Time to retire my old hobby

martin hill · 9 Jul 2020

Well i have to sadly part with my old OO gauge train set. The other half wants rid but i am trying talk her into letting me have in hidden on a pulley system in the dining room. Its currently under the bed and she not happy as i doing the bedroom now and she's eyed up a bed that it wont go under. Shame really as it was a joy to build. A bit dusty and and some bushes have perished but with some TLC i think i can get it looking top notch again. May have to just build another shed on the sly lol.

Alec_t · 9 Jul 2020

When my kids were small we had a layout on an 8'x4' board hinged to the wall so that, when not in use, it dropped down and was hidden (more or less) behind a sofa. When the layout was in use the sofa was rotated 180° and its back supported the free edge of the board.

EddieM · 9 Jul 2020

That's a shame, I had a pretty extensive layout when I was a kid (nothing wrong with having one as an adult) Gave it to my uncle for his kids (part of the original set came from him ) sort of hoped to get it back for my kids, but TBH times have moved on and I don't think they'd have been interested as it's probably too much effort for gen Z or whatever they're called.

johnny2007 · 9 Jul 2020

Absolutely beautiful, well done you.
Your idea of the pulleys is easy enough.
My brother had a thick work surface which would rest (and be secured) on the table saw when needed.
Most times was happily staying above heads in a system of pulleys.
If my brother made it, it must be easy: up to last weekend he didn't know that there are different "crossed" screwdrivers (pozi and phillips)

Mottie · 9 Jul 2020

Never really been interested in model train sets but I do admire the time, effort and expense enthusiasts put into them. Rod Stewart’s one is a fantastic piece of work.

mattylad · 9 Jul 2020

Wouldn't the wife like one of those nice recessed ceilings with the illuminated lower sides around it in the back room?
You could make it drop down out of that

Paul Barker · 6 Aug 2020

A cafe near peashome parkpk Had a train set all round room. Changed hands railway gone.

ericmark · 7 Aug 2020

I note my next door neighbour has started laying out his railway

Just tell her no problem I will move out to the garden, his must cover nearly the area of his house, hate to think of cost, had builders there for a week setting out all the inclines and levels.
Or do the same as me, I have moved to a 2'6" gauge, I go down once a week to help.

Boys and their toys, once she realises how reasonable you have been in the past, she will maybe consider how lucky she is that you don't spend all your free time and holidays volunteering at a heritage railway. And of course taking the odd job home over lock down.

Nige F · 13 Aug 2020

ericmark said:
Or do the same as me, I have moved to a 2'6" gauge, I go down once a week to help.

Boys and their toys, once she realises how reasonable you have been in the past, she will maybe consider how lucky she is that you don't spend all your free time and holidays volunteering at a heritage railway]

A friend of mine retired from the railway earlier this year(permanent way work) after 45 years ! and he goes to a heritage line

ericmark · 13 Aug 2020

My wife has got cancer, cure-able, so not big issue, however I have to ensure I don't catch anything and bring it home, so for two months I have to stop going down to the railway, just as it has restarted, gutted is not the word, it had done more for my health than any doctors pills.

The house I live in it seems once had a garden railway running around the house, and through the garage, now a flat, Oh I wish it was here now.

But next door writes for the railway mags so a garden railway can be considered part of his job.

sxturbo · 13 Aug 2020

ericmark said:
My wife has got cancer, cure-able, so not big issue, however I have to ensure I don't catch anything and bring it home, so for two months I have to stop going down to the railway, just as it has restarted, gutted is not the word, it had done more for my health than any doctors pills.

The house I live in it seems once had a garden railway running around the house, and through the garage, now a flat, Oh I wish it was here now.

But next door writes for the railway mags so a garden railway can be considered part of his job.

My best friends grandad had the same thing before he moved was in Stamford le hope.

Was pretty awesome, he got to old for trains eventually, however now his dad has built a train track that goes right round his house on sunny days I take my little one for a ride lives it.

martin hill · 15 Aug 2020

ericmark said:
My wife has got cancer, cure-able, so not big issue, however I have to ensure I don't catch anything and bring it home, so for two months I have to stop going down to the railway, just as it has restarted, gutted is not the word, it had done more for my health than any doctors pills.

The house I live in it seems once had a garden railway running around the house, and through the garage, now a flat, Oh I wish it was here now.

But next door writes for the railway mags so a garden railway can be considered part of his job.

Well my best wishes to you and your wife and fingers crossed for a speedy recovery. While you keeping her safe here is some reading if you not already seen these sites.

http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/

http://www.abandonedstations.org.uk/

http://www.table38.steamrailways.com/rail/Micklehurst/micklehurst.htm

http://www.forgottenrelics.co.uk/bridges/index.html

Handy Tip.... Set an alarm clock as i get so wrapped up in the history and pictures and further reading that the hours fly by.

ericmark · 15 Aug 2020

When one lives so near to the railway, you see so much, this one,

was theatre on the train last year where they made out as if the train was being attacked by the French resistance. Bangs and smoke everywhere.

But this year rather sad, all special events were cancelled as not even sure if the train would run, and only using ½ of the 8 miles of track, part because winter work was never finished, and part as can get 5 trains a day instead of 3.

But the vantage point to take pictures is a gate way on the main road, only real way to get pictures like this

Is on a push bike, as no where to park, at first thought the guy was taking a photo, then realised it was a face mask.

martin hill · 16 Aug 2020

Yes a lot of the heritage lines will be feeling the pinch this year and more so as we had some amazing weather that rakes in the pennies. Get upto E.L.R when i can.

ericmark · 16 Aug 2020

It seems up to end of August running half way and back with no option to board or leave train anywhere, but in Llanfair. Which is a little useless for me, as it was how I got my bike to Welshpool, from where I could ride on the level canal tow path. But I have a three year ticket, so they are not making any extra money when I travel, well £3.50 for the bike, it seems it is classed as a dog?

Time to retire my old hobby

EddieM

Similar threads