|
|
 Posted - November 16 2014 : 8:20:10 PM
|
Been working at my 2nd job, and recently have been working on G and O gauge items, thought I'd post my thoughts. :) Have been mostly working on N or HO, but the boss has had me doing upgrades to some engines, decoders and sound. This past week, I did an MTH Crusader 0 gauge, nice engine! I really liked it! I want one in HO ( Varney made one decades ago ). Some cutting and chopping is required to install the Tsunami sound decoder upgrade, but I had done one before, so it's getting easier. I'm currently working on a Weston? O gauge, boss said made by someone else. A green J-type engine. Got the tender mods done and the wiring completed before I left this afternoon. Will start on the engine mods next.
A few weeks ago, I did some Decoder installs on a Piko G gauge DB engine, it went fairly easy, they're large and easy to work with. Unlike HO and N.  Anyway, been a nice change of pace from doing miniature work, although I like that too. I fixed two N gauge diesels a few weeks ago, and am waiting on some N gauge steam tires to finish another repair. About the only thing I haven't worked on is American Flyer ( other than my one lone 4-6-2 engine I took in a few weeks ago, needs work, doesn't move ). Hope to get to some of that sometime.
Business is picking up, from repairs to selling, as 'tis the season for holiday railroading  People bringing in their stored trains for repair. Had a Polar Express passenger car today, broken wire to a truck for the lighting, got that done in 5 minutes. :) Fairly busy day, only got back to the O gauge upgrade in the last hour or so. Had a great family come in, a very knowledgeable 4-year old and his parents, the Dad sad the boy will take a train book and not just look at the pictures, but READ it, too. Wow. He was asking a lot of questions, and knew quite a bit about certain roadnames. Glad to see some young'uns getting involved in trains.
I really like working at the train shop, nice people, nice to learn some new skills. Not to mention the good DEALS I get heh heh heh! Might get me divorced yet, but oh well. You only live once ( that we know of ). I'll take my chances.
Almost got my basement workbench nicely organized and useable, too. Still have some clean-off to do, but with the addition of some plastic drawer units, and a shelf on top of both, I think my workbench will be a productive area before too long. I haven't kept it cleaned off much, or often, but trying once again to do so. Can't finish my projects when I have nowhere to work. Ugh. An ongoing resolution and fight for me.
Well, bent your ears enough, back to Microbusssing and other activities. :D
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
|
Country:  USA ~
Posts: 3974 ~
Member Since: January 04 2009 ~
Last Visit: January 11 2019
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - November 17 2014 : 6:43:58 PM
|
Alright, where can I get this kind of job? Everyone around here is trying to convince me that jobs in model railroading don't exist!
--CRC
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 930 ~
Member Since: January 25 2012 ~
Last Visit: August 23 2023
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - November 17 2014 : 8:56:06 PM
|
quote:Alright, where can I get this kind of job? Everyone around here is trying to convince me that jobs in model railroading don't exist!
Originally posted by PRR 4800Â -Â November 17 2014Â :Â 6:43:58 PM
|
They mostly don't exist anymore. My area used to have quite a few model train shops, they're drying up, we're one of 3 left in a MAJOR metro area ( Washington, DC / Fairfax suburbs ), and one of the few that actually still does repairs. Unfortunately, we charge 65/hr rate, most N or HO gauge isn't worth that kind of money to repair, only O and G gaugers are wealthy enough and the engines cost enough that it's economical to offer repair services for them. Can you imagine a Tyco engine owner paying $65 for a tear-down and lube? Not likely! I did one guy's Mantua Penn Central diesel last christmas as a favor for $10, and it took me some of my personal parts and 2 hours to get his engine repaired properly. It's a tough business these days, but since we are one of the few shops left doing actual repairs, we probably get most of the business in our area. I don't think it's a huge career field. If you get into building layouts for the wealthy, that can be done, too. They don't mind dropping quite a few thousand and more on a major layout build-out. But there you need to know carpentry, wiring, scenicing, track-laying, etc. And the jobs are not plentiful.
I just got lucky with this job, as I am an Electronics Tech, and the shop owner was looking for another tech to help with N and HO, as he'd lost two guys. I already knew HO, and some N, learning Lionel, MTH, Williams O gauge is a challenge, as they have multiple control systems and can be tricky to get set up to use. I"m still learning those aspects. But its' a fun job usually. And I am privy to the private estate lots that come in for sale, too, and can often pick choice pieces out I want to buy first. 
You can always start your own home-based service, offer repair and DCC upgrade services to start. There's always people who don't know how to wire a locomotive, and don't own soldering equipment. I've learned quite a bit doing so many different engines, form modern to vintage, and still learning. I enjoy it, as I don't really consider it "work" per se.  At least not yet.
Here's some pictures of the shop in Chantilly, VA :
Above, the store from the parking lot. That's a genuine Southern working light.
Above, the front store area, all Lionel and MTH O gauge.
Above, the workshop area where I work ( my bench is in the lower left corner of the picture, in front of the MTH Z-4000 transformer )
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 3974 ~
Member Since: January 04 2009 ~
Last Visit: January 11 2019
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home
Forums
Events Calendar
Forum Admins & Mods
Register
