling Our Vast Imagination..This is a great Thought. Yes, Scenery Makes the Difference.

Hi Larry, I received the photos and enjoyed looking at them very much. Wow. Now, that's a layout! The scenery works with the trains to create a unified, lush artistic whole, where imagination takes a person on an adventure into our hobby. Clearly, you have had fun with your "labor-of-love."

We love our trains, but to me, a layout such as yours helps us invite others into the hobby, offering them something to see in addition to our personal satisfaction at having gorgeous trains.  I mean, the place where the feast takes place adds to the enjoyment, just like having a picinic on a hillside or dinner in the White House East Room is part of the enjoyment of the event. The place matters. The environment speaks volumes.

Layouts are a feast. Our imaginations are taken somewhere; that somewhere is important. Afterall, a layout helps others see what we have seen all along in our mind's-eye, when we run our trains, be it on a "Carpet-Central" RR or on a raw sheet of plywood, or when we even simply possess trains in a closet.  I theorize that the moment we turn from having our singular, private, in-the-basement-alone enjoyment of our hobby to wanting to share the fun with others, we develop many new ways of expressing ourselves so that others can see more clearly our joy.

That's why I asked, via this thread, if others have found themselves turning toward having a layout as a further expression of our hobby, something to share with others  (life's purpose, as far as I am concenred), or just to say more to oursleves about ourselves.

That has been my journey. I evolved from standing alone in my basement and running my dad's trains on blank plywood, to inviting my wife, then her father, then the whole family, and now many, many friends, to come see what makes me so happy. However, I quickly realized I wanted them to be happy, too, not just to be present and be polite. I wanted them involved. So I started crafting buildings and scenery, having no idea what I was doing or where I was headed.

The motivation to share what I had caused me to learn. Forums and other hobyists' incredible craftwork helped me to grow. Now, whole troops of boyscouts, altar-servers, and seminaries of furtue priests, for example, come to take a look. And some stay for hours, which tells me I leanred how to speak more clearly to others about my happiness in our hobby. I don't say I have convinced or converted anybody, but at least I have cinspired a few very broad smiles.

Just some thoughts.

FrankM