How will your participation in model railroading change as you get older?

As I've gotten older, I'm becoming less inclined to build/modify/paint my models.

Rusty

That's a hard question because the future is unknown to me.

I am 53 years old and enjoy building and operating trains - yet mostly in winter - cold winter nights and weekends ~ and centered around the holiday season. I don't see that changing, but you never know.

Michael:

As you note in your OP; the definition of old is certainly a changing target as we age.  😉

I reckon my plans “post downsizing” are to hope that my youngest son, who maintains a periodic interest in the hobby, builds a large layout at some point and will grant his old man trackage rights to operate.

Curt

 I can foresee someday leaving my 2 story 4 bedroom house and living in some kind of apartment or retirement village.

My wife says we'll get one of those elevator chairs that runs along the staircase when one of us cannot do stairs any longer.

Age 74:  Smaller home layout

          Fewer trains

          More time with modular club

Age: 25

I have an 8x8 layout at the moment. I have every intention of buying a house this year. What happens to the layout is anyone's guess. I'd like to bring it, or build a new one but if that isn't going to be in the cards, I will sell off and box up some to keep and put them in storage. I ordered a Legacy Polar Express engine and cars and want to be able to run that - always wanted one and decided to do it - but I'll sell it if I've got to.

I was a member of the National Capital Trackers for 11 years so I have "been there, done that" with regards to the modular club thing. I have NO desire to ever do that again. Last fall, I joined the nearby Volunteer Fire Department that I have grown up around for years and always saw around town. Phenomenal group of men and women. They get most of my free time and I love it.

I was asked, last weekend, what I prefer better. My answer: I wish I got out of the train club and joined the fire department years ago! Nothing against modular clubs or train clubs in general as I enjoyed my time in the group, overall. Plenty have asked me "what happened" in regards to my departure from the group. Sorry for those looking for juicy gossip but nothing "happened" other than the simple fact that I was sick of it, it wasn't fun or enjoyable anymore and I wanted to do something else - non-train related - with my time.

I have also pretty much stopped buying trains outside of what I've got on order. I've got plenty and have thought about selling them all except a select handful with personal (i.e. sentimental reasons). As I've said, "how many do you REALLY need".........

I was thinking a Z-scale coffee table layout under glass, but those on the vanguard suggest it may be too small for old eyes.  Maybe N-scale?  Or perhaps eschew any semblance of realism and just play with the Thomas table and trains the grandchildren have outgrown until the great-grandchildren arrive? 

What, me worry?

SJC posted:

Age: 25

I have also pretty much stopped buying trains outside of what I've got on order.

 That's what we all say (albeit much later in life) ... until the next catalog.

What, me worry? 

In answer to your interesting inquiry, I would offer my own very limited perspective, which includes my own experiences and feelings, as well as having come in contact with a pretty good number of fellow model train hobbyists.

To me, a significant milestone in a hobbyist's experience is building a  layout. That creative adventure of shopping, meeting new people, crafting, shaping, and configuring is very, very satisfying. However, once it has been accomplished, even more than once, one finds oneself looking around and saying, "What's next?" Let me suggest, though it will sound counterintuitive, that "finishing" a layout can be a big let-down.

That is the main reason why I often caution against hurrying along the way to accomplishing the layout's first iteration (Oh, yes, there will be more.)

I started  my first layout in 1995, consuming the entire basement with it, which included the very necessary (for me, at least) prerequisite of having my wife's approval, encouragement and participation. Yes, participation. I barely made a single vignette on the layout without asking her to visit the layout and give her opinion. Almost 100 o/o of the time, she was right, and I followed her ideas or blended them with mine. Subsequently, there was never any of that "sneaking in the back door" with purchases. In fact, many of my most expensive scale locomotives were gifts from her (!!!!)

And all along, I wasn't "precious" about any scene I had created. Positively everything was up for renewal or replacement. Why not? I was at-play, after all, and that meant fun and experimentation. (You asked for pictures. Here is just one example of a site that evolved, over time...)

After Myron Biggar sent Fred Dole to the house to photograph the layout, presentations in OGR meant the phone started ringing, with fellow hobbyists calling me to ask if I would do such layout work for them. And when Lionel itself called for me to work on modifying a couple layouts for their corporate use, as well as for their layout at F.A.O. Schwarz, then, I knew I had shifted gears and was "on-a-roll." I soon discovered, after taking a booth @ TCA Meets at York, especially, that I had a little business that had grown out of my hobby, which was keeping me interested and involved, to this day, albeit less and less each year (I'm 73).

I report all this to you, for your consideration, to underscore my point that the creativity of making a layout, even a simple diorama featruing a train shuttling backing-and-forth in a closet, gives mega-satisfaction. Having the trains ,even in boxes stored away, lets us reach back in time to very happy and satisfying moments in our lives, times we have every intention of recreating as best we can, through our trains. A lot of us are successful at that reach-back. So, I would ask you, "Are you satisfied?" If not, you will know what to do next. Reach inside. The answer is right there.

FrankM, Layout Refinements, and Moon Township.

Michael,

   I am near 70 and I am in the middle of building my new Train Room layouts.  I run DCS/Legacy and also have the LC Toy Maker Santa Express for around our Christmas Tree.

After the Train Room is pretty much complete run wise, I do intend on building some wall type display cases of some type.  At this point I am not sure just how I want to due it.  I figure this project should keep my interest in the hobby high.

For many years I helped build/set up larger layouts, a few years ago I scaled this back.  I might want to join Train Club in the area, although most of the members in our old Iron Horse Train Club are running their trains in heaven now, it would be nice to mix with the younger guys and see what they are doing in our hobby.

I am not ready to quit running and building my O Gauge Train layouts, I also might just invest in a new Standard Gauge Tin Plate layout and construct a big outer loop in part of the new Train Room.  

PCRR/Dave

The new PCRR Train Room, still under construction.

The Formal Living Room Santa Express layout under the Christmas Tree.

I am almost 73.  I spent the first part of my retirement sailing.  I have now backed off full-time sailing and living aboard.  I plan to buy a house again as soon as I figure out where I want to live when I grow up, with the biggest train room that I can afford and build a grand layout.  I don't get the downsizing craze of many of my peers, though I can't technically downsize since I don't own a house now.     I have lots of trains, track and switches in storage against the future.  Still actively acquiring trains.  I plan to do as much as I can for as long as I can.

"Do not go gentle into that good night"

Bill

I have posted about this before..............we chose to remain in a home although reduced to Condo size and it has a home owners association which takes care of exterior maintenance.

So far at 86 and 85 we have been able to stay in our Greensboro condo but changes have been required. First off, before I became lame physically, and to a degree mentally, I had sold our mountain cottage and dismantled two fairly large layouts --one up in the Mtns ('08) and one here('09) to reuse as med rehab space. I then built a small attic operation(early '10) which has been mostly dormant since March 2010 due to more difficult health upsets and issues. I also installed a stairlift to ride the 16 steps to the second floor/attic. My point is that I could not perform any of those dismantle/sale or build functions now. So my advice is to plan ahead at 70ish as you are doing. 

If you wish to stay put as I have, plan how you will address any possible contingencies including such routine functions as replacing overhead light bulbs (use LEDs),--ladders aren't your friend. And know that odds are you will have many more MD and Drugstore visits so avoid appointments at auto commuter hours and still allow 20% more travel and parking search time. Know where your neighborhood first responders are and their approximate response time. My District Fire Rescue is always first on the scene in less than 6 minutes well before regular EMT.

We have reduced driving as we have gradually moved our shopping to online and I like it.  Walmart and Amazon are useful and drive by grocery pickup at the local store is available. I initially reduced my driving because my car was twice "autographed" in a medical parking garage and once at the local grocer with, of course, no note. With hand tremors, I know from reaching and missing things at times that my perspective has declined and I fear doing the same to someone's parked car. 

Photos below of the two operations that were dismantled and the incomplete one I built in the attic over garage on the same floor level as old upstairs layout:

Mountain Cottage 15x32 twin shelf, Condo tear down 15x25 and attic build 9x16:

Not fun 

No fun II

Always confident upon a new beginning ( with recycled dry lumber).

But hit a snag along the way.........its now asleep and accurately described as the "mess" by my Domestic CEO

But I have not surrendered.

I re-entered the hobby in 1997 and have acquired a collection of scale-sized O-gauge trains, mostly MTH with some Atlas O, K-Line, Weaver and Sunset. I completed a 12'-by-8' (O-72) layout in 2004 and began building a 10'-by-5' (O-54) layout on the other side of the basement when I retired four years ago. The new layout is now about 80% complete and consists of two lightweight 5'-by-5' sections that can be lifted off the Mianne benchwork and transported intact if necessary. I prefer creating the layout to running trains. The hobby gives me an interest and keeps me occupied, so I hope to continue at it. When the new layout is "finished" I may add another section while still keeping the railroad modular and transportable. I still buy some new train items (mostly New Haven Railroad) but far fewer than in the past. I don't sell anything and will give the collection to the grandkids.

MELGAR 

Me too. I've started gifting some of the trains to family, or at least, to this cousin who LOVES trains. You can see his enthusiasm is authentic, as seen here......and it's not the first time.

hisUncleFrank

I'm now at 70 years old and realize my layout building days are over but I still do lots of tinkering on all of my layouts, 8x20 O Gauge, 5x9 S Gauge, a small 4x4 O Gauge all tinplate layout.  Whether I will be able to reassemble our Christmas layout, 8x12 on 3x4 modules remains to be seen due to spinal problems.  I have lots of trains and live in a two story Dutch Colonial with a full basement and enjoy operating my trains as much as I did as a youth.  I don't believe we will be downsizing anytime soon.  I plan to keep on operating as long as I can and will leave the trains to my youngest son who has three children and seem very interested in toy/model trains.  Keep the pedal to the metal!!!

I am building a 4 x 16" switching layout. I am almost 70 and lost my bride in '16. My regret is that I am not building a 2 rail (of course) that will let me run the Atlas Zephyr cars pulled by 2 Sunset E8s. But how long will I stay here? That is why I am building small.

Dick

Well. I just turned 70 as did my wife. Living out here in California (a.k.a. Nobasementland), I am restricted to a very small bedroom layout. Only barely enough room for a 4x8 ft. layout. Still, glad to have it. 

I started out with a desert/Route 66 theme and enjoyed it for several years. But this past year, I decided to indulge my love for the mountain country and forests by changing it to a logging pike. This works very well with a restricted space layout.  

My biggest challenge is storing all my collection. I am selling off a lot of things on ebay to make room for the new items I just have to have. My body tells me in no uncertain terms that my days of climbing, stooping and crawling around under the layout are fast coming to an end. Adjustments will have to be made. 

May the fun continue!

Speaking to my fellow members who have climbed  over the 80 hill, we might be still  building layouts or new yards but I am building memories because in our waning days, we can't take a Big Boy, Northern or a Mike into our beds but our fond memories of running our consists, hearing the Lionel steamer whistle, building the layouts etc. and the boy like joys of our second childhood will be with us until the Great Yard Master calls us to pull your fires for the last time. Enjoy and treasure each remaining day as we do not know which one will be our last.

overbore/ Graham

As a relatively recent adopter of 3-rail O, thanks to the family showing some interest when the Polar Express set showed up, I'm still in the layout-planning/gatherer stage. I also have an eclectic mess of other stuff.

I'm getting more 'tinplatey' as I age, but also have a  little G scale and American Flyer in reserve for future projects. I pay a lot of attention to micro-layout ideas for that time when we downsize, (or one of the offspring moves back in ) and I'm also involved with a local modular group.

My participation in model trains in general and O gauge in particular is part of my aging plan for keeping physically and mentally active as I age; currently on a steep slope to 80.

Bogie

Seven plus decades on the planet and I don't "participate in model railroading," I play with toy trains just like I've been doing since 1951.

Early on, before I ran away with the Rock'n'Roll circus, I had a few layouts - Gilbert AF, HO (Mantua, Varney), and N (Con-cor, Atlas, Peco), but it wasn't until a Polar Express set came my way in '08 that I went nuts and made a little carpet central on a 4x10 platform in the garage, mainly because I dig Lionel postwar action accessories.  It uses tube track so I can feel free to change up the arrangement once in a while and swap out accessories.

Recently I broke out my N stuff and ordered some Kato Unitrack with the idea of making a little sceniced setup.  I expect to continue playing with my toy trains, whatever the scale.  Not sure if I'll be doing any "model railroading" though.

Pete

At 75 and having been in renal hemodialysis for 13 years, I still have my three loop 86" X 90" display layout in my upstairs spare bedroom in our two story brick town home. Like CW, a stair lift may be in the future, but now my wife of 46 years is a big help. She is 66 and drives me to all my dialysis treatments and MD apts. I joke that I have a doc on every floor of the St Thomas Medical Center here in Nashville, TN, which I do. I take a variety of meds, which my OCD makes me chart daily. I currently run two standard gauge loops and one LGB G gauge loop with an Alpine Classic Set with a digital sound baby crocodile. My standard gauge includes three state cars and a 431 diner pulled by either an apple green 408E or a dark gray 2-400E. A Fireball Express Set pulled by a red/black 2-392E runs on the inner loop, which is also serviced by a very nice original AF tinplate 102 station. My engines are VERY heavy, and my right shoulder rotator cuff is non-functional, so lifting these babies is a chore. My controls, Z4000 and an MRC 10 Amp Power G, are handily located next to my swilvel chair, and my laptop and Uniden Homepatrol 2 scanner (the EASIEST digital scanner on market today) sits beside the computer on my desk. Works for me!

At age 76 I am still working on changes to my 22 x 20 layout with new additions. The layout is in its own detached building that I built to house the Trains and a workshop to store my boat, the building is 1800 sq ft with 900 sq ft for trains and 900 sq ft for the shop area with 10 ft ceilings.I don't see downsizing any time soon.

Mikey

C W Burfle posted:

 I can foresee someday leaving my 2 story 4 bedroom house and living in some kind of apartment or retirement village.

My wife says we'll get one of those elevator chairs that runs along the staircase when one of us cannot do stairs any longer.

I actually had a stair lift installed last year. I haven't really needed it yet, but that day may come. We have used it for a few visitors, but it's most handy for sending heavy or bulky objects up and down (not building materials).

As for the original question, I will never move. The layout is my anchor. With most of the heavy construction done, I'm moving on to lighter tasks. I can still get under the layout fairly easily when I need to. I'm eventually going to be shifting my focus to operations. After all, that's what I built it for.

Just passed milestone millstone LXXIII.  (That's 'Super Bowl' lingo for 73....or Caesar's for Geezers!) 

Well, first of all I wish you well in the transition.  Eyesight, hearing, tolerance for stupidity (your own as well as of others), joints (anatomical, not Maryjane), etc., etc., etc., blah, blah, blah......they all go downhill.  And, speaking of gravity, you'll find under-table events in the hobby...wiring, looking for lost parts, discovering trains you never knew you had buried, et al...will be, well, interesting and somewhat painful.

OTOH, NOW is the time to have fun!!!  No room for a layout?  Find a good club....that's one that's NON-political in its nature and practice.  Attend meets, shows, markets.....not only to find the unfindable, but to reminisce, meet others, shoot the bovine, quaff suds....whatever.  Build some old kits.  Build some new kits.  Think about a single- or two-wall switching layout in a small, spare room.  Write an article for OGR about your proudest achievement on your layout.

Or, you could get lucky...if you're not already...and find a spouse younger than you who is as much....if not MORE!....into the hobby as you are!  

Whatever you do, don't drop your fire!!!  Always keep a modest boiler pressure....and a nominal blood pressure!

But, if you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from roller coaster.......get some hobby help!....QUICKLY!!

KD

As we progress toward eventual entropy and decay, and our bodies betray us, have as much FUN as you can till the inevitable!

I am fortunate to be in good health at 70.  I'm still swinging a hammer with all of the enthusiasm of a twenty year old.  A year and a half ago, I undertook a complete gut and renovation of two bedrooms and relocated a bathroom in our house.  

 I started my "O" gauge layout just a few weeks ago and am enjoying building it.  I still operate and maintain my garden railway.  I'm helping grandson #1 build a small "O" gauge layout.

I'm having a grand time ! 

Dan: VERY GLAD to hear you are in great health! :-)

As I get into my late 60's, I still do everything that I did at 30, just at a lower energy level and usually with some soreness. Last year I did some major renovation work on the home, new upstairs bath (all tile and wainscotting) and washroom nook with a granite top and under-mount sink. Did all the work myself, except for removing the old cast iron tub (500 lbs) and putting a new cast iron shower base in place. Year before removed and laid all new ceramic tile in the 16 x22 kitchen. Started the layout late in life 16 years ago and had to build a 28' x 15' basement train room. Now the layout is 95% complete and still doing everything solo, although I must admit that crawling under the tables to do wiring is not as easy as it use to be. Still go to the train shows, travel by train all over the country and enjoying life with my wife who is 17 years my junior. She calls me "daddy".  Remember that you don't stop playing because you get old,   you get old because you stop playing.

Trains and active life style: since I have been blessed to survive three strokes, two stents and a current enrollment in a cardiac  rehab exercise program 26 out of 34 forced work-outs,the fellow survivors there have certain things in common: slightly overweight, lack of exercise, on a regular prepared food diet and their heart rate has not been high enough during exercise to strengthen our hearts. Just walking is not enough and twisting the handle on our old ZW doesn't cut it either.  If we are going to have a long boyhood with our trains, we should stay in shape by doing supervised hard exercise and not quitting..All walks of life  people are in my group; pilots, navy officers, Korean War vets, insurance and stock brokers and plenty of just plain Joe's who all have let the sedentary life win out until "derail city" hits.  Periodic upkeep of our heart is more important for us than track cleaning, lubing the axles, re-ballasting and all the little jobs we are fond of doing but calling it work. We should  work at our fun after we work our cardiac systems.  Blessings to all old little boys running our trains and all who aspire to be old boys still watching the points before derailing.

overbore/ Graham

I may finally get a layout again

Interesting most of us are in the 70s range including me. Wonder if interest was due to being post war babies, full employment, parents able to afford a train set for "baby", sparking (mostly) lifelong  model trains and the 1:1 scale interests?

My dad kept his pre-war O trains (in their Lionel boxes!) and would set them up at Christmas.  He would run them and film (Keystone camera 8mm attached to a four bright hot spots light bar) me as a rug rat watching, later operating them.

Memories!

I think the odds of any substantive layout being constructed by me personally are decreasing rapidly.  Layout for hire is the only likely scenario for anything of any complexity.

dkdkrd posted:

  Always keep a modest boiler pressure....a

And here I thought it was gas because my safety valve keeps going off...

Rusty

I am 28 now, I got back into it about a year ago now... Joined a modular club, having a great time!

Sobering topic. I crossed the seven oh mark last year and as Jack Nicholson said "There's not that many shopping days til Christmas."

I have definitely had to re-think my layout goals. Haven't had a layout for many years and my scarm file is getting smaller every time I open it. Even hiring it done leaves me with maintaining it and how much I want to take care of is shrinking.

My participation in model railroads seems to be more just 'watching 'em go round & round' and reading up on all the newest changes in the world of electronic modeling as I work on my 76th 'trip around the Sun'.

Everything in the hobby seems to be 'invisible electronics' and so much easier to operate. I really appreciate this Forum and it's contributors who are are so open to share their model railroading experiences as well as those who continue to sell us these marvelous toys!!

I may expand my empire by purchasing new items as they are brought out but for now I just enjoy our hobby. The Best Hobby in the World !!

I'm 70, and keep myself in good shape.  The only difference in my hobbying now versus when I was 30 is that since I retired, I have a lot more time to work on it.

If i am able to get old, then I'll worry about my trains.  There's no shortage of them, and many have outlived their owners.  

But there does seem to be a limit on my time here.