I was wondering how much train related stuff retirees get to do once they are retired...like what's your "Train To Do List" like?
For those soon to retire, any big plans?
I need 7.5 years if all goes well. Seems like 750 years sometimes!
Tom
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Been retired since Jan3, 2007 and get in all the train time I want. I also play golf and work at 2 local golf courses so that cuts into my RR time, sometimes. Might have to give the golf up!
Well Tom,
My list was long. It covered two complete prewar layouts, one Std Gauge and one O-Gauge.
It took me twenty-five years after retirement. I'm grateful and very blessed to have retired early. Now I'm a shut-in with advanced Parkinsons. I cannot do much anymore. Both layouts were sold complete with accessories. At least I have a few trains left on my shelves to admire.
My advice to anyone who will listen. Start as soon as you can as you never know what's waiting down the road.
"Pappy"
Pappy,
I hope to follow your advice and I hope you can stay as healthy as possible. Would love to know what you kept to admire!
Bob,
I learned about 25 years ago that golf was not for me. One day, my co-worker bought a golf club (anybody remember Herman's?) when we went to lunch. We came back to our empty college campus (it was deserted during the Summer). She said take a swing. On the second try, the ball took off and went pretty far...out of literally nowhere came a woman from around a corner...after several bounces it hit her on the hip (luckily not hurt!). My golf career ended before it started which is probably good for mankind.
Tom
Tom,
Interesting you say you have 7.5 years before you retire. If all goes well, I will retire in 7.5 years too.
Pappy,
I am sorry to learn of your health condition. Thank you for your advice.
This my friend in Model Trains is a very Good Question? Before You Retire, and remember this, IF You are Married, Do Your BIG Spending While You are Working Full Time. If You say to the Wife, I Really want a $1500-$2500 Lionel Engine, once Retired, on a Retired income, She will Lay Down The Law.....7 Years from now, Who knows what will be in demand. So, my advice, enjoy your work, purchase what you want for your Model Railroad while you can afford the trains, etc. After you retire, you can enjoy the hobby with others and spend the rest of the time with Grand Kids, Your Kids, and most Important, Your Wife.
You Measure Your Wealth, By Your Health....(Unless You Inherit A Fortune, or Win The a Lottery), Good Question, Happy Railroading! Enjoy the Moment...
Marriage has nothing to do with it. She owns 2 horses that cost us about 1000.00 a month for board, room, tack, vet bills, yadda yadda. There goes my trains. 42 years of marriage.
Dick
Today 8 of us retirees from my model railroad club went to the Walt Disney Family Museum in the San Francisco Presidio to see a special exhibit called "Walt Disney's Trains". It was a super exhibit and a wonderful day.
Retirement is good. Joe
Health is the most important thing so hopefully we can all stay healthy to enjoy our retirement! I will retire sometime between tomorrow and three years from tomorrow. I am slightly past normal retirement age but have been asked to stay on. So each morning I ask myself if I still want to go to work, so far the answer continues to be yes since I enjoy what I do.
As far as planning I continue to add carefully to my collection. We spent 2014 in temporary housing while remodeling our home for retirement. We created a 17x20 space for a layout plus a separate area for A 6x12 early 50's style layout. I am planning to have a detailed high rail layout custom built and installed in the train room because it will never get done if I try to do it myself. I hope to have it under contract within 30 days and installed by December. Good thing I am still working, the price of these layouts is unbelievable!
I am really fortunate since my wife likes the trains and is completely supportive, however when I told her the estimate for the custom layout she thought I had lost my mind! Her vision is to travel more when I retire, my objective is to never travel again after 150,000 miles per year for the last 40 years. I have about 5mm airline miles to use to do some travelling. I also golf, but am not a fanatic. We collect wine and some whisky so we travel some with that hobby. Running trains with a good glass of wine in hand is most enjoyable.The trains are S gauge and mostly Flyer and "Flyonel" so the space demands are manageable with that scale.
I turn 62 in June.......I've been at the same job for 32 years......I average every 4th weekend and every 10th night Monday through Thursday........it tough running with the 30 and 40 year olds and I'm starting to wear down.........I have given notice:
December 2016, I give up weekend call.
December 2018, I give up weeknight call.
December 2020, I give up hospital work and go part time in the office. I'll be 67 at that time.....and part time in the office a few days a week will be fun.
I have been working hard to stay healthy....but you never know.......I hope that I will be able to play....
Peter
2 MORE YEARS!
Pappy, very sorry to hear about your health. I can relate partly as I was diagnosed with 4th stage cancer a year and a half ago. I say partly because this past week I was informed it was in remission. I will pray for you and every time the whistle blows on my "Yellowstone" it will be for you sir.
Building the remaining segment of the layout, installed Tortouse motors to switches(LH & RH) and wyes on the section built, installed some wiring for toggle switches for block system, soldered 12 inch 18 gauge solid wire track leads every 8 to 9 feet, and keeping myself mentally stimulated also enjoy reading train magazines, historical magazines and historical books and spending time on this Forum, retired two years ago.
Retired about six years ago and there's plenty of time for this hobby and my trick is now to not overdo it...you can get burned out,believe it or not. Too much of a good thing...have developed other interests as well.
I am 66 years old and "semi-retired." I was a co-founder of the company I am with. I work only two days a week, and want to go to less, but . . . the company is like a child: it's yours forever.
I spend what time I can on trains and model building, but it is not enough for me, and often very frustrating that I can't spend more.
The problem really is not the small amount of time I spend at work. Twenty years ago I saw my doctor maybe once ever two or three years. Now I see him maybe eight times a year. And my wife is the same. And we go to the pharmacy at least once or twice a week. And errands seem to take so much longer to get done.
I am not complaining. This is reality - the way it is. Older equipment works slower and requires more maintenance. All the extra time required comes out of what is left over for hobbies. It is what it is: the alternative is less preferable by far.
I am too old to lay on a concrete floor under a seven liter supercharged engine and tighten main bearing caps to the correct torque, but I do wish I had more time for the trains. Still, I make the best of what I have.
Will retire in June. Then I must vacate my father's house as my sibling gets half of it, and move my and my father's trains to a big dry basement with a house on top to keep the weather out. This may take a year or so. We both agreed there is no rush.
Then I will build a couple layouts. In S and O.
Theres no doubt from reading Lee's posts that he works a lot more on his layout than I do.I've gotten used to spending about a quarter of the day reading 2 newspapers but I love it.
I've been retired for 6 years now but I still work 2 days a week. It's all what you make it. I spend a lot of time working around the house, cooking, music, and trains. After a wile you kind of get tired watching your trains go around and around. You need some friends to enjoy the hobby with. Going to train shows and running your trains with your friends on their layouts is a lot of fun. Looking forward to and going to York with my train buddies is always a good time. Once you retire you will find a whole bunch of non-trains things to do and that will keep you away from the hobby, but after the break it is great to run your trains again.
I retired (went on disability) about 7 years ago due to medical reasons. The part I like is I can go to the weekday train shows (like York on Thursday and Friday) , when I'm up to it, without having to make my boss mad cause I ask for a day off. Can work on train stuff any time I like.
Our house is paid for and the kid is grown and married (no grand kids yet). No dependents other than a few pets. My wife still works and has her own money so any train purchases I make come out of my pocket not hers or ours.
Sometimes, I think it would be nice to work 1 or 2 days a week but then I come back to reality. These days WORK is a 4 letter word in my book. LOL
Rick
I too am retired. Some advice:
1. Plan on diminishing physical ability. Make all improvements with future disabilities in mind. Think about being in a wheel chair for some time. (even two weeks can be a challenge). Have one entrance to your house with no steps and at least one bedroom on the ground floor.
2. Have more than trains as a hobby, one hobby whatever it is will not work forever, diversify. Have indoor hobbies and outdoor hobbies. Two of my friends were big fishermen, two years into retirement they did not even own a pole. Health issues eliminate golf for many people.
3. Develop your interest in hobbies before retirement.
4. Buy expensive items while you are still working if you want to but retirement often brings surprises, hence a big boat in a nearly dry area. Trains tend to evolve to the more detailed as people get more into the hobby, make your purchases accordingly.
5. Grand kids are nice but don't be a free babysitting service unless you want to be. Two hours drive from each house can help this.
6. However much income you have going in to retirement you will spend more than you mean to. Plan accordingly. Government COLA (cost of living allowance) does not cover all the price increases.
6. Make sure you are within easy range of a major hospital. Hospitalization is inevitable and you don't want to be a days drive from your hospital.
7. Don't think of the one with the most toys wins, think the one who enjoys them the most wins.
7. Enjoy yourself and don't take things to seriously. You should be finished with acquiring wealth.
Douglas
I have been retired since Christmas of 1999. It didn't help to speed up my dream layout as much as I had hoped. I'm still at it. What slows me down is golf, doing my own yard work on 2 1/3 acres, and spending winters in Florida. All enjoyable though.
.....
Dennis
MNCW
I'm glad you're looking forward towards retirement. Don't know any of your "details", (family situation, kids or parents to provide for, pension or self funded retirement, etc..) but I'd like to give you the same advice I gave others when I was retiring at the end of 2010. How close are you? Seven years is too long to spend "thinking" about retirement.
Plan for it by funding 401K or 457 plan. Enjoy work when you can and look forward to you're next vacation. Hopefully the time will fly bye and you'll be ready when the time comes.
All the best, Bruce
I remember the SVC board.
I too am retired. Some advice:
1. Plan on diminishing physical ability. Make all improvements with future disabilities in mind. Think about being in a wheel chair for some time. (even two weeks can be a challenge). Have one entrance to your house with no steps and at least one bedroom on the ground floor.
2. Have more than trains as a hobby, one hobby whatever it is will not work forever, diversify. Have indoor hobbies and outdoor hobbies. Two of my friends were big fishermen, two years into retirement they did not even own a pole. Health issues eliminate golf for many people.
3. Develop your interest in hobbies before retirement.
4. Buy expensive items while you are still working if you want to but retirement often brings surprises, hence a big boat in a nearly dry area. Trains tend to evolve to the more detailed as people get more into the hobby, make your purchases accordingly.
5. Grand kids are nice but don't be a free babysitting service unless you want to be. Two hours drive from each house can help this.
6. However much income you have going in to retirement you will spend more than you mean to. Plan accordingly. Government COLA (cost of living allowance) does not cover all the price increases.
6. Make sure you are within easy range of a major hospital. Hospitalization is inevitable and you don't want to be a days drive from your hospital.
7. Don't think of the one with the most toys wins, think the one who enjoys them the most wins.
7. Enjoy yourself and don't take things to seriously. You should be finished with acquiring wealth.
Douglas
A ton of wisdom and good advice here. Seriously. Especially #6. We went through this with my Father-In-Law recently and it was a real nightmare. A lot of people never consider it, but I sure will. My own father passed away a few years back from complications of COPD - he was in the hospital a LOT for the last few years, but because there were good hospitals and doctors close by, it was much easier to bear.
My father in law was only sick for a few months up to his death, but the logistics of the whole ordeal really tore us apart.
Words to live (and plan) by indeed...
(Not train related but as close to a good public service announcement as you are likely to find)
Tom,
I have never had a train to do list, I was lucky enough to have a family tradition of O Gauge trains at Christmas time. Always wanted to set up a nice size layout so I did after retiring. For a little over 10 years I had a real nice multi level layout, that took up a lot of my game room and most of my home office. Like Pappy my advise is to do what you like, do not procrastinate when you reach retirement age, the fact is most men end up with major health problems sooner than they think, in my case Agent Orange put me down with a major heart attack, that I was lucky enough to fully recover from. I enjoy my multi level living room layouts more than ever now, and they seem to stay up from just after Thanksgiving, till around mid February. I really like the guys and gals here, the OGR has kind of turned into my 2nd home. In the near future I would like to make it over to York to meet Barry, Guns and MartyE, Marty F, RJR and all the reset of the nice people I talk with here all the time. Retirement life seems to go buy 10 times as fast as when I was working as a Special Agent or as a Professional Engineer. I truly love my life now and hope every man and woman get to live the retirement life God has granted me and my wife. Live your retirement for all it's worth.
PCRR/Dave
My wife and I are so very blessed to have retired with our health.
The only thing I can add is exercise a lot. Whatever your health or age, walk a lot, jog if you can and lift weights if you can. Better yet a sport. There are a lot of old fart leagues. The exercise will add years to your life, but more importantly, you will feel so much better for so much longer.
Believe me I know it can be a drag, actually it is a drag to go to the gym, but man you'll be so surprised with the results and benefits.
I had more time to myself when working. I need to get a job so I can rest.
Plan to retire in 3-4 years. Starting a new layout so I want to buy all the big stuff for it while I am still working. Yes, once I am retired, i won't be buying $1000+ locos any more! Got more trains now than I have room to display them. Looking forward to spending more time with the trains, playing my guitars, catching up on all those TV shows i don't have time to watch!
I retired in 2006 ("WHEW" 9 years already). I use to work on the trains for a couple of hours & then have to get ready for work. (evenings & nights). Now there's no rushing to get it done. There's always tomorrow. I drove for 30 years at UPS & said when I retired I never wanted to see snow again so I went to Hawaii on Dec. 1st each year & came back in April. Unfortunately the last 2 years have been a little tough physically. In 2013 I had a kidney removed & Dec.2014 had emergency gall bladder surgery to remove it. Had to cancel Hawaii both years. So this winter I get to enjoy 
3' of snow outside & bone chilling cold.
Even with all this retirement is great. I'm fortunate enough to be able to buy trains when ever I want but more importantly I'm upright & I'm thankful for that.
Over the rainbow is about 3 years away. I'll take things as they come.
I once heard "If you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans..."
Rusty
I'm almost 73, and have been retired since I was 55. Model trains play a small role in my life, although I have 3 small layouts year 'round. My wife and I travel between our house near Philadelphia and our beach cottage in Lewes, Delaware. We are now in Ft. Lauderdale for 2 weeks, and in April we will be on a river cruise in Europe. We have been fortunate in life, but we are not rolling in money (we drive a 3 year-old Chevy and a 15 year-old Acura, plus I stay at the Rodeway during York). I watch almost no TV, but read 2-3 library books a week. I collect stuff (currently vintage tin sand pails) and I'm active with archery and the "shooting sports" in general. 10 grandchildren provide another source of amusement.
I am 62 and plan to retire at 65 when Medicare kicks in (I have no coverage for medical in my retirement plan). I've worked 40 years at the same company which has changed names 10 times. I'm ready to retire! 
I have enough hobbies to keep me busy in retirement. I plan on spending more time at my train club, build models, play chess, read more, fish etc. More than enough not to get bored.
Let's see... I retire in roughly...
115 days !!!!!!!!!!!!
... Not that I'm counting... 
After years of the kids and wife using the basement as a warehouse for their treasures, I am finally a work-in-progress on the layout!
The 4th of July is going to be a great weekend (and a real long one).
I plan on retiring in two years, at sixty-two. My father never hand a chance to retire. He died at sixty-two, worked hard all his life since he was a kid. I won't be wealthy, but I'll have enough to get by. My wife is a seven years younger than me, so she'll be working a few more years. I got into this hobby a year ago, and I'm still working on my layout. I don't let anything get me down anymore. I'm enjoying life with my family and being happy with living everyday.
To answer the original question, you get to do as much as you want. Of course, other issues pop up that re-prioritize things. And that's not saying things get bad.
I took early retirement (57) 4 years ago. My wife and I had a whirlwind courtship, engagement, then marriage, and we got pregnant 4 months after marriage. I always said I'd retire early because we didn't have the together time pre-family when we were younger.
I read an article a few years ago that talked about the 3 phases of retirement: The Go-Go's the Slow-Go's, and the No-Go's. The Go-Go's are obviously the younger ones, still a bit flush with cash, who want to travel, play sports, etc. The Slow-Go's are the next group - still active, but maybe only take 2-3 trips a year. And, of course, we all get to the point where we become No-Go's. EVERY retired co-worker with whom I've talked has lamented that they did not punch out earlier. They all said they could tell they'd become more Slow-Go.
Now, this next part, please understand I am not a banker, broker, or investment geek. I believe in mutual funds, not stock picking. This is not investment advice. In the same article about the 3 phases, there was discussion about "reality retirement" planning. Google it. Look for a paper by Ted Bernicke. In it, he uses empirical data from the US Depts of Commerce and Labor to demonstrate that we gradually reduce our spending year after year. Yes, some areas go up, but others go down. The whole purpose of the article is that the "traditional" retirement advice is to start with some value, then add inflation to it every year, not take more then 3-4% out, etc., such that if you draw 30,000 now, you'll need to draw 180,000 (being facetious) in 20 years. The data prove (and also correlated to my own parent's & in-law's spending) that you spend less each year. In my 4 years, I've also spent less each year. We eat out frequently, and take about 8 trips a year (OK, so with an airline pilot son, we get free flights) with rental cars and hotels.
The main thing is to have a project or some reason to get out of bed. I built my own full-sized airplane; several mornings, I'm off to the airport to either fly or polish it, or just to sit and BS with the guys. When the weather's bad, I have my trains. Still working on the layout and scenery. Always something to be done. And, in the perfect days, I'm usually outside walking or doing yard work. Over the past year, I've had some sciatica issues, and have slowed-down more than I'd like. Fortunately, that seems to have passed for now, and I'm Thankful for that. Great timing with spring just around the corner.
Lastly, getting back to the original question - I do the same things I did pre-retirement; they just take longer to do. Whereas I used to cram yardwork, car-washing, and other family chores into Saturday, now it's more like I'll walk through the house on the way to do yard work and - Hey, Look! Sky King's on!! And so it goes....
FREE advice...
Buy now or Pay later.
I'm 67 now. I was not in the hobby until I retired in 2006. I started slowly with a small layout.
After my other hobbies Shooting, Harley's, RV's and traveling started to have the (BEEN there DONE that) feeling I changed to something a little more home bound .TRAINS. Since that 1st train Some would say I have went a wee bit nuts with the hobby. But at this time in my life it's a perfect fit.
It and the shooting range are my favorite now. That also means I have a lot more time to devote to the Family. That's a good thing I think.
Oh, I still have one Harley, I'll never not have at least one.
Larry
ONE more year for me!! September 2016 I will be 62 years old, and its see ya!! Time to enjoy what life that is left. Let the young folks figure out how to do my job.
...keep the rails polished...
I retired a year ago and the only restriction I have had was income to what I want. I actually retired before I wanted to but it became a necessary so things are working and I still get some train items going. I do run my trains when I want also so it is relaxing that I can do that but if you can afford it it really lies on what you want to do.
I will be 61 this year. I have arbitrarily set age 66 as the time I will retire. I have no particular reason for that other than I felt like I needed to have a target date to look forward to. I've worked with a financial planner for years and feel pretty good about preparations that we have made. One of these days I will work with him to figure out if 2021 is a realistic goal. In the meantime I have decided that I will practice for retirement in small ways. Anytime that I work on my collection, run my Pre War American Flyer trains, read about trains or toy trains, spend time on internet sites about trains, plan my next acquisition or pursue some other interest; I call that time spent "practicing for retirement". There is a group of guys that gather at a local coffee shop on Thursday mornings to chat (many of them retired -the oldest is 90). The one thing that connects them all is that they have some interest in trains: real, toy, model, historical. Its a great group and the conversation is always lively, and many folks bring stuff for "show and tell". There are usually 8 -15 guys who show up. Once every two months I make a point of being there to "practice for retirement. I am still working full time and enjoying retirement in small segments. It works quite well for me. In real retirement I hope to be able to find a way to actually display my collection, which I consider to be a research library dedicated to American Flyer trains, rather than have many of them in boxes. Other than that my plan for retirement is to remain as flexible and nimble in body, mind, and spirit as I can so that I can enjoy each day.
Greg
I retired five years ago, and we (my wife retired two years before I did) love every minute of it. For the first time in my life, I can catch up on all the hobby projects that I used to plan but didn't have time to carry out.
Very interesting stories everyone! We have people retired a number of years, those like me dreaming of it, those very close to it...
Greg, having a weekly gathering of railroad friends at a coffee shop, or by me maybe a diner, sounds great. I think that is something I would enjoy.
Tom
I'm inside 4000 days; officially 565 weeks from now. It's like being a 1st grader watching High School seniors graduating.
WHEN I retire, I fully expect to continue with all of my hobbies including Boating, Golf, Hunting, Cars, and Model Railroading. I have activities in all areas to occupy my time year-round.
For now, work and do what I can, when I can.
Gilly
All great advice!
As Tom asked in the initial question, I too have 7 1/2 years before I am 66 and can collect full Social Security. That is the plan, however I could find myself retired or semi-retired before that. If the company I work for gets bought, I would probably be pushed out. My work is with old technology, so finding another job at similar pay may not happen. Both my wife and I have had health issues, and could find health pushes us out of work early.
With that in mind, we are consciously buying bigger ticket items now. For my hobby, that means locomotives, power, and track. And I don't mean many either. Just enough to run some trains in a 12 x 12 room. I am trying to find the right fit for me in O gauge, since I only started in O gauge about 3 years ago after over 40 years in HO. I sold all that to help pay our daughters' tuition. So I started in O at the ground floor money wise. If I have a small budget in retirement, I will have enough that I can still run trains. I do have other low cost interests that take varying degrees of physical activity, so I think I am doing well.
Watching how my dad has managed retirement has been a good example. He retired at 22 years ago, and is now 84. He has good health but part of that has to do with staying active but knowing how to pace himself. He and my mom who is the same age have paced themselves well financially, considering only he worked, and at skilled labor wages. Dad was a good example as a young father, and he still is today. I have been blessed.
I could retire next January, at age 56, but due to the fact that I like to eat three meals a day, will probably keep on working until my 62nd birthday.
When I retire, we will have my social security, my pension, my wife's pension, and my retirement savings. Two years later, her social security will kick in.
With the house paid for, as well as my daughter's college loans paid off, I figure that we actually will have more disposable income that we have now.
Hope to move someplace where I no longer have to worry about the cold weather keeping us inside the house. I'm trying to convince my better half that we should consider the Pacific Northwest. Been driving her nuts the last week, by telling her that while we have had single digit temperatures, it has been around 50 degrees in Seattle! 
Jim
Hope to move someplace where I no longer have to worry about the cold weather keeping us inside the house. I'm trying to convince my better half that we should consider the Pacific Northwest. Been driving her nuts the last week, by telling her that while we have had single digit temperatures, it has been around 50 degrees in Seattle!
Jim
While the Pacific NW is a beautiful area, and the weather can be mild, be aware that you will have to get used to many days of rain. Like the old saying goes "residents don't sunburn...they rust".
Well Tom,
My list was long. It covered two complete prewar layouts, one Std Gauge and one O-Gauge.
It took me twenty-five years after retirement. I'm grateful and very blessed to have retired early. Now I'm a shut-in with advanced Parkinsons. I cannot do much anymore. Both layouts were sold complete with accessories. At least I have a few trains left on my shelves to admire.
My advice to anyone who will listen. Start as soon as you can as you never know what's waiting down the road.
"Pappy"
Pappy, you have hit the proverbial nail squarely on its head. Unfortunately quality of life for any human being can change in a millisecond. You think everything is hunky dory then blooey everything changes. I must admit that I have been blessed and thank God every morning and night for my good fortune. I am 67 years old and have been retired for a little over 17 years. I was a criminal investigator with the U.S. Treasury Department and was ever so fortunate to be able to retire at age 50 after 28 years service. I made up my mind when I hung up the holster that I was going to keep the pedal to the medal every hour of every day for as long as I could because I knew things could change quickly. Consequently, I have been able to enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, cycling as well as my beloved Grandchildren and trains since I retired. Things are changing now that the ravages of age have begun to rear their ugly head in the form of a rickety spine and advanced arthritis so I am slowing up but I continue to push myself as much as possible. I am fully aware that the days of being able to do just what I wanted to are closing fast. Like I said I have been blessed because things didn't change for me in a split second but rather over time so I have had the opportunity to emotionally adjust.
I believe that a person should take the time to ensure that he or she enjoy every minute of every day and do everything they can to get the most out of life whenever possible. In essence, take retirement by the scruff of the neck and squeeze every bit of life out of it that you possibly can. So, as Sean Connery said in the film The Untouchables, "So endeth the lesson."
I retired at 55 last May after 37 years on the railroad. Started right out of High School. The job was an adventure. Loved it 90% of the times. Dealing with derailment, and injuries and the normal BS that comes with being a supervisor accounted for the other 10%.
I had a layout for 25 years, and sold majority of it off before we moved back to NC. The wife said "I spent the last 24 years in the cold and snow of NW Ohio, you are going to spend the next 24 years at the beach!" I am now stating a Carpet Central and enjoying that very much.
I have a good friend who is a banker and has made sure I have enough resources to retire. We use to trade quotes and messages back and forth. A couple I remember:
"No one ever wished they had spent more time at work"
"Make the most of the day, make it count, cause you will never get it back"
He also had me do the following:
Make a list what you want to accomplish before you retire.
Now make a list of what you want to accomplish when you retire.
Best two lists I ever made. You will be surprised in two ways, how much you get done and how much other stuff comes up.
7.5 years will be here before you know. Enjoy life, enjoy what you do. Make it day count. We are never promised anything.
Gene
Gene
I retired in January 1992 and immediately proceeded to build an "airborne" 5-track, twin shelf, 14x32 operation in the 18' high kitchen/breakfast room of our Mountain retirement cottage and much to the Domestic CEO's delight moved track up off her Den carpet.
I was able to run trains by the end of February 1992 and for 15 years this became my principal O-gauge operation until March 2008 when I dismantled it in contemplation of a health-related move to our Condo in Greensboro.
In 1997 when we were living in the Mountains we had sold our "empty nest" Greensboro home in favor of a nearby Condo as a future "final abode", I had immediately built a 15x23 layout upstairs in it and had it wired for railpower operation by mid-1997,[ but no scenery, structures ,etc]. However until '08 we continued living and railroading in the Mountains. Unfortunately as my wife developed more serious health issues we were forced to relocate to the Greensboro Condo near better medical facilities..
In October 2009 I dismantled the upstairs 15x23 Condo layout in favor of a rehab/exercise/TV space for her, plus installing a stair lift. I then moved down the hall to a 9x19 attic space where in February 2010 I built and wired for operation of a simplistic 9x16 round-the-wall layout. Unfortunately I only enjoyed running trains for a short time when at age 79 I developed a health problem that soon became disabling.
Since that time I have been up and down healthwise and done very little railroading or layout work[became a Forum "Groupie"]. However today at 83, although I am not exactly frisky and a workaholic, I am enjoying the best health in four years and beginning to visit the layout with a plan and a slow work agenda[very slow].
My message is to take care of yourself and build while you are able even if everything you plan for, your druthers, is not immediately possible. Building and running trains is where the fun is---dismantling layouts ain't.
My message is to take care of yourself and build while you are able even if everything you plan for, your druthers, is not immediately possible. Building and running trains is where the fun is---dismantling layouts ain't.
Dewey,
Sounds like a very good plan for the rest of us. Glad you feel good enough to get back to thinking about the layout.
Tom
I can tell you it takes a LOT of planning. I've been into a few hobbies over the years and collected trains as a nest egg. I found in recent years I have lost interest in the layout thing. I enjoy buying basket cases and bringing them back to life and making a few bucks selling them.
I am about 3 or 4 years out yet, but I have been working on liquidation slowly. I was going to put this off for a while longer, but changed my mind after a cross country driving trip which was in part a search for someplace to retire. I had been selling one of my collectables for 5 years already and selling the duplicate trains for the past 2 years. I can tell you this, you collected and gathered them over a long period of time, and if you want to do well when selling them, expect to take just as much time to sell them off.
I have set aside a few items that were my favorites with the idea that I'll probably display them for the most part. My "keepers" pile will shrink before the big day arrives. Who knows, maybe everything will go. The time factor is critical as I mentioned above. Do not wait until the last minute, start liquidating early unless you want to just dump them to a dealer or consign them to an auction and take what you get. While on our trip we found a place we liked a lot and some land that was ready to build on. But we were not ready financially. That is when I realized I need to kick this into high gear now and be ready sooner. Its a lot of time and hard work, but it is paying off nicely. My investments have for the most part paid off. Its interesting to see what sells fast for good money and what languishes waiting for a buyer. I was surprised more than once.
I still have a long way to go. My trains and train related stuff are only a few of what I have money tied up into and everything must go. In the end, I want to have paid cash for my retirement home, or at worse case have a very very small mortgage so I can afford to live off my SS and pensions. I plan on escaping the rat race and settling someplace tranquil, maybe do a little farming, take some trips in the car.
I'm 66 [last Dec.] looking to retire in four years so I get the most from SS, Wife is four years younger than I, with some back problems, she teaches preschoolers. We both love our jobs but time is coming to back off, specially the wife having to keep up with the little ones. One of our son's and his wife and two Kids lives with us, He says I will never retire because I work with my hobby. I guess he thinks I don't know how to use a phone or the internet to stay in touch. Time for him to stop free loafing on us [he only has a part time job and the wife just lost her part time job, but was going on an interview today]! Now I am trying to get our finances in line so we can get on a wait list [2-3 yr.] to get into a cottage [with a basement] in a retirement community and down sizing. Even if we don't get on the list for the cottage we will have to move to a cheepper place [less upkeep to the Approx. 100 yr. old Sears prefab house and less taxes]. If we get the cottage I will have time to build a lay-out in the basement and maybe start a community club plus time to do some reading. If we don't get the cottage and we have to buy another house all bets are off time wise! Trying to buy about a dz. peices to fill in missing spots in my collection before the money runs short.
I retired eight years ago at 62. Luckily I worked for a good company that worried about their employees even after retirement. Once a year for three years before I retired a counselor would come out and we talked about options. One of the most important things she kept saying is don't retire and move all at once. It takes awhile to adjust. I traveled all the time on my job, that alone was a big change. Just sitting down on a nice sunny day and reading a book was a challenge. As for the layout, I worked on it about the same as when I was working. If I feel like working on the layout I do. When we finally did move, we took our time finding the right house and location. I took up other hobbies. Scuba again, kayaking but no golf even though we are surrounded by courses. I thought frankly I would be working on the layout more but I think I do better work when I'm in the mood to create something. Retirement is good. Keeping active is great. Helps keep you young. Don
Nope, I am a carry out. Doomed to work to the day I cannot get out of bed anymore.
Just do the best you can is my motto and have fun on the way.
My advice. Don't wait to build your layout, do it when your young!
Off to pull more wire.
I didn't know you were an electrician?
George
Lots of good advice to take away from this thread.
I have been very fortunate (and lucky) to be retired for 10 years now.
Based on my retirement experiences I'd like to offer some interesting things that I have encountered upon retirement.
- It seems like I had a lot more time to do things when I was working. Now that I am retired there are just not enough hours or days in the week to accomplish what I would like to. I still haven't figure that one out
- It seems that the amount of time I think a project would take actually ends up taking
2-3 times longer and costing 2-3 times more than I thought. Plan for that.
- For some odd reason, working on the layout, or any other project for that matter, gets harder and takes longer with each year. As they say time catches up with every one so don't put off starting the layout. I found that out the hard way.
- The best thing I learned when I retired and got back to model trains was to be content with what I had or could afford with the space I had. Don't get sidetracked from the fun by getting cranked up over the ever present threads about high prices, low quality, accuracy, orange, purple, etc, etc. That is not to say there isn't some merit to some of these discussions, just don't let it get in the way of enjoying your trains.
For me, even in spite of all the medical setbacks, retirement and model trains are still the greatest things since sliced bread. Hopefully it will be the same for you.
Ed
I actually retired Jan 6 of this year at age 60. It's a little too early to be settled in.
I started saving at age 20. Totally worth it.
I just retired last June at age 60. I was a late bloomer and returner to model railroading. I am in the process of building my first layout. For me, I'm glad I waited to build my layout. It actually gave me time to design it and buy most of the materials, track, power, locomotives and rolling stock ahead of time. This way I am just taking my time...and enjoying other things like my wine cellar, photography, fly-fishing, working out at the gym on a regular basis, home projects, my grandchildren, my wife...and...being a housewife!
I also have 6.5 years to retire: Another two-three years of intense work, then 3+ years of less than full-time. If all goes according to plan, or at least close to plan.
I have two O-gauge layouts that I am (slowly) working on: one is 6.5 X 12 rectangular, the other is 8 X 12 "L" shape, which will carry me to retirement. Then, I will have an option to build an 11 X 20 layout cannibalizing at least one of the smaller layouts, but we shall see. But my wife and I plan more travel, and camping so I will have other things to enjoy.
Besides getting our finances in order, I am working on getting myself in shape so that I will last for a while make the most of retirement. We are also trying to work-in some travel and adventure and fun times now, not knowing what the future may bring.
Retired 5 years ago, spent a lot on money on a couple of RTR Trains and a Vision line Hudson, plus a ton of track and 8, 036 switches that don't fit my 072 and 084 track plans.
In short plan a little, I did not plan at all, just jumped in but I have had a BLAST building and changing as the layout continues to grow.
Told the wife last year that the VL Big boy would be the last purchase for a couple of years, did not realize that the upper deck to run 084 track would cost 600. O well live and learn
Brent
UPDATES?--I started this thread over 2 years ago and I believe there are at least 2 posters that sadly are no longer with us.
I was wondering if any of the original posters who were close to retiring have done so and how it worked out...or if anyone else now has the retirement clock getting close to that lucky day yet? I hope I am in the 4.5 to 5 year window now.
Tom
I retired eleven years ago and have lived in our new home about six of those years. My last layout took me eight years but I didn't quite finish it. The new one is going to take me longer. Not only is it twice as large but we don't have real winters here and there's just so much to do. I took up scuba diving again and we kayak many times a week. When all this is three blocks from the house it's hard not to be outside. I can work on the layout anytime I want but it's hard to do when the weather is so beautiful most of the year. I seem to work on it for a week straight then lay off for a week or two. The water is super clear right now so I know Monday I'll be diving again. Don
I retired fully at 62 in January, and I never looked back or thought about going back to work. I've been going back and forth between slot cars and trains, and so I'm getting tired of taking things apart and putting them together again. I made a decision to go back to my o scale train layout and go with the MTH DCS Wifi system. I've been very impressed with the system, so when I get back from vacation at the end of the month, I start working on my new layout. The key for me in retirement is always having to look forward to the next day with something to do that has meaning in my life.
I'll be 54 next month, hoping for retirement at 62. I remember my Grandfather retiring from the foundry in Beaver Falls. Had a lawn mower repair business set up, hunting cabin in the Allegheny Mountains. Died of a massive heart attack in six months.
I still work at age 70 and most likely will never retire. This will be my 53rd year in the industry I started with. It can be hard at times because of my age but it is also uplifting being with people much younger then yourself.
As long as possible I will continue working. But most of all I will keep volunteering at the local VA helping those who can't help themselves.
I'm still playing and building my trains.
Dave
Very interesting everyone...A good mix of different stories of mostly happy retirements or David1/Dave opting to not retire... except for Steamer/Dave's grandfather. The latter is the type of outcome that is pretty sad, working all your life and on the verge of retiring or recently retired and then the person passes away. That's one of the reason's I hope to get out as close to 62 as possible.
Tom
I'm 74 and have been retired 12 years. You retire because your old and with that comes getting tired a lot sooner than before. I spend too much time with newspaper reading breaks but I want to read the paper.
I did work pretty hard on my layout and other things the 1st several years of retirement but after fretting all my working life about not enough time for my hobbies it has become so easy to just murder time.
I still plug away at it but slowly, I now wonder if I ever will finish my layout. Plus I recently have taken up slot cars and have the hots to build a slot car track. Completely separate from my trains.
Tom, that's a good move. SS is only about 3% more per year for the three extra years you work. Wow, 9% for three years of your life. Don't get me wrong, I loved my job. I had a grand time for 36 years. Some people aren't cut out to retire. I understand that. I have coworkers that hate retirement but that's because they had no outside interests when they were working. We all are lucky we have railroading and other interests. Every model railroader I know has other hobbies or interests, some of them connected to trains. Photography, model building or joining a club. It's the type of people we are. Good luck to everyone when you retire. Don
I retired in 2014 at age 69-1/2 after a 46-year career in aerospace engineering with some well-known companies and colleges. I had wanted to build a new layout for ten years prior to retirement and now have been working on it for more than three years. Glad that I have model railroading and several other interests (including the OGR forum) to keep me busy. No regrets about retirement - but feeling like I'm old is more problematical.
MELGAR
12 years ago I took an early retirement at the age of 62 1/2. No words of wisdom, previous posters have covered that. Retirement is different for everyone. For me it's all about having a purpose everyday, staying in good health and living each day with my bride of 52 years.
I reach retirement age in nine years. I very likely will not quit working until much later than that. My Dad is still running the family farm at 82 and my mother just retired as a music and voice teacher at 80! My stepfather is a university professor and still teaching full time at 81!
I've already made massive changes to my train hobby. Like many folks,my eyes are not what they used to be (Cataracts) and I've developed Rheumatoid arthritis in my hands. I've sold off most of my modern era trains except for about 20 large steam locomotives. I'm now focusing on original Prewar Lionel,Flyer and Ives - O gauge and standard. I've also had my interest in postwar Lionel rekindled. It's just easier for me to service and handle. The lack of fussy electronics and use of the best materials money could buy to make these trains gives me peace of mind knowing that they will last for many more years. Another big point that I point out to visitors is that these trains represent the best years of American toymaking.
" SS is only about 3% more per year for the three extra years you work."
It's 8% per each year you postpone retirement. So if you start collecting at 70 instead of 62, you collect about 64% more dollars per month. Not too many investments you can reliably earn 8% on annually, so postponing collecting until 70 makes good sense if you are in reasonable health and have other sources of income. If your salary grows during those last years, your payment is higher than it would be earlier. Most states don't tax social security benefits, so that additional 8% each year isn't subject to state income tax, and only 85% of it is subject to federal income tax. Social security income is thus more valuable than other sorts of income due to lesser taxation.
Full retirement age of 66 is arbitrary. If you retire at 62 you collect about 32% less and if you retire at 67 you will get about 8% more than at 66 and so on. Just worth keeping in mind. If you wait till 70 you collect 32% more than at your "full retirement" age. That said, no use in waiting past 70 as there is no further increase in your social security income beyond that age.
Here it is from the federal horse's mouth:
I retired at 55, lucky me, I was a corporate energy banker and then a consultant," license to steal", and race car, Ford and Chevrolet driver. Now travel with my wife of 47 years, support my son and daughter in law and grand kids, as required, and play with my trains, my Z06 and my pattern planes and take a lot of great naps at age 69.
Was a sponsored rc onroad car racer in my late 40s and still drive my Z06 way to fast and fly way to low. Live in the sticks with a sign beside the front door with a 44 magnum on it stating," we don't call 911", and we mean it.
Ron H
Maybe somebody mentioned this above - didn't read all of it - but I have found that productivity begins to nosedive, and not because of age.
I got more done when I worked, it seems, because I had to get it done when I could. Now - I can always do it tomorrow. So, much of it doesn't get done. But that's OK.
Gilly@N&W posted:I'm inside 4000 days; officially 565 weeks from now. It's like being a 1st grader watching High School seniors graduating.
WHEN I retire, I fully expect to continue with all of my hobbies including Boating, Golf, Hunting, Cars, and Model Railroading. I have activities in all areas to occupy my time year-round.
For now, work and do what I can, when I can.
Gilly
WOW what a difference a few months make. Plans have been reset. When we left for Pinehurst in April this year, retirement was the last thing on my mind. Without going into details, events at work prompted me to visit a professional financial planner upon our return. Long story short; I turn 60 on 8/21/17, and the new retirement date is now 01/31/18.
As for my personal interests, nothing has changed.
Can't wait, I'm counting the days.
Just my kind of topic, I'm looking at a proposed retirement date of o/a 15 Oct 2017. I'm containing my excitement because as a military retiree, I have been through lots of transition dates, and a retirement, so the excitement -- I've tasted before. There are lots of things to do, a house to put back in shape (due to the changes that occurred when they were building my train room), I have a Rottweiler, a Wife, Grown Children, Grandkids (not in the proper order, of course) I'm a Portrait artist and then there are a lot of agendas to fulfull with the trains. I'm patiently waiting for the day when I can get up when I want to and get started. MARSHELANGELO
Boomer posted:I've already made massive changes to my train hobby. Like many folks,my eyes are not what they used to be (Cataracts) and I've developed Rheumatoid arthritis in my hands. I've sold off most of my modern era trains except for about 20 large steam locomotives. I'm now focusing on original Prewar Lionel,Flyer and Ives - O gauge and standard. I've also had my interest in postwar Lionel rekindled. It's just easier for me to service and handle. The lack of fussy electronics and use of the best materials money could buy to make these trains gives me peace of mind knowing that they will last for many more years. Another big point that I point out to visitors is that these trains represent the best years of American toymaking.
Boomer, I think we have some things in common. I'm starting to get arthritis in my fingers and I have the early stages of Cataracts, too. One good thing about much of prewar and postwar, it is fairly affordable.
To everyone who posted this evening, thanks and I'm glad I rekindled this topic. Lots of interesting responses which I hope will continue.
Tom
MARSHELANGELO/Greg,
First, "Thank you" for your service. My father was a Master Sergeant and served from before WWII and had a combined almost 50 years of service between Army and National Guard.
Two of his photos were used in this recent Army Pearl Harbor article:
https://www.army.mil/article/1...embering_the_tragedy
Good luck on your imminent retirement. Hope you come back and let us know how it is going.
Tom
6 years and 10 months to hit 66 2/3. That's my plan but..................... Planning and saving so I can buy items but how many engines does a person need. I will be building a new layout once I retire.
I hope to build a new layout too, after hopefully moving to a lower tax area (even if elsewhere in NY). I have the plywood stockpiled already.
Tom
MELGAR posted:I retired in 2014 at age 69-1/2 after a 46-year career in aerospace engineering with some well-known companies and colleges. I had wanted to build a new layout for ten years prior to retirement and now have been working on it for more than three years. Glad that I have model railroading and several other interests (including the OGR forum) to keep me busy. No regrets about retirement - but feeling like I'm old is more problematical.
MELGAR
Melgar, I've seen lots of your layout handiwork on Switcher Saturday, so I can say you have done well with that part of your retirement planning.
Tom
Thanks, Tom.
The model railroad is a labor of love... Fifteen or twenty years ago, I had no idea that O gauge model railroading would again become such a big thing with me. When I was a youngster, it was airplanes first and model trains second. These days, it's only trains - and the family.
MELGAR
I turned 65 two weeks ago. That is milestone #1. I am now eligible for medicare. Since I don't get medical with my retirement plan, being eligible for medicare is a milestone for my retirement. My wife turns 65 in September 2018. October 1 2018 is my planned date for retirement. Looking forward to it.Last week I reached my 43rd anniversary of working for my company. I've been there, done that and bought the t shirt with all this company bull. The workplace is not what it used to be. I'm looking forward to having more time for my hobbies while I'm still healthy enough to enjoy them.
At 55 I've got ways to go but I would certainly keep my hobbies going. Trains, golf, and fishing will keep me out of the bride's hair. My father-in-law retired at 54 (28 years ago), and has done NOTHING since. Been great babysitter but otherwise I don't know how he's kept his sanity all these years.
My youngest will be 13 next month so I figure 11 years till he's done with college (I get free tuition at my job) and I can start seriously planning. Unless Congress moves the goal posts again that is....
Bob
On the outside I am looking at 2.5 Years and on the inside 18 Months. I intend to make my train layout and displays my full time hobby starting late fall thru early spring here in the State College area of PA. Most likely take me that long to get the basement ready for the display shelves but not the layout it will start this winter I hope.
MNCW posted:I was wondering how much train related stuff retirees get to do once they are retired...like what's your "Train To Do List" like?
For those soon to retire, any big plans?
I need 7.5 years if all goes well. Seems like 750 years sometimes!
Tom
My advice - enjoy everyone of those 7.5 years. Don't wish away your life. Trust me, it will go quickly enough. The limiting circumstances in every endeavor are time, opportunity, and resources. When you retire time and opportunity are easy enough. It is the money that is the limiting factor. I can spend ALL DAY every day working up in the "train room" on lesser projects. Bigger train events are limited to 3 or 4 a year. Most of those involve real trains. Overall, being retired is GREAT - but I did enjoy my job.
Ron H posted:My wife and I are so very blessed to have retired with our health.
The only thing I can add is exercise a lot. Whatever your health or age, walk a lot, jog if you can and lift weights if you can. Better yet a sport. There are a lot of old fart leagues. The exercise will add years to your life, but more importantly, you will feel so much better for so much longer.
Believe me I know it can be a drag, actually it is a drag to go to the gym, but man you'll be so surprised with the results and benefits.
Can confirm. I'm at the gym 2-3 times a week and spend a lot of time doing strenuous things on my bike. Can't say I really enjoy it, but I feel so much better and my health is so greatly improved that I won't be giving it up.
I retired in 2010, and have never looked back for a moment. I have plenty to keep me occupied, and for hobbies I have my trains and my rifles, to all of which I can now devote as much attention as I always wanted. Retirement is great; I wish I could have done it sooner.
835 days to go, or tomorrow if the powers that be decide my position is no longer needed. 835 puts me at medicare and out the door. Sooner presents a problem but not an insurmountable one. Then it's good bye New Jersey, nice knowing you.
4 years to go......been in the automotive industry 30+ years...worked for the government...recently sold off some of my classic cars to help jumpstart my retirement and build my train room (finished this spring)...after moving into my last house, my trains have finally come out of hiding...I have built a descent sized garage behind my house, fix a car here and there to keep the trains running. my plan is to be in the train room every day (yeah right)...the closer I get to retiring, seems like less hours in a day.....that and grandchildren keep adding up like they are being cloned....so they suck up time too....but I aint complaining about them....pack them up with sugar and send them home. I'm still pinching myself that I have a large enough train room and a dedicated train repair shop at my house.....one day at a time...aint rushing nothing....
I retired for the fourth and last time in 2012 and now spend time traveling,boating and trains in the Fall,Winter and early Spring.
Mikey
MNCW posted:Boomer posted:I've already made massive changes to my train hobby. Like many folks,my eyes are not what they used to be (Cataracts) and I've developed Rheumatoid arthritis in my hands.
Boomer, I think we have some things in common. I'm starting to get arthritis in my fingers and I have the early stages of Cataracts, too. One good thing about much of prewar and postwar, it is fairly affordable.
To everyone who posted this evening, thanks and I'm glad I rekindled this topic. Lots of interesting responses which I hope will continue.
Tom
I didn't bother looking back to see what I wrote before. Probably something about an early retirement package and then working as a contractor at the same company. Crazy!
i have arthritis that is hindering me some and cataracts too. If fact, I am seeing the eye doctor Thursday and probably get the cataracts removed soon. At least that's what he said last time. We will see what difference it makes. I have gone from far sighted to near sighted in a year or two.
Next year, I will be 62, and will check into Social Security, but probably have to keep working until 65. Until then it looks like layout time will be limited with 4 elderly relatives we have to do various things for. I will be happy to leave work for good after 41 years, but would rather my wife stop working. Though she is almost 4 years younger, her health isn't as good as mine.
Michael Hokkanen posted:My advice - enjoy everyone of those 7.5 years. Don't wish away your life. Trust me, it will go quickly enough. The limiting circumstances in every endeavor are time, opportunity, and resources. When you retire time and opportunity are easy enough. It is the money that is the limiting factor. I can spend ALL DAY every day working up in the "train room" on lesser projects. Bigger train events are limited to 3 or 4 a year. Most of those involve real trains. Overall, being retired is GREAT - but I did enjoy my job.
Michael, That is actually Great Advice...to enjoy every day!
Many of us have also acquired some nice railroad libraries/reading materials over the years. I hope to not only have more time to operate, but to also have more time to read the things that I haven't had too much time for lately.
For those of us that are within a range of 5-7 years to retire (so, hopefully soon) and are getting anxious...you might like a book entitled, "How to Retire Happy, Wild and Free," by Ernie Zelinski. You can find it in the Money section of Barnes & Noble stores or on Amazon. Good common sense advice in there about how to deal with going from a regular 9-5 job (or whatever your shift was) to going cold turkey, etc. He mentions:
1)Gain Courage to take early retirement
2)Put money in proper perspective so you don't feel you need a million dollars to retire.
3)Generate purpose in your retirement with meaningful pursuits (I take that to be train related things, although he does not mention trains at all).
It is an easy to read, rather humorous book and I've already read it 3 times and enjoy it.
Tom
Tom and Michael,
Good advice!!!
I'll look for the book!
LIVE, LOVE AND DO NOT WAIT FOR TOMORROW !!! I have been fully retired now for about eight years. I worked for more than thirty seven years and now I am busier than ever. There are no rules and there is no golden path. Give back as much as you can and don't be afraid. Don't just plan. DO !
Eliot
Here is my sob story. I am 62 and just may win the contest for working at the same place the longest. For me, it is 45 years and counting. I started the day after high school graduation at 17 years old.
My wonderful Company re-allocated most of the "old-guys" pension plan into buying real estate and building buildings. My account got froze a number of years ago to an amount far less than I would have received at age 65. My pension plan is still guaranteed, I just never expected it to be terminated. Now I have to work longer just to catch up.
So, for me...I keep chugging away until I reach the golden year and any thoughts of retirement at 62 are long gone. I work for an "off shore" mega Company that loves to kick the old guys out before they leave gracefully on their own. I am counting my days.
As far as our hobby, I cannot complain. During the last 45 years, my wife and I raised two very successful boys and I have tried to always be busy. Like most guys my age, there are health issues to compound the process. However, I was able to build my layout to a point that is was the feature cover in RUN 255 and was also a feature story in that "other" magazine.
I also played a lot with restoration of classic cars along the way. But I gave that up as it was close to impossible to maintain both the toy train and car hobby anymore.
I am now working on a brand new layout.....I tore down the old one last summer and I have never looked back. This one is a lot larger but is also more "age gender appropriate".
My advice to all is too keep active, try to do something layout related everyday. Forget the fact that once you knee down it is an effort to get back up!!
For me. Three years to go!
Donald
My countdown clock hit zero then started counting up. Its at 11 now and still counting. If you enjoy what you are doing its not work. I like my job and the people I work with. New challenges every day. Also a very liberal vacation policy. I feel fortunate. I have many outside interests beside trains so I could retire and still find things to do, not sure any of them would provide the same mental exercise though.
And Donald you are still three years behind me so I will have to retire before you can catch up.
Pete
Mark Boyce posted:MNCW posted:Boomer posted:I've already made massive changes to my train hobby. Like many folks,my eyes are not what they used to be (Cataracts) and I've developed Rheumatoid arthritis in my hands.
Boomer, I think we have some things in common. I'm starting to get arthritis in my fingers and I have the early stages of Cataracts, too.
i have arthritis that is hindering me some and cataracts too. If fact, I am seeing the eye doctor Thursday and probably get the cataracts removed soon. At least that's what he said last time. We will see what difference it makes. I have gone from far sighted to near sighted in a year or two.
Looks like cataracts is a common problem. I had mine fixed a couple of years ago. For those who are thinking of having it done, it was easy and painless. They even improve your eyesight while they're at it.
with so many years in, and so much time accrued ......I took today off specifically to run my trains....and ****it!....that's what I'm gonna do!....
Pat Kn posted:Mark Boyce posted:MNCW posted:Boomer posted:I've already made massive changes to my train hobby. Like many folks,my eyes are not what they used to be (Cataracts) and I've developed Rheumatoid arthritis in my hands.
Boomer, I think we have some things in common. I'm starting to get arthritis in my fingers and I have the early stages of Cataracts, too.
i have arthritis that is hindering me some and cataracts too. If fact, I am seeing the eye doctor Thursday and probably get the cataracts removed soon. At least that's what he said last time. We will see what difference it makes. I have gone from far sighted to near sighted in a year or two.
Looks like cataracts is a common problem. I had mine fixed a couple of years ago. For those who are thinking of having it done, it was easy and painless. They even improve your eyesight while they're at it.
Pat, Thank you for the great report!
Tom, wonderful thread, thanks. Don
Don,
It has been very interesting to hear so many different scenarios and good advice.
Tom
Depends if you'd rather spend your social security checks on trains or food.
I am over 65 and still working full time. I have stockpiled a lot of things to do and things to play with. Cars to modify, kits to build, changes in the layout, cleaning up the workbench so I can see it, and if possible stake out more territory to conquer and claim for the trains.
But I prefer to continue working since that high level of activity and walking probably will extend my life. I can avoid Medicare (which allows me to use the HSA system) and Social Security (which increases monthly) until I have to have it.
From age 61 to 64 the job was very stressful and I counted the weeks to reaching 65. The past few years some job environment changes have made it more lucrative to continue working than to retire. I like the money and the freedom it affords.
In the meantime, I can continue doing as much train stuff as I have time. Retiring would accelerate some projects, but I would loose access to a very large machine shop, the measurements lab, DAGE and xray equipment and our state of the art soldering/repair facilities. So some projects would be much more difficult or impossible.
But now that I'm past 65, when things become stressful I can stop, take a deep breath and remember that I can always I walk away if I want to. It's kind of like doing a 5 second Yoga routine, without all the incense, weird posture and endless humming.
Retire as early as possible and take all the money you can; SS, Retirement, Cash-out, whatever. Waiting until "full retirement age" leaves most with just a handful of years to enjoy it all. And who's going to reach 95 years old; the usual break-even point for early SS.
Run with it and never look back!
Spend it on yourselves and the grandkids NOW. They will remember the good times with you more than a handful of dollars when they reach 30 or so from the will.
In my line of work,I can work as much as I want and take off when I want. Most of my work is away from home and overseas. The overseas work is more like a working vacation. During my off time,we travel a lot. I may be different that most folks on this forum as a large chunk of my spare time and interests do not revolve around trains. I only spend 2-4 hours total a week working in the train room. Sometimes a week or two will pass without giving the trains a thought. In contrast,I spend 1-2 hours daily practicing on my keyboards. It keeps the arthritic fingers nimble and the mind sharp.
I may have mentioned in my previous post that my Dad is still running the family farming operation (All row crops). In the next few years my brother and I will be taking over those responsibilities. I really don't ever see myself being retired at home playing trains and living off of savings and pensions.
Landsteiner posted:" SS is only about 3% more per year for the three extra years you work."
It's 8% per each year you postpone retirement. So if you start collecting at 70 instead of 62, you collect about 64% more dollars per month. Not too many investments you can reliably earn 8% on annually, so postponing collecting until 70 makes good sense if you are in reasonable health and have other sources of income. If your salary grows during those last years, your payment is higher than it would be earlier. Most states don't tax social security benefits, so that additional 8% each year isn't subject to state income tax, and only 85% of it is subject to federal income tax. Social security income is thus more valuable than other sorts of income due to lesser taxation.
Full retirement age of 66 is arbitrary. If you retire at 62 you collect about 32% less and if you retire at 67 you will get about 8% more than at 66 and so on. Just worth keeping in mind. If you wait till 70 you collect 32% more than at your "full retirement" age. That said, no use in waiting past 70 as there is no further increase in your social security income beyond that age.
Here it is from the federal horse's mouth:
Yeah but retiring at 62 you don't have to work. I read somewhere that if I live to 80 I will have gotten the same amount from SS than if I retired at 66.
Kerrigan posted:Spend it on yourselves and the grandkids NOW. They will remember the good times with you more than a handful of dollars when they reach 30 or so from the will.
My parents are past 80 each, and they still scrimp and save like they had to when I was a kid. They grew up during the Depression in east TN, and they never lost the "spend it later" mindset that drives me insane. I keep telling them should enjoy what they got (as I don't care what they leave me, just as long as it isn't their debt), but they never will.
When I think of all the things they could buy and would love, but they never have and never will, it almost makes me cry. I wish I was rich so I could have bought some of those things for them...
As for me, I'm 47. I'm a very long way from retirement.
I retired at 62 and let me tell you there is a lot of things you can't do as well when your 70 as 62. I wouldn't trade those years for any amount of money. If you plan to live on SS you won't be living high. That's me on the left taking a friends girls on their first dive with my dive partner. I went diving with turtles this morning, it was turtle soup out there. Don
Second posting to this thread: Still run trains, not laying track but still buying a building now and then.
Folks if you are looking for some FUN exercise try "Pickle Ball"" Google it, I play 5 days a week but does not replace the joy of TRAINS
Brent
My plans changed a little. In January 2017 I stopped night call and weekends which I had done regularly since the late 70s.
I just turned 64 in June.
I have a 3 year, no nights/no weekend contract that lasts 3 years until the end of 2019 (so basically, I've cut back to 60 hr weeks). I will be 66 and a half when this contract is over. I would love to work until I am 68. So, I probably will probably transition to just seeing office and outpatient dialysis patients (give up the hospital) through mid to late 2021.
I still love what I do, but it does wear me out physically. 68 years old will be a good time to stop, I think.
By the way, July 1 began year 33 for me at Richmond Nephrology....a long time with the same phone number!
Peter
I retired earlier than I had thought I would, mainly because my boss turned 60 and said he wasn't working one day extra. I really did not feel like breaking in another Superintendent, and cut a deal with him. I pointed out that Railroad Retirement does not pay anything for the month in which you retire, so the time to go is the last day of the month. So, we agreed to teach 'em, a lesson and leave 'em high and dry on the last day of 2007. I was a little uneasy as we jumped off, but soon realized that it was a good decision for me.
The model railroad was track on carpet when I retired. I had been planning a modification of Thrice Around the Room that would have been perfect for a whole house basement, which we do not have. I tried to tighten the curves and it was obvious that it was just not the plan for scale equipment in the space I had available. So my wife told me to go ahead and call Roger at Trainworx, have a layout designed and built, and enjoy running the trains.
Haven't looked back.
And one other thing: I particularly enjoy staying away from the drama that erupts from time to time on these Forums. I worked in an environment where there was internal politics, an almost entirely unionized workforce, went through a company-wide restructuring to enable buying our way out of hostile takeover threats, a merger with another railroad, plus immediately responding to derailments, injuries and other crises at all hours, and I have retired from drama. But I still like trains and my Home Road.
p51 posted:My parents are past 80 each, and they still scrimp and save like they had to when I was a kid. They grew up during the Depression in east TN, and they never lost the "spend it later" mindset
When I think of all the things they could buy and would love, but they never have and never will, it almost makes me cry.
We are all different when it comes to what will make us happy. To some, knowing that they have enough cash to take care of the unexpected (like needing a new roof) is important. Others have always wanted a new BMW. My wife and I spend a LOT on travel (mainly in Europe), but we are happy with driving a 5 year-old Chevy and a 17 year-old Acura. I read a lot, but all are library books. My watch is a Casio. We have a beach house. And so it goes.
Do you have an idea of what your parents might love, but don't feel they can afford? In any event, it's nice that you care for their happiness.
But SS is not as great for a widow if you have taken your SS at 62. I enjoy my work, I recruited two younger people to cover for me, it cost me but it has been worth it, I like having extra cash to give away to strangers on occasion. Work allows me a lot of freedom actually.
Wow! I think this is my favorite thread that I ever started, except maybe for my resurrected steam switcher.
https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...rewar-steam-switcher
Just a small sampling...We have people building their own layouts, Number 90/Tom having a layout designed for him, Peter/Putnam Division is still chugging along, Don/Scale Rail is diving and teaching others...not too much about all of our ailments! Just the right mix I would say.
I'm one of those guys who plans on being out by 62. I've been in my current job for 28 years now and I am lucky to work with so many great, mostly younger folks.
I'd be interested if many people moved after retiring? Moving is one of my least favorite things especially after accumulating lots of train stuff. I had a bit of skin cancer earlier this year and got a good bill of health after that. Heat and the sun (Florida) do not interest me as much as cool weather and a good dry basement. Hoping to move from the Lower Hudson Valley of New York State to mid to upper or even Western New York. Property taxes are 1/3 less in many of these places and people seem to be quite a bit friendlier. Property taxes get lower in NY when you hit 65, too.
Thanks for all the great stories and advice. Hope it continues and we can keep updating how things progress.
Tom
Joe Hohmann posted:Do you have an idea of what your parents might love, but don't feel they can afford? In any event, it's nice that you care for their happiness.
That's the thing, the stuff they'd love, they can afford, and then some. They just won't spend the money.
I couldn't afford it, though, for them...
Lee, Sounds like they are used to the lifestyle they have been living for all these years and don't want to change. Hopefully, they are happy and in good health. Since they have each other that's a good thing. My parents were like that, too.
Tom
I retired 5 years ago at age 55. Most of the locomotives and cars I bought when I was still working. I haven't built a layout yet, but hope to soon. In the meantime, I set a few pieces out on display on a bookshelf may late younger brother built when he was in high school. I still keep an eye out, especially for the cheap plastic four wheel Marx rolling stock. My first train set was a Marx that my parents bought for Christmas when I was six years old That was in 1963.
.
Doesn't sound like there is one answer that's best for everybody. So let's enjoy our time here living in the best country in history.
MNCW posted:I'd be interested if many people moved after retiring? Moving is one of my least favorite things especially after accumulating lots of train stuff. I had a bit of skin cancer earlier this year and got a good bill of health after that. Heat and the sun (Florida) do not interest me as much as cool weather and a good dry basement. Hoping to move from the Lower Hudson Valley of New York State to mid to upper or even Western New York. Property taxes are 1/3 less in many of these places and people seem to be quite a bit friendlier. Property taxes get lower in NY when you hit 65, too.
Thanks for all the great stories and advice. Hope it continues and we can keep updating how things progress.
Tom
I didn't move but some of my friends have. Some of their moves have been what I call "good moves" and others have been "bad moves."
Many moves have been motivated by wanting to be closer to the kids and the grandchildren. Unfortunately, some of my friends have found that kids and grandchildren don't want to see them very much. It all depends on family dynamics. In these cases my friends would have been better off to stay in their old neighborhood where they had life long friends and relationships.
There is one case where the parents moved to get away from the kids and grandchildren. This didn't work either because the kids and grandchildren followed them to their parents new and bigger house. The parents had to call the police to get their kids out. It was messy. In this case, the kids were into drugs, etc., and were counting on their parents to provide a roof over their head while they did nothing but space out.
Other friends have moved to from the city to country to take advantage of lower costs and get a bigger home. They didn't count on, however, that more health problems come with aging. The country hospital is fine if you have the flu or a broken leg. If you need sophisticated cancer or heart care, however, the country hospital is not adequate. Some friends have to drive 3 or 4 hours to see a specialist. One friend needed a knee replacement. They have to spend several nights in a hotel in the city far from their home to get this done. Physical therapy is also a long drive from the their home and it needs to be done a couple of times a week.
Another couple moved to a rural town about a six hour drive from a major airport. One of their goals was to travel once they retired. Every time they want to take a trip they have to drive six hours over mountain roads to the airport. They are getting tired of this trip.
There are many things to consider before you move after retirement. My wife and I stayed near a major city. We can reach an international airport in 15 minutes and we have great medical care just a few minutes away. I have had 4 surgeries this year and have another one scheduled in September. All of the surgeries are related to getting older - prostate and cataract. Our family, when we want to see them, is about a 3 hour flight away. In our family it is better to visit and leave than to be close and burdensome.
NH Joe
I have always been into trains. When younger it was HO and then O and then Live Steam. Retired 13 years ago at 60. In a past life I owned a hobby shop, managed a hobby shop and had a custom layout building business. Currently I do live steam daily at Train Mountain in Oregon. My buddy and I are building a 20x40 triple deck ON30 layout. Today at the train park I ran rail tour trains for visiting tourists. In 2000 my wife and I sold a tiny track house in Cal and moved to Oregon, bought 10 acres on a river where the view is just terrific.
I am living a dream. Russ
"And who's going to reach 95 years old; the usual break-even point for early SS."
The break even point for waiting until 70 versus collecting earlier is about 82, not 95. Most people these days will live longer than their parents. The numbers of people living into their 90s is astonishing to me and others, and larger than ever.
Worth remembering that you should only start collecting Social Security at 62 or 66 or whatever if you NEED to or you are in not so great health. Retiring and collecting do not need to be done at the same time. If you have a pension, savings or a working significant other, you may able to retire and wait until 70 to start collecting. That's what my wife did, since I was still working. Then your payout will be at a much higher amount, at a time in life when you are more likely going to need it. Or, as someone pointed out, if your spouse does not have much income in retirement, his or her collecting if you die will be much more generous. Just another option to consider.
As some have noted, those who genuinely enjoy their work are better off working as long as they can/want to. It's both financially and mentally healthy. When 65 or so was accepted as the retirement age a century ago or so, and even much more recently, the average life expectancy at age 65 was a few years, maybe 10 at most. Now it is about 18 years for women and 15 years for men. That's the average. Meaning, obviously, that 50% live longer, many times much longer. People are also remaining healthy for longer. Go on a European trip as one of my sons recently did and there are plenty of people in their 80s on the tour. The two men who I consider mentors lived until 89 and 95. These days, people greatly underestimate the amount of money they will need in retirement in some cases, because they aren't aware that they are likely to live much longer than previous generations.
MNCW posted:
I'd be interested if many people moved after retiring? Moving is one of my least favorite things especially after accumulating lots of train stuff. I had a bit of skin cancer earlier this year and got a good bill of health after that. Heat and the sun (Florida) do not interest me as much as cool weather and a good dry basement. Hoping to move from the Lower Hudson Valley of New York State to mid to upper or even Western New York. Property taxes are 1/3 less in many of these places and people seem to be quite a bit friendlier. Property taxes get lower in NY when you hit 65, too.
Thanks for all the great stories and advice. Hope it continues and we can keep updating how things progress.
Tom
Western New York is pretty friendly and you can still get good pizza and other ethnic food despite what the downstate boys claim. As for property taxes, Monroe County (Rochester) has some of the highest if not the highest taxes per assessed valuation in the nation. Home prices tend to be lower as a result but that is offset by the high taxes.
Lots of plusses here including many train clubs and good shows. You would be more than welcome here. Just be aware of the total cost of home ownership.
Pete
Tom lives in the lower Hudson Valley where housing costs are dramatically higher than in Western/Central Upstate NY (Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester). School taxes are the biggest real estate issue in NY State, and they are just as high, if not higher, in the NYC metro area. Here's what Zillow has to say about the most expensive city in Upstate NY (Rochester), as Norton notes.
"The median list price per square foot in Monroe County is $100, which is higher than the Rochester Metro average of $99. The median price of homes currently listed in Monroe County is $144,900. The median rent price in Monroe County is $1,250, which is lower than the Rochester Metro median of $1,272."
Thus even with the higher school taxes compared with national figures, housing in Western NY state metro areas is less expensive than in almost any other urban area in the United States, based upon national figures.
Hey, The only thing better would be if you guys are offering to pack me up whenever I move!
Thanks for the info.
Tom
Tom, if you prefer rural life, you can be 20-30 minutes from a university medical center and live on a farm .
Landsteiner posted:Go on a European trip as one of my sons recently did and there are plenty of people in their 80s on the tour.
We've taken 5 trips with Viking...4 river cruises in Europe, and 1 on the Baltic Sea covering 8 countries. Viking caters to those 55 and older, but most seem to be in the 65-80 range (I'm 75). These are mainly well-traveled, active people (lots of walking tours to go on). However, they are not inexpensive.
Other friends have moved to from the city to country to take advantage of lower costs and get a bigger home. They didn't count on, however, that more health problems come with aging. The country hospital is fine if you have the flu or a broken leg. If you need sophisticated cancer or heart care, however, the country hospital is not adequate. Some friends have to drive 3 or 4 hours to see a specialist. One friend needed a knee replacement. They have to spend several nights in a hotel in the city far from their home to get this done. Physical therapy is also a long drive from the their home and it needs to be done a couple of times a week.
I've been retired for several years. My wife is still working. We've talked on and off about relocating after retirement. But we've come to realize that our town has very good resources for older folks. And our house is located in a walkable area. How many suburban folks can walk to their local public library, bank, post office, and a small grocery store? Plus we have a decent medical community /services to which we have some enduring relationships.
So we are staying put as long as we can.
MNCW posted:Lee, Sounds like they are used to the lifestyle they have been living for all these years and don't want to change. Hopefully, they are happy and in good health. Since they have each other that's a good thing. My parents were like that, too.
Tom
Some older folks just have all the "stuff" they ever wanted, traveled to the places they wanted to see, and now have money because they don't want to buy anything else and stay home, happy.
Some folks have wondered if they have "enough" $$$ on which to retire. I was in the same boat years ago; I thought I'd be down-sized (wasn't) and I had nowhere near enough assets. Out of the blue CNN Money online published a story about "Reality Retirement" vs "Traditional Retirement." Traditional is pushed by the brokers, etc., advising you to take only 3-4% out each year, and to add inflation for every year, such that if you were going to start out taking $20K/year, by the time you were 90, you'd need $150K (my dreamt-up numbers).
Reality asserts that EVERY year you will spend less than the previous year. Some things go up like medical care, but others go 'way down. I started thinking, then recalled my own parent's spend profiles as well as my inlaws. Also, I had the good fortune of previously retired execs coming into our offices for consultation work, so I asked them, and THEY confirmed the spend profiles as well. Google "reality retirement" and/or look for a PDF file by Todd Bernicke. The paper backs up the assertions with hard data from Dept of Commerce, Labor, etc.
I retired 6 years ago, and so far, my spend profile matches Bernicke's almost exactly. Just before I retired, I took my excel s/sheets to my Fidelity guy asking what he thought of it. He told me that he had several other clients doing the exact same thing, and as long as I was disciplined, it should work out well.
The original article also noted the 3 phases of retirement "go-go", "slow-go", and "no-go." You get the picture. The whole issue was that all these folks were saving money for "later" (as P51 said), while younger retirees (I started at 57) had all this energy, so why not ENJOY life?
I'm not associated with any brokerage or advisement firm, or nuthin. I'm just a retired aerospace SW guy.
Reality asserts that EVERY year you will spend less than the previous year.
Depends on how you spend your money while working.
The cost of living and taxes continue to rise.
Homes and cars need maintenance.
Cars need to be replaced.
And so on.
C W Burfle posted:Reality asserts that EVERY year you will spend less than the previous year.
Depends on how you spend your money while working.
The cost of living and taxes continue to rise.
Homes and cars need maintenance.
Cars need to be replaced.
And so on.
I would agree. On a good year my property taxes go up 2% each year. I am lucky (again, not retired yet) if my salary goes up that much. Over the last 5 years of my working, I think we had raises of 0%, 0%, 0%, 2% and 2%.
Tom
We had a wonderful system where I worked. They had a woman who hosted meetings with the people that were getting close to retirement. Her best advise was don't move soon after retiring. If you're thinking of moving rent a place in the location and see what it's really like to live there. We waited four years to move. We knew we wanted to live in Kauai and didn't want to get too settled where we lived or we would never move. Friends always seemed to talk of moving to some wonderful place but never did. After a few years they stayed were they always lived. Both my wife and I had the idea that it's good to change. We had lived in the Bay Area most of our lives. Change keeps you young. We rented homes on the island two times. We found we love Kauai as a "drop" vacation but to live there was just a little too quiet. I had done a lot of filming on Maui so we tried that and loved it. It's not easy moving to a place like this. You don't know anyone and everything is different. We made tons of friends and love it here. Are worries were groundless. We saved an amazing $11,000 per year on property taxes from the bay area. We have a bigger house and view. There are lots of breaks for retired folks here also. I know it sounds silly but we are going on vacation soon...to Kauai.
Russ love your place, hows the trout fishing? Don
Don, the eagles seem to be way better at it than I am!
Fishing in the area is outstanding, my river joins a world class fly fishing river just two miles from the house (try 30 inch plus trout)!
More tourists today, so more time at the train park! Russ
I have to say we miss trout fishing. We do keep our Explorer loaded with fishing gear. No fishing license required and no limit. We do either have to look up what we caught or ask a Hawaiian if they are good to eat. This is a goat fish, we can eat them. Don
Don, Now you're just rubbing it in!
Tom
At my age, retirement is not an option. I've been saving since 23, yet I'll be working until I'm on the wrong side of the grass
Good thing I love the things I do for work! Of course I started this hobby at 6 and never left. I've had more years enjoying than most and for that I truly feel blessed. Best hobby ever.
MNCW/TOM
It was my pleasure to serve our country, it's shown me things and provided me with things I only could imagine when I was younger, I kinda wished I could go back, it took a while to adjust to the civilian way of things. I'll be around for a while, GOD willing and don't worry I'll try to step up on my communication with the FORUM, train layouts in the early stages do command a lot of time. Thanks and take care. MARSHELANGELO
Yes, the thought of full retirement sounds fantastic, getting up anytime one wants sounds so good, even traveling anytime, anywhere, (if finances permit), is a dream come true....So, I plan to work a three day week for one more year, the hours I choose, and possibly mid 2018, (if all the BTO engines come in), I will retire. I have a lot of finishing touches on my layout to do, lots of lights and accessories to complete...Then, there is honey Do projects, wow, lots of those.....So, my finances are in order, my health is good for being 72, my wife wants to travel, I have 6 sons and 10 grand children to visit, it's simply close to saying, it's time.....This is a Fun thread, Happy Railroading....
I have been retired full time for 18 yrs. Tried the part time thing and nobody really wants you except as peons doing drudge work. My only advice is to be prepared for changes to plans and life circumstances. I hope it works for everyone.
Kerrigan posted:MNCW posted:Lee, Sounds like they are used to the lifestyle they have been living for all these years and don't want to change. Hopefully, they are happy and in good health. Since they have each other that's a good thing. My parents were like that, too.
Tom
Some older folks just have all the "stuff" they ever wanted, traveled to the places they wanted to see, and now have money because they don't want to buy anything else and stay home, happy.
...and then there's my parents.
They think that now they're in their 80s, they can't go anywhere, like its against the law or something.
Just the other day on the phone with them, Dad talked about how much he'd wanted a 32 Ford hot rod. I reminded him he could afford it, but it fell on deaf ears.
They will never get on an airliner to ever visit us again (the second and final time ever was in 2005), or anyone else by air, ever again. That has been made very clear to me in the past.
It does pain me to know that there is ZERO chance they'll ever see my layout in person, for that reason.
Greg, Retirement was strange for me also at first. I remember sitting on a nice sunny day and just reading a book most of the day. I felt guilty. You are a first rate guy and will do just fine. I only spent three years in the army from 1965 to 68. Stay with this forum and enjoy your life. Don
scale rail posted:We had a wonderful system where I worked. They had a woman who hosted meetings with the people that were getting close to retirement. Her best advise was don't move soon after retiring. If you're thinking of moving rent a place in the location and see what it's really like to live there. We waited four years to move. We knew we wanted to live in Kauai and didn't want to get too settled where we lived or we would never move. Friends always seemed to talk of moving to some wonderful place but never did. After a few years they stayed were they always lived. Both my wife and I had the idea that it's good to change. We had lived in the Bay Area most of our lives. Change keeps you young. We rented homes on the island two times. We found we love Kauai as a "drop" vacation but to live there was just a little too quiet. I had done a lot of filming on Maui so we tried that and loved it. It's not easy moving to a place like this. You don't know anyone and everything is different. We made tons of friends and love it here. Are worries were groundless. We saved an amazing $11,000 per year on property taxes from the bay area. We have a bigger house and view. There are lots of breaks for retired folks here also. I know it sounds silly but we are going on vacation soon...to Kauai.
Russ love your place, hows the trout fishing? Don
Don, hope you have a great vacation on Kauai. We love it there, my in-laws have a condo there and we visit them there every other year. You're right about it being quiet, but that's one of the things we love about it.
John
scale rail posted:Greg, Retirement was strange for me also at first. I remember sitting on a nice sunny day and just reading a book most of the day. I felt guilty.
I was pushed out with a retirement "package" when our company (Scott Paper) was sold. At first, I would look at people going to work in the morning, and feel "left-out". A few months later, I felt sorry for them.
Joe,
Your situation reminds me a bit of mine. This time two years ago, I was making the decision whether to take an early out package. We decided to take it, though I still needed to work longer. Here I ended up coming back as a contractor at the same company working on a special ongoing project. It's been 2 years, with no end in sight. It is kind of nice not having to work on up to a dozen projects at a time and no real deadlines. I usually drive the half hour into the office, but if I have something else going on, I can work on the computer at home. It is those days I feel the 'semi-retired' feeling. Yes I do feel sorry for the folks I used to work with and the two guys 1000 miles away who are picking up the work I used to do.
incidently, yesterday marked 41 years since I started working in telecommunications. A lot has changed
MNCW posted:I was wondering how much train related stuff retirees get to do once they are retired...like what's your "Train To Do List" like?
For those soon to retire, any big plans?
I need 7.5 years if all goes well. Seems like 750 years sometimes!
Tom
Hi Tom!
Great questions.
I was wondering how much train related stuff retirees get to do once they are retired...like what's your "Train To Do List" like?
Well, I think it's still too early for me to tell on that one. I've been officially retired since April 28 when my better half retired. I think you're aware that we built a new house in the Pittsburgh area and then moved into it. Getting the house established and set-up has consumed most of my time. I've done a lot of work but none of it has been directly train related. I'm trying to get the workshop into shape so that I can actually start building the layout.
My "Train To Do List" makes the Twelve Labors of Hercules look like a trip to the local supermarket. 
For those soon to retire, any big plans?
Huge plans. Is there any other way to dream but big? Like my father always told me "Your eyes are bigger than your stomach". LOL I have huge plans not just for my own layout but for the layout at the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center. That effort is also under way (detailed planning phase).
George
I semi-retiremented until my wife of 43 years died from ovarian caner last June. My daughter moved back in in July and that helped. I work about 20 hours a week at the "Depot" which has helped. I now take about 1/3rd of the kitchen counter for train stuff. I have thought about selling and renting but have 3 dogs and a cat. I'm stuck which is OK. And a main floor laundry in a 1500 sq ft. home single story home built in 1979. You are right about repairs. Property taxes just increased my value $20,000 ( I appealed and won a reduction) Look out in 2 more years.
Living in northwestern Iowa, I have a 5 hour drive to Caboose Stop Hobbies which is the closest 2 rail store I have, 8 hours to Chicago.
DIck
G3750 posted:MNCW posted:I was wondering how much train related stuff retirees get to do once they are retired...like what's your "Train To Do List" like?
For those soon to retire, any big plans?
I need 7.5 years if all goes well. Seems like 750 years sometimes!
Tom
Hi Tom!
Great questions.
I was wondering how much train related stuff retirees get to do once they are retired...like what's your "Train To Do List" like?
Well, I think it's still too early for me to tell on that one. I've been officially retired since April 28 when my better half retired. I think you're aware that we built a new house in the Pittsburgh area and then moved into it. Getting the house established and set-up has consumed most of my time. I've done a lot of work but none of it has been directly train related. I'm trying to get the workshop into shape so that I can actually start building the layout.
My "Train To Do List" makes the Twelve Labors of Hercules look like a trip to the local supermarket.
For those soon to retire, any big plans?
Huge plans. Is there any other way to dream but big?
George
George,
Glad to see things are moving along with the new house. Congrats on your official retirement status. Judging by your last layout, i'm sure your next one will be even more spectacular.
Tom
CBQer posted:I semi-retiremented until my wife of 43 years died from ovarian caner last June. My daughter moved back in in July and that helped. I work about 20 hours a week at the "Depot" which has helped. I now take about 1/3rd of the kitchen counter for train stuff. I have thought about selling and renting but have 3 dogs and a cat. I'm stuck which is OK. And a main floor laundry in a 1500 sq ft. home single story home built in 1979. You are right about repairs. Property taxes just increased my value $20,000 ( I appealed and won a reduction) Look out in 2 more years.
Living in northwestern Iowa, I have a 5 hour drive to Caboose Stop Hobbies which is the closest 2 rail store I have, 8 hours to Chicago.
DIck
Still catching up on some of these comments from earlier today since my work frowns on these things during work!
Dick...two things. I noticed in your bio that you are a Vietnam Vet. Thank you for your service. I think I mentioned elsewhere that my dad was in the Army for nearly 50 years from prior to WWII to around 1980 and was a Master Sergeant.
Sorry to hear that your wife passed away. If train stores are too far from you, does eBay help at all? I know some people knock it, but I've overall had good experiences. Glad you have a section of the counter for yourself. Trains are great therapy!
Tom
Mark Boyce posted:Joe,
Your situation reminds me a bit of mine. This time two years ago, I was making the decision whether to take an early out package. We decided to take it, though I still needed to work longer. Here I ended up coming back as a contractor at the same company working on a special ongoing project. It's been 2 years, with no end in sight. It is kind of nice not having to work on up to a dozen projects at a time and no real deadlines. I usually drive the half hour into the office, but if I have something else going on, I can work on the computer at home. It is those days I feel the 'semi-retired' feeling. Yes I do feel sorry for the folks I used to work with and the two guys 1000 miles away who are picking up the work I used to do.
incidently, yesterday marked 41 years since I started working in telecommunications. A lot has changed
Mark,
You were one of the people I was interested in hearing from again. I think in an earlier post you said you were on track to leave around when I am supposed to, but I see you said you got an early option...good for you! Hope you have more train time now that you are semi-retired.
Tom
Tom,
I got the early option, we banked and invested the severance money, and I am collecting two small pensions a month. Next year I will be 62, so we will see what SSA tells me I could get. Both the credit union and my financial advisers said some folks are happily surprised. Time will tell.
In the meantime, my pay from working 40 hours is about the same as my old salary was. I am using the pensions for insurance and putting into my IRA what I was putting into my 401K. I can take off work any time, but it is almost always for health care needs of my parents, aunt, and my wife. This year in particular is that way. Those of us who have parents who were young when we were born (mine were 25 and 26) can still be in their 80s when we are thinking of retiring. My parents were young when their parents passed on (they were in their 20s when each of their fathers passed and 30s when their mothers passed). We on the other hand were mid 30s before we had any children. All that to say, train time has gone to elder care instead. Well, that is fitting and proper.
As to moving, as long as parents are still living and daughters are still in the area, we won't be going anywhere, unless we move in with my mother-in-law across the road to care for her. (Her idea, not ours) She is only 20 years older than me.
I retired in April 2016 at age 58 and have never looked back, nor have worked since. Company provided me with the golden parachute and took me exactly 3 seconds to say yes, I will take the package. Screw this BS, I am not working for this corporation any longer enduring their BS. Company changed over the years from spending lavishly on the employees to having us work for Wall Street bottom line figures. No need to do work until I get bored which will not happen anytime soon. We just moved so have plenty to do with the house and with the trains.
Mark Boyce posted:Tom,
I got the early option, we banked and invested the severance money, and I am collecting two small pensions a month. Next year I will be 62, so we will see what SSA tells me I could get. Both the credit union and my financial advisers said some folks are happily surprised. Time will tell.
Hi Mark, Are you implying that the SSA sometimes underestimates the monthly benefits amounts? If yes, I had never heard that before, but that would be nice.
Tom
Ted Bertiger posted:I retired in April 2016 at age 58 and have never looked back, nor have worked since. Company provided me with the golden parachute and took me exactly 3 seconds to say yes, I will take the package. Screw this BS, I am not working for this corporation any longer enduring their BS. Company changed over the years from spending lavishly on the employees to having us work for Wall Street bottom line figures. No need to do work until I get bored which will not happy anytime soon. We just moved so have plenty to do with the house and with the trains.
Hi Ted,
So you lived in NJ before you moved, right? Did you stay in NJ or go elsewhere? I think I mentioned, moving is one of my least favorite things. Anyway, good luck unpacking and keep those trains safe!
From when I started the topic in 2015, there were a few folks who originally posted and were on the verge of retiring or who had recently (again, in 2015) retired:
It would be nice to know how things worked out for them. I think we all hope things worked out well, financially, health-wise and train-wise.
Tom
Hi Mark, Are you implying that the SSA sometimes underestimates the monthly benefits amounts? If yes, I had never heard that before, but that would be nice.
There is a tool on the SSA web site that will project your social security benefits based on your real data. You have to input some personal identification information, and make some choices
Check for yourself, I believe this to be a legitimate tool, provided by the US government. (link below)
SSA Estimator
Thanks C.W. Yes, I know about that, I believe that is the same info that we all used to get when we all used to get a mailing around the time of our birthday each year that was called the benefit letter or something like that...and it would list all the earnings you had for the last 20 or 30 years, or so.
I wasn't sure if Mark was saying those estimates are on the low side and your actual benefit amount could be higher, for whatever reason, like maybe one's earnings are slightly higher than the old income info they were using to calculate off of. Just hoping to be pleasantly surprised!
Tom
I wasn't sure if Mark was saying those estimates are on the low side and your actual benefit amount could be higher, for whatever reason, like maybe one's earnings are slightly higher than the old income info they were using to calculate off of. Just hoping to be pleasantly surprised!
I guess I would rather have the estimate a bit low than a bit high.
The estimator has the user input their projected salary for the years between the estimate and actual retirement.
I mention the estimator because there may be some folks who are not familiar with it.
One of the other things folks might like from the SS website is a chart that tells you based on what year you want to collect, what percent of the maximum benefit you can receive (based on what year you were born).
For example, for those born in 1960 or later:
https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/1960.html
Tom
MNCW posted:Mark Boyce posted:Tom,
I got the early option, we banked and invested the severance money, and I am collecting two small pensions a month. Next year I will be 62, so we will see what SSA tells me I could get. Both the credit union and my financial advisers said some folks are happily surprised. Time will tell.
Hi Mark, Are you implying that the SSA sometimes underestimates the monthly benefits amounts? If yes, I had never heard that before, but that would be nice.
Tom
Tom,
Yes, that is a good way to put it, I think. Under what conditions and how often it happens, I have no idea. Both advisors said to make an appointment with your local Social Security office at least 3 months before your 62nd birthday, and they can make a more realistic determination for you. Then you have a better idea of when you will want to start collecting.
In my opinion, one of the biggest challenges of today's retired is where to SAFELY put the savings you have. Back in the "old days", a 1-year CD was a good choice. In 1985, a 1-year paid 11% interest. However, that has been plunging ever since: 1990 8.5%, 2000 5.1%, 2010 .81%, 2016 .27%.
In short, for a decent return today of 3%, your money will be at risk.
Tom and C. W.,
thank you for the links to the online tools. I have gone to tha SSA Web site and made online accounts for my wife and myself to print out the annual forms they used to send in the mail, but I don't remember looking at these links.
Joe,
As my sister and I have been learning what accounts our parents have the last few months, we discovered they had a CD for 1% that just happened to mature last month. We got that money out of there. For the time being we are using it to pay for their personal care home until we get a determination on assistance based on Dad being a war veteran. They would never share any of their finances with us until Mom couldn't handle it any more and Dad dumped it on us to figure it out. I don't intend on doing that to our daughters.
Oh I forgot to add, I agree that I would rather have low estimates too. Hopefully the online tools can give a ballpark idea, and when the time comes the folks at the local office can find something that entitles us to a little more. If not, we will plan accordingly.
Mark Boyce posted:Tom and C. W.,
thank you for the links to the online tools. I have gone to tha SSA Web site and made online accounts for my wife and myself to print out the annual forms they used to send in the mail, but I don't remember looking at these links.
It almost seems like they try to bury some of this information so that people wait until their full retirement age...even after knowing it is there somewhere I trouble finding it again, thank goodness for "bookmarking" things.
Tom
MNCW posted:Mark Boyce posted:Tom and C. W.,
thank you for the links to the online tools. I have gone to tha SSA Web site and made online accounts for my wife and myself to print out the annual forms they used to send in the mail, but I don't remember looking at these links.
It almost seems like they try to bury some of this information so that people wait until their full retirement age...even after knowing it is there somewhere I trouble finding it again, thank goodness for "bookmarking" things.
Tom
It does seem that way. Just like tax deductions and veterans benefits. We learned of a benefit for only veterans who served during war time and their spouses which could pay about half the monthly charge for personal care and nursing care. We have a financial expert who only does veterans benefits. The lawyer who works with him told us you would think all Dad would need is to submit his discharge papers, some ID, marriage license, and documents from the personal care home, and they would get the benefit. No, we need to put most of what little money they have in a trust and submit almost every financial document known to man! LOL
There is a book, now outdated, but may still have some useful info by PBS's Paul Solman et. al. about some of the hidden benefits of SS called Get What's Yours.
Unfortunately, after Paul did a segment about some of these benefits SS closed a few of the "loopholes". Its cheap enough so may still be worth checking out.
Pete
Pete,
I have that book and like it, too.
Tom
Thank you for the tip on the book, Pete!
How did a toy train thread turn into an analysis of Social Security Benefits??
Everyone bored with trains?
LOL Good point!! The strange turns a topic can take!!
We want to have more time for trains sooner! ;-)
I will tell you why !! Based on personal experience-Social Security makes the toy trains possible.
Good point though, I was getting a bit worried...maybe those (lucky folks) who have retired can talk more about what type of changes they have seen after retiring.
In other words, is there:
From those soon to retire, maybe they can talk about what they hope to accomplish along those lines.
Or any variations...try to work in a train every now and then! 
Tom
My layout was a godsend after I quit working because it kept me busy. Lots of time for fun things but little money and an old car that sucked up my $$. My wife had a nice car but when she died I gave it to my son where I am living now. He wrecked-so I was told. Plan but be flexible because health issues can destroy any plans -quickly. And savings too. I kept my layout simple so I could pack most of it and leave the bench work behind, which I did. If I got a chance to build a new one would do it the same way. This isn't to say that I don't appreciate nice scenery, buildings and track work.
How did a toy train thread turn into an analysis of Social Security Benefits??
Everyone bored with trains?
Money. How would anybody do trains without money?
jim pastorius posted:My layout was a godsend after I quit working because it kept me busy. Lots of time for fun things but little money...
Jim, I would be fine with that part of what you said. I hope to not be buying much in retirement as I think i have accumulated enough at this point. Just to have time to unpack some things would be a pleasant improvement.
Tom
I kept buying, especially bargains at shows or my antique store friend. I could do trades with him or a lay away with nothing down. Part of my retirement therapy was cleaning, fixing and getting an engine or car working right. Still like to do that. Just fixed my busted GG1 and 1615 switcher and painted some cars. Limited here though. Sometimes you gotta do, what you gotta do. About a year ago at a Pgh TCA show I spent $180 on a big box of Standard gauge freight and passenger cars. The plan was to keep the best-sell the rest. Right-have fixed them all up and kept them. Fun
MNCW posted:jim pastorius posted:My layout was a godsend after I quit working because it kept me busy. Lots of time for fun things but little money...
Jim, I would be fine with that part of what you said. I hope to not be buying much in retirement as I think i have accumulated enough at this point. Just to have time to unpack some things would be a pleasant improvement.
Tom
I'm not planning to buy much in retirement either. I may sell to buy something I want or trade.
Tom,
We lived in Howell, NJ for 31 years and in Freehold, NJ for 4 years before that. I am the Jersey boy and the wife is from Brooklyn, N.Y. If I had it my way, I would have left NJ to go south where it is cheaper for homes, property insurance, car insurance, etc. But my kids are here.
Have plenty to do in the new house and with my train club, www. Ocsmr.com. See our thread under the announcements section on this forum. Very interesting to read through.
Kerrigan posted:How did a toy train thread turn into an analysis of Social Security Benefits??
Everyone bored with trains?
Perhaps we are trying to be helpful to each other?
Every non-train forum (about 6) I belong to has a "everything else" section.
Perhaps we are trying to be helpful to each other?
Every non-train forum (about 6) I belong to has a "everything else" section.
If the embedded discussion on Social Security benefits was in an "everything else" section, I bet a lot of people would miss it. I know that embedded comments on SS in other threads have given me pause to think about what is best for my family. So I appreciate them.
The discussion is about retirement and the hobby. For most of us, Social Security benefits are part of retirement.
There is no hard feelings or ill will in the comments. What's the harm?
I plan to retire next year, so I am finishing up the scenery on my new layout, and will have pretty much stopped buying the trains themselves as I have far more than I ever run or display. After that, I will continue to add details and tinker, but I expect to severely curtail my train buying habits (famous last words). I also hope to make some trips to visit some railroad museums and attend York more often!
I'm 74 and was just thinking I did higher quality work when I was younger. More energy I guess.
I agree with CW, for most of us SS is part of what makes pursuing our train hobby possible in retirement. I, too, did most of the major purchasing (postwar Lionel) before I retired a year and a half ago. But now, with the extra time, being able to build a layout and attend train shows is just another reason to max out your SS benefits!
Prior to retiring I cobbled together a 9x11 U shaped temporary layout from a 3x11 shelf and a 6x6 L shaped desk. Using 027 and some 042 curves I came up with enough main line and passing sidings to keep 3 trains out to run. This works for testing repaired engines and accessories. So far this has turned in to the retirement layout but that was due to some older parent needs and planned retirement trips. Like the old retirement joke, there's so much going on I don't know how I had time to work!
I happened to stumble upon this from Money magazine and thought I should share it. Maybe it can help someone several years off from retiring.
https://a.msn.com/r/2/BBAcSqK?m=en-us&ocid=Money
One feature that I tried was the Cost of Living Calculator which can give someone who is thinking about relocating in retirement an idea as far as what areas of the country may be more affordable. Although it did not have my exact city where I currently live, I thought it was interesting.
Tom
Based on personal experience, I would NOT, under any circumstances, recommend a Reverse Mortgage. All these experts say "save", easier said than done. Your kid's education and life's little surprises get in the way. Older people think they are busier because they are moving slower-which is a good thing.
MNCW posted:...maybe those (lucky folks) who have retired can talk more about what type of changes they have seen after retiring.
In other words, is there:
- More time for working on the layout?
Of course. Plenty of time for both my hobbies (trains and shooting). I have gotten projects done that I planned for years, but never had the time to carry through. Since I don't have a "proper" layout (see below), most of my work is on the locomotives and rolling stock themselves.
- What type of layout do you have? (no judgments whatsoever by me, mine is currently an oval on my workbench...)
I don't have the space for a permanent benchwork layout, so I have had to lay track on our (tiled) basement floor. There are two: one (the largest one) is FasTrack, for the 3rs equipment and the other is Marx 034, for tinplate. Obviously it's not ideal, but I'm grateful that I have as much as I do.
- More time for joining clubs?
I'm not a "joiner," and have no interest in belonging to a club.
- More time for operating/collecting/train shows/flea market/garage sale hunting?
Most of the train shows (not that there are that many in my area) and flea markets are on weekends anyway.
- More time for walking on rail trails for exercise?
I get my exercise from twice-weekly workouts at the gym, and from biking (weather permitting).
- More time to read railroad books, timetables, etc.
I never lacked for time to read books. As for reading timetables...well, I can only say that I don't find them too interesting.
I retired in 2010; my wife two or three years earlier. I highly recommend it to all who can do so.
C W Burfle posted:Perhaps we are trying to be helpful to each other?
Every non-train forum (about 6) I belong to has a "everything else" section.
If the embedded discussion on Social Security benefits was in an "everything else" section, I bet a lot of people would miss it. I know that embedded comments on SS in other threads have given me pause to think about what is best for my family. So I appreciate them.
The discussion is about retirement and the hobby. For most of us, Social Security benefits are part of retirement.
There is no hard feelings or ill will in the comments. What's the harm?
Besides, while folks in their 40's or 50's may not actively think much about retirement and Social Security, it does have a habit of sneaking up on you...
Mine's a little over 5 months away and while I think I'm pretty well prepared, I'm looking at it both with anticipation and concern.
Rusty
Rusty,
I hope you'll keep coming back and posting. I think others (and myself) would find it interesting...if you are willing. I mentioned that book, How to Retire Happy, Wild & Free. It has a lot of common sense stuff in it and you may find it helpful. A good amount of it has to do with adjusting your mindset from all work and minimal free time to no work and following hobbies, interests, exercising more or whatever and not just being a couch potato (as I type this from my couch).
Tom
Balshis posted:MNCW posted:...maybe those (lucky folks) who have retired can talk more about what type of changes they have seen after retiring.
In other words, is there:
- More time for working on the layout?
Of course. Plenty of time for both my hobbies (trains and shooting). I have gotten projects done that I planned for years, but never had the time to carry through. Since I don't have a "proper" layout (see below), most of my work is on the locomotives and rolling stock themselves.
- What type of layout do you have? (no judgments whatsoever by me, mine is currently an oval on my workbench...)
I don't have the space for a permanent benchwork layout, so I have had to lay track on our (tiled) basement floor. There are two: one (the largest one) is FasTrack, for the 3rs equipment and the other is Marx 034, for tinplate. Obviously it's not ideal, but I'm grateful that I have as much as I do.
- More time for joining clubs?
I'm not a "joiner," and have no interest in belonging to a club.
- More time for operating/collecting/train shows/flea market/garage sale hunting?
Most of the train shows (not that there are that many in my area) and flea markets are on weekends anyway.
- More time for walking on rail trails for exercise?
I get my exercise from twice-weekly workouts at the gym, and from biking (weather permitting).
- More time to read railroad books, timetables, etc.
I never lacked for time to read books. As for reading timetables...well, I can only say that I don't find them too interesting.
I retired in 2010; my wife two or three years earlier. I highly recommend it to all who can do so.
Balshis, Thanks for all the details. That was all pretty interesting. Sounds like you adjusted well to your retirement including trying to stay healthy. Like everyone else, feel free to post pictures of your trains.
Tom
Interesting. Thanks for the read. 
Mike CT.
MNCW posted:Balshis, Thanks for all the details. That was all pretty interesting. Sounds like you adjusted well to your retirement including trying to stay healthy. Like everyone else, feel free to post pictures of your trains.
Tom
Actually, I don't seem to have too many. Here are a couple of shots of the tinplate layout, taken a couple of months back (I've made some changes since then, including replacing the 027 switches with the 034 switches in the foreground):
These are the Marx trains you're seeing here. The Lionel tinplate is on shelves at the moment.
I guess I need to take a few shots of the FasTrack layout, too.
--John
John,
Pretty cool looking! Thanks for the pictures.
Tom
This is a great thread, many good pieces of advice for us getting ready to, so to speak, call it a day, and end our working career....Many folks have had jobs for 20, 30, 40, some odd years. My advice is, those who have many many trains, let members of your family know how to sell your collection. Give them good information on folks that purchase collections, Greenberg books on train values, and magazines that offer Collection Liquidations...You can not count on friends to really dispose of ones friends trains...It's a lot of work... I plan on retiring in a few months, and will cut purchasing to a bare minimum. Also, in 2-1/2 years, I plan on selling 80 per-cent on my collection, and also my home. At that time, I will offer members and friends that they can buy my home, and have a fun to run railroad ready to run....Wow...That's for folks retiring in Tennessee.... Happy Railroading.
Larry,
Good points. My wife knows a woman who has a bunch of postwar American Flyer trains that have been in her attic for a number of years. She gave a list of the car and engine numbers and description to my wife. That is the only way I figured out they were AF. She didn't know. I found two AF fellows in the area who would like to buy, but I need to see them and evaluate their condition first. Trouble is, we have been so busy helping our 4 elderly relatives, we haven't had time. That gets to your point. I don't know her deceased husband's situation or how long since he passed. The point is, she deserves to get fair value for her husband's trains; but how. He may have passed before his time and unexpectedly, but he didn't have a plan.
This experience of being frustrated hoping to help her makes me agree with your point that I shouldn't saddle a friend with the task of disposing of the trains, if I don't end up with a grandchild to give them to.
Hey, we've been through The Volunteer State many times, but the last was over 20 years ago. Sounds like a good place to retire!
Two types of retired folks. 1) Those who planned early on for the day they would retire and not get a paycheck, saved instead of buying a new car every other year, waited to take those expensive vacations and paid off the mortgage instead, and now have financial security (as much as anyone can have these days,) ... and 2) those who lived for the day and didn't plan ahead. Now they are screwed financially with no way up and out. Some of those end up living with their children the rest of their days ...
It's funny, I lost all interest in buying a new car or a lot of other things. First off, it's almost impossible to keep a car clean here. We have our beach Explorer and our "nice" car. The "nice" car is six years old. The Explorer is a year older and was the one we shipped over here. You don't put much mileage on cars on the islands. Same with clothes . I haven't worn long pants in six years. You do put your good shorts on for weddings and things like that. I think "keeping up with the Jones" is not very important when you get older and that's a good thing. Don
Retired 15 yrs ago, my wife 10. As comfortable as we ever were. Only thing I worry about is the sinister looks from my kids. They're always saying, "here Dad, drink this!" 
TedW posted:Retired 15 yrs ago, my wife 10. As comfortable as we ever were. Only thing I worry about is the sinister looks from my kids. They're always saying, "here Dad, drink this!"
TedW, Good to know there are happy retirees out there.
By the way, I noticed a Vietnam Service Ribbon in your bio...if you served, thank you for your service! 
Tom
I haven't retired yet. I am working at buying & selling trains, & taking train trips around the country. And by the way I am 87 years young.
MNCW posted:TedW posted:Retired 15 yrs ago, my wife 10. As comfortable as we ever were. Only thing I worry about is the sinister looks from my kids. They're always saying, "here Dad, drink this!"
TedW, Good to know there are happy retirees out there.
By the way, I noticed a Vietnam Service Ribbon in your bio...if you served, thank you for your service!
Tom
You're Welcome... only way to get the ribbon is to serve I think.
Hi
I retired in January of 2016 from 36 years in public safety. Everything was great I moved the layout into its own room that my wife had redone for me. I was still doing police work site traffic details and in September I got hit by a drunk driver that broke my leg and ankle. In June I was allowed to do stairs and went down and was overwhelmed with what I saw. Trains in containers, table with legs off. I also realized that I am going to cut the height of the table to a dinning room table height.
Point is you need to enjoy every moment . I am here to ***** and complain a minute earlier and I would have been killed. You can make your plans, but the Man upstairs decides what and how you will enjoy your layout! My son's are fixing the table and adding two feet to make it an 8x8 for me. My wife was able to get me her cousin's husband N scale layout for me as I still have some N scale left. I can't tell you how these things have lifted my spirits!
Our retirement plans for travel are on hold, but at least my family had stopped calling me Cranky Frankie.
My point in this long winded response is enjoy good health, have a plan for retirement, which includes your hobbies and you families and like I said enjoy family and everyday.
Good luck!
Great advice Frank! I'm sorry you were injured, but glad you are on the mend. I think your wife and sons help you because of how you must have treated them in the past. I'm praying you get recuperated soon!
franksansev posted:Hi
I retired in January of 2016 from 36 years in public safety. Everything was great I moved the layout into its own room that my wife had redone for me. I was still doing police work site traffic details and in September I got hit by a drunk driver that broke my leg and ankle. In June I was allowed to do stairs and went down and was overwhelmed with what I saw. Trains in containers, table with legs off. I also realized that I am going to cut the height of the table to a dinning room table height.
Point is you need to enjoy every moment . I am here to ***** and complain a minute earlier and I would have been killed. You can make your plans, but the Man upstairs decides what and how you will enjoy your layout! My son's are fixing the table and adding two feet to make it an 8x8 for me. My wife was able to get me her cousin's husband N scale layout for me as I still have some N scale left. I can't tell you how these things have lifted my spirits!
Our retirement plans for travel are on hold, but at least my family had stopped calling me Cranky Frankie.
My point in this long winded response is enjoy good health, have a plan for retirement, which includes your hobbies and you families and like I said enjoy family and everyday.
Good luck!
Frank,
Hope you are doing well. Post pictures of your trains if you'd like to. Looks like your whole family has pitched in to get you your "train fix." What a wonderful hobby that can help you while you are recuperating or distract someone who is still working and has a stressful job...and everything else in between.
Tom
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