I started an N-Scale layout about a year ago, and have had a good start. I love the time I have spent.
However, the more I work, the more I see things I could have done better, or things I wish I had done differently.
At the same time, I don't really want to just scrap the layout and start over.
Have any of you felt this way, and what did you do?
York1 John
It really depends on how far along you are, and even if you are as far as to the scenery stage, if it's not right, and you notice things could be better, especially with the operations of the trains, electrical, track layout, and such, I don't think it's ever too late.
It's no fun if it doesn't operate the way you want it to, pretty soon, it will just sit, from lack of enthusiasm becuse it's not all that you wanted.
Just the way I see it.
Mike.
My You Tube
In the real world they cut up steel and bust up concrete every day.If for any reason your not happy,change it. With some care, most stuff can be saved and reused.
I've tore down 3 layouts and now building my 4th,reuseing lumber,track. and buildings. The layout is nowhere near done,a lot of pink and blue showing. But I still will rip out somthing and rebuild it.
I just finshed redoing my yard,[ for the 3rd time], i'm still not sure I like it. I have plans in the near future to bulldoze a scetion of town, to make room for a factory I'm building.
The real world changes every day, why shouldn't your layout
I was pretty far along on my N scale layout. but we have to move ot a one story house. Hate to do it, but I am tearing down the layout, saving all of the lumber and as muchpf tje OSB board as I can for reuse. Some times life is a real BEAR!!!.
Caldreamer
York1However, the more I work, the more I see things I could have done better, or things I wish I had done differently.
The things I could have done better, weren't that bad. The things I should have done differently weren't really fixable. Divorce ended model railroading for nearly 20 year.
Every hobby has it's learning curve or the quest for new or better things, whether it's golf clubs, motorcycle exhausts, coin collecting or whatever. Accept that starting over isn't a failure, it's a reflection of your growth and improvement as a model railroader.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
When I realize the layout is not meeting my needs, I scrap it.
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I am currently getting ready to build home layout #6. I have never regretted starting over.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Thanks everyone. It sounds like I would not be the only one to tear things apart. I live in an isolated part of the country and have very little contact with other modelers, so this forum is important to me.
Tip #1 John Armstrong's Trackwork for Realistic Operation is a great book for avoiding errors in designing you layout.
Tip #2 Less is more in designing what you want in a layout.
I've done both. I started a small N gauge using the Woodland Scenics kit. It moved with me three times, always in storage. I started to scenic it, but the trackwork was not perfect. I replaced much of the track, but it still never quite ran without issues. Last year I tore it down and salvaged a tunnel/mountain for a new N scale layout. As far as my HO goes, I've built and torn down a couple of times.
I believe that if you are not really happy with the way things are currently going, then go ahead and start anew.
"No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow." -Lin Yutang
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Hi York1,
Simple question: Why put more work into something that you are not happy with?
Keep in mind that what may have taken you a long time to do originally will probably be accomplished a lot faster the second time around.
I'll second the suggestion to get John Armstrong's 'Track Planning for Realistic Operation' if you don't already own it. It is worth more than its weight in gold IMHO.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
There are some issues with my present layout that I wish I could have done differently. But it is more or less finished, although there are lots of tweeks that have to be done. After tearing up my second layout to build this one, I have no desire to do it again.
Bear "It's all about having fun."
It seems that starting over is a natural part of this hobby. Perhaps that explains why so many feel there's no such thing is "done." I agree with others about sinking more time/money/effort into something you don't enjoy. Regardless of your inspiration, modifying the layout is totally fine.
My 1st layout provided me a lot of enjoyment. More than that was the lessons learned I applied on the 2nd one.
I find that structure kits take most of my time, followed by rolling stock, both kitbuilding and weathering. These can be packed and reused.
There were a few things on my old layout that I should have done differently, so that's a good side.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I would definitely stop and correct a significant mistake, whether one of concept or construction, rather than to continue to build on a flawed track plan or benchwork. If it were bad enough, I would start over. I just could not continue to put good creative work into something with serious defects once I understood what they were.
Just this week i decided it was time to start over. What was my third layout had been in place approximatly 6 or 7 years, several modifications in that time. I think it is fair to say it was 90 - 95% complete. I was certainly pleased with how my scenery skills had improved, quality of materials used had improved and such.
But something was lacking, limited and awkward switching industries, and a very limited yard. I had made several "improvements" to try and fix these issues but the reality was that it was time for a total redesign. Too much track had been squeezed in. This decision had been mulled over for far too long but i did not want to rush into it.
So this week I went for it, i tore down the layout. I saved only the structures, Peco turnouts, and the bench work frame.
I am going to take this time to address one or two issues in my basement and then hopefully in a week or two start reconstruction.
My small - medium layout will be a switching layout with two railroads, two yards (one small the other larger) with an interchange between the two railroads. I am going with the less track is more. No continious running.
I also have some scenery goals too.
To the OP, I suggest trying to rectify what you know is already bugging you if you can, if the only thing in your mind is to start over then go for it and don't look back.
5 years ago, after decades of being in storage, I finally started putting my railroad layout together in a spare bedroom. After a few years laying out track and getting everything running, I had to move. I broke the layout down into sections and used most of the benchwork and subroadbed for the new layout. I was able to improve the yard and had plans for an extended continuous double loop run. Then another move interrupted my process. This time, I’m ditching the bench work and will rebuild as modules so it will be more fluid to put together at my new apartment.
I scrapped my very first toy train set layout. After that I modified my layout several times to make improvements to it. Every time I had better skills and it turned out better.
Fix it now. I made a lot of mistakes but kept building just to get it done. My layout is still not done because I keep stopping to fix things and change things. I should have stopped, tore it down and done it right. Case in point: A couple of months ago I realized that there was no way to add scenery ( mountains and tunnels ) to one section of the layout. I can't reach the area without cutting out some of the layout.
Fix or improve your layout now, even if it means starting over.