Larry,
Thanks for helping to keep our topic going. Glad you are doing well and that this topic is interesting to so many.
Tom
Mark and Jim,
Thanks for the info about pensions which backs up what I thought I had seen.
Tom
@Mark Boyce posted: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.
I guess I really don't have any complaints coming health wise being a lot older than your are. Although I have my niggling little health issues, I can sit on the floor and then get up without holding on to anything. I can even do that with a box of trains in my hands! 
I'm sure at some point that will no longer be true, so I'll enjoy it while I can.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I guess I really don't have any complaints coming health wise being a lot older than your are. Although I have my niggling little health issues, I can sit on the floor and then get up without holding on to anything. I can even do that with a box of trains in my hands!
I'm glad you can do that, John!! I'm glad I made the decisions that I did 4 1/2 years ago when I started planning my layout.
It’s now 11 months and counting. Can’t wait to join you guys in retirement!
@JimR34 posted:What kind of gaming space are you putting in?
--Jim R
Aside from a large crafting room for my wife, we will have a 16'x48' gaming space, including a 3rd bathroom on our second floor. I wanted a house that had a space big enough for a pool table in addition to all of my other hobbies. Very few houses in our area have basements, they are houses built on encapsulated crawl spaces, so our first floor is living space and the second floor is hobby/game space. 
Jim
November 2021-- Any Layouts Started Later in Life?
I thought I would open this up again and ask, how old were you when you started your most recent layout? Really looking for how common it is to start a layout when one is in their 60's, 70's or 80's?
For the record, I am 62 next year...hope to retire June 1, 2022. I'm in pretty good health so far. I'd love to move after retiring, but wife and her siblings are nearby and that can be an issue. Even by going to Upstate New York (Saratoga Springs/Glens Falls/Queensbury) that could be a doable improvement with property taxes.
All comments welcome.
Tom
@PRR8976 posted:November 2021-- Any Layouts Started Later in Life?
I thought I would open this up again and ask, how old were you when you started your most recent layout? Really looking for how common it is to start a layout when one is in their 60's, 70's or 80's?
I was 75 when I started my most recent layout. I think you still have time to squeeze out one more layout! 
We moved in late 2017.
New Train Room Finally Getting A Layout!
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At 62 you have lots of time, about 74 you are slowing up pretty good. At 78 I wonder if I will ever finish it.
I was in my late 40s when I started building my current layout that took me about 6 months to build in my spare time. Very hard work but very exhilarating, I particularly enjoyed planning it, designing it and drawing out the plans for it, as if I was the civil engineer.
I recently completed most of the work for the most time consuming and challenging project since then: rewiring the layout, which appears in the Electrical Forum.
@Dennis Rempel posted:At 62 you have lots of time, about 74 you are slowing up pretty good. At 78 I wonder if I will ever finish it.
Well, I'm 78, and I may never "finish", but I'll have fun trying.
Tom, this is an excellent bit of research you are undertaking. My current efforts started at age 69. Now that I’m 70, I anticipate a lot of progress before turning 71.
I was 63 when I started this layout and am now 65. It’s going pretty well I think.
I found inspiration in this thread, 'cause the retirement train is comin' my way, Enjoy!
The retirement train is comin' my way, it's gettin' closer every day;
week by week...now day by day... my retirement train is on its way!
my retirement train is almost here... its distant whistle, I can hear!
it's distant rumble I can now feel ...its smoke and steam I can now see,
a gorgeous train it will be, that retirement train soon comin' for me.
I rekindled my train addiction,
Hi- My name is Bob, and I'm a O gauge addict. 
and started my layout at 54- almost 5 years ago. I expect/ hope to have at least two more in me. One in our current home when I get those pesky children out, and a second where ever we decide to live when I retire.
'CAUSE IT CERTAINLY WON'T BE IN NEW YORK! 
Nice to see you are still lurking around Tom.
Bob
@PRR8976 posted:November 2021-- Any Layouts Started Later in Life?
I thought I would open this up again and ask, how old were you when you started your most recent layout? Really looking for how common it is to start a layout when one is in their 60's, 70's or 80's?
For the record, I am 62 next year...hope to retire June 1, 2022. I'm in pretty good health so far. I'd love to move after retiring, but wife and her siblings are nearby and that can be an issue. Even by going to Upstate New York (Saratoga Springs/Glens Falls/Queensbury) that could be a doable improvement with property taxes.
All comments welcome.
Tom
Right there with you. I’m planning an end of June 2022 exit. The only fly in the ointment is runaway inflation. If that hits next year, I’m extending it to December 2022. I have a decent pension with cola, but those extra paychecks will soften any inflation blow. I have no intention of moving (life is good in Florida) or taking down my current layout. However, in retirement, I plan on building a rural, military themed layout in one of my empty nester bedrooms (already sanctioned by the CEO, otherwise known as the wife). Good times!
So I feel as if I'm a slow poke. I started the current layout at 46 in January 2014 almost 8 years ago. I know it might look like I've done a lot, but I feel like I have more work ahead of me than I do behind me.
Ron
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Tom, I do have to add that I plan to build one more layout. Once my mother-in-law either passes or has to go to a senior care facility, we plan to sell this house and buy a house that we don't have to be constantly using stairs. On the other hand, the way Kim's mom is going, we may be ready for the old folks home ourselves.
John, Great poem!! I didn't really have a chance to plan when I would retire. Circumstances just happened, and I realized it was best to just sign up for Social Security and quit looking for another position. No one needed an engineer with my skills, and I was too beat up from surgeries to go back to being a technician. It has worked out well so far.
I started building my current layout in 2018 when I was 66. At first, it was basically a couple of concentric loops while I contemplated what I wanted to have in a layout. Now that I'm retired progress has been slow but steady.
John
I retired nearly 3 years ago. The first two years were spent on honey do lists, fixing up our house and cottage, did a bit of traveling before Covid hit. Last Fall, I got out my 66 year old train set that my grandfather bought me in 1955. Started learning how to maintain, repair and lube the old postwar locomotives and trains. Set up a beginning 027 layout and my grandson and I ran trains for hours and hours. He loves them. Built a little more complicated layout after building tables with holes in the joists for electrical busses and other wiring. Got that finished by Christmas last year and also started buying PW Lionel engines and cars on Ebay. Started designing a more advanced layout with SCARM, have gone thru many iterations and have made changes on the fly during the build process. I've got 3 loops running, the two inner loops are for PW and Conventional engines 054 & 042). The third 072 will be for Lionchief, TMCC and Legacy engines (as will the 4th loop which is under construction at this time). It's been a joy getting back into the hobby, appreciating what my Dad built for my brother and I so many years ago, enjoying time with my grandsons, learning more about maintenance, electricity, track blocks, circuit breakers, soldering, tuning Gargraves turnouts, Legacy & TMCC vs PW, etc, etc. Thank you for all the valuable advice and information which has helped me in my journey back into the hobby and helped me solve many vexing problems. I also enjoy the enthusiasm shared by so many of the members on this forum.
I just finished my 7th year of retirement and hope I have many more. I’ve been working on my layout what seems like forever. It’s so enjoyable not having to meet deadlines for this or that. I still buy an engine every once in awhile but mostly enjoy shows (TCA) and buying things to enhance my operations on the layout. I have one more mountain frame to build and then it’s time to get moving with scenery and bring some beauty to the layout.
When i worked for MTH i always had deadlines on layouts, i know what you mean i am not retired but it must feel great.
Wow, 13 responses (+2 at least as I am typing away)...in such a short time. Sorry, I had to go out and run Saturday errands after sending the post and then jump start wifey's car. I was debating holding off and thought I might have 2 responses!
@gunrunnerjohn - I've see your already amazing layout...very inspiring to know you started it at 75. Thanks for your faith!
@dennis rempel- Good to know in increments when things change. Thanks.
@Arnold D. Cribari -Arnold, I think I heard you were rewiring, God bless you! Wiring is my least favorite part of the hobby.
@Tranquil Hollow RR - I think you hit the nail on the head! I like to be efficient and if I can learn from all of this ahead of time along with what I learned in prior layouts, my life might be easier...I should have mentioned, I'd like my next layout to be of prewar Lionel T-Rail track. I've been steadily stockpiling a decent amount as my house sinks lower and lower into the earth!
@Mark Boyce - You should not have retired before me, my friend! Just kidding, I think we were on the same retirement track and something happened like you took the express train and I took the local! 
Glad to know it is working out.
@john in western pa -You lucky dog! Hope this topic helps you. Your a poet and we did not know it!
@RSJB18 - Hi Bob, nice to hear from you and yes, I am still lurking. Hope your work life has not been too difficult in COVID-land.
@Strap Hanger - Good to know I am not the last one on earth who has not retired!
@Ron045 - That looks pretty darn good. I see a slope-backed tender in the roundhouse area with a GG1, so another Pennsy paison is always good. 
@CA John - That seems doable for me at 66...slow and steady seems fine, too. Thanks.
@Norb Veit - Sounds like a lot of progress on your end. For me, I think I am too old to learn any new electronics and my prewar switchers are about my speed and the right level of technology for me.
Thanks for all of your posts!
Tom
@romiller49 posted:I just finished my 7th year of retirement and hope I have many more. I’ve been working on my layout what seems like forever. It’s so enjoyable not having to meet deadlines for this or that. I still buy an engine every once in awhile but mostly enjoy shows (TCA) and buying things to enhance my operations on the layout. I have one more mountain frame to build and then it’s time to get moving with scenery and bring some beauty to the layout.
It has been said you never really ever finish your layout!
Like everyone else, feel free to post pictures here in this topic.
Tom
@rustycoupler posted:When i worked for MTH i always had deadlines on layouts, i know what you mean i am not retired but it must feel great.
No deadlines sounds like a good idea in retirement.
I hope such a life exists and it is not a mirage. 
With no deadlines you can make the most ultimate layout you can. details.... details. chochkis and flashing lights and the whole thing.....good luck. I only had five weeks for the York layout.... it could have been better.... hey but you have retirement. pictures please.
@Seafarer posted:Just retired at 69, moved into our new house, and sold the old house (which required me to dismantle the layout I built in my garage in 1999).
Planning the new layout, which will start building in January.
John
John,
How was the move? Another couple of things I am not fond of: packing, moving and unpacking!
Tom
Interesting discussion. I am 75 and retired from teaching /administration in a medical school for about 5 years-still do some "gratis" teaching as a professor emeritus. Am a collector-had a time demanding job, raised 5 children (and believed that the basement belonged to the kids) and coached boys summer league baseball and grade school basketball for years. For me, much of the enjoyment in collecting is in the learning about real and model trains-and unfortunately ( or more truthful, fortunately) my "interest" in learning/reading has not waned with age. I presume it eventually will. But knowing that I am on the shorter part of my existence on this planet, I am learning to "temper" my collecting. I have taken up some with scratch building-something I never had time for. Fortunately our fifth-a mechanical engineer-for a time had an interest in model building-so he contributes from a distance to the project(s). The current "endeavor" is the PRR clearance car. Again, thanks for the discussion-great to read about the thoughts of other AARPers !!
As I am approaching retirement age I am finding that the opportunity to have more time to build my dream layout is being offset by the uncertainty about where I will be living and for how long. I have already gone through having to trash a couple of nice enough decent sized layouts. I would like to think I would have enough time in place to enjoy the next one.
After the sudden death of a close friend this week at 61, I am considering retirement ahead of (my) schedule - which was going to be Dec '22. I'm in good health , we just settled in our new-to-us home this April and there's so many interesting things to do besides work !
Rich in SD
We all share the same passion. I am 68 and retired 8 years ago. I started my layout at age 63 and finished 3 years later. It was very enjoyable and being my first layout was a great learning experience.
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My belief is that if you are in a position to do so, then do so. We moved and the primary requirement was one floor living. We have a two bedroom loft for when the grandkids or guests are here. During the remodeling we made the doorways, and our shower, wheelchair accessible; just in case. It’s one level to the garage and the train room. Most weeks if I had to go to work I would have to call and say, “sorry, too busy, maybe next week “. As far as I know it’s never been recorded that on their death bed someone has said, “I wish I spent more time at work “. Collect early and often.
Thanks to all the posters here, especially those early boomers (I was born in 1964, so technically a boomer, but tail end, so I self-identify more as a Gen-Xer since I don't like the Beatles and was born after JFK ). Like many posters, I've been a total slowpoke getting basement layout 2.0 up and running. Too much life getting in the way....graduations, weddings, etc. our 3 oldest plus our last born is only 14. Second, I love seeing so many in their 70s still getting at it in this hobby.
@turtle7 posted:Interesting discussion. I am 75 and retired from teaching /administration in a medical school for about 5 years-still do some "gratis" teaching as a professor emeritus. Am a collector-had a time demanding job, raised 5 children (and believed that the basement belonged to the kids) and coached boys summer league baseball and grade school basketball for years. For me, much of the enjoyment in collecting is in the learning about real and model trains-and unfortunately ( or more truthful, fortunately) my "interest" in learning/reading has not waned with age. I presume it eventually will. But knowing that I am on the shorter part of my existence on this planet, I am learning to "temper" my collecting. I have taken up some with scratch building-something I never had time for. Fortunately our fifth-a mechanical engineer-for a time had an interest in model building-so he contributes from a distance to the project(s). The current "endeavor" is the PRR clearance car. Again, thanks for the discussion-great to read about the thoughts of other AARPers !!
A PRR clearance car sounds interesting. I also find another PRR MOW interesting, the poling car.
Keep us posted if you can.
Tom
@Bill N posted:As I am approaching retirement age I am finding that the opportunity to have more time to build my dream layout is being offset by the uncertainty about where I will be living and for how long. I have already gone through having to trash a couple of nice enough decent sized layouts. I would like to think I would have enough time in place to enjoy the next one.
Bill,
I too am in-between layouts. Just being able to currently have an oval on my workbench seems to work for me. I know I mentioned early on about a book to help transition folks like us on the verge of retirement into actual retirement...it is called (sorry for the somewhat silly title, nonetheless it is a well-done book), "How to Retire Happy, Wild and Free," by Ernie Zelinski. It is an easy book to read. I bought it years ago and also have it as an Audible book to listen to every know and then. I think (at least for me and some that have reviewed the book) it helps to lessen the anxiety between a structured 9 to 5 life and what life may have in store after retirement.
Good luck as things move along.
Tom
@raising4daughters posted:Thanks to all the posters here, especially those early boomers (I was born in 1964, so technically a boomer, but tail end, so I self-identify more as a Gen-Xer since I don't like the Beatles and was born after JFK
I can relate. We raised 2 daughters and I had little time for trains. You have double the life getting in the way of time for trains.
@trestleking posted:After the sudden death of a close friend this week at 61, I am considering retirement ahead of (my) schedule - which was going to be Dec '22. I'm in good health , we just settled in our new-to-us home this April and there's so many interesting things to do besides work !
Rich in SD
Rich,
Sorry about the passing of your friend. If doable, good luck if you can leave earlier. Hope you have room for a layout in your new home?
Tom
@Alabama Joe posted:We all share the same passion. I am 68 and retired 8 years ago. I started my layout at age 63 and finished 3 years later. It was very enjoyable and being my first layout was a great learning experience.
@Alabama Joe - Wow, very impressive! If a layout is good therapy (as I believe) then you must be a happy man! Good for you. Enjoy.
Tom
@PRR8976 posted:Bill,
I too am in-between layouts. Just being able to currently have an oval on my workbench seems to work for me. I know I mentioned early on about a book to help transition folks like us on the verge of retirement into actual retirement...it is called (sorry for the somewhat silly title, nonetheless it is a well-done book), "How to Retire Happy, Wild and Free," by Ernie Zelinski. It is an easy book to read. I bought it years ago and also have it as an Audible book to listen to every know and then. I think (at least for me and some that have reviewed the book) it helps to lessen the anxiety between a structured 9 to 5 life and what life may have in store after retirement.
Good luck as things move along.
Tom
Tom I just ordered the book maybe I will get it read before I retire (Currently 69 still working and still enjoying it) if I am lucky between layout construction Honey Do's and my sawdust show projects. Of course cannot forget train show.
