MTJ PostWar Photo Library

[HONDO74]

O-Gauge Hobbyist died as the volume of posts dropped sharply after Frank changed gears in his interests. The 3-rail forum here seems likely headed for the same place.

After Frank got his layout published in CTT he tore it down and sold most everything except for a few of his prized Lionel items. He then stated he was in the process of starting a new layout. The truth was he was only building some items for a hobby shop layout. Many kept the forum alive by continuing to post. Without Frank it died a slow death.

Frank did a great job of showing how he built his layout and all the features he added to it.

But I do remember Frank saying when he left MTJ that his time and money would have been better spent towards his retirement. I think he finally came to that conclusion.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

But I do remember Frank saying when he left MTJ that his time and money would have been better spent towards his retirement. I think he finally came to that conclusion.

That seems to support a hypothesis that there was little fun left in the hobby for him then.

[E7]

But I do remember Frank saying when he left MTJ that his time and money would have been better spent towards his retirement. I think he finally came to that conclusion.

That seems to support a hypothesis that there was little fun left in the hobby for him then.

Ever hear the old saw: Familiarity breeds contempt. He achieved everything he set out to do, and the thrill was gone. No Holy Grail to pursue, been there done that. Only so much joy to be derived running trains around a loop, even a large loop. 3 Rail trains (can you say "Baby Boomer") (and I am one) are a generational fascination, like so many other things, and as go the Boomers so goes that for which they lust.

"To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven"

[Rufus T. Firefly]

But I do remember Frank saying when he left MTJ that his time and money would have been better spent towards his retirement. I think he finally came to that conclusion.

That seems to support a hypothesis that there was little fun left in the hobby for him then.

Ever hear the old saw: Familiarity breeds contempt. He achieved everything he set out to do, and the thrill was gone. No Holy Grail to pursue, been there done that. Only so much joy to be derived running trains around a loop, even a large loop. 3 Rail trains (can you say "Baby Boomer") (and I am one) are a generational fascination, like so many other things, and as go the Boomers so goes that for which they lust.

"To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven"

Then we agreed.

But why limit one's self to just "running trains around a loop"? That puts me to sleep in a matter of minutes and there's so much more to the hobby regardless of the number of rails.

[E7]

Then we agreed.

But why limit one's self to just "running trains around a loop"? That puts me to sleep in a matter of minutes and there's so much more to the hobby regardless of the number of rails.

That was just a guess at one of the reasons he might have tired of the hobby. What he actually did, I have no idea, and you agreed (blue text)

[healey36]

That very thing came up at my last IAL meeting (I'm A Looper)...

[Rufus T. Firefly]

That very thing came up at my last IAL meeting (I'm A Looper)...

Sounds like a great cure for insomnia,