@HiramO posted:I think it's also useful to recognize that for some of us the intensity of our interest in our trains increases and decreases depending on other things going on in our lives. It's OK to take a break and come back... just remember to clean your track when you come back!
I will second this comment. I live and breath trains as a hobby, but my interest does increase and decrease over time. Currently I am doing nothing with my own trains. I'm not purchasing any, I don't have room for a layout, and I have a lot of trains. I do have some consulting work for 3rd Rail, but even that is at a little bit of a lull until it picks up in earnest in a few weeks. However, having been in this hobby continuously for 46 years now I always know I will come back.
Currently I did pick up some excellent railroad books for my library including some classic Al Stauffer references that I enjoy reading. I also have been focusing on other hobbies, specifically my interest in semi-modular analog synthesizers. However, that interest will wane some in time too and I'll be back to trains.
There are lots of other great insights in this thread and I don't want to discount anyone else's input. I just wanted to further emphasize that what you are experiencing is normal.
