Have you bitten off more than you can chew?

[FJ and G]

Some folks plan for years and have yet to spike down a single rail. And then there are others (like Elliot) who plan big. REALLY BIG.

But, are your grandiose plans too big for your time, budget, and other concerns like family and pooch?

That was the question my buddy, Paul Dolkos posed in his article in the latest 2004 track planning magazine (MR). The lead photo showed this HO layout that stretched as far as they eye can see and had enough tracks to measure several real miles of mainline.

Paul offered some solutions, one of which I am taking to heart.

My ultimate goal is to create at least 2 shelves of track plan, a humongous helix and trains around the entire basement. But for starters, I want to finish a 25 ft section of shelving and completely scenic it and have it ready to run trains. It will just be a point to point module but by doing the grand plan in completely finished stages, I will have time to help my 12th grader with her homework, and keep an eye out on the pooch, (who, jumped up on my hot tub yesterday to chew up a sponge. The Beagle then stepped on the starter button and turned on the hot tub. Fortunately, I got there before the motor burned out.)

Dave Vergun

[ChiefEagles]

Until I get these BPS shows over, I don't have much time to work on layout. After that, I should. After all, it will be in A/C. Got all the tools,saws, drills and etc as I do building projects anyway. I will have to slip in a little fishing too. May or June is my goal. Now the daughter moves into their real new house soon. That will help help clear the "right-of-way" .

[Big_Boy_4005]

Very good Dave!! For me the wife is gone, the dog is gone, and the kids are only here part of the time. One of these days, I will get them to help. They like the trains but aren't too handy with the tools yet, but that time will come.

The way I see it, planning and construction are half the fun in the realization of a dream. Operating the trains is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. At the age of 43 I consider myself sort of retired. We always need to have something to do, so between my kids, my trains, and chatting with the guys here, my dance card is nicely filled.[swg]

[FJ and G]

Elliot,

This sounds like a country song.

"The wife ran away with the milkman.

"The kids ran away.

"And the dog up and died.

Dave V.

[Big_Boy_4005]

I find some country music depressing, but I'm starting to feel better now, I've got nobody to tell me what to do. Beside, it wasn't the milkman.[;)]

It's time to write a new song, "Me and My Trains"!!![:D]

[FJ and G]

I retired from the Marine Corps at age 38 ten years ago but had to get a job to support my toy train hobby.

BTW, there was an old song that I think was titled: A Man and His Trains.

Dav

[Anonymous]

My layout will never be done, but it's done enough to now work in sections and keep the trains running on at least one part. Every work session is followed by an operating session. I think I'd get bored just building, and someday when my new around the wall layout is begun, I'll keep the old one running. Now that spring is here, I make sure everything is working and all tools and materials are off the layout so I can just run trains when I have a few minutes. I'll think about what I want to do next winter and start after Christmas. Chuck

[Anonymous]

It has taken me a long time to arrive at the conclusion the model railroad is A STORY WE ARE TELLING OURSELVES. We make up a little story in our mind then we build a track plan scene to illustrate it.........But to WHOM? It's my story so why do I have to build it into my model pike? I used to plan great scenic vistas like Big Boy is doing but then reality reared its ugly head. It dawned on me that the same stretch of track could be used to illustrate anything I said it was. My little generic pike is alternately the Reading and the CNJ with the Blue Comet and the Camelback Ten Wheeler hauling a commuter train, the Reading T1 with a fast freight and a G1 Pacific hauling a passenger local, the NYC as the stomping ground for my Hudsons, Mikados, switchers and Mohawk, and finally the B&O for my (on order) Big Six and Q4 and a coal train and a branchline for my B&O E24 and Docksider as well as a place for my PRR E6 and train and A place to run my NKP 2-6-6-2 and my Erie 4-6-2. There is no real way to logically connect all the above nor is there any real need for it. The train is the star; it needs the tracks....not the other way around.

I hate to put ice in your enemas, but a huge pike is a maintenance monster where there is always a switch that derails your trains, a dead or weak section, places that are not sceniced nicely. That big pike is a monster that will take forever to build and get running, eats money, and most likely will permanently keep you from running your trains. But what if you DO get it up and running? Like the real railroads you can only see small parts of it at one time so why not run your trains on a small pike that is just big enough for you equipment to operate nicely and one man---you--can build and operate it?

Question: What do you do if you have to dismantle that monument to yourself that you have so painstakingly built and took up so much of your time? Was it worth it? But it's your choice....this is America and you can build it if you want to. It's your time, it's your hobby so have at it. Odd-d

[Big_Boy_4005]

That's a good plan Chuck. I suspect that I will be running some trains long before the scenery is finished. Beside, A MODEL RAILROAD IS NEVER FINISHED!!!! This bring us back to last week's discussion about re work. I have no desire to do that. Part of the need for re work is haste to finish, an not thinking through all the options.

Come to think of it, I'm running trains right now!!!! They just happen to be in my head. I can visualize them running on the "finished" layout. People have always said I had TRAINS ON THE BRAIN. I never argued. [X-)][(-D][:P][;)][(-D][(-D]

[FJ and G]

Good points Odd-d,

I forgot to mention that the same article I referenced did address some of your concerns. Just dusting a big layout would be a major cleaning operation!

dav

[Big_Boy_4005]

Wow Odd-d, I never looked at it THAT way. I have always been blinded by the idea of the ever larger layout. So much so, that I have built this huge house just to do it. Your words give me pause.

Five years ago I was at a crossroads in my life. I had a nice home with a decent sized basement. I have always dreamed and then designed to fill spaces. I had just begun construction on the layout when we decided to move. I probably would have been happy there forever. Keep in mind that my ex wife was a very controlling person. She wanted to move, and the additional space was a good excuse for me not to argue.

My new design is simply an expansion on my old design. As for mantaining it, I really don't worry too much. I try to use techniques that will help to eliminate as much of that as possible. If I wasn't doing this, I would probably out traveling the country, collecting memories, fun but not constructive. Although this may be constructive, and fun. everything in this world is only temporary, including us.

I really do like your concept, and have nicknamed it the "Generic Central". It is a wonderful idea for people who just want to run trains, and is proof that there is NO WRONG WAY IN THIS HOBBY!!!![:)][;)]

[nitroboy]

I guess the benefit of having limited space for a layout is you can only do so much. I am in the process of expanding a little, so its still a work in progress all the time. I continue to plan the "mother layout" in my head all the time, but need a bigger house first.

Dave

[Dr. John]

I downsized from a relatively small 9x12 layout to a 5x9 because of 1.) time and 2.) maintenance. I know that 9x12 is not large by layout standards, but with other demands, it might as well have been 25x50. I have followed the K.I.S.S. principle for my new layout. Simple trackplan, simple wiring and simple scenery have made my layout more enjoyable and user friendly. It will never be featured in CTT or OGR, but I like it! [:D]

[Jim Duda]

QUOTE: Like the real railroads you can only see small parts of it at one time so why not run your trains on a small pike that is just big enough for you equipment to operate nicely and one man---you--can build and operate it?

Precisely why I chose to do a **** ant size table...4 months after starting this, I can sit back and just watch my stuff travel through all the imaginary places I can think of at the moment. I think if I ever want to "expand", I'll do it outdoors with suitable, weather resistant equipment. Whatever makes us feel like we did when we got our very first ttrain isn't a bad goal to shoot for...so far, this one does it for me.

JD

[Big_Boy_4005]

Well Jim, I'm amazed at what you have managed to cram on to that little table. It is very nice, but you may actually FINISH. Then what? Where will you put the Big Boy???[swg]

Thanks for the pics!!!

[spankybird]

Hey Jim,

You'll have to check out HGTV on Saturday, they will have Whistle stop garden railroading on

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/spcl_prsntn/episode/0,,HGTV_3909_12720,00.html

tom

[Anonymous]

Here's some clichés that apply to train layout construction:

1.) It always seems harder than turns out to be;

2.) Inch by Inch building's a cinch, yard by yard it's pretty darn hard;

3.) The reality is always far nicer than the dream;

4.) When pursuing a hobby, money is no obstacle; and

5.) You always find the money (and time) to do the things you desire.


Alan

[Big_Boy_4005]

Thanks Alan!!!! I'm printing those, I need some fresh motivtion.[tup][tup]

I have been working from Andy Sperandeo's editorial from Great Model Railroads 2004 for the last 4 months.[;)]

[Anonymous]

Big_Boy_4005

one more... you must learn how to STEAL time from yourself.

I always say "I'm a commercial modeler!"

I get a lot done during the TV commercials.


Alan

[Jim Duda]

QUOTE: Where will you put the Big Boy???

Professor - I was thinking about letting it "tiptoe through the tulips"...can't you just imagine it smokin' up the backyard while the neighbors have their grills and smokers fired up? I can load up the flats with pitchers of lemonade and iced tea and deliver it to all the party goers...(wink)

[cnw1995]

'Commercial modeler' - I have to use that one! I am thrilled to have my first 'big' layout - four 4x8 foam boards in a U-shape. But painting the boards (having to pull everything up - I was eager to run something) and ballasting the track looks like a daunting task this spring.,,, I like Odd-d's perspective on the layout as a story we're telling ourselves. Never thought of it that way and it makes sense - especially as it evolves over time.

[Buckeye Riveter]

When I started my layout, I set a goal to have a percentage of it up and running by Christmas. Needless to say, we had it up and running and for the next three years we kept working on the landscaping and structures.

Now, we are going to begin Phase II and Phase III of the layout this year after July 30 and the goal is to have the trains running in the new section, but with very minimal scenery and structures. Also, a partial rewire will be necessary to incorporate the new phases.

[Anonymous]

At one time, The Rock thought he needed a big layout with all the bells and whistles. No more. He has an 8'x14' layout with Lionel tubular track and he's perfectly happy with it. In addition, there's a mishmash of Plasticville, Marx, and postwar Lionel structures and accessories on his layout. It's another one you would never see in CTT or OGR but so what.

The Rock also follows the KISS principle. He doesn't need anymore stress, especially from a hobby.[;)]

[Anonymous]

The Rock is right. KISS is the way to go. My last layout was a large L shape that measured 30 x 8, with the foot of the L being 12'. What began as fun ended up being a nightmare when the layout began to over power me!
Bill
www.modeltrainjournal.com

[Anonymous]

I modeled in HO for years, then after I turned forty I noticed I needed those drug store glasses to read, then I found I couldn't see the holes the handrails were supposed to go in. I moved to my last house last November, and I put my oval of 0-27 and the KLine MP15 set I got in mid eighties as payment in lieu of cash for Kustom Painting I did for a hobby shop owner who fell on hard times. (Great Guy , Chevy income out of his small shop, Cadilac tastewife had did him in) I knew I wasn't getting paid I saw this set on the wall and asked him if he'd call it even. Poor Guy looked so relieved and even though I knew he didn't have near full retail in it and I was owed way more. I called it square, He was happy, and I was like a kid putting this box in truck, can't wait to get home. That thing has run in a little oval ever since!!! All my HO was still packed up, and a buddy and I went to hobby shop he saw an MTH SD45 with proto sounds. Once I heard it , I was brain dead. My buddy's "you just got to HAVE that" didn't help. Well, now I am building my layout, selling off the HO stuff (except for a few DCC sound for club operation) and I'm back to square one, with my original 1954 Erie Alco set back in operation, and I CAN SEE the handrails! I watch for sales and am waiting for a set of Centipedes to come in. BOY that's as big as they get. My wife is pretty tolerant since I got hurt and retired, and she's happy with her house. So as long as I'm not a complete fool I can build my layout and enjoy it now as much or more than when I was a kid.
I do like that sound and DCS tho. I know it's troublesome, but when it is working right all my non rail buddies can run the trains, and aren't facing blocks, switches and cabs associated with the old days of HO layout operation. And THEY MAKE MORE NOISE. It just can't get much better !

Bill

[spankybird]

Welcome back to O Gauge Bill,

You’ll will love DCS and PS2 engines. I do

You can check out my layout by clicking on the web icon below.



tom