It has taught me humility for sure. It was supposed to teach me patience, but that is (shall we say) a “work in progress”. Very little progress, but…
The older I've become I realized that I no longer wish to tinker, build another layout or repair/restore any trains. Just run 'em as I say.
@CAPPilot posted:________________________________________________________
- And to think before I got into the hobby I considered myself a well rounder, stable, reasonable person. ________________________________________________________
I certainly would have bragged that about myself before getting into this hobby also Ron. Great reply to this thread sir
- How to count rivets. Unfortunately, that backfires when you review purchases you made years ago and you can't believe you actually bought that stuff.
- That you should share stuff you find out along the way. You never know; you might provide the lynch pin solution to a problem.
- That there's no such thing as a dumb question. Remember, you asked them once.
- Humility. No matter how good you may be, someone is going to do a model/scene that scares you to your core that someone could be that good. We've all met them.
- That the hobby isn't about us. We're just custodians for a limited time. Mentor the newcomers, take an apprentice/become an apprentice. Constantly learn/teach.
- A lack of space isn't a hinderance. It's a challenge. I'm in a Micro Layout Facebook and have entered two design challenge contests. I'm the only one doing O scale and other group members think I'm crazy in a good way.
- Layout design is therapeutic. Gathering materials to build your layout can make you psychotic since there's a system-wide track shortage. And don't get me started on lumber prices.
- A club or operating group is good for your health and well-being. It's like group therapy that doesn't cost a lot, plus you can shamelessly steal other people's ideas.
- If you're a three-rail operator, find a couple of two-rail friends (and vice-versa) and trade trucks you can't use. Saves you a lot of money. You can also teach each other a few things.
- You will eventually find your "unicorn" -- that item you've been searching for that has eluded you for years. It took me five years to assemble the full 8-car passenger car set for my CNW H1 Northern.
That's enough for now.
@AGHRMatt posted:
- How to count rivets. Unfortunately, that backfires when you review purchases you made years ago and you can't believe you actually bought that stuff.
- That you should share stuff you find out along the way. You never know; you might provide the lynch pin solution to a problem.
- That there's no such thing as a dumb question. Remember, you asked them once.
- Humility. No matter how good you may be, someone is going to do a model/scene that scares you to your core that someone could be that good. We've all met them.
- That the hobby isn't about us. We're just custodians for a limited time. Mentor the newcomers, take an apprentice/become an apprentice. Constantly learn/teach.
- A lack of space isn't a hinderance. It's a challenge. I'm in a Micro Layout Facebook and have entered two design challenge contests. I'm the only one doing O scale and other group members think I'm crazy in a good way.
- Layout design is therapeutic. Gathering materials to build your layout can make you psychotic since there's a system-wide track shortage. And don't get me started on lumber prices.
- A club or operating group is good for your health and well-being. It's like group therapy that doesn't cost a lot, plus you can shamelessly steal other people's ideas.
- If you're a three-rail operator, find a couple of two-rail friends (and vice-versa) and trade trucks you can't use. Saves you a lot of money. You can also teach each other a few things.
- You will eventually find your "unicorn" -- that item you've been searching for that has eluded you for years. It took me five years to assemble the full 8-car passenger car set for my CNW H1 Northern.
That's enough for now.
VERY Well said Matt.
I think I learned a lot of the basics when I was a Kid with my first Layout. Things were a lot simpler back in the 50's and you could figure things out and be creative. Lack of money forced you to build things repair your trains and become an all around handy man. Electricity, carpentry, painting, crafting knowledge grew out of necessity even it didn't turn out right the first time you liked it anyway. Today in my 80's it's hard for me to grasp the new technology so I still enjoy my trains from my childhood. But I do have new technology with help from family and friends. without them I would not have my Hot Air Balloon floating across my layout (my idea and design, their electronic help).
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Another thing I realized I learned is that I spent all my time and money on trains, and the rest was just wasted.