When do you run your trains?

When ever I can. 

Whenever I feel down, the trains will pick me right up. When I get home from work at night (around midnight) I like to just look at them and recall all the memories of the search and the repairs and restorations of various pieces just to unwind - better than a drink - at least I won't wake up in the night to get rid of that drink

Run When Needed.

Lately it has only been to test trackage and layout upgrades

I run trains on the weekends, during train shows, and christmas.

Usually after midnight when unwinding from work. Sometimes till 5-6am basement carpet central.  Tonight will be running all die cast coal hopper train. N&W (1218) A on point. 😎🇺🇸👍

In Buffalo, the summer is short so the layouts get covered up for the warm weather months & back up & running when there's nothing else to do on long, cold winter nights.

Yes!

When the mood hits me.

When someone comes over to see the trains.

 

clem k

Usually when I am supposed to be working on the layout.

.....

Dennis

Mostly in the afternoon.

At night and not to change your subject but sometimes I just like to look at them in silence and reflect back on the memories I have of them and what I went through to build them.Sometimes they make me cry over losing my Mom and Dad.Nick

Whenever I feel like it.

My response exactly..... Any time I feel like it!!!

 

FREDSTRAINS

Regarding Rock Star's post about mom & dad, I think about them & my uncles, since I have their old stuff too, EVERY time I run the trains, or visit a hobby shop, or attend a train show, or go out to watch trains. Some times the sound, smell, & feel of, especially Lionel takes me right back to those old days. Especially around X-mas. When I hear an engine power up, "Woaaaank" then hear the E-unit "Clank" & then the motor starts to purr "Groaaaannnn" as a train takes off around the track, the trusty ZW humming in the corner, the soft glow of the bulbs, wow man, it's as if the electricity coursing through the layout creates some sort of temporal distortion & I feel transported back in time. In my mind's eye I can see them standing there for a fleeting second. That's part of the experience of toy trains. It's the same effect for me as when I use dad's old tools to fix something, or when I take his old 30-30 out to the range - I'm having the exact same sights, sounds, & feelings that he had back when those items were new, reliving the past & remembering him & all the influence he had on me & my personal interests. We're all just caretakers here. Some day, I'll be gone & these items will be for my son to remember us by. It's the natural order of things. To everything there is a season. For now, it's my turn to own & enjoy them.

Every night if I can!

Whenever the urge strikes.

When I have visitors, operating sessions, and any time I want.

 

Art

Usually anytime I get the urge. Mostly that is around 4 or 5 p.m. before dinner.

No set time, but just about every time we are in the train room which is frequently.

I'm retired.  I can and do run them whenever the mood takes me.  I don't automatically run them for visitors, unless I know they're people who like trains.

 

Most of the time we run the trains anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes before "Joey" has to be in bed. It's a great way for us to wind down after the day. I usually quiz him on upcoming exams then talk about the trains. Let loose with the bells, whistling, and "sounds" then start parking the trains- we run 3 lines at a time-we park them so that if the cats get on the table they can't knock stuff off the table!!

 

The cats did knock off a Lionel GP-35 Legacy!!!!!!!!! Ouch!!

I run them whenever I am in my trainroom or workshop, from early morning to late at night.  Usually that is afternoons.

Anytime the mood hits but usually 15-30 minutes at the time, sometimes 3=4 times a day, somedays none. When my neighbor brings his Grandkids over, trains will run until the kids get tired.

 

My 5 Grandkids have ZERO interest, this may be my fault, but they usually have  their I Pads  with them.

 

Brent

While sitting at the computer as i can easily watch them along with repairing, cleaning or lubing them etc at the desk.

Usually on Saturday or Sunday morning, sometimes both mornings.