5 Stages of Modeling

[FJ and G]

What stage are you in and are you happy in your stage? The stages:

1. armchair modeler: read the magazines and forums and dreaming of a layout but don't quite know where/how to start.

2. Planning: lots of sketching, measuring and purchasing stuff for that future layout

3. Building: Actually creating a pike

4. Completion: now running trains and tweaking things; perhaps adding or swapping out a tree, rock, structure, or enhancing electronics

5. Ad Nauseum: this stage is when you are becoming sick of the duckunder, sharp radius curves, and scenery and are ready to tear it down and start again at stage 2.

dav

[Big_Boy_4005]

I'm at stage 3 right now, and for what ever reason, can never get to stage 4. Actually, more time spent on stage 2, may prevent you from ever reaching stage 5. That should be everyone's goal, and I feel very confident that stage 5 will never happen to me!!![swg]

By the way, stage 1 is an ongoing process which never ends, even after stage 4. Maybe the dreaming, and not knowing where to start, should be stage 0.[;)]

[Anonymous]

I seem to be stuck in an endless loop:
stage 1
stage 2
stage 3
stage 2
stage 3
stage 2
stage 3
stage 2
stage 3
stage 2
stage 3
stage 2
stage 3
stage 2
stage 3
stage 2
stage 3
stage 2
stage 3
stage 2
stage 3
stage 2
stage 3
stage 2
stage 3
stage 2
stage 3
stage 2
stage 3
stage 2
stage 3
stage 2
stage 3
stage 2
stage 3
stage 2
stage 3 ......

[Dr. John]

Just started stage three yesterday - got the benchwork built for a 5x9 layout. Next comes track laying, wiring, ballast, scenery . . .

[Buckeye Riveter]

Because of my background, I approached the construction of my layout using Phases.

Phase 1 = Stage 4

Phase 2 & 3 = Stage 2

The all time biggest layout ever = Stage 1

If your track plan allows you to build in Phases, I would recommend it. Phase 2 is scheduled to Stage 3 in August of this year and will be running trains by Christmas or I will be charged liquidated damages by Mrs. Buckey Riveter.[:(][:(]

[nitroboy]

I am at stage three. Completely skipped stage two.

Dave

[vsmith]

I was always taught it went:

The 6 Phases of a Project (in railroad speak)

1. Enthusiasm-

(planning to build a layout, looking at the shiny trains at the LHS)

2. Disillusionment-

(nothing fits where its supposed to go! Whaddamean the price changed?)

3. Panic-

(I've spent how much and I still isnt finished the benchwork?wheres that water coming from?)

4. Search for the Guilty-

(the D*^m guy at the train shop said this d*&m thing was easy to install!!!!)

5. Punishment of the innocent-

( where's my fri**ing order! you sent it out 8 months ago! did you idiots send it by wagontrain????)

6. Praise and Honors for the non-participents-

(your layout gets published, they misspell your name, and lavish attention on guy who weathered a few locos for you....)

[superwarp1]

I wasn't planning on doing any detailing of the layout until the track is all down in about five to ten years.

Gary

[cnw1995]

Stage 3, version 2.5 - used most of the avail. track, got trains running and a few buildings. No scenery, still troubleshooting the wiring.

[ChiefEagles]

Hey Dave, what stage do you install the beagle? [private joke] [:D]

[wallyworld]

I am in stage 2.5 in that having assembled and disassembled several pikes in several gauges has taught me an invaluable intermediate stage-the rug railroad. It let's me operate the thing before I start setting the track "in stone." I've gone through two major modifications and three tweakings in the track configuration - and now I'm ready for Stage 3.

[Anonymous]

Stage 5 and getting bored. Only so much room for exspansion. A storage room opened up in my house and so I'm ucrrently in stage 2 for the layout that is going in there.

[IRONROOSTER]

Stage 3 and moving slowly. Hope to get to 4 in the next year.
Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

I have a temporary layout consisting of a double oval with crossovers., minimal accessories & no scenery, so I've been through to stage 4. I'm anxiously awaiting the day when I can start on the permanent layout.

That'll be some time next year, God willing.

Tony

[waltrapp]

I'm at the 'DONE' stage on the model of my brother's house that I made in 1/4" scale last year. See link below:

http://pgh_train_man.tripod.com/pghtrainman/id4.html

[Anonymous]

I'm at stage 2, but Buckeye's comment about building in phases caught my eye. The layout I'm planning would be a huge leap from my previous efforts and I admit that it intimidates me quite a bit. I also have to go through a stage where the train room gets upgraded from the "raw" basement to something more user friendly.
Bob

[Anonymous]

I think If you add up stage 2 and four and call it stage 6 thats were Iwill be

(stage 6 = Life)

[Anonymous]

I'm still at stage 1. We just moved into our new house with a full basement, I just have to sheetrock the walls first :(

[fjerome]

stage 4. i hope i never get to stage 5.

see it here http://homepage.mac.com/fjerome/BAMenu.html