Retirees, Those Soon To Be and the Hobby

If and when I retire, I will never buy another train, accessory, or speck of scenery materials.

I say this partially in jest (I've tried for years to reduce my train purchases and yet last year I bought more than I ever did), and partially with dead seriousness.

My compulsion to buy is one reason I will never completely retire.

My plan as I approach my 70th year is to semi retire, doing only the work in my law practice that is stress free and that I enjoy, gradually reducing the work load and gradually increasing train time and time for the numerous other activities that I enjoy.

I'm very curious to know if any of you folks have a plan similar to mine. Arnold

Arnold Cribari,  I understand about trying to get off of the train buying addiction, it’s not easy, and with your type of work, part time work might be a choice. At age 73-1/2 I simply retired. It’s now been over 3 years, and I’ve really enjoyed it, I see lots of my train friends, have renewed my home, helped my wife in the garden, enjoy traveling, and all I miss from a 53 years in sales are the people, many of which are still in my life.
I just wanted to tell you I enjoyed your picture and article in a recent CTT magazine, now you are famous. When I retired I thought it would hinder my train buying, but selling older for newer keeps the funds on the move. Tom sure started a fun to read thread, thanks for your great contributions to our hobby. Happy Railroading Everyone

.

Arnold, I was able to retire at 62; I’m now 70. I was very fortunate having had two successful careers; mass transit operations and then special education. While I enjoyed what I did, the past eight years have flown. It’s amazing to be enjoying coffee on Monday morning and the next thing you know it’s Friday evening and we’re having cocktails. Each week is full but at a more controlled pace. On the education side I’m still on the board of a professional organization; which I enjoy. The key to retirement success is in the planning. As a mentor shared with me early on in my career: “Everyone plans for retirement financially, you have to also plan for it psychologically”. My goal is to collect long and often.😎

Jay,

You said:  "Everyone plans for retirement financially, you have to also plan for it psychologically”.

  The point of the book that I mentioned is exactly that.

Tom

Arnold, what you are considering is what I did.  To paraphrase Mark Twain, "I take a measureless pride in being a statistician." Just after I said the word "retirement" to my boss he immediately asked if I would be willing to work part time - primarily from home.  We discussed it a bit and settled on a time of up to 16 hours a week (amount of time per week is determined by needs for statistical analysis so it varies).  I have found this combination of work and time for other things to be very satisfying and enjoyable. I hope I can keep doing this for many years.

To my knowledge, the following words have never been uttered on a deathbed: “I wish I had spent more time at work “.

    I retired at 66 three years ago, finished my layout and completed the collection (yes, it's really all done), and admire it all every time I'm in the basement, change out the trains that I run every now and then, and feel like the eight-year-old that dreamt of this back in the 50's.

    I also got serious about my writing and joined a writer's group. While nothing has been published yet, I am enjoying keeping my imagination in gear.

    The only darkness over me recently are all the doctor visits that have been crowding my time. C'est la vie, it is what it is.

    Since we are on the subject, after I finish with the Forum today, I think I'll go downstairs and play with the trains.

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

If and when I retire, I will never buy another train, accessory, or speck of scenery materials.

I say this partially in jest (I've tried for years to reduce my train purchases and yet last year I bought more than I ever did), and partially with dead seriousness.

My compulsion to buy is one reason I will never completely retire.

My plan as I approach my 70th year is to semi retire, doing only the work in my law practice that is stress free and that I enjoy, gradually reducing the work load and gradually increasing train time and time for the numerous other activities that I enjoy.

I'm very curious to know if any of you folks have a plan similar to mine. Arnold

Arnold not sure if my plan is the same but working from home on an almost full time basis makes it very hard to want to retire. I joke that I am being paid to practice retirement. Between my train addiction and my wife's sewing addiction it will be hard to retire as I don't see either one of us slowing down. That and we like to go camping and I have more than enough time off to do that as often as we want.

@turkey_hollow_rr posted:

Mark,

We have this type of work history. I don't know about you but I can't image what physical condition I may have ended up in.

Getting old ain't for sissies!

I recall seeing more than one fellow older than me being forced to take disability or retirement before his time because of knee and back problems.  That’s why I took the desk job even though it paid less.  We would have ended up worse than we are, I think.

@RJT posted:

Arnold not sure if my plan is the same but working from home on an almost full time basis makes it very hard to want to retire. I joke that I am being paid to practice retirement. Between my train addiction and my wife's sewing addiction it will be hard to retire as I don't see either one of us slowing down. That and we like to go camping and I have more than enough time off to do that as often as we want.

For the 12 months leading up to my retirement, I worked 100% from home due to the pandemic, so I understand what you mean by being paid to practice retirement.  While I don't know what your work consists of, I know that I had to spend a lot of time waiting to see if someone needed my help via email, chat, or phone - I felt more chained to my desk than when I was in the office.  And I found Zoom meetings to be even more exhausting that the in-person kind.  Retired 3-1/2 months ago, and haven't missed it for a minute.

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

If and when I retire, I will never buy another train, accessory, or speck of scenery materials.

I say this partially in jest (I've tried for years to reduce my train purchases and yet last year I bought more than I ever did), and partially with dead seriousness.

My compulsion to buy is one reason I will never completely retire.

My plan as I approach my 70th year is to semi retire, doing only the work in my law practice that is stress free and that I enjoy, gradually reducing the work load and gradually increasing train time and time for the numerous other activities that I enjoy.

I'm very curious to know if any of you folks have a plan similar to mine. Arnold

You are indeed fortunate to have a career in which you can select the type and amount of work that you want to do, and I congratulate you on your self-awareness and gratitude regarding that.  At the risk of getting sued by someone, I think the world would be a better place if there were more lawyers like you.

And regarding your resolution regarding future purchases - GOOD LUCK WITH THAT!  As others have mentioned, one way is to sell off stuff that no longer fits your objectives.  As you spend more time with your trains, you might find that doing things with them is a good substitute for simply buying more items.

This is just a fantastic discussion. Lots of interesting perspectives and great information......and, some good advice, too!

Thanks to all for the discussion.....

Peter

@Mallard4468 posted:

For the 12 months leading up to my retirement, I worked 100% from home due to the pandemic, so I understand what you mean by being paid to practice retirement.  While I don't know what your work consists of, I know that I had to spend a lot of time waiting to see if someone needed my help via email, chat, or phone - I felt more chained to my desk than when I was in the office.  And I found Zoom meetings to be even more exhausting that the in-person kind.  Retired 3-1/2 months ago, and haven't missed it for a minute.

Congratulations on your retirement if we did not already mention it...Zoom? I was doing 2 Zoom sessions, twice a week for around a year. They lasted 3 hours each and the only thing that got me through it was looking at pictures of my trains and/or looking at my calendar to count down my retirement plan for next year. The sessions are only 3 hours each, it usually (not always though) wasn't too bad and I had a co-host running it with me. But those 3 hours could range from 2-3 parents/students to 23-25 (or more) parents/students, sometimes angry! You never really knew for sure what to expect (since it is college financial aid, billing and sometimes bills owed from years ago). We often would get someone calling in at the last minute or calling more than once per session.

Tom

In my little world, model train hobbyists do very well transitioning to retirement.  They immerse themselves in their layouts, train repairs, maintenance, collecting,  etc., and also pursue the myriad of other hobbies that a typical model railroader has (lets face it, we are a hobby/collecting oriented bunch).  My colleagues without hobbies are the ones that have had a very rough time.  They are lost and many still try to stay connected to the office because that is all they know. Its rather sad.  I tried to get one guy into fishing, but he just couldn't adjust his mind to the slower pace of it, constantly bringing up work related issues.  He eventually jumped in to pro bono work and seems much happier, but it was a tough transition for him. As for me, I have a train related to do list that should regularly fill my daily dance card and take me well past my expiration date. Looking forward to starting some of those projects when I make my exit next year. Trains, fishing, Jeeping, etc. (Its a long list of collections and other hobbies)  - Yep, retirement looks pretty good to me!

@Strap Hanger posted:

... My colleagues without hobbies are the ones that have had a very rough time.  They are lost and many still try to stay connected to the office because that is all they know. Its rather sad.  ...

That's the key point!  My two closest friends from college - one "got retired" a few years early; he's doing OK, but spends 90% of his time doing yard work.  I wish he didn't live 1200 miles away - I could keep him very busy.  Despite money not being an issue, the other friend is afraid to retire because he realizes that he hasn't cultivated any hobbies or interests - he was into trains for awhile, so I told him that we can build a train layout if he retires (he's only 100 miles away) - my fingers are crossed.

Mallard - You didn't say that your friend "who spends 90% of his time doing yard work" is unhappy, so maybe he's quite content to be outside at this time of year when the weather is nice, not to mention that many people are very thankful to be able to get outdoors now that the pandemic has subsided somewhat.  I chuckled when you said if he lived closer you could "keep him very busy" because - by the sound of it - he's already very busy when 90% of his time is already taken up.  After all, most retirees I know believe that retirement is supposed to be a pleasurable yet leisurely experience. 

@Strap Hanger posted:

In my little world, model train hobbyists do very well transitioning to retirement.  They immerse themselves in their layouts, train repairs, maintenance, collecting,  etc., and also pursue the myriad of other hobbies that a typical model railroader has (lets face it, we are a hobby/collecting oriented bunch).  My colleagues without hobbies are the ones that have had a very rough time.  They are lost and many still try to stay connected to the office because that is all they know. Its rather sad.  I tried to get one guy into fishing, but he just couldn't adjust his mind to the slower pace of it, constantly bringing up work related issues.  He eventually jumped in to pro bono work and seems much happier, but it was a tough transition for him. As for me, I have a train related to do list that should regularly fill my daily dance card and take me well past my expiration date. Looking forward to starting some of those projects when I make my exit next year. Trains, fishing, Jeeping, etc. (Its a long list of collections and other hobbies)  - Yep, retirement looks pretty good to me!

I retired last June in the depth of the covid pandemic and lockdowns here in the UK. I have my trains and vintage bus hobbies and thought everything would be fine and get immersed in them as planned a few months earlier.

What actually happened was that the trains were the easiest hobby to dig into during lockdown and I honestly thought it would be like a match made in heaven. The truth was a lot different. For years I had put away those boxes of retirement projects to do and now was the time to crack on and do them.

I spent weeks and weeks nearly every day working on them and at some point I actually started to resent them as they were actually taking over every day of retirement. I then decided that I really had to step back from them otherwise it had the potential to actually destroy many years of a hobby. I have now refocused my time on the trains and am starting to have a more balanced outlook on retirement.

For me retirement hasn’t been the time I thought it was going to be. Hopefully when the covid era passes I will be able to mix and match life better and settle down into a pattern which works for me.

Ukaflyer, it sounds like you will be in good shape once you figure out a balance of activities you like and your country gets past the Covid restrictions.  I mentioned earlier I started retirement with a knee replacement, then Covid hit, and now I am recovering from back surgery.  I got bogged down only being physically able to do certain activities and with the Covid restrictions when I did feel halfway decent.  I’m hoping both of us get retirement figured out and have a good one.

Retiring during Covid is different.   We didn’t travel last year.  After our shots we went to myrtle beach and orange beach. I’ve been working part time because I’m a little concerned about getting on a plane and I’m tired of driving.   Maybe Arizona this fall when the pool is closed.  

I retired 21 years ago and never looked back.  With trains and playing golf I don't know how I had time to work.  When retired it is much easier to get all that in and still have time to relax.

Dennis

I was a machinist and didn't hate work but I retired at 62 as soon as could get SS. I sure fell into retirement automatically.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Ukaflyer, it sounds like you will be in good shape once you figure out a balance of activities you like and your country gets past the Covid restrictions.  I mentioned earlier I started retirement with a knee replacement, then Covid hit, and now I am recovering from back surgery.  I got bogged down only being physically able to do certain activities and with the Covid restrictions when I did feel halfway decent.  I’m hoping both of us get retirement figured out and have a good one.

Hi Mark,

My wife had fusion surgery on her lower back three years ago and the surgeon told her to walk as much as she could, no extra physical therapy. With your knee issues I'm thinking that may not be a choice. As strange as it may seem I can actually get relief for a day doing things like stacking cord wood. But it all comes back as there are nerves involved. I sure hope you can find a way to keep moving.

@Bill DeBrooke posted:

After I got out of high school I worked at Howard Aero Service in San Antonio converting WWII Lockheed Lode Stars into executive aircraft.  Top end, 300 MPH.  Later worked at Bell helicopter in the jigs assembling UH-1D's.  They are the one that are always being shot down in action movies.  Don't feel alone.

Bill: As an aircraft mechanic for almost 50 years I remember those Howard converted Loadstars really nice aircraft. I stated in aviation right out of high school also. Somewhere along the line the hanger deck and 24 7 works hours in all kinds of weather got old and decided to apply to the FAA and 24 years later still having fun.

@turkey_hollow_rr posted:

Hi Mark,

My wife had fusion surgery on her lower back three years ago and the surgeon told her to walk as much as she could, no extra physical therapy. With your knee issues I'm thinking that may not be a choice. As strange as it may seem I can actually get relief for a day doing things like stacking cord wood. But it all comes back as there are nerves involved. I sure hope you can find a way to keep moving.

Dan, I was thinking we are getting off topic, but then I realized our health concerns do affect how retirees and those planning on retiring approach the hobby.  Others can take note of what each of us has written here. 

I could walk more right now, but tendonitis and plantar fasciitis are troubling the foot that has the sciatic nerve damage from the back arthritis.  Cause and effect in action!    Part of that may be due to my drop foot on the leg that has nerve damage.  That foot takes a pounding little by little, but I had tendonitis years ago too.  The foot doctor has outfitted me with a different pair of orthotics, and I bought new walking shoes, so it will take time.  I like mowing grass, not riding I mean.  Of course, that is out until I get cleared by the surgeon.  I used to ride the bicycle and hike, but that has been out also.  When I was still working, I used to climb the steps at work in the bad weather instead of walking.  It is hard to imagine that when I was younger, I would climb 14 stories without any problem at all.  Right now I am still building up strength in my legs that disappeared before and during surgery.  It was amazing the negative difference a surgery can make in leg and back strength.  I'll find what works for me.  As my late father-in-law used to say, "I've got all the time in the world."

As usual Mark, your comments are right on target. Discuss with your PT, in preparation for when you are ready, exercises for balance and developing core strength. Also, as I learned from experience, be mindful of compensating when you walk, sit,  or stand.

Jay, you sound just like my physical therapist!  All good advice!

I became disabled at 50 years old.  I rediscovered my original Lionel train set from 1960.  While new rolling stock is rare, each piece is treasured.  My layout is in a 7' 3" X 7' 3" building now.  A much larger building is scheduled for next year.

Don't just sit there.  Do something.

I may have shared this on the Forum before, but my wife said something to a friend of ours that  I thought was both funny and complimetary: "being married to Arnold is like being married to 5 different men."

Tlmy wife's remark is a reference to my numerous hobbies, which I tend to get absorbed into one at a time, then switching to another. They incude: O Gauge trains, golf, archery (target shooting with recurve bow); songwriting (a rich cup of tea of a hobby that for me is very meaningful but hard work), and singing and playing guitar.

This cycle of hobbies has worked for me while earning my living as a lawyer/mediator. When I make a little money at my profession, hobby-related activity is a nice reward and I feel great doing it.

I'm not sure I will enjoy any of these hobbies if I completely retire from my profession. In my case, I realistically believe I am not good enough at any of them to make any serious money. If I was good enough at a hobby  to make serious money, I would be very happy doing it.

This is why my long term plan is to work at my profession part-time, which I'm beginning to do as I approach age 70.

A cousin of mine who is a few years younger than me once said that our fathers were  provider dudes. I identify as a provider dude, feel good about myself financially contributing to my family, and suspect that many of our Forum friends think of themselves the same way.

I congratulate all of you folks who have adjusted well to retirement, and it is heart warming to know that model railroading may have helped you do that. Arnold

Well Mark I’m speaking from experience. I too have sciatica and the nerve signals stop midway down my leg. As a result my instep and ankle feel like mild pins and needles. But, I always do something for my core when I go to the gym. I’m very mindful of not compensating because that just creates issues in non-issue areas.

@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:

Well Mark I’m speaking from experience. I too have sciatica and the nerve signals stop midway down my leg. As a result my instep and ankle feel like mild pins and needles. But, I always do something for my core when I go to the gym. I’m very mindful of not compensating because that just creates issues in non-issue areas.

Thank you, Jay!

@Ukaflyer posted:

I retired last June in the depth of the covid pandemic and lockdowns here in the UK. I have my trains and vintage bus hobbies and thought everything would be fine and get immersed in them as planned a few months earlier.

What actually happened was that the trains were the easiest hobby to dig into during lockdown and I honestly thought it would be like a match made in heaven. The truth was a lot different. For years I had put away those boxes of retirement projects to do and now was the time to crack on and do them.

I spent weeks and weeks nearly every day working on them and at some point I actually started to resent them as they were actually taking over every day of retirement. I then decided that I really had to step back from them otherwise it had the potential to actually destroy many years of a hobby. I have now refocused my time on the trains and am starting to have a more balanced outlook on retirement.

For me retirement hasn’t been the time I thought it was going to be. Hopefully when the covid era passes I will be able to mix and match life better and settle down into a pattern which works for me.

Miscellaneous Ramblings--Sorry to see several of our posters are having health issues. I wish you (me, and all of us!) all the best in the months ahead and that you can find happiness in your trains or any other hobby. I have a good train friend who is a Vietnam Vet, retired and loves gardening (despite his serious back issues) including canning his own tomatoes.

I was going to ask Ukaflyer if he has any train museums/parks in his area since I see the UK has several steam lines preserved, then I figured I would ask everyone.

I could imagine if I lived next to Horseshoe Curve in Altoona, I could easily find myself there at least once a week. I enjoy watching the webcam feed on my lunch hours at work.

Anyone in the US pitch in at any train museums or parks to get your "train fix?"

Here in the Northeast US, the heat has been oppressive and in my area of the Hudson Valley, we had 7 inches of rain last Thursday. Very little water in the basement and within 4 hours, the fans had it all  dried out...hope everyone is doing well though the Summer.

Tom

@Mark Boyce posted:

Dan, I was thinking we are getting off topic, but then I realized our health concerns do affect how retirees and those planning on retiring approach the hobby.

Maybe, I'm the only one, but I have decided that if I unexpected passed away, I don't want me wife stuck with a large permanent layout to deal with.  The second floor of the house that we are building will be mostly a gaming space.  I have decided that my trains will be kept in a couple of large cabinets with glass doors and I will run Lionel FasTrack with O-84 and O-96 curves on the floor.  I will confess, that I will have a permanent slot car layout, but it will be a simple modular design so that it will be easy to remove.

Jim

Tom, I'm glad your basement dried up quickly.  I'm sitting here on top of a high hill in Northwestern Pennsylvania listening to the rain come down again.  At least the temperature is only 71 degrees at 3 pm!!

Thank you for wishing well for those of us with ailments.  I received a good 6-week review from the surgeon on my lumbar fusion last Friday.  Keep on with PT, do the exercises for the rest of your life, and try doing a little bit more at a time.  Already the pain is not quite as bad driving, but it still keeps me up a lot at night.  That's okay; I'm retired!!

Well, I'm going to do another exercise session soon and then probably take a nap. 

Jim,

  Good luck on your plans, hope you (and all) are with us for many years to come. Looks like Jack Russell in your photo. We had one that passed away last April and soon found another rescue, Jack Russell mix puppy. But, he must be mixed with a horse, because he is already 51 pounds.

I was going to ask if anyone on our post a retired college teacher/college staff who can say how Pennsylvania treats pensions, but then saw this... https://cornwallmanor.org/why-retire-in-pennsylvania/ 

Neither public nor private pension income is taxed in Pennsylvania, which offers an advantage over nearby states such as New Jersey, New York and Maryland, which tax pensions.

So, if somehow we can find the strength to pack up and move, hopefully soon after retirement, Pennsylvania can be on our short list.

Tom

@jd-train posted:

Maybe, I'm the only one, but I have decided that if I unexpected passed away, I don't want me wife stuck with a large permanent layout to deal with.  The second floor of the house that we are building will be mostly a gaming space.  I have decided that my trains will be kept in a couple of large cabinets with glass doors and I will run Lionel FasTrack with O-84 and O-96 curves on the floor.  I will confess, that I will have a permanent slot car layout, but it will be a simple modular design so that it will be easy to remove.

Jim

Jim, I am totally with you!!  My layout in the 11x11 room can be easily unbolted from the frame that is hung on the walls by my sons-in-law.  It is in sections that can be carried straight out to a dumpster without having to go up or down any steps.  They can leave the wall brackets in place if they want and just cover them with whatever wood is available to make a nice workshop for a buyer.  My shelves were already hanging on the wall, so when the trains are removed they are ready for a buyer to load with books or decorations.  If we do move out of this house and I still want a layout, I will have to think that through, probably modular like your planned slot car layout, when the time comes.  Though I'm just ready to turn 65, the floor isn't a good choice for me for my own trains.  In fact, I may have a problem if we have grandchildren.  Getting down is okay, but getting up is the problem as happens with so many people.

@PRR8976 posted:

Jim,

  Good luck on your plans, hope you (and all) are with us for many years to come. Looks like Jack Russell in your photo. We had one that passed away last April and soon found another rescue, Jack Russell mix puppy. But, he must be mixed with a horse, because he is already 51 pounds.

I was going to ask if anyone on our post a retired college teacher/college staff who can say how Pennsylvania treats pensions, but then saw this... https://cornwallmanor.org/why-retire-in-pennsylvania/

Neither public nor private pension income is taxed in Pennsylvania, which offers an advantage over nearby states such as New Jersey, New York and Maryland, which tax pensions.

So, if somehow we can find the strength to pack up and move, hopefully soon after retirement, Pennsylvania can be on our short list.

Tom

Tom, I've been collecting 2 pensions since 2015, though I finally quit working at the end of 2019.  My pensions and my wife's aren't taxed.  You aren't that far from Northeast Pennsylvania if you want to stay close to visit family and friends.  Housing is less expensive in Central and here in Northwestern Pennsylvania, so that is a consideration too.

@PRR8976 posted:

Jim,

  Good luck on your plans, hope you (and all) are with us for many years to come. Looks like Jack Russell in your photo. We had one that passed away last April and soon found another rescue, Jack Russell mix puppy. But, he must be mixed with a horse, because he is already 51 pounds.

I was going to ask if anyone on our post a retired college teacher/college staff who can say how Pennsylvania treats pensions, but then saw this... https://cornwallmanor.org/why-retire-in-pennsylvania/

Neither public nor private pension income is taxed in Pennsylvania, which offers an advantage over nearby states such as New Jersey, New York and Maryland, which tax pensions.

So, if somehow we can find the strength to pack up and move, hopefully soon after retirement, Pennsylvania can be on our short list.

Tom!

Tom,

Caleb was a Wire Fox Terrier, slightly bigger than a Jack Russel.  Our previous dog was a Kerry Blue Terrier.  We love terriers. Your dog, at 51 lbs, indeed is a large dog!

Pennsylvania not taxing retirement income is one of the reasons that we have temporarily moved to PA.  When we lost our lease in our Maryland house in May, we move to PA as MD & PA have an agreement that if you resided in one state for more than 6 months, you pay state taxes (for the entire year) to that state.  We have taken out a large chuck of money for my retirement account to build our new house in Delaware.  That money would have been taxed by the state in MD or DE, but is tax (state) free in PA!

Jim

What kind of gaming space are you putting in? 

--Jim R

Jim, I had noticed your comment “Formerly in Maryland.  Now in Eastern Pennsylvania.  Retiring in southern Delaware” before.  Now I understand the reasoning for your situation.  I wish you well building your new house!!

Tom, I’m happy to see this topic is still active and that many more of men and women in our hobby are planning to retire or semi-retire in the near future. Peter, Putnam Division retired awhile back and from the pictures on the forum , he’s staying very busy, very active in the hobby, and has finished his train room and planned his new layout, Wow. My friend Dr. Jack Fisher is semi retired, simply working a few days a week to pay for his love of model trains. That’s all fantastic, I have been retired for over 3 years and love the freedom to choose my daily activities, yardwork, home improvement, house cleaning, working on the layout, visiting close friends, traveling, playing with my IPad and reading threads on this great OGR Forum. I’m going to to be 77 soon, and really miss some of my railroad buddies that passed away in their 60’s which is way to young. There are fewer modelers in my area, now, so I actually have to drive 50 or so miles to connect up to my buddies. Dr. Jack Fisher is in Nashville, Farmerjohn is in Kentucky, a three hour drive, my favorite hobby shop is in Evansville, Indiana, my other in Nashville, so, I have to drive a few miles to enjoy my friends layouts snd model trains. The subject of health has crept into many of the reasons for retirement, so my prayers go out to those that are having health issues. My wife and I built a new sidewalk to our train room so any one can visit and there’s no steps. My health remains good, praise the Lord. My thoughts are hoping that we can keep this fun hobby going for a long long time. Thank you Tom for this thread. Happy Railroading, and hopeful retirement everyone.