Robatron86 Posted September 3, 2017 Author Share Posted September 3, 2017 (edited) Well first show back after the summer at the Andover Modelex show and I had a great time. Saw Andy (298) on the Saturday, and he solved my 44 tonner problem, ran the layout for a bit and provided pain relief for an emerging migraine. All round maverick! At the show I picked up a new hopper (again collecting hoppers with no future use planned), a clever little gizmo for Waukegan which will be revealed in due course and a USB soldering iron! Yes you read that correctly. Very small tip and it heats up very quickly. Stewart Hobbies. Very nice it is too. Edited September 3, 2017 by Robatron86 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted November 20, 2017 Author Share Posted November 20, 2017 Good morning all. Having just completed the Wakefield show, I came to a rather sad conclusion. I simply did not enjoy running the layout. I have become simply bored of it. But this stems from much bigger problems in my life. My mental and physical health, my crippling debt, my lack of drive and enthusiasm for the subject and more responsibilities and less time at home. So, after I have completed Warley, the layout will be sold, as will the rolling stock and I will be walking away from the hobby for a while. Thank you to everyone who has guided me and helped me over the last 3 or 4 years. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
298 Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 I am diagnosing you with a bad case of "Post Exhibitionitus". Try taking a break for a few weeks and spend some quality time with the family, then gave a look at an unbuilt kit or favourite book when your Mojo returns... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewC Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 Rob I think I can say most of us have been there done that to some degree over the years. The first thing to remember is, this is a hobby. Its not life or death, it sure as hell isn't a career, and its not something to get stressed about. It is something to enjoy, occupy your free time, and to help you escape the day to day. First, wait before considering selling off the layout and stock. We had a friend who went through similar feelings on a regular basis. He'd look at his stock, look at his bank balance, and wonder why. He'd then go on a purge of just about anything and everything. 3 months later he was buying it all back again. If, after another month or so you are still feeling like the layout has run its course, then flog it off. Keep at least one or two bits of stock or locos as a reminder of how much you enjoyed building it. If modelling isn't doing it for you at the moment, then just push the pause button. Once life settles down and you find the need to do "something" then look to resume. Another thing to consider is just modelling for yourself. Don't think about exhibitions and deadlines. One of the best things I ever did was to forget about exhibiting and just work on Freemo modules. No pressure. Get something up and running, book your module in, then enjoy it. No pressure for exhibiting to the punters, just plain old playing trains. Do the scenery as the mood takes you. Most modules out there aren't complete. Its good to see them slowly improve and edge to completion. Mine sits in the shed and I work on it when I feel like. So, to sum up this wandering text, take a breath. Hit pause on the modelling but don't sell anything off yet. Come back to it when you want. Model for yourself, not for exhibiting. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
enginelane Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 Good morning all. Having just completed the Wakefield show, I came to a rather sad conclusion. I simply did not enjoy running the layout. I have become simply bored of it. But this stems from much bigger problems in my life. My mental and physical health, my crippling debt, my lack of drive and enthusiasm for the subject and more responsibilities and less time at home. So, after I have completed Warley, the layout will be sold, as will the rolling stock and I will be walking away from the hobby for a while. Thank you to everyone who has guided me and helped me over the last 3 or 4 years. It was good to see you at Wakefield and I would imagine that 2 1/2 days exhibiting it might have been too much in one go but I booked you because it’s an excellent example of what can be achieved in a small amount of space. It is very well modelled, ran well whenever I was passing by. Model Trains is something you can put away, leave and come back into whenever you want. I still find getting out a little bit of modelling gives me space to settle, it grounds me and I can get on with whatever happens in life. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 (edited) 00Rob, that is pretty good advice from Andrew - but don't SELL - look at the way prices have risen in the last 5 years and think about what they may be when you return, for return you surely will - the bug is infectious, recurs after a break, and it will bite you in the a$$ away down the line! I started in 009, it got to be too pricey soI moved on to US N, got fed up and left, did various other things, like painting fantasy figures (particularly Dragons) for myself and other people, CB radio etc - and one day walked past a SHELF in WHS an dpicked up Model Railroader - that was nearly 30 years ago!.....AND THE WORLD HAS BEEN PUTTING UP WITH MY DRIVEL EVER SINCE. By all means sell the layout but make yourself a small Inglenook on a shelf, and do some switching occasionally- a change is as good as a rest. Edited November 20, 2017 by shortliner 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted November 20, 2017 Author Share Posted November 20, 2017 Thank you chaps for all your advice. I must make it clear that the show itself didn't push me to this decision, but thank you for your kind words Stephen. I have been operating this layout now for 2 and a half years, so yes a change is in order, but it won't be North American. My last 3 layouts were North American, so I need to move away from it. I will come back to railway modelling of course, this isn't the end, but getting my other ducks in a row is far more important and I have been putting it off. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 Rob, just to whet your appetite - and encourage you to stay with USA - take a look at http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=42311&whichpage=1 . lots in various sizes Best Jack Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zomboid Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 If you have indeed got a crippling debt to deal with, then sell it all. It's only stuff and doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. Though maybe keep hold of that one loco you like above the others... And if you feel like playing with American trains some time come down to Bearwood and join in, you don't need to bring anything at all and most months there's some quite interesting modular fun going on... (other clubs might be nearer your house, but I understand you're a Southerner like me). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickBrad Posted November 25, 2017 Share Posted November 25, 2017 I replied after seeing your post on the "other" forum, but i'll echo it here. You and TYS have inspired me so much, encouraging me to make the switch from UK outline, (although I still have the stock for that,) but I understand the need to get your finances in order and the drain this hobby can have. It is a hobby though after all, so go away and enjoy your break, we'll all be here when you come back, regardless of if you continue with US stuff or try modelling The Ghan in z scale, (although I wouldn't want to try that particular project). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
long island jack Posted November 25, 2017 Share Posted November 25, 2017 (edited) I totally know where your coming from, i'm slowly coming to the same conclusion on exhibiting, think i'll be throwing the towel in when my exhibitions are done, which will be the end of 2019. Take on board those wise words from Andrew, exhibiting isn't everything, just do it at home when life lets you(why i'm building my loft empire) if you need to sell, sell you can come back at a later date when life's a bit kinder. Hope you enjoy the crack Friday night, good job you didn't come Saturday it was a late one, we were still in the pie shop at 1am!!!!!!!! Ray Edited November 25, 2017 by long island jack Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
enginelane Posted November 25, 2017 Share Posted November 25, 2017 I totally know where your coming from, i'm slowly coming to the same conclusion on exhibiting, think i'll be throwing the towel in when my exhibitions are done, which will be the end of 2019. Take on board those wise words from Andrew, exhibiting isn't everything, just do it at home when life lets you(why i'm building my loft empire) if you need to sell, sell you can come back at a later date when life's a bit kinder. Hope you enjoy the crack Friday night, good job you didn't come Saturday it was a late one, we were still in the pie shop at 1am!!!!!!!! Ray Balance is good, no exhibiting means no pie shop! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted November 26, 2017 Author Share Posted November 26, 2017 Thanks everyone for your kind words of support. The layout didn't sell at the show, no surprise there, but if anyone here is interested, feel free to PM me with offers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
enginelane Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 Thanks everyone for your kind words of support. The layout didn't sell at the show, no surprise there, but if anyone here is interested, feel free to PM me with offers. If it is the end of exhibiting at the moment and time to take a pause then you have bowed out at the biggest show in UK and shared space with some of the giants of the hobby. Not a bad way to leave! If things change and I am still upright and walking get in touch If it is the end of exhibiting at the moment and time to take a pause then you have bowed out at the biggest show in UK and shared space with some of the giants of the hobby. Not a bad way to leave! If things change and I am still upright and walking get in touch Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted November 27, 2017 Author Share Posted November 27, 2017 I replied after seeing your post on the "other" forum, but i'll echo it here. You and TYS have inspired me so much, encouraging me to make the switch from UK outline, (although I still have the stock for that,) but I understand the need to get your finances in order and the drain this hobby can have. It is a hobby though after all, so go away and enjoy your break, we'll all be here when you come back, regardless of if you continue with US stuff or try modelling The Ghan in z scale, (although I wouldn't want to try that particular project). Thanks mate. I'm glad I inspired you to try something new. I totally know where your coming from, i'm slowly coming to the same conclusion on exhibiting, think i'll be throwing the towel in when my exhibitions are done, which will be the end of 2019. Take on board those wise words from Andrew, exhibiting isn't everything, just do it at home when life lets you(why i'm building my loft empire) if you need to sell, sell you can come back at a later date when life's a bit kinder. Hope you enjoy the crack Friday night, good job you didn't come Saturday it was a late one, we were still in the pie shop at 1am!!!!!!!! Ray Thanks Ray. I had a great time with your lot on Friday. Thanks for including me. If it is the end of exhibiting at the moment and time to take a pause then you have bowed out at the biggest show in UK and shared space with some of the giants of the hobby. Not a bad way to leave! If things change and I am still upright and walking get in touch Thank you. I'll bear that in mind. Might as well go out with a bang! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
298 Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 I totally know where your coming from, i'm slowly coming to the same conclusion on exhibiting, think i'll be throwing the towel in when my exhibitions are done, which will be the end of 2019. Ray But on the positive side Ray, you'll be able to operate for me should I ever be able to take Wiley to Barrow (they have the details, but I doubt I'll be having any weekends away for a while). These are the reasons why I can see the whole exhibition scene imploding over the next few years, people with young families can't get the time away and as (i think) Ray is saying, Exhibiting isn't always fun. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
enginelane Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 But on the positive side Ray, you'll be able to operate for me should I ever be able to take Wiley to Barrow (they have the details, but I doubt I'll be having any weekends away for a while). These are the reasons why I can see the whole exhibition scene imploding over the next few years, people with young families can't get the time away and as (i think) Ray is saying, Exhibiting isn't always fun. Agree with the last statement, it’s a hobby and when you no longer enjoy exhibiting as they say at the end of the betting ads when it stops being fun stop. I think the commercialisation of some shows does create additional pressures on exhibitors but having some knowledge on how large upfront costs can be even before anyone sets through the door you can see why. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
long island jack Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 But on the positive side Ray, you'll be able to operate for me should I ever be able to take Wiley to Barrow (they have the details, but I doubt I'll be having any weekends away for a while). do you want me to remind Ian (exhibition manager), he's looking for layouts for 2018 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted November 29, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 29, 2017 Rob I haven't done a lot of modelling this year due to work issues, luckily not financial ones but sorting the work side out may well make that an issue. . We have been doing shows but a fair fewer this year. Luckily I am getting back into some modelling so hopefully you will be able to do the same, whatever scale or area you do get back into, it's good therapy. If you ever get chance to do the Furness show then you will have a good weekend despite the distance from home as they are a good crowd. do you want me to remind Ian (exhibition manager), he's looking for layouts for 2018 Our posts crossed!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielB Posted December 3, 2017 Share Posted December 3, 2017 Rob and I tested a theory at Warley. After much discussion, we figured that modern stock isn't really practical for Tilley Yard. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
enginelane Posted December 3, 2017 Share Posted December 3, 2017 Rob and I tested a theory at Warley. After much discussion, we figured that modern stock isn't really practical for Tilley Yard. Agree, it works in that time period Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doctor quinn Posted December 3, 2017 Share Posted December 3, 2017 Maybe not quite so modern https://www.flickr.com/photos/nicks_trainstuff/1469840222/in/album-72157601895193679/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted December 25, 2017 Author Share Posted December 25, 2017 Well, the layout has moved on. End of an era and 3 years of good fun and memories. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
enginelane Posted December 26, 2017 Share Posted December 26, 2017 Well, the layout has moved on. End of an era and 3 years of good fun and memories. No better time with the New Year coming up to say good bye and move onto what ever comes next Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielB Posted December 27, 2017 Share Posted December 27, 2017 Tilley Yard South is gone, long live TYS! Any time you fancy operating Piedmont Blues, just say the word matey. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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