"work" on your trains or run your trains

@msp posted:

Second question - I seem to start one project and move to another without finishing the first and go back and forth.   Just kinda do what i feel like working on.   Are you one that needs to finish a certain project before moving on or do you move about?

I've done a lot of starting one project and moving to another without completely finishing the previous one in the past.  And does it show.  I have notes and mock-ups and schematics and test prints and parts stacked  a mile high.  I think it's human nature to do so.  (Sorta like cats who lose interest in one toy and then redirect that interest into another toy.)  There is also the issue of running into issues that require incredible effort to surmount or needing certain items (in working order) to be able to complete the next phase of a project.  These events definitely can cause a shift in project focus and, in all honesty, this is my major reason for shifting projects.

I've made it my goal to reach a certain level of completion with rail related projects this Winter.  However, my current project is testing my sanity and creating a certain level of burn-out.  The time factor in particular has multiplied greatly from what I estimated originally.  Thus far I'm holding steady to the course.

Only time will tell if I stay focused.

Anthony

And, I spend much more time "working" on model train related stuff than running trains.  Most of that comes from my limited space and time.

Anthony

FIRST and FOREMOST.............there is NO REASON to call PLAY........work ..........just because we grow up !??!

SECONDLY.........great artists usually have several projects going on so as to serve as incubation periods for individual pieces.......and .......so not to stifle the creative juices. !!!

YUP...... I SPEND MORE TIME  '  PLAYING ' THAN RUNNING TRAINS.   IT'S FUN AND I'VE LEARNED A LOT...... WITHOUT BORING LECTURES......... FROM THESE FORUMITES.

Dallas you seem mad on this topic?

I was just contemplating this very subject this weekend. I seem to enjoy the "work" (it's still play), as much as running trains. Sometimes running sessions expose problems that require "work" to fix. Other "work" is for the benefit of the layout or a particular engine, etc.

It's all fun in the end. Just sit back grab your preferred beverage, and enjoy!

Bob

Agree with the others…

I enjoy the fixing, building, and updating portions of the hobby more than running. I don’t think the layout will be ever be done as I will always be making changes and updates.

So, I like working and creating more than running.

@bigdogjeff1 posted:

Dallas you seem mad on this topic?

Sorry Jeff.........certainly not the case 😊    Maybe it was all the bold letter caps.🤔         

@RSJB18 posted:

It's all fun in the end. Just sit back grab your preferred beverage, and enjoy!

Bob

I go along with Bob on this Jeff.😉

Some time ago my wife took a look at my train table, which was covered with small tools. Q-tips and cotton balls, 91% alcohol, scraps of wire, test leads with alligator clips, train cars and locomotives in varying states of assembly, soldering iron and stand (and a big can of mixed nuts to snack on).  Exasperated, she asked a perfectly reasonable question: "Why don't you just finish putting them together so you can have fun with them?".  At that moment, I realized I was having fun with them, probably more than I did once I got everything put together and running :-)

I set up my layout with multiple routes/loops.  I can have a train running on one route while working on the other. There is something soothing about one running that helps me stay focused on the other.

Steve

I immensely enjoy both and find that I go through periods devoting more time to one or the other.

As for the second question, I tend to focus on working through and completing the larger, more Impactful projects before devoting significant project time to anything else. However, I always have a bunch of little projects that I’m moving along concurrently that I can easily stop and start up again when the time is right.

When building a model railroad or working on a project for it, I spend much more time on construction than running trains. When the layout is finished or there is no current project, I spend much more time running and maintaining the trains. I've been working on a small expansion of my 12'-by-8' railroad for several months and occupied with building structures (from kits and from scratch) and scenery, so am running trains for a short time once or twice a week to take videos for posts on the Forum. I work on one project at a time...

MELGAR

Mel. When are you going to visit us?

@msp posted:

Most of us have a limited amount of time to devote to trains.  My question - do you spend more time "working" on your trains or running them?  By working I mean building the layout scenery laying track etc. vs. good old fashion just running your trains.

I am sure it depends where are in the process but thought it would be an interesting topic.  I spend probably 85% working on my layout.  Sometime feel like i should run them more ....

Second question - I seem to start one project and move to another without finishing the first and go back and forth.   Just kinda do what i feel like working on.   Are you one that needs to finish a certain project before moving on or do you move about?

Probably more time "working" (using your definition) on the layout than running trains, maybe 65-35 %.

I love scenery, track work, etc, hate wiring - the older I get the harder it is to get up and down from the floor and twist under the layout.

As to your second question, I usually finish what I start first, but I may do two at one time if I'm waiting for glue, paint, plaster etc. to dry.

For the past several years I have spent most of my train time running and photographing trains, occasionally creating scenes and doing scenery projects that were usually relaxing and relatively easy projects for me to do.

Occasionally, I will do a more intense project. When I do, I spend most of my train time working on the layout.

For instance, I recently re-wired my layout, which was a very demanding, challenging project for me. It was very physical, requiring that I crawl under the layout, and tedious (labeling, color coding wires, soldering, etc.)

Even when mostly running trains, my layout is prone to creating puzzles that need to be solved.  I think this is a very good thing for me because of the mental activity involved in solving them. Examples of such puzzles include the non-derailing feature not working on an 022 switch, a locomotive derailing at a particular spot on the layout, a signal not working, a locomotive that stops smoking, an accessory not working, and perhaps the most challenging puzzle -  the dreaded short circuit.

About 1 month ago, I had a very serious short circuit that took me many hours over 2 days to solve and much mental activity going through a long process of elimination.  Solving the short circuit is what motivated me to re-wire the layout, which was a long term solution to avoid future short circuits and minimize the time solving them.

I'm very focused and driven when working on the layout; and relaxed when running trains.

Arnold

We are still working on the engine service (right) side of level 2 of 3 planned. 90% of the track for this side is laid and painted. The turntable and roundhouse are completed except for scenery and outside figures. Two buildings are completed for the Roanoke Shops steam section and two more are almost complete along with a transfer table for the diesel service area. Interior details and people are scheduled before December 15.

We had not run trains to any extent in 7-9 months while working on this project.

Last week we replaced trains with Christmas ones and also got out my grandson’s 611 Pocahontas set. We hooked up the track cleaning cars and ran them around two level 1 loops. The rest will be cleaned in the next two weeks.

About December 15, we hope to have the two diesel buildings installed and will complete getting ready for the Christmas crowd. Undoubtedly there are gremlins that have snuck in and will require attention.

A knee replacement scheduled for February 14 will interrupt continued progress in 2022.

Working on the layout is fun, running trains is fun and maintenance and repairs is fun, Thats why we are all here, Grand boys use to love the trains now its hockey and legs, HAGD all! God Bless America!

No contest here. The hobby for me has always been about building, fixing, modifying trains. 99% building, 1% running.

Pete

What an interesting question!  I try to  and prefer to run a train on my fairly completely layout but inevitably running them reveals things i have to repair or improve - and while I prefer to work on one of these projects at a time, I usually have several that are 'in progress'.  This reminds me to get back to tackling them.  Usually this time of year is my favorite for working - and running on the layout. However, it is also complicated by everything that is conveniently dumped in the way to my doing that with the breaking out of Christmas decorations...

@Bill Webb posted:

We are still working on the engine service (right) side of level 2 of 3 planned. 90% of the track for this side is laid and painted. The turntable and roundhouse are completed except for scenery and outside figures. Two buildings are completed for the Roanoke Shops steam section and two more are almost complete along with a transfer table for the diesel service area. Interior details and people are scheduled before December 15.

We had not run trains to any extent in 7-9 months while working on this project.

Last week we replaced trains with Christmas ones and also got out my grandson’s 611 Pocahontas set. We hooked up the track cleaning cars and ran them around two level 1 loops. The rest will be cleaned in the next two weeks.

About December 15, we hope to have the two diesel buildings installed and will complete getting ready for the Christmas crowd. Undoubtedly there are gremlins that have snuck in and will require attention.

A knee replacement scheduled for February 14 will interrupt continued progress in 2022.

Looks like it's going to be a beautiful layout Bill.

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

....,.,.About 1 month ago, I had a very serious short circuit that took me many hours over 2 days to solve and much mental activity going through a long process of elimination.  Solving the short circuit is what motivated me to re-wire the layout, which was a long term solution to avoid future short circuits and minimize the time solving them.......

I feel your pain here Arnold.

If you didn't already, check out my recent posts in the "What did you do on your layout today" thread", and you'll see what I mean.

I don't run any trains on my home layout because the track "work" isn't done.  After I finish putting in the yard tracks I'll be able to run trains, albeit only with back-and-forth movements. But that's how I developed my track plan.  On our club's layout I'll run my trains but after 15-20 minutes I get bored watching them go in circles.  Hence I've started going on non-running days to "work " on their layout.

I enjoy scratch building and scenery work. Also weathering my locos and rolling stock.

I have always enjoyed building and collecting more than running. To each their own.

@Lionelski posted:

I feel your pain here Arnold.

If you didn't already, check out my recent posts in the "What did you do on your layout today" thread", and you'll see what I mean.

Some pain crawling under the tables, but if it doesn't kill you, it's good for you IMO. LOL.

I think of it as my model railroad yoga. Arnold

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

For the past several years I have spent most of my train time running and photographing trains, occasionally creating scenes and doing scenery projects that were usually relaxing and relatively easy projects for me to do.

Occasionally, I will do a more intense project. When I do, I spend most of my train time working on the layout.

For instance, I recently re-wired my layout, which was a very demanding, challenging project for me. It was very physical, requiring that I crawl under the layout, and tedious (labeling, color coding wires, soldering, etc.)

Even when mostly running trains, my layout is prone to creating puzzles that need to be solved.  I think this is a very good thing for me because of the mental activity involved in solving them. Examples of such puzzles include the non-derailing feature not working on an 022 switch, a locomotive derailing at a particular spot on the layout, a signal not working, a locomotive that stops smoking, an accessory not working, and perhaps the most challenging puzzle -  the dreaded short circuit.

About 1 month ago, I had a very serious short circuit that took me many hours over 2 days to solve and much mental activity going through a long process of elimination.  Solving the short circuit is what motivated me to re-wire the layout, which was a long term solution to avoid future short circuits and minimize the time solving them.

I'm very focused and driven when working on the layout; and relaxed when running trains.

Arnold

OK ......Arnold......what was causing the serious short circuit ? 🤔

@Dallas Joseph posted:

OK ......Arnold......what was causing the serious short circuit ? 🤔

A piece of cardboard insulation on a tubular track became unseated. It took me a long time to find it, going through a long process of elimination until I finally saw it.

When I re-seated the piece of insulation, problem solved.

A few years back I sold my business and retired. Over my working years I felt as if I had always been a self-starter and efficient at completing tasks.

And then I entered the void.....the Golden Years.

These would be the days I had dreamed about for so many years “Free time, Do as I please.”

Somewhere about this time, as I wandered through the halls of insignificance it occurred to me, I was no longer relevant to myself much less others. A Groundhog Day of boredom without little consequence or meaning, a “floating ground”.

I live fairly isolated, on an island, there are no children and most of my good friends are scattered about the country. My beautiful wife is my family. Of course, I don't want to forget the cat, Bernie.  Zippy the squirrel outside the kitchen window, or the morning deer with her babes. None who are very aware of a New York Central much less a J1e

Came the trains! Again, I was grounded. I had a focus. I was once more problem solving. Exercising my mind, not to mention getting out of the dent in the couch that I had created. The best part, I kept telling myself I never had to finish; no deadlines ever. Quit when I tired or was bored. Stop and take a break of distraction, daydream anytime and often. I could even drink on the job. Most of all my imagination woke up.

Running trains? Today there is a small test loop. My locomotives call from there boxes of purple, yellow, and orange. In my thoughts, I reply “Patience, I'll get there; then we will go for a long run”

Work! No, I may break a sweat, feel frustrated even embarrassed with my efforts but it will be on my terms. In short this is childhood before school, the end becomes distant for there is a lot to do and I'm in no hurry.

kevin

For a long time I thought that very smart model railroaders would get bored with running trains and preferred the work of the hobby (designing, building, restoring, fixing, etc.) I thought this because my son, when he was a little boy, was and is very smart and would get bored very quickly running trains, but was fascinated when he saw the mechanisms when we opened up locomotives, 022 switches, accessories, etc.

More recently, I've changed my mind because I've met some of the smartest people I know, who love running their trains, and don't particularly like working on them.. They find it relaxing.

@Fast Mail posted:

A few years back I sold my business and retired. Over my working years I felt as if I had always been a self-starter and efficient at completing tasks.

And then I entered the void.....the Golden Years.

These would be the days I had dreamed about for so many years “Free time, Do as I please.”

Somewhere about this time, as I wandered through the halls of insignificance it occurred to me, I was no longer relevant to myself much less others. A Groundhog Day of boredom without little consequence or meaning, a “floating ground”.

I live fairly isolated, on an island, there are no children and most of my good friends are scattered about the country. My beautiful wife is my family. Of course, I don't want to forget the cat, Bernie.  Zippy the squirrel outside the kitchen window, or the morning deer with her babes. None who are very aware of a New York Central much less a J1e

Came the trains! Again, I was grounded. I had a focus. I was once more problem solving. Exercising my mind, not to mention getting out of the dent in the couch that I had created. The best part, I kept telling myself I never had to finish; no deadlines ever. Quit when I tired or was bored. Stop and take a break of distraction, daydream anytime and often. I could even drink on the job. Most of all my imagination woke up.

Running trains? Today there is a small test loop. My locomotives call from there boxes of purple, yellow, and orange. In my thoughts, I reply “Patience, I'll get there; then we will go for a long run”       (Work ! No. I may break a sweat, feel frustrated even embarassed with my efforts )) but it will be on my terms. In short this is childhood before school, the end becomes distant for there is a lot to do and I'm in no hurry.

kevin

No reason for you to be embarassed Kevin.   Looks like some good work being done here . 😉

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

A piece of cardboard insulation on a tubular track became unseated. It took me a long time to find it, going through a long process of elimination until I finally saw it.

When I re-seated the piece of insulation, problem solved.

Arnold , I often wondered if there was a better way to insulate tubular track .  Even some type of Epoxy glued in piece of plastic. 

Glad though that you were able to resolve the issue with the short.

I think working on the layout makes running trains more enjoyable. While I’m running trains I think of new projects to do. One compliments the other.

At work I’m constantly working on multiple things at once and not doing a good job at anything. I hate it. On the layout it’s one thing at a time where I can feel good when I’m finished.

When I first started building a layout, it was all about coming up with a track plan and then it was running trains and that's about all I did.  Then I decided I needed to have some scenery and structures so I stopped running trains and started scratch building.  Now six months later even though the scenery isn't finished I want to start running trains again.  So that's what I'll do, at least through the holidays.  Running trains, maintaining trains, building mountains or building structures; it's all fun!

John

I agree that the running and working can complement and enhance each other and the enjoyment of the hobby.

For me, an intense work related project on the layout like re-wiring, during which the running of trains stops for an extended period, creates a craving for running trains again.

And, I have also gotten ideas for work projects that pop into my head while running trains that puts me in a relaxed state of mind.

I usually do the big projects in the summer. My elevated subway is an example. I got it up and running to make sure I liked it. Now I need to make it look more prototypical. That will involve taking it off the layout which I won’t do during prime train season.

Lost my layout in the IDA storm so for now I’m a rug runner. I run all my trains once a year. I have OCD so if I have a problem the train must get fixed quickly. All of my train sets work 100%. They are thoroughly cleaned before being put away. The tracks are wiped clean use a damp cloth to wash the trains down. I oil the trains and put 4 drops of smoke fluid to keep the wick moist. I place them back in their boxes and than I use plastic stretch wrap around the set and it’s ready for next year. I know I’m crazy!

Still working on soldering jumper wires from one piece of Fastrack to another, feeder wires in the middle of every six pieces of track, and TVS Diodes at the track feeder connections to the track, when I get one loop completed on top, drop the wires down, get the buss wires ran, barrier strips mounted, hook everything up, pray like heck that loop works fine, and I can have one loop able to run trains while I work on the inner loop of the layout.

I consider it an achievement if I can devote 30 minutes a night to work on the layout; 45 minutes - all the better. I consider it my creative time, though it often does come to down to doing work. When I finish a scene or diorama, I clean up the basement and run the trains for awhile. Setting milestones is very important in my experience.

It's nice to know I am not totally odd.  I too am a builder, not a runner.  I can go for months without running a thing other than a short test if it is track or electrical related.

As far as incomplete projects, it' bad - real bad.  Probably well over 20 incomplete tasks. The memory is starting to fade a little too.  Last month I went to work on a project and found I had already completed part of it. Shocked me!   For New Years I made a resolution not to start anything new until I finish up the incomplete projects.  Funny thing is I am now jumping around working on the incomplete projects keeping my resolution,  but I have yet to finish a project.  Thank God another New Years is rolling around and I can update my rules !!!   JP

@Merlin posted:

Lost my layout in the IDA storm so for now I’m a rug runner. I run all my trains once a year. I have OCD so if I have a problem the train must get fixed quickly. All of my train sets work 100%. They are thoroughly cleaned before being put away. The tracks are wiped clean use a damp cloth to wash the trains down. I oil the trains and put 4 drops of smoke fluid to keep the wick moist. I place them back in their boxes and than I use plastic stretch wrap around the set and it’s ready for next year. I know I’m crazy!

You're not the only one who uses cling wrap.  I use cling wrap when I'm  done running locomotives to cover them from dust and cat hair.  The TIU also gets wrapped.  I also have special microfiber dust clothes I use, esp. for things like containers and boxcars.  I do not run on rugs or carpet.  I have folding tables I set up and push them together (see attached).  When items are put back into their respective boxes, all boxes get dusted and then stored.

I've never been diagnosed with OCD and suspicion my behavior comes more from wanting to keep things clean and pristine since I didn't have much growing up.

Anthony

I mostly work on my layout (changing, "perfecting" etc) than running my trains on said layout. I am ok with it as I live for projects and it is just another viable way to enjoy the hobby.

I have enjoyed seeing how everyone enjoys this hobby.  Especially glad to know I am not alone in not running the trains as much as "work" on them.  Sometimes I feel guilty (not really) about not running them so much.  I am building my second "real" layout.  The first one had no scenery.  I am really getting into the scenery aspect this time so that is where most of my time is spent these days.  My first go round with scenery and basically pleased with how it is coming.  Not without a lot of tips and inspiration from this forum.