Hey Mark Boyce
How about that knee replacement huh,?the first couple weeks after it is all fun and games.
Now that my knee is fine I now just developed a left groin pain about 7 weeks ago, will be starting the process as to what is wrong in a week,
Hi, Joe! The knee replacement! Yes, it has been 3 years since mine. I started to worry when it started hurting some and made creaking and cracking sounds. Doc said, so it is going snap, crackle, pop? He said that happens to some people, and it will come and go. That is what has happened. Otherwise the X-rays and movement look great to him.
Im sorry you are having pain elsewhere. I decided for myself that it is bound to happen the older I get. 🤕
@Transman posted:Hey Mark Boyce
How about that knee replacement huh,?the first couple weeks after it is all fun and games.
Now that my knee is fine I now just developed a left groin pain about 7 weeks ago, will be starting the process as to what is wrong in a week,
Keep in mind Joe that the body will compensate when an area is injured. You shift your weight, alter your gait, etc. Then that area says, “ouch “.
Jay
I grew up in a dysfunctional family, my father being a career alcoholic, he lived to be 87. Still don't know how that was possible these days. All I can say is my hobby kept be out of trouble and developed into a sane, healthy, well adjusted individual.
@Lenny the Lion posted:I grew up in a dysfunctional family, my father being a career alcoholic, he lived to be 87. Still don't know how that was possible these days. All I can say is my hobby kept be out of trouble and developed into a sane, healthy, well adjusted individual.
Bravo, Lenny!
trains especially toy trains have been comfort objects for me a long time
sadly my parents would take them away at every turn saying toxic things like model train guys are mentally ill or gay or big babies when i was growing up so i never could play trains like i wanted
now since i live with my god parents i have a small train collection that i plan on playing with all week since this week is spring break from college for me and trust me i NEED it because college has been a nightmare ever since covid
i own one giant corporation of railroads under the umbrella of Midnational Rail lines which controls all trackage in north America including my main stocks in the Topanga and Western But then there is this evil doctor named Dr Ullysses and she along with Dracula and Buddy Jack the pumpkin head and all other Halloween villians want to take over everything under the END OF THE LINE railroad and the FAST FRIGHT SERVICE / FRIGHTLINER SHIPPING and that is the only fight over good and evil i want to deal with anymore because this world has become scarier than any horror movie or haunted train layout for sure
Cody, I am so glad to hear from a young person after all of us old guys have given our take. Certainly, you have a big need for train therapy too! I’m glad you have been able to enjoy the hobby living with your god parents!
And, Cody, you have a good imagination and you are a fine storyteller. I enjoyed reading about the battle between good and evil on your layout. Arnold
My story is a bit different, so I hope it isn’t deemed inappropriate.
On March 3, 1996, two friends convinced me to seek help for my drinking. With a lot of newfound free time, I needed something to occupy my mind and my hands. I didn’t plan it, but I started buying diecast cars, which indirectly led me to trains. I basically created an entirely new identity around trains and toys. Going to shows, building and arranging displays, building my layout. Heck, I even learned how to finish a basement, just to house my collections.
Being sober allowed me to start a family, and I had a hobby that was perfect for sharing with my kids. When my diecast collection got too large, I started giving cars away as Halloween treats - trains won’t fit in those little pumpkin buckets. Seeing how excited the kids get is just more therapy for me. I also sell at shows on occasion, which is always a lot of fun.
As far as I’m concerned, trains and toys helped save my marriage and my life. Friday marked 27 years since I last had a beer.
Chris, that’s an excellent story. Congratulations!!
Great story, Chris!!
Excellent Chris !!
@Scrambler81 posted:My story is a bit different, so I hope it isn’t deemed inappropriate.
On March 3, 1996, two friends convinced me to seek help for my drinking. With a lot of newfound free time, I needed something to occupy my mind and my hands. I didn’t plan it, but I started buying diecast cars, which indirectly led me to trains. I basically created an entirely new identity around trains and toys. Going to shows, building and arranging displays, building my layout. Heck, I even learned how to finish a basement, just to house my collections.
Being sober allowed me to start a family, and I had a hobby that was perfect for sharing with my kids. When my diecast collection got too large, I started giving cars away as Halloween treats - trains won’t fit in those little pumpkin buckets. Seeing how excited the kids get is just more therapy for me. I also sell at shows on occasion, which is always a lot of fun.
As far as I’m concerned, trains and toys helped save my marriage and my life. Friday marked 27 years since I last had a beer.
What a great day it was on March 3, 1996 Chris. 
.........and every day since.
Welcome to the “pain of the week” club
@Mark Boyce posted:Cody, I am so glad to hear from a young person after all of us old guys have given our take. Certainly, you have a big need for train therapy too! I’m glad you have been able to enjoy the hobby living with your god parents!
A big 👍 here.
@Scrambler81 posted:My story is a bit different, so I hope it isn’t deemed inappropriate.
On March 3, 1996, two friends convinced me to seek help for my drinking. With a lot of newfound free time, I needed something to occupy my mind and my hands. I didn’t plan it, but I started buying diecast cars, which indirectly led me to trains. I basically created an entirely new identity around trains and toys. Going to shows, building and arranging displays, building my layout. Heck, I even learned how to finish a basement, just to house my collections.
Being sober allowed me to start a family, and I had a hobby that was perfect for sharing with my kids. When my diecast collection got too large, I started giving cars away as Halloween treats - trains won’t fit in those little pumpkin buckets. Seeing how excited the kids get is just more therapy for me. I also sell at shows on occasion, which is always a lot of fun.
As far as I’m concerned, trains and toys helped save my marriage and my life. Friday marked 27 years since I last had a beer.
Chris congrats on 27 years 👌 and the life you have now
Chris, what a fantastic story and an inspiration for all of us!
It's interesting to note this topic started the day after I had a cancerous tumor removed from my stomach lining and on the day it was posted (I was still in the hospital) I already started thinking about the trains. I'm not retired yet, only 54, but all of the comments are right on point...about how trains are a get a away, stress relief, a way to re-charge, relax, positive direction of one's time, and how even just being around the layout and the smell of the trains helps (O' the memories the smells evoke - now that's what I call real aroma therapy!! 
). Once I could get up and sit, one thing I did was sit by the train and fired up the smoke unit.
I think helping others with trains, such as the occasional repairing of a train for someone wanting to get their old trains going again, reviving those old memories and history; or seeing someone young have an interest in trains, like when one of my daughters asked about setting up a train under her and her husbands Christmas tree and keeping an eye out for things they will need for it is also 'therapy' this hobby provides.
Also, this forum provides a great opportunity to help others and as I'm sure you all know, when we help others there is a side benefit that we ourselves are better off.
...well, I better get back to my 6-8oz over an hour clear liquid diet 
and take a nap, thanks for the topic!
@Scrambler81 posted:My story is a bit different, so I hope it isn’t deemed inappropriate.
On March 3, 1996, two friends convinced me to seek help for my drinking. With a lot of newfound free time, I needed something to occupy my mind and my hands. I didn’t plan it, but I started buying diecast cars, which indirectly led me to trains. I basically created an entirely new identity around trains and toys. Going to shows, building and arranging displays, building my layout. Heck, I even learned how to finish a basement, just to house my collections.
Being sober allowed me to start a family, and I had a hobby that was perfect for sharing with my kids. When my diecast collection got too large, I started giving cars away as Halloween treats - trains won’t fit in those little pumpkin buckets. Seeing how excited the kids get is just more therapy for me. I also sell at shows on occasion, which is always a lot of fun.
As far as I’m concerned, trains and toys helped save my marriage and my life. Friday marked 27 years since I last had a beer.
Congratulations Chris and keep working it. Your story is inspiring.
Jay
Steve, helping others with either fixing trains, setting up trains, or offering helpful information here on the forum certainly is therapeutic as well.
Arnold, you've come up with another great topic. Reading the responses is great as well. And you've suddenly made me realize that, even though I've been playing with trains since I was 4, I didn't build my first layout until I was 15, when my parents' marriage had deteriorated to an uneasy truce punctuated by random explosions. I guess the layout was my way to create a world I could feel I had some control over. Thanks for the insight.
@West Side Joe posted:Arnold, you've come up with another great topic. Reading the responses is great as well. And you've suddenly made me realize that, even though I've been playing with trains since I was 4, I didn't build my first layout until I was 15, when my parents' marriage had deteriorated to an uneasy truce punctuated by random explosions. I guess the layout was my way to create a world I could feel I had some control over. Thanks for the insight.
You're very welcome, West Side Joe. Arnold
I won't be able to get RR therapy today. The PT didn't OK me to go down to the layout today.
Last layout therapy was Thursday . Had things to do on the layout but I'll just have to wait it out. I hope I can get my drain out on Friday and maybe get OKed some time after.
Sure miss the newer locomotives. You're definitely right Arnold about " leaving this troubled world behind )" 
Dallas, I hope you can get back to the train room soon!
@Mark Boyce posted:Dallas, I hope you can get back to the train room soon!
Thanks Mark..........can't get RR revenue built up sitting in a recliner.
