Over the past three months, I've been rediscovering model railroading and seeing pics of the varied projects here are inspiring... but, I've noticed... symptoms. For many of us, the actual modeling is personal, and reflective of such. It allows us, much like painting a picture, to determine just how far we are willing to go, be it details or operation or combinations of factors. So, looking at some of your photos, I started noticing symptoms. The most obvious might be a pic of a project, but closer inspection was revealing. We all seem to have: More than one thing going on at a time. A bottle of glue, paint or Solva Set off in the background. Various blades, files and nippers off to the side. A self healing ruled cutting mat. Some kind of multimeter and a soldering iron off in the distance. Parts still on their sprues. Labeled storage up against a wall. Some kind of magnification. Sounds like symptoms to me.
Oh, yes... exactly like me back in 2008 when I got back into the hobby. And it's incurable, of course. Best disease I've ever had!
An organized work bench means you are spending all your time cleaning it and keeping it neat. Instead of working on projects....
I see one even has the families dog. I will add another you didn't mention. Mine, is lack of space and finances. I do have two steamers and a small collection of box cars and passenger cars. But, only 4 feet of straight rigid track. Oh well I will get there.
It's like the proverbial cold; it lasts just over five days, and with medicine, about a week. With trains, something like 30 years and $10K outta do it.
… more odds and ends as I continue to sort... Athearn U shells (wide hood) bought primarily for their chassis still represent modeling possibilities. They could be harvested for doors or louvers or used as is to flesh out a diorama scene. I am fairly certain that this was/is my first "detailed" model. I figured all those rattley things left in the box belonged somewhere. A sign that I need to get my priorities straight. Kage brought her rope into the room which is her way of saying "time to play tug or fetch". Hey, what's that under that boxtop? It looks Kodachromey...
Yeah, especially that prime property with a fully finished basement or climate controlled 2+ car garage. More found. Can U tell that I thought the merger was a done deal? Another train show find. Fugly but who could resist something unique in US railroading? I wonder how many of you have had this symptom?
Dunno fer shur, but something says AHM in the back of my head. Even if I clean it up and tune it's mechanism, there is NO WAY I'd let this critter into a mainline consist! At best, it might see hump service when nothing else is available. Those BN shells in one of the above pics are all old Lionel HO GP30s. When purchased, there were no RTR GP30s in the market except brass. I think they were a dollar each. Symptoms.
Now I feel pretty good.......The symptoms I have are milder than what is displayed here!! However.........I can't be too smug....My layout is in storage......My engines and rolling stock are in cardboard boxes, along with about 30 model buildings, some built...most not!!! And I have 3 or 4 months of other projects to do first!! I guess I have the railroad modeller syndrome too!!! Take care and have fun!!! Jim
Okay, I resent the #ell out of someone looking through my sliding glass door at my new work bench. How dare you think you can get away with this. I'll have a messy desk top, work bench and train layout if I want to. Security, someone call security. Maybe a housekeeper? Naw, because then I couldn't find anything. I just heard a voice say, "Check the trash can!" If you can't find it anywhere else, you might luck out. I had an appointment with my Dr. Psychotherapist and he said there's no cure. I will just have to work on my train equipment and layout until it's done. Then what? That same voice is saying "Haw, haw, got you." Really? I'm sure you've heard this: When you are sick and tired of being sick and tired. I don't know who is sicker...you or me. Oh, but look at the fun we are having.
Talk about a nuts, bolts and rivet counter. Right down to the last detail. I like, that. I like that, a lot.
