My railroad is done but it will never be completed.
Just to be clear, for me the main fun of this hobby is building stuff, so I don’t ever want to run out of projects to build. When I said I’d like to get the layout substantially finished, what I mean is that I’d like to have enough of it done that it fits the vision I have in mind for it. I wouldn’t want to “shuffle off” with it only half way there.
Heck, I’m already looking at a backlog of at least 20 years’ worth of projects, and the list ain’t gettin’ no shorter, neither. The notion of “I’m done” when it comes to things for the railroad is as foreign to me as the surface of Jupiter. My mind doesn’t work that way. There’s always something stirring; some new product I want to try, some odd prototype that just strangely appeals to me.
That having been said, I can also guarantee you there are projects I’ve got in the workshop that may probably never see “full” completion. My passenger cars come to mind. I’ve had one in the works coming up on 9 years that I just haven’t gotten off my duff to finish. Call it “Hobby ADHD;” there are just too many squirrels.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Later,
K
David Maynard said:
Joe Rusz said:
Because I never properly finish anything I start, I’m an obvious number two who believes that “The journey is more important than the destination.” I flit among hobbies–model trains, photography, travel, cars–and when any one of these, except for travel, gets to the tedious part, I move to one of the others. I’m hoping to get two websites up and running and I still have the option of plying my former trade, automotive writing, for money, if I feel like doing so. Of course, good health is a given and if ya got that it’s “Vohlgas” as the Germans say. For those of you who are Teutonically handicapped that means “pedal to the metal.”
BTW, John Caughy, here’s to a clear scan.
Joe, yup, that’s me. I tried to fix that one year and went from 32 unfinished projects to 16. Now I am probably back up into the high 20’s somewhere.
Steve, that’s pilot talk, I thought you was a sailor.
I is a sailor. You’ve heard of Naval Aviation, haven’t you, skid marks in the sky, and all that? (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
I’m with Kevin on this one. If I stopped adding new RR projects (let alone house/yard projects) RIGHT NOW, I’d need to live to be 150 to finish them all.
Ray Dunakin said:
Just to be clear, for me the main fun of this hobby is building stuff, so I don’t ever want to run out of projects to build. When I said I’d like to get the layout substantially finished, what I mean is that I’d like to have enough of it done that it fits the vision I have in mind for it. I wouldn’t want to “shuffle off” with it only half way there.
That’s exactly where I want to be with the hobby. As others have mentioned I get most of the way through something then put it on a shelf a start something new. I don’t want a shelf full of unfinished projects. I want to continually start and complete new ones. I have a locomotive that is so close to running and it frustrates me that I have lost interest in seeing it to the end. I just need to get it done and start the next on.
Wendell Hanks said:
Todd (above) was representative of the hobby: "People ask if my layout is done, and I tell them that it is, until I come up with something else to add/do/replace."
Both of Korm’s proposed choices are ironically identical as both require completion or a secession of task prior to starting anew. As Todd states his layout (or any project) is done until there are improvements, added features, or repairs – all such thoughts are in the moment of pause or a status of completion. If there is an absence of thought, completion is an expression for the absence or cessation of further creative thinking.
As to Todd and Linda’s immaculately detailed front yard layout, it is an endless demonstration of continual creativity - a must see!
As I said, it is done until there is something to add/do/replace.
Well, with the reduced watering schedule, due to the drought, the society garlic wasn’t doing so well and I had to remove it. So something is needed to replace it. That something has to be creative, inexpensive, and very low maintenance.
I was looking toward a scale-type “rock garden” with different types of cut/polished/crystal stones, most of which I already have. As I was looking though the rocks, I saw the pieces of “slag” from railroad ballast that I had picked up, probably about 15 years earlier. When I saw them, they looked the world like meteors with their holes and all.
Then I saw an unused, 22" diameter, 6" deep clay pot, and the idea came together.
I’ll take the clay pot and paint it the color of the adjoining feather rock. Then I’ll take a couple pieces of feather rock and grind them down, coat the inside of the pot with diluted Titebond III and sprinkle the feather rock crumbs in the glue.
Voila! Instant, perfectly round, meteor crater blown out of the adjoining volcanic rock that can easily be sunk into the ground. The pieces of slag will go into the pot and I’ll have a crew excavating these out of the crater. Cheap, easy, and low/no maintenance while blocking out the weeds that are already replacing the garlic.
It will go right here in the corner next to the volcano where you see the garlic and there will be a pathway leading from the Terrapin Tar Pits. A crater could be found in any era, and I can’t think of another garden railroad that models a meteor strike. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
Devon Sinsley said:
Ray Dunakin said:
Just to be clear, for me the main fun of this hobby is building stuff, so I don’t ever want to run out of projects to build. When I said I’d like to get the layout substantially finished, what I mean is that I’d like to have enough of it done that it fits the vision I have in mind for it. I wouldn’t want to “shuffle off” with it only half way there.
That’s exactly where I want to be with the hobby. As others have mentioned I get most of the way through something then put it on a shelf a start something new. I don’t want a shelf full of unfinished projects. I want to continually start and complete new ones. I have a locomotive that is so close to running and it frustrates me that I have lost interest in seeing it to the end. I just need to get it done and start the next on.
Devon, unfortunately that is where I find myself all too often. I start a project with all kinds of enthusiasm. My mind races to solve one challenge of the build after another. Solutions are found, parts are made and then right when it all starts to coalesce…there is no more challenge to solve the how tos, there is just the doing, and I get bored and move to the next project.
Steve, a navel aviator. I just knew something was not quite right about you. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)Landing high speed jets, on a ship, moving and pitching in the ocean, trying to grab a steel cable so you can be jerked to a stop…that’s just not natural. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)
Humm, I’m thinking that LSC needs a “back to school” challenge. Okay, well I might be the only one going back to school as a teacher, but it might be a fun way to have all finished 1 half completed project. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-undecided.gif)
Craig, once I get over this cold, I need to get my saw mill repaired and back where it belongs. Then I have an HO/HOn30 module to get running right, and 3 flat cars to, and 2 cabeese, and a gaggle of hoppers, and…
David,
I’ve got a half dozen or so projects just waiting to be finished, with at least double that in the works. First I have to clean out my garage/workshop so that I can disappear for a hour or so each evening. Modeling time severely limited when the “workshop” space also doubles as the computer desk. But I’m back in my house, so a real workshop is in the works.
With all the success we have every year with “MIK’s Challenge”, I thought it might be a good way to get all of us motivated again, as we transition from summer to fall. Give everyone until Jan 1st to finish a half completed project. That way, no real rush, but a little bit of motivation! (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)
Till Jan first huh? One of the HO clubs I belong to is talking about a similar type of challenge. It’s an interesting idea. But with such a large pile and list in front of me, picking just one would be the most challenging part.
That’s not a bad idea. “Dig out a project that you started, want to finish, but havent yet, and get it done by Jan 1?” Sounds like a plan to me. Now, what to do…
Only one? (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)
Right now, I’m helping a friend lay track for his first-ever layout. Does that count?
Sorry Steve, that’s optional!
I need more of a challenge to finish Something before starting Another.
John
I’m in, I know the project, I even have a build log started on it.
Now, Is this super loosey goosey , and I should just start posing in my log again or should we all start new logs with “FAPC” (Finish a Project Challenge) before the title? Or… Maybe no prizes, no hub bub, just lets finish our creations and have good railroady conversation. Maybe one thread on Jan 1 where we all post finished pictures…
Just maintaining everything seems to be my project these days. Repairing stuff, re-painting figures/buildings/cars. WEEDING! I do have some small things but no more locomotive builds or car builds I don’t think. IF we ever move I’d have a raised layout and no plants. But not sure I would find that satisfying or not.
Ok, my first indoor project is…finding my workbench. Somehow a pile of “stuff” has grown on it again.
David Maynard said:
Ok, my first indoor project is…finding my workbench. Somehow a pile of “stuff” has grown on it again.
That hits a little too close to home… I cleared off just enough room today to work on modifying some new Bachmann switch throws, but it’s still a bloomin’ mess otherwise.
Later,
K
There is a little tiny spot in the middle of my workbench that is cleared just enough to accommodate the next project, then it is filled with that one until it is done, then … etc …