Running trains.

I too am retired and I try to run at least one locomotive and cars consist each day. I take a computer break and walk over to the layout and fire up an engine and set of cars from a siding. I bring the train out onto the mainline and run it for several minutes. Today I ran an MTH Proto-2 Denver & Rio Grande Challenger with a string of Atlas and K-Line tank cars. Great engine with a great whistle. I also exercised a few accessories including an American Flyer coaling tower. My layout was built in 1987 and I must say I never tire of seeing the trains in action summer or winter.

i plan on running my trains more this fall and winter especially since i'm getting a new lionchief set for christmas the santa fe autorack set which i may need to be extra careful with as this engine has the same tiny motors as the tier 4.

i say i want to run trains but keep getting distracted with my computer even though i have train sim world 3 and lots of add on DLC

BUT yes i will run trains again soon. my railroad is not going anywhere anytime soon

I ran mine nearly every night this summer but had to take my layout apart 2 weeks ago to put new windows in the house, so my layout is out of commission for at least a couple months. HOWEVER.....I can't stand just looking at all the pretty locos on the shelf. It's too depressing. So last night, I set up a short test track on my desk where I work on the computer so I could power up one of my favorite sounding GP38s and just let her smoke up my office  and idle away.....

Great air freshener, excellent stress relief, and highly recommended!

I have been able to get down to the train room almost every day this summer despite all the farm work and outdoor activity I have around here...but yes, I will be running trains (and constructing) more frequently this fall and especially during the winter months.   I will be re-vamping the mid-level loop in my around-the room railroad configuration.  This will most likely put a "slow order" on the lower deck loops since I will be working above but the high-line (up at the 7' level) should be able to run trains with no restrictions during construction down below! 

I can't wait for foul weather, rain, cold and snow.

🥶

Ron

Ron, A man after my own heart...although I'd skip the rain.

Kevin, I'm retired. Every day is a "slow order"! LOL

Absolutely will! Let it rain, get cold, and snow!

Being retired, the trains are a year round hobby so nothing changes for me. I’m always doing something especially running trains. Very relaxing time of my life.

Had to delete an off topic post so please keep this about the OP's original intent.  This is not about other hobbies.  Thanks.

I know that I'm not alone, but I do not "run trains" as much as I should. I tend to "build" them more than I run them. I am finishing up on a decaling/weathering job on a 2-6-6-2, and am already eyeing the next project (it's staring at me from the layout when I'm in the shop.) We builders/bashers sometimes forget to run these things past final testing and a few photos. Not all of us are like me, but I suppose I enjoy the projects more than I enjoy the operation. I know operators who are just the opposite.

Doing a lot of both makes so much sense. I need to work on that.

D500, I agree. Years ago when I would build a Christmas Garden setup I really enjoyed building the platforms. Then it was exciting coming up with a track plan and laying track followed by unpacking trains that were stored in the closet for 9 months and getting them running perfectly. To me this is why it’s called the greatest hobby.

Trains are run in the summer but less frequently than late fall, winter, early spring.  Other interests that involve outdoors get more attention.  But since my spouse and I have differing television viewing tastes I can grab an hour or so on those evenings when i just have to leave the family room.

Sometimes, forward. Sometimes back. Sometimes coming off the track. But either way, switching cars is better than a night in bars!

I have a terrible habit of going to the basement intending to run trains, only to either:

1.) Become sidetracked trying to determine the consists

2.) Become lost in other activities for constant improvement on the layout. As we know, a layout is almost never really finished!

That said, hopefully tonight, I’ll get some time to run my layout! have a Conrail covered hopper consist and Amtrak on the mainline, and a Mixed Freight lead by a BNSF on inner line

#D500 and #romiller49: what you 2 said is why I prefer only having a Christmas time layout.  I enjoy spending a month or 2 casually planning this upcoming year's layout, scenery, wiring, etc.  It's also why I prefer to change the layout every year - to keep that interest year after  year.

And as was said, once I build the Christmas Layout, I don't spend a lot of time running it.  Mostly only when visitors come over.

thanks for stating it so well.

walt

I have two layouts in my basement, both fully completed since 2004 and 2019. So, no new modeling projects or upgrades in progress. When I was building the layouts, I was mostly busy with construction and didn't run trains much. Since completion, I run trains much more often and take photos/videos to post on the OGR Forum. My emphasis in the hobby has changed but my interest is still the same. I'm glad to have the trains and layouts to occupy myself as a retiree.

MELGAR

I run my trains about the same year-round.  I am retired and can find something to do when I go to the train room.  Whether it is running trains or messing around with scenery or just setting and looking for the next project.  As someone has already said a train platform is never really finished.  I just enjoy them year round.

Things do change over time. Loved golfing in good weather but that changed pre COVID. my wife had eye cancer so lot of trips to Seattle WA. for treatments then shortly after that she had a stroke and heart attack.  She got through that but that brought on dementia. I now find myself doing things on my layout daily since I have to be here to watch her. I also love it when weather is not in agreement with me . To hot or rainy nasty cold and snow . I am very great full that I have a layout it's my fullfillment. Also like to thank you all here on the OGR Fourm for your knowledge and friendship.