For the most part, my model railroading is an escape, however, I will say that certain aspects of model railroading can be stress inducers.
I'm currently involved installing back drop boards for the back drops, and have a lot more sawdust/paint/mess things to get accomplished before the layout and layout room gets cleaned up and the equipment unboxed and placed on the rails again. I suspect this messy phase I'm currently involved in will last the rest of the summer.
I would like to say that such work is a stress reducer, but it really isn't to me. There's a bit of stress trying to get your cuts right (made a $12 mistake yesterday that really messed with me), trying to hold boards in place and get the fastener started, etc, etc. At times my frustration level rises.
No, what I'm doing now is an evil necessity in order to get back to the thing I love the most: Operating the trains.
SO... for me, there IS some stress in certain aspects of model railroading. However, IF one wants to accomplish the larger goal, then you have to tackle them and get them done. The end goal is greater than the inconvenience of the means necessary to arrive there.
Andre
