Model Railroading > Who Says Model Railroading is a Winter Hobby?

This time of year, for those of us north of the equator. it can be cooler in the basement! If you are fortunate enough to have a dry basement, it makes for a cooler family room too.

Unfortunately, for me, right now, I have to split that time with stripping and painting the house outside (brick house but plenty of wooden windows and trim).

Victor Baird



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 06/23/25 17:53 by wabash2800.

I fully enjoy the hobby year-round.  I've been gluing some parts on two car kits already this morning.  It's model railroading 12 months a year around here . . . which I got used to as a college educator, when I was "really busy" for 9 of those 12 months. Another thing, I prefer to air brush outside this time of year (the fumes and over-spray can be a nuisance inside).

Rich

 

I take whatever time I can get for working on trains and the layout, regardless of season.  Late Spring I have gotten sucked into the gardening/yard/pressure washing but now that the heat is on in northern Virginia (102 F today), I'm looking forward to getting a little more basement time.  What gets me the most hobby time is when I have to burn PTO that I am unable to roll over so from August to end of the year, I will be taking every Friday off and then some.

Cheers,
Jim



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/24/25 07:30 by SPDRGWfan.

I'm not so sure it's a winter only hobby anymore.  My local hobby shop says sales are still heavier in the winter months because we live in a cold climate and people get bored but I think it's leveling out somewhat.

You have a basement? I'm in an attic so this time of year my modeling hours are 6 to 10 am if I want them. Which is ok now that I'm retired.  Although this year, June has been fairly cool here in the Bay Area SF peninsula. 

I live in a townhouse now, so all my model railroading is indoors, but when I had my own backyard I had a G scale garden railroad, year'round. Even had a functional rotary snowplow.

-LD

Often hear about painting projects getting done during summer months by standing just outside the door and spraying away. Also any rattle can projects on the Layout that needs full ventilation, painting rail for example. 

I have the same issue with painting. I don't really have a window in the basement I can conveniently set up ventilation for a spray booth. I suppose I could get one of those self contained painting booths or paint in the garage when it isn't too hot or cold. But humidly can be very high out there.

I could  make a portable painting booth on wheels and have a set-up where I can pull up the window sash in the house and use a temporary extender plate to seal the window opening, much like a portable air conditioner unit on wheels (looks like a dehumidifier with a hose in the back).

The painting booth and compressor could be on the same cart. When not using it, I would pull it away and close the window. (Not doing so would be a security issue on a first floor window.) On second thought, it could be set up in a spare bedroom on a second floor.

I don't have a wife or significant other, so I can do whatever I want!

Victor Baird



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 06/24/25 10:05 by wabash2800.

Sounds like fun Larry and good excuse to be outside. Maybe you could have had a mosquito defogger or bug zapper on one of the cars too. <G>

Victor Baird


LarryDoyle Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I live in a townhouse now, so all my model
> railroading is indoors, but when I had my own
> backyard I had a G scale garden railroad,
> year'round. Even had a functional rotary
> snowplow.
>
> -LD

With the A/C running most of the time I have to wear a coat in the basement during the summer. More hospitable in the winter!

Tom

wabash2800 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have the same issue with painting. I don't
> really have a window in the basement I can
> conveniently set up ventilation for a spray booth.

>
> Victor Baird

When I moved in, I needed to put in a Radon system which sucks out the Radon from under the house.  That required a hole be drilled in the upper wall of the basmeent to get outside where the vent pipe goes up hight.  I plan to get the same guy in with his hole cutter to make a vent hole for a paint booth.  So if you don't have a window, maybe you could get a hole cut.

Great idea!
Victor Baird

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