Modellers block

davidjhope · February 27, 2013, 03:34:48 PM

For some unknown reason I seem to have caught the dreaded modellers block.
I have lots of stuff to do on the layout but seem to have lost the desire to sort out what to do.
I recently went to the Stafford show which I thoroughly enjoyed and thought I would be in crazy modelling mood. This expected drive never came.
Can anyone give me any ideas on how I can give myself a jump start?

EtchedPixels · February 27, 2013, 03:59:39 PM

Do something completely different ? It's what I do and I sort of cycle between bits of the hobby and some other things. (And you can make your other half glad you are modelling - my last distraction was learning to play guitar. I think my wife may well prefer the sounds of soldering

)

Alan

Lawrence · February 27, 2013, 04:06:43 PM

Everyone's mojo ups and leaves from time to time, I think it is part and parcel of being a modeller. There is no point forcing yourself to do anything to the layout as you wont enjoy and in fact it could make it worse for you. As Alan said you could perhaps do something different for a while, the worst thing to do is do nothing though as that quickly becomes an easy habit. If you don't fancy doing anything else you could draw up a plan of attack for the layout, give yourself a month or so to do the planning, so you are keeping in touch with the hobby but not forcing yourself to actually work on it.
It's either that or rip it up and start again! Kidding

MikeDunn · February 27, 2013, 04:11:08 PM

Quote from: davidjhope on February 27, 2013, 03:34:48 PM
Can anyone give me any ideas on how I can give myself a jump start?

2 cables (one on each ear) & a car battery ? Works for me ...

But seriously ...

I know where you're coming from ... As Alan says, do something not railway-related for a while, or at least not railway modelling ... Is there a book you've always wanted to read ? Or something you've put off doing & really should ? The latter will give you a sense of achievement ('finally done the damn thing ! Now let's have a reward !') that might push you back onto the modelling track. That's (a little) how I got around to restarting the power cabling on mine last night - I finished a chunk of work & wanted something relaxing to do !

Mike

davidjhope · February 27, 2013, 04:26:07 PM

Thanks for the ideas.
I've got a long list of outdoor jobs that need doing which have built up over the last couple of years.
I'm also under pressure do do some major house work involving chimney removal and reversing the open plan arrangement in our house so my older kids have a private study area. The list goes on.
It might just be minor blip. I'm also planning a couple of jolly days on the real trains over Easter which might stoke up the fire.
I'm still mad on this site though.

Cheers all

David

MikeDunn · February 27, 2013, 04:38:51 PM

Lessee ...... Worcester ......

SVR of course ... and the Tysley Open Day ... neither are just Steamers, so if you're into Diseasels you'll see some. If you do like steam more, Vintage Trains have some good trips shortly too.

Alex · February 27, 2013, 06:31:19 PM

Hi David,

The 'block' hits us all at some point. Not done anything since October. Did a load of other things instead. Even thought about starting another book, but not that keen. Don't fancy all that research just yet.

A few days ago I got my paint tray out and started on some wagons. Quite refreshing after a long break. It's got me back into the swing of things again.

As Lawrence says, your mojo will return. It'll probably sneak up on you when you least expect it.

Alex

Matthew-peter · February 27, 2013, 07:18:34 PM

Id say write a list of unfinished projects, order them in a list of which seem more interesting and try pick one, see if you can get into it and if not go on to the next one. may find one of them catches your attention.

Just my 2 cents

Paddy · February 28, 2013, 09:48:34 AM

Hi David,

I know the feeling. I have been struggling of late to get past the backscenes on HOLLERTON JUNCTION. You would think it is easy, slap some PECO sheets on but for some reason I am stuck. That is the main reason I started my layout thread on HOLLERTON JUNCTION as I thoght public scrutinity would keep me honest.

Paddy

Pengi · February 28, 2013, 10:28:07 AM

Quote from: Paddy on February 28, 2013, 09:48:34 AM
Hi David,

I know the feeling. I have been struggling of late to get past the backscenes on HOLLERTON JUNCTION. You would think it is easy, slap some PECO sheets on but for some reason I am stuck. That is the main reason I started my layout thread on HOLLERTON JUNCTION as I thoght public scrutinity would keep me honest.

Paddy

Backscenes are not as easy as one might think. As you will see from the link, I made just about every mistake in the book - even though I took quite a bit of care over it. One of the reasons that my layout is now going to be nighttime is that the backscenes will not be so evident.

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=3917.msg44446#msg44446

Jerry Howlett · February 28, 2013, 11:30:08 AM

Paddy,
Not sure about the legality of it but I have searched on the internet for various panoramas that will act as something different for a backscene. If they have COPYRIGHT across them then I assume its a no go but have found some that I have used to escape the usual suspects.
The Peco ones are not suitable for me as I am trying to create a Town /Industrial feel. EG. I type in under Google Images search 1960's High street and see what comes up. Though using phrases like dirty town scene are not to be recomended if your safe search filter is off!

Jerry

Paddy · February 28, 2013, 12:59:21 PM

Lots of really interesting photos Jerry. Amazing how the UK has changed since the 1960s.

I am sure the block will pass, just need to knuckle down.

Paddy

EtchedPixels · February 28, 2013, 02:35:08 PM

Quote from: Jerry Howlett on February 28, 2013, 11:30:08 AM
Paddy,
Not sure about the legality of it but I have searched on the internet for various panoramas that will act as something different for a backscene. If they have COPYRIGHT across them then I assume its a no go but have found some that I have used to escape the usual suspects.

You'd need to know what the fair use type rules for your location were.

The Creative Commons search engine will let you search stuff which is explicitly marked as being usable in various ways (eg non commerciallly, or if you keep the authors credit etc) and can usually turn up a lot of footage. Asking photographers often produces positive answers for private personal use.

Alan

Mustermark · February 28, 2013, 04:06:24 PM

I have experienced modellers block for the last few months. I got as far as having toruble with my Faller roadway, got frustrated and bored and lost my modelling mojo. I decided that my layout is a 10 year project and that it has to be fun, not a chore.

I have been doing other things... Airfix models, learning to write apps for the iPad, reading books, actually talking to my wife(!?) etc.

The other day I sat in my den (frustrated with my app) looking at my layout thinking I wanted to get that roadway done so I could start ballasting. The Model Rail mag with the article on 'easy' ballasting arrived the next day. So last weekend I got going again and tried printing some Scalescenes road... and the damn printer packed up. The new printer arrived from Amazon yesterday and I am actually looking forward to modelling this weekend.

I also read that the Metal Box building in Reading is soon to be demolished and that fired me up to want to build my 1:148th scale model of it.

I think you have to go with the flow and not allow modelling to seem like a chore.

Pengi · February 28, 2013, 05:30:13 PM

Hi Mark, great to have you back on the forum

Where is the Metal Box building in Reading and do you have enough images of it? The reason I ask, is that I may have some time in Reading next Tues (changing trains) so could get some snaps