Retirees, Those Soon To Be and the Hobby

Quick Casey posted:

Okay, I have retired a couple years now, and I last commented to this thread a year or so ago. Dry basement has been acquired September 1st 2017.

This photo is of the front of the basement and is less than half the 28' width that I have. The room to the right (or east) is the laundry room/workshop, and yes, I am going to tunnel through that wall in more than a couple places. You can see where some demolition took place where the previous owners made 3 bedrooms down there that were against building codes. They had no adequate escape routes. Now the west half of the basement is one big train room.  The downstairs great room on the south end goes the whole 28' across. The footprint is 28' X 50'. Other than the workshop there is also a bathroom on the east side.

I have boards placed on the floor to keep all boxes off the floor just in case. I have no sump pump, as the walkout basement has a patio, and a few yards later there is a 60' ravine, so the whole lot drains rain nicely. Finally, the house that keeps the elements out of the basement. 

Nice house and nice basement! Is that in Illinois? 

Few things are better in life (for those of us who love trains) than a dry basement.

Tom 

Yes, in Illinois' lumpy Northwest corner.

eddie g posted:

So MARK how old are you. I am 88 and I am still buying prewar trains, & going to York. I retired in 1999.

Eddie, I will turn 62 in two months.  That was the age both my dad and father-in-law retired.  Both had medical insurance included with the pension until they turned 65 and both mothers were less than a year younger.  I wouldn't even be thinking about it yet except that the "voluntary" severance came along, but I got back on as a contractor.  

I spent the last few months investigating my options, and decided to keep working part time and and not take SS yet.  I also learned we could start withdrawing from one or more of our IRAs or annuities and with Social Security we could get by.  Except; The biggest kicker is paying for health insurance until we are 65, my wife is 3 1/2 years younger than me.  We got hit with a $1500 bill for surgeries for out dog, which helped us decide to wait, then they had no work for me for a while.  It is a bit of a tricky tight rope to walk, but we do have investments to fall back on if needed.

I have been buying an engine now and then when something better to me comes along, then I usually sell something I haven't been running.  I'm not one for keeping a big collection that doesn't get run.  I think I should be able to keep that practice up indefinitely.  

I met you briefly at the OGR breakfast in York last October.  You are the same age as my dad, and I am so glad you can still make trips to York.  Dad was able to get around very well until he was 86, and different illnesses to he and Mom put them both in personal care home.  That is why I have an old house with 4 acres to take care of until it is decided if any family member will take over or we will sell.  It looks like we will get that worked out next summer.  It's a looooong story, as most extended family stories are.  

We moved into our retirement home March of ‘17 and will be 66 next March. Tentatively planning on01/04/2020 if certain goals are met. The new house has almost 2000 sq ft of basement which is ALL MINE and just under half is the layout currently under construction. A little less than 1/3 of the layout is up with temperory trains running. The display cabinet up and filled but a new will be made to fill the wall corner to door. The old was built for a wall in the old house  I will have plenty to do and if the plan comes together the funds to do it with.

Rick,

Very nice display shelf, house and video.

Hope you don't have to mow that lawn by yourself? That could cut into your train time! 

Tom 

Yes indeed mowing can cut into train time.  Dad mowed about 2 1/2 acres of his 4 acres with a walk behind Gravely that is 3 years older than me.  He was able to start and maneuver it over steep hills and gullies at will to age 86.  I never could even start it, and those gullies would beat the handles out of my hands.  Now I mow about half of that with a walk behind Toro.  I don’t mind mowing, good exercise.  I just don’t like the time it takes to do economically.  Sure we could borrow money to buy a rider, but why when someone else will take ownership of that yard and the house that goes with it.

Going to bed early

Staying in the house

Not going to that party...

my childhood punishments..... are now my adult GOALS !!

To the Trains !

Mark Boyce posted:

We got hit with a $1500 bill for surgeries for our dog...

 

Veterinary bills can be astronomical these days, especially in the area where we live.

Balshis posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

We got hit with a $1500 bill for surgeries for our dog...

 

Veterinary bills can be astronomical these days, especially in the area where we live.

 

Yes, and without knee surgery she would have spent her remaining years on pain medicine, waddling around and no able to go up steps.  She is almost off the medicine, and going for last follow up tomorrow.  Quite an improvement.  Now if my wife and I could get our knee replacements done for that price, I would sign up right away!  LOL

Tom: yes I have to mow the entire 1.5 acres. Don’t mind get to listen to City of New Orleans both versions Arlo and Willie and a lot of Old Blue Eyes during the ride.  Mark you may not be able to get them done at that price but speaking from the experience of having both replaced the same year it was worth it. Now I am off the pain meds and can get up and down the steps with no problem. 

Rick, I'm glad you got it done and got relief.  I think you are right about the price.  Mine is going to wait.  It isn't too bad yet, but the orthopedic anticipates 3 or 4 years.  My wife already had one done, but has to wait on insurance for the other.  We don't know what's going on there.  One of the great mysteries of life. 

UPDATE.....this thread was started by MNCW years ago and has lots of great information....so I thought that I would put my update here....This week I officially announced my retirement....effective January 1, 2021........35 and half years after I started with Richmond Nephrology. Now, I will have no excuse for not finishing my layout!

In January/February, construction begins on my 20x30' attic room.....and if York is held, I will be picking up a big track order from Ross and addition benchwork from Mianne.

Peter

Peter,

Congratulations. Looking forward to seeing this new layout. Thanks for starting up the thread again.

Updating my own status, I probably still need 2-3 years.

Tom

Peter,

Congratulations! I hope to see many more postings from you on the Forum. How about an article in the magazine? All the best.

MELGAR

Peter - Congratulations!  Now, especially during these difficult COVID-19 times, stay safe and keep well as you wouldn't want anything to throw a monkey wrench into your 'layout building' plans.    

Ah yes, it's nice when one can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I'm not talking trains in this particular instance.  That will come after January 2021! (lol)

May you have a long and healthy retirement. My wife and I moved and the primary requirement was one floor living. We have a loft with a bath and two bedrooms for the grandkids and guests. With our renovations we made all the doorways accessible; as well as our shower. Within two weeks demolition begins on our mold laden garage. As part of the renewal I get a 20’x20’ room on the back for my layout. Also, there won’t be any steps involved.

In retirement, 8 years, I’m amazed at how I ever had time to go to work!

@Putnam Division posted:

UPDATE.....this thread was started by MNCW years ago and has lots of great information....so I thought that I would put my update here....This week I officially announced my retirement....effective January 1, 2021........35 and half years after I started with Richmond Nephrology. Now, I will have no excuse for not finishing my layout!

In January/February, construction begins on my 20x30' attic room.....and if York is held, I will be picking up a big track order from Ross and addition benchwork from Mianne.

 

Peter

Congratulations Peter! Welcome to the the new and exciting world of retirement. Just retired myself at the end of last year after 44 years in the financial services industry. Spending a lot of time in my train room. All the best with construction of your layout!

Pat

@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:

May you have a long and healthy retirement. My wife and I moved and the primary requirement was one floor living. We have a loft with a bath and two bedrooms for the grandkids and guests. With our renovations we made all the doorways accessible; as well as our shower. Within two weeks demolition begins on our mold laden garage. As part of the renewal I get a 20’x20’ room on the back for my layout. Also, there won’t be any steps involved.

In retirement, 8 years, I’m amazed at how I ever had time to go to work!

Jay, 

 Congratulations on 8 years of retirement! I was interested in the fact that you (and others have moved). I would like to move further upstate in New York where the taxes are lower. With New York's current fiscal problems, we may need to rethink that and look at other states. How hard was it to pack up all your belongings at this time of life and make such a move? 

Tom 

Peter, the only thing I ask is that after your retirement you keep posting on this Forum at 3 AM like you did this morning. LOL.

I need you to do that so I can keep replying to your posts at 4 AM like I did this morning. LOL.

Seriously, congratulations on your well-deserved retirement after 35 years of doing God's work. 

I look forward to meeting you, hopefully someday soon, at York. Arnold

https://ogrforum.com/member/trestleking

Great post!

Peter,

Congratulations.

Keep us posted on that “countdown clock”.

Jerry

Peter, Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   I know things are getting more complex in your field of work like so many others, that retirement should be good for you as with all us old guys!!

I see I should update my own status, as it has changed.  As a refresher, my telecom employer pushed a retirement package in the summer of 2015, but then I did contract engineering at the same company for 3 years.  After 6 months collecting unemployment, I took an entry level position with the local cable company.  I worked 7 months and found that was the most stressful position I ever had in 43 years working in electronics, power and telecom utilities.

As many of you know, I had a total knee replacement early November last year.  I started collecting Social Security at age 63 and did not go back to work after the surgery.  My wife is 60 and is working as an RN in a single doctor family practice office.  She is physically feeling the need to step down soon.  We just met with our financial professional last night, to make some changes to our investments; but also to get some information to help convince my wife she can walk away from work as well.  Our advisor and I both have some homework to do this coming week, but it looks like we will be able to prove to her that she can step down as well.

I have the conviction that I should stop making large hobby purchases.  How many engines do I really need when my layout is in an 11x11 room, and I don't have much wall space to display what isn't on the layout?  I do have one diesel that should be arriving in a couple weeks, and I have one that I have a pending sale.  I have one other that I plan to sell once I fix a simple issue.  Since I focus on Western Maryland Railway for most of my engines, I have about all I could want.

Peter and Arnold, strangely I slept all night last night.  That happens about once a week or two.  So I wan't on the Forum at 2 or 3 am like I sometimes am to be there for the great announcement.  

Again Peter, Congratulations!!!!!!!!!

Tom, it wasn’t bad at all in fact, it was refreshing. There were so many items that I thought, “what was I saving that for?” We didn’t rush the process of finding a new residence but it was actively pursued. So when not house hunting we were getting the current house ready. Moving further upstate can be nice but you have to give serious consideration to the level of medical care that is nearby. And I do mean nearby. We have two large teaching facilities nearby and we are a one hour and ten minute train ride from Philadelphia. It will appear daunting but if you begin now, and set a tentative move date, then each week accomplish things towards that goal. You won’t want to be doing this 10-15 years from now. Our credo is, “It’s never too late to live happily ever after”. Especially when I have my train room.

Jay,

 Thanks for the advice. It's funny that as a tot, the first house I lived in was a 1 story Ranch-style house (with a basement) and now I'll be looking for the same (with a dry basement). I/we also like Cape Cod houses, too--so we'll see how that goes. 

 As far as health options, there are many good health facilities in Upstate New York and I have decent insurance coverage. 

 Since this is a train forum, I should ask if you were able to build a new layout yet?  

 Tom 

Always a workaholic, I considered retirement my opportunity to redirect priorities to non-salaried but worthwhile activities, which included TRAINS. I entered the hobby at age 50 and started collecting/operating O-gauge Rock Island trains by Lionel. Soon I had all of them, so I expanded that boundary and collected RI trains by ALL manufacturers. My inventory list grew to 8 pages.

I joined the Lionel Collectors Club of America (LCCA) and a local train club; both orgs enhanced my enjoyment of the hobby. I served as President of the local club for several years. I designed and the members built and operated a large modular layout, which was shown to the public several times a year. I gladly loaned many of my RI trains and operating accessories for use on that layout during Train Open House events and for an annual Holiday Exhibit sponsored by LCCA and presented at a nearby metropolitan library. During a span of years, thousands of visitors enjoyed those sessions.

 Then along came medical issues:  a TIA, a stroke (thereafter, I used a CPAP device every night), a cardiac incident "fixed" with a cardiac pacemaker, and a daily meds routine for management of hypertension and diabetes.  I couldn't keep pace with scheduled work at Train Open House events. That "handwriting on the wall" convince me to sell my collection (worth about $55k) to spare by wife (and perhaps soon-to-be widow) the ordeal of disposing of it. Stout Auctions prepared the auction sale, and in one weekend my collection was redistributed to other hobbyists. I kept some favorite RI trains as mementos. With 20-20 hindsight, maybe that sell-off was premature; I've had no new medical issues since then!

So I crept back into the hobby and built an L-shaped layout at home - justified in part to my wife as "trains for our great-grand kids." But their initial interest turned toward DINOSAUR toys instead! The layout has been featured in THE LION ROARS magazine of the LCCA. That Lionel-oriented club has been a source of engagement and enjoyment and many hobby friends for many years. Still is. I retired at 65 on the exact date recommended by SS. I'm now 81.

My layout is "finished," although I occasionally add details to it. I recently purchased a RI train set to my remaining train collection -- the Rock Island TA diesel by Sunset 3rd Rail. Pricey, but worth it as a memory-maker! I rode that real train as the PEORIA ROCKET when I was a teenager living in Peoria IL, so I considered it a must-have train. The remaining few trains are "shelf queens" installed as a wall display in the train room because all of them require larger radius curves and switches than are installed on my layout.  Perhaps it's time to build a wing onto the house to accommodate a larger layout with O72 curvatures!

Mike Mottler    LCCA 12394
mottlerm@gmail.com

Mike,

  Thanks for sharing your story and your layout pictures. Glad your health has stabilized. 

Tom 

@Mark Boyce posted:

Peter, Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   I know things are getting more complex in your field of work like so many others, that retirement should be good for you as with all us old guys!!

I see I should update my own status, as it has changed.  As a refresher, my telecom employer pushed a retirement package in the summer of 2015, but then I did contract engineering at the same company for 3 years.  After 6 months collecting unemployment, I took an entry level position with the local cable company.  I worked 7 months and found that was the most stressful position I ever had in 43 years working in electronics, power and telecom utilities.

As many of you know, I had a total knee replacement early November last year.  I started collecting Social Security at age 63 and did not go back to work after the surgery.  My wife is 60 and is working as an RN in a single doctor family practice office.  She is physically feeling the need to step down soon.  We just met with our financial professional last night, to make some changes to our investments; but also to get some information to help convince my wife she can walk away from work as well.  Our advisor and I both have some homework to do this coming week, but it looks like we will be able to prove to her that she can step down as well.

I have the conviction that I should stop making large hobby purchases.  How many engines do I really need when my layout is in an 11x11 room, and I don't have much wall space to display what isn't on the layout?  I do have one diesel that should be arriving in a couple weeks, and I have one that I have a pending sale.  I have one other that I plan to sell once I fix a simple issue.  Since I focus on Western Maryland Railway for most of my engines, I have about all I could want.

Peter and Arnold, strangely I slept all night last night.  That happens about once a week or two.  So I wan't on the Forum at 2 or 3 am like I sometimes am to be there for the great announcement.  

Again Peter, Congratulations!!!!!!!!!

Mark,

  Glad to see you are doing well in retirement. Good luck with you wife retiring, too. 

Tom 

@Putnam Division posted:

UPDATE.....this thread was started by MNCW years ago and has lots of great information....so I thought that I would put my update here....This week I officially announced my retirement....effective January 1, 2021........35 and half years after I started with Richmond Nephrology. Now, I will have no excuse for not finishing my layout!

In January/February, construction begins on my 20x30' attic room.....and if York is held, I will be picking up a big track order from Ross and addition benchwork from Mianne.

 

Peter

Congrats, Peter!

As a "younger" train guy, I am not even remotely beginning to count days or years till retirement seriously yet. 

Maybe the number of days/years until I hit 50, but not the number until I can retire.

-Dave

@jpc posted:

 

Great post!
Peter,

Congratulations.

Keep us posted on that “countdown clock”.

 

Jerry

This is the countdown clock Jerry is alluding to....Pexit ....is Peter, Exit.....

It is a free app.....and, for $2.99 all the "pop up" adds go away.....so, I splurged......

Peter

This is a preliminary plan of the layout for a 20x30 room......Around the room will not work....access and doors will complicate things.  I also want to use the wall for floor to ceiling Glen Synder shelving.

There will be a Mianne lift bridge to get into the center area.

I like watching trains run and want to be able to reverse them.....I may not use all those Lionel accessories....I will likely cut it back to just a few...

Peter

I have made the decision to retire early after nearly 25 years as a project manager in the oil/gas industry. My wife is already retired as a public school music teacher. We are leaving Arkansas for "greener pastures". We've are in the process of selling our house and buying a larger house with a much larger...4X!!. Space for the trains. Once the deal is all done I will post photos of the new place. I'm excited as there are many more train related and cultural activities to enjoy! 

Peter, I love the Pexit clock and the track plan!  My dad had a countdown for retirement.  It started 13 years before his retirement date at age 62, and it happened just like clockwork.  Me?  Mine was someone messaged me, "Mark, did you just get an email from HR?"  "Let me look....Yes I did!!"  It was something like, "Don't let the door hit you in the derriere on the way out.  You might dent the door."  That was the second "retirement".  I didn't mention the first one at age 39.  Yes I qualified for a pension at age 39.  Of course they were going to make money off it for 20 odd years before I could start collecting.  That one was in a meeting room with a bunch of folks.  The VP said, "A power company has two big expenses, fuel and salaries.  We can't get rid of the coal pile, so we are going to get rid of you."  This one is absolutely true; the reference to the coal pile.  It feels so good to be wanted.    I don't mind getting their money deposited in my account the first of every month!  

Dad worked very hard during his years in all kinds of weather, but he didn't have to bounce around like many of us have had to!  

                                                               FIVE more months!

In February of this year I was offered a buy-out package from the Aerospace and Defense contractor I had worked for for 45 1/2 years. I was 67 years old. I had hoped to retire at 58, then 60, then 62, then 65.  As they say; life got in the way.

 I have a small layout (3 X 9) in a small bedroom so I’m self limited in how much I can acquire. We could sell the house and after paying off the mortgage have enough left over to put a large down payment on someplace in a lower cost of living area  but we like where we live now (currently in So. Cal.).  Let’s see what the future holds!

Congratulations Peter!

I really enjoyed meeting you at WGH in Chantilly back in February.

Miketg

Eligible in 3 years.

Always planned to go at 59 1/2 (6 Years)

COVID and Telework at Home since March has been like retirement training as far as my Wife and I both being home 24/7.

She said I could retire when I'm a DAD.

But I said, "Honey, I'm already a Dad to our two children".

She replied, "Dead At Desk".

Just retired August 26. Working harder now than when I was employed. Once my punch list is done cmon cool weather and run trains.

Pete 

Congratulations Peter. I hope you have a long and happy retirement. On September 28th I will have retired two years. I don't regret it for a second. Enjoy the next phase of your life.

283 days to go including holidays and weekends.

I retired at 62, that was 14 years ago. I have a pension, SS, VA, and Vicky. That's why I put our wedding picture on my forum pic. We have been married last month for 30 year!!!! I was gone for many long weeks sometimes but she was always there to meet me. Her Pop worked for Southern Pacific in Oakland Ca. She understand my love for trains. We had one date and next day I was off to Russian for a three weeks. Retirement is more important then just not working. Retirement is being with your partner. Trains are only a hobby. They should not be your life. It's just me, Vic and our little Maui Cat that loves to lay by the "jungle" pool. Don 

Ron045: I can go anytime,  the saying is three bad days in a row. But like you working from home full time is great practice for retirement. The saying in the military was being ROAD, Retired onActive Duty and that is how I feel. I used to have to drive to Harrisburg twice in two weeks but since COVID I am temporarily a full time teleworkers. So I ask you this why retire?  The hardest thing I do is make the commute to work and that entails walking the length of our house going down into the basement (train room/ man cave) back the length of the house to my desk. That is a long rough commute,  so again why retire?