Do you folks ever lose your "mojo" for modelling and if so how do you go about finding it again?

My first two plans that I had planned and laid track with just didn't seem to work and while with the second one I did try to persevere with, but it just didn't seem to work. Oh I learnt a lot regarding DCC, building inclines, ballasting, making switch panels for point switching, track codes, soldering, along with other modelling skills.

I've planned Mk3 layout, drawn it out using Anyrail (the only one I can get on with), I've even got as far as drawing out track and sticking Peco paper templates down on my base board to make sure everything fits. The plan includes eight double slips so I've even planned how I'm going to wire those up with Hex Frog Juicers to help simplify matters.

In other words, I've just about planned everything and somewhere along the line I've missed placed my "mojo". 

So how do I find that which is lost?

It happens to all of us 

Ive not really touched my layout or played trains this year..

But then I will have a moment and get back into it

I think everyone goes through this Jack so you are not alone.  Getting it back is a different thing though, it may be a conversation, a visit to a show or something you read on a great forum that rekindles the flame.  There is no simple answer.  Take a break from it all and don't even think about it for a couple of weeks, and don't put pressure on yourself to produce that perfect layout, because it doesn't exist  the best layout you can build is the one that gives you pleasure and it matters not what anyone else thinks.

So take a break, pop in here from time to time and see what the rest of them are up to, and eventually you will want to start building again, but keep it simple initially and enjoy it 

Yes Jack I lost my mojo last year when I wanted to build an N gauge British steam layout and had 2 or 3 Farish locos crack up on me in one week and the darn things were less than 6 months old and hardly run.

I guess you could say my mojo got lost in the model railway wilderness, I messed around with different ideas, dismantled the scenery, laid track and pulled it back up again a few times, in general I would say I lost the plot.

Things progressed this year as I was happy with the track plan, I decided to very loosely model the Cresson area in Pennsylvania USA and as I had previously painted all my locos black decided to run with the Penn Central Railroad that served the area in the late 60s and 70s.

I hope I don't loose my mojo again as I felt like an idiot chopping and changing my mind all the time.

For a change,make a few Scalescenes buildings rather than just planing track etc.

Allan

Have a go at doing a small diorama that will/ might go onto your layout later 

That is what I am planning to do as I cannot get on with any layout for a few months.

cheers John.

As I had to pack away my modules for Lynne End, I was struggling  with the 3rd Module and there was a possibility of a  move.
I decided to build a mini roundy round layout,using a totally different theme and use some of the many kits and I could try different skills including a Harbour scene.
That is something I would not include on the main modules.
I work on the layout as and when my mood takes me. Maybe 10 minutes here and there or occasionally a spell of over 1 hour at a time.

I too have times when either I'm bored with a particular task, or daunted by the next task, or just don't feel like it for a few weeks.

At those times, I just accept that my layout is a 10 year project, and it is there for me to enjoy, not be a slave to.  Thinking that helps me to just do something else without feeling bad.

I have spent a significant amount of time lately building Airfix models and ignoring the elephant that takes up most of my room (literally most of). And then suddenly I will walk in the room and be struck by how good it will be if i finish this or start on that, and i get a bit further down my 10 year journey, but only when i feel like it.  There isn't any point if you don't feel like it.

I think Lawrence is right about not knowing where your inspiration comes from, but often someone posts on here and i get all fired up (with envy mostly), usually looking at finished layouts like Chris or Elvinley's or a superb scratchbuild like Southerboy's, and suddenly I'm thinking i want to do that and i find myself getting stuff out onto my table.

I think it is also true that you have to vary the tasks a bit and have wiring mixed with scenery, or ballasting mixed with a scratchbuild.

Most important is to not feel bad that you don't want to today, and just wait for the day when you feel like tinkering, and then it feels like an old friend coming to visit. Main thing is to do it when you will be enjoying it.

Good luck with the mojo though. It does feel like something's missing when it's not there.

I do something else, and then I get bored of that and then I do modelling, rinse/repeat

I`ve just got back into mine after leaving it for about 12 months. I usually jump from hobby to hobby but the layout is in its own room so can be left. Can`t even remember what got me back into it but when i do i usually do something different each time. Bit of ballasting, scenery, make something etc. Just vary what you do or have a play and be creative.

Quote from: EtchedPixels on May 11, 2012, 10:51:18 PM
I do something else, and then I get bored of that and then I do modelling, rinse/repeat

Mark,with the size of layout you have,its not surprising you occasionally lose your mojo.Its a monster,but a good one at that.
I myself,am currently bogged down with dcc wiring,not knowing what to do next is my big problem.Only this week,I have been drafted onto doing some wiring on our clubs oo gauge new members layout.I have come to the conclusion that I hate wiring,am not that competent at soldering either,or thats what I thought anyway.So having done a load of soldering for the isolating sections,track feeds and other stuff,one of the older members had a quick look at what I'd done and paid a complimentary remark as to the neatness of my soldering.Bouyed by this remark I felt encouraged to do a bit on my own layout.Three hours later I packed up,unplugged the iron and went to bed.When I got home from work the following day I did a bit more.
This one remark actually spurred me on to do what I was procrastinating over for two months.A few more days work,the purchase of a circuit breaker and wire for the bus and I'll be playing trains again.Oh and running a sound fitted hst and dmu as well.
Problem is,this weekend I am at an exhibition in Derby operating our club secretary's o gauge american layout.The exhibition is Mickleover exhibition,so if you go,come over to the Piedmint Lines layout and say hello,it'll help stop me from making more mistakes than I would normally make,cos I'm not that good an operater.
All it takes is a bit of a break and a passing remark to fire you up once more.I didn't stop popping into the forum either,I usually have a look at least twice a day so perhaps the practical side of my hobby waned somewhat,I still maintained interest.
I also did other things such as built card kits,detailed them with things like wire to represent soil and fall pipes and guttering,and fitting siund chips into my hst a dmu.
After I have done the main layout wiring,I plan on tackling a dcc sound conversion of one of my Farish Deltics,not something I was planning on doing a couple of months ago.
Lots to do and plenty of time to do it all.

Pete

Quote from: Pete Mc on May 12, 2012, 01:07:05 AM
All it takes is a bit of a break and a passing remark to fire you up once more.

So, Jack... maybe you could post some pics of your progress because you were posting seriously good pics and track plans a while back.  Maybe some positive feedback will do the trick.

I think it works for me too.  I was getting tired of building the booking hall, but after posting how far I've got with it, I am spurred on to do some more!

Everyone's motivation is different, and how we find it.  I notice that I get bored with things I do to excess - so having a number of other things on the go to chop and change between is good.  In particular, I try to follow my interest and vary it - been doing a lot of wiring, but varying it with building kits, fiddling with fitting ***** Dapol auto uncouplers, running the trains, and other interests.  I think if I stuck to a logical plan and didn't just let it emerge as I was interested that would also stunt me.  And there's always giving yourself a month off.

I've had to stop working on my layout for the last six months, and now I come to start again, I really can't get the enthusiasm for it. I'm really thinking of dismantling it all and selling up.

Steve