This is a mundane / silly / comparison question but I thought I'd toss it out anyway! as I've recently had to some schedule changes.
Just curious to find out when other folks do most of their model railroading... For example, I used to do mine in the late evening (10:00 to midnight) and this would be any time of year. That time was good because the kids (especially when they were younger) would be asleep, the house would be totally quiet, and I could really "zone in" on what I was doing.
However, during the past year, I've started a new part-time job where I need to be up around 6am, so late-evenings "ain't" working anymore. Now, I'll run trains during the early to mid-evening hours, even though I can be interrupted or more distracted then.
Are other folks the same ... any early-morning MRR people out there?
Rob
Given that I'm retired now .....any time I feel like it , and I mean that literally . I was up at 2 am the other day because I couldn't get to sleep , so was puttering around the layout . Since you still are working , this isn't much of a comparison . But I guess over the years I've never set a particular schedule ....maybe it has been more fun that way , at least for me .
T
teejay Wrote:Given that I'm retired now .....any time I feel like it , and I mean that literally . I was up at 2 am the other day because I couldn't get to sleep , so was puttering around the layout . Since you still are working , this isn't much of a comparison . But I guess over the years I've never set a particular schedule ....maybe it has been more fun that way , at least for me .
T
That totally makes sense and is one more reason why I can't wait to retire! (56 now, so it's a ways off yet). Yes, I also don't want to stick to a schedule. I still work on/run my layout whenever I feel like it but, for some reason, it usually ends up being in the evening hours!
I think a hobby , any hobby , loses it's enjoyment if you feel you HAVE to do it . It should be fun .
After my railroading career my normal modeling time was early Saturday and Sunday while the wife and kids was still copping Zs. I also manage some modeling during the week while the wife was watching TV and the kids was doing their thing with video games,home work friends etc. We never interfered with each others pursuits. Video gaming was limited to two hours a night during the week and then home work-we figured the kids needed a small break from school work-you know all work no play yada,yada. This worked quit well seeing both kids was A and B students.
Times changed after my wife took interest in the hobby and we spent several week nights building kits and building a N Scale door layout. I recall one week before a train show display the TV was never turned on since we was getting the layout and equipment ready for display.
As and when the mood strikes.
Brakie Wrote:After my railroading career my normal modeling time was early Saturday and Sunday while the wife and kids was still copping Zs. I also manage some modeling during the week while the wife was watching TV and the kids was doing their thing with video games,home work friends etc. We never interfered with each others pursuits. Video gaming was limited to two hours a night during the week and then home work-we figured the kids needed a small break from school work-you know all work no play yada,yada. This worked quit well seeing both kids was A and B students.
Times changed after my wife took interest in the hobby and we spent several week nights building kits and building a N Scale door layout. I recall one week before a train show display the TV was never turned on since we was getting the layout and equipment ready for display.
Wow, I can relate to part of this. My mid-evening train times are often while my wife is watching TV (The Voice, Batchelor, etc.) and while my sons are doing homework.
My wife, however, has no interest in joining me with my layout projects ... My youngest son, yes, but not my wife!
I've got a semi-regular biweekly get together going with a friend right now. We end up looking and puttering and maybe running trains, and then a drink or two and get into discussions that often have nothing to do with trains... So maybe that's not the best example
. Although next time we plan on some soldering of track work and power supply.
I've found that since I've moved to my new house with space to have the modules set up permanently in the basement, I can do small things when the mood strikes. Even a two minute job of gluing something down can be done now my layout is visible all the time. I also work on things in the evening, while the kids are watching tv, or my girlfriend is tinkering with her pinball machine.
I try to get a few hours in on the weekend mornings when everyone else is still sleeping.
Cheers,
Andrew
MasonJar Wrote:I've got a semi-regular biweekly get together going with a friend right now. We end up looking and puttering and maybe running trains, and then a drink or two and get into discussions that often have nothing to do with trains... So maybe that's not the best example . Although next time we plan on some soldering of track work and power supply.
I've found that since I've moved to my new house with space to have the modules set up permanently in the basement, I can do small things when the mood strikes. Even a two minute job of gluing something down can be done now my layout is visible all the time. I also work on things in the evening, while the kids are watching tv, or my girlfriend is tinkering with her pinball machine.
I try to get a few hours in on the weekend mornings when everyone else is still sleeping.
Cheers,
Andrew
I also have extra space in the basement of our small house. What was once a kitchen area has now been renovated to become my office / train room. My current N scale layout is set up right next to my work station.
So I can also do quick repair jobs to the layout, etc., when the mood strikes.
Saturday mornings are also a good time for either actual work or messing with the layout. Now that my sons are entering their teen years, they sleep in a lot!
Rob
I also agree that MRR (or anything, for that matter) has to be something you want to do, otherwise it becomes rigorous. So I will purposely take breaks with my MRR hobby and do other things. It's all about balance.
When I feel like it. But usually in the evening.
At the Great British Train Show -- two days every second year.
BR60103 Wrote:At the Great British Train Show -- two days every second year.
But you must need to fit in some practice time?
hock:
Normally when I am awake.
Willie
Unfortunately, right now the answer is, not at all. My old layout lays somewhere in the landfill a few miles to the north of us, and my new layout is still wrapped in shrink wrap with the legs detached and nothing but a foam base. I looked over my structures, rolling stock and other material and tools, but they too are all still packed in boxes. I'm not sure when I'll be able to take the time to get back to modeling, I think about it often and hope someday to get back to doing something, even doing just a small diorama would make me happy....