richhotrain mobilman44 I guess in conclusion my thought is... Think the question out thoroughly. Run a pro / con spreadsheet to the alternatives. Seek advice from others (or not). And when the time is right, make a definitive decision - and go with it. And, perhaps most importantly, never look back. Always look back. It gives you the ability to see things in perspective as you move forward. Rich
mobilman44 I guess in conclusion my thought is... Think the question out thoroughly. Run a pro / con spreadsheet to the alternatives. Seek advice from others (or not). And when the time is right, make a definitive decision - and go with it. And, perhaps most importantly, never look back.
I guess in conclusion my thought is... Think the question out thoroughly. Run a pro / con spreadsheet to the alternatives. Seek advice from others (or not). And when the time is right, make a definitive decision - and go with it. And, perhaps most importantly, never look back.
Always look back. It gives you the ability to see things in perspective as you move forward.
Rich
I agree with you Rich and Mobil.
Mike
“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.” -- John Lennon
Alton Junction
Hi,
I may be a little late coming to the party, but as the builder of layouts since the mid 1950s, I do have some thoughts on the OP's questions.........
- As observed, there is always more to do (i.e. extensive detailing, operational set-ups, etc.). But the term "finished" is subjective, in that what "finished" means to me is likely different from what each of you may feel. After mulling that over,
I'm thinking "finished" just might mean the point in which the builder doesn't feel like doing any more to the layout. Perhaps he/she is bored, out of time or money, or just feels that everything is done that they want to do.
- I'm finishing off scenery on an 11x15 two level HO layout, and quite honestly, I should have "finished" it two years ago. But for numerous reasons (including "I just don't feel like it"), I have dragged it out. For me, the real excitement was the design, benchwork, tracklaying and wiring that got those creative juices flowing.
- OK, what does one do after the layout is "finished" (to their definitition) and for want of a better label, they are "tired of it"? My thought to that is to ask the main question........"Are you still interested in the Hobby, particularly building a layout?" If the answer is "no", then open up an Ebay account and recoup what you can............
But if the answer is "yes", then I think I can offer some suggestions. For me, the thought was, instead of a mainline ATSF layout in HO, how about a narrow gauge mountainous layout? Or a room filling detailed loco terminal facility (or station)? Or perhaps a sentimental building of a Lionel (or Flyer) layout to bring me back to the happiest MR times of my life...........
- Sadly, we have to face reality at this juncture. I'll be 71 next month, and seriously doubt I have the physical/mental stamina to tear down and rebuild. Others may not have the financial resources, or will face resistance from significant others or parents.
ENJOY!!!!
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
hi all
Well it would have very little effect on my model railroad you can only build what space and time lets you regardless of financial constraints.
The quality of loco's and rolling stock might improve but thats about it.
I am my own layout builder and thats the way it would stay because that is at least 75% of the fun from my perspective
I would be to busy making sure I could tell the boss what to do with his job and not have to worry about the conciquences of that action, and live in reasonable comfort
But I think at least 1.5 million would be required for that so the boss will still have to put up with me for a while yet.
regards John
Thank you all so much for your thought and observations.They have been a welcome breath of fresh air for my cluttered brain right now. I will likely sit back and wait for the dust to settle before I do anything at all.
Thanks Again , Mike
LION does not operate the trains of him. Him has LPPs in each car to operate the trains. LION can do other things: lots of details (de tail is at the other end of de cat) and the trains can keep running, making all of their appointed station stops, and when return they do to 242nd street, the LION must align the switches and log the arrivals and departures from 242nd Street.
Running the Broadway Local, be it in Manhattan or Richardton is just plain boring. The call it "scraping the wall" while express trains zip by you on the express tracks.
Now I can visit with guests and watch the trains run, and point out the landmarks on my railroad, and none of the visitors has ever figured out that there is nobody operating the trains. All I do is work a few levers on the interlocking machine, and since they do not notice the movements of switch points or the changing of the signals, what I am doing seems unrelated to the movement of the trains. Trains do not respond to my operation of the levers. That is up to the LPP on each train.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Assuming that something miraculous happened (like a round-trip visit to the Fleet Experimental Hospital Annex on Pebble in the 37th century) and I was suddenly able to put in full 8-hour workdays on the present pike, I would have it pretty well "semi-finished" in about a year. That's assuming that I spend as much time building as operating.
I can then expect to put in about a fortnight per square foot detailing the right-of-way and landforms to the degree I desire. That would raise a need to improve the detail level of all my freight and passenger equipment. In the meantime, operations would get more intense and detailed.
About a century after returning from the future I would find myself placing the last stack of newspapers on the on-platform newsstand. By then the longevity therapy would be wearing thin, so I'd settle for operating all 146 JNR trains per fast-time 'day' of September, 1964. Plus the two dozen trains on the TTT, and the scheduled runs on the two electric light railways and the logger...
Realistically, even if I live to my 100th birthday, the layout will never be 'finished.' At least, not by me...
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
I had a nearly finished layout about 15 years ago that I tore out. I found that my goals had changed so much in the hobby that it was time to start over. I switched from Marklin 3 rail to 2 rail North American Protoype DCC and shifted the focus to an operations based track plan.
Deciding to tear down the layout was an idea that crept up slowly over a couple of years. After I made the decision, I had to wait another year or so to start building the new one. During that time the old layout was still up and running but was "dead man walking" status.
While waiting to build the new pike, I ended up building lots of super-detailed rolling stock, a big diorama that I used to test new equipment and scenery methods and I built some cool structures. I had a great time.
On the current layout: if I were to live long enough to get near completion, I would then focus more on building rolling stock and the layout would still be viable as I like to operate.
Guy
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
Carnegie Falls mfifer wrote the following post 15 hours ago: I am sorry but no interest in that , It seems to then go from a hobby to a job for me anyway. Thanks though, Mike (end quote) Mike, you beat me to it. I know there are folks out there who enjoy that aspect of it; more power to them.
mfifer wrote the following post 15 hours ago:
I am sorry but no interest in that , It seems to then go from a hobby to a job for me anyway.
Thanks though, Mike
(end quote)
Mike, you beat me to it. I know there are folks out there who enjoy that aspect of it; more power to them.
Thanks CF and guys , I think I have decided to just sit back and ride this out for a while and not make a rash decision.
Thank You all, Mike
dehusman mfifer I am sorry but no interest in that , It seems to then go from a hobby to a job for me anyway. Design a generic loop style layout with a generic yard and generic staging. Then build "pads" into the benchwork on which you can build scenes or industries. Since you are into the modeling, build the layout to support modeling. Tired of industry A, then build a new industry to fit on pad A. Al the "railroad" has to do is to give a place to run trains through the scenery.
mfifer I am sorry but no interest in that , It seems to then go from a hobby to a job for me anyway.
Design a generic loop style layout with a generic yard and generic staging. Then build "pads" into the benchwork on which you can build scenes or industries. Since you are into the modeling, build the layout to support modeling. Tired of industry A, then build a new industry to fit on pad A. Al the "railroad" has to do is to give a place to run trains through the scenery.
Thanks , I do like that concept and have also done that one.
Thanks , Mike
Bob Schuknecht richhotrain Bob Schuknecht I would operate trains which is why I am in the hobby to begin with. I am building a layout to operate trains on, not just to build a layout. This is a logical reply but not always an appropriate reply. Rich It is an appropriate response based on his question which is: I guess where all of this is going is what would you all do if your layout was finished or near finished? He asked what we would do, not what he should do. I told him what I would do. I answered his question.
richhotrain Bob Schuknecht I would operate trains which is why I am in the hobby to begin with. I am building a layout to operate trains on, not just to build a layout. This is a logical reply but not always an appropriate reply. Rich
Bob Schuknecht I would operate trains which is why I am in the hobby to begin with. I am building a layout to operate trains on, not just to build a layout.
I would operate trains which is why I am in the hobby to begin with.
I am building a layout to operate trains on, not just to build a layout.
This is a logical reply but not always an appropriate reply.
It is an appropriate response based on his question which is: I guess where all of this is going is what would you all do if your layout was finished or near finished?
He asked what we would do, not what he should do. I told him what I would do. I answered his question.
It is all good guys , it is just meant to be a healthy discussion on the subject.
Thanks Guys , Mike
Antoine L. How about you invite people to see it? How about you pass the passion you had to others? How about taking lots of pictures and even maybe develop your photography skills? How about sharing your experience in a MR article? You could use micro cameras and film your layout in operations, or cab-view. Some ideas. :) Antoine
How about you invite people to see it? How about you pass the passion you had to others? How about taking lots of pictures and even maybe develop your photography skills? How about sharing your experience in a MR article? You could use micro cameras and film your layout in operations, or cab-view.
Some ideas.
:)
Antoine
Thanks Antonie, I have done some of that. I have over 1.5 million views on YouTube of my 240 some videos. I would like to do articles but not much of a writer.
farrellaa Mike, I don't know if I will finish my layout (I'm 74 and 50% finished with layout?) but have thought about having time to do other 'hobbies' within model railroading when I do finish the layout. I like to build structures and don't have the time now to do that. I began scratch building a couple of years ago and find it to be very satisfying and actually another 'hobby' in itself. As mentioned earlier, there are upgrades to be made for sure. I have all my trackwork done (well, it is all installed on the layout?) but have a couple of turnouts that aren't exactly how I wanted them to turn out (no pun intended). I decided to build a hand laid turnout on a long sweeping curve to replace the stock straight one that puts a slight kink in the 'sweeping curve'. I know this is a new phase of the hobby for me but 'it needs to be done'. If you have any aspect of the hobby that you especially enjoy, why not make it another 'hobby' and expand on it even though your layout is finished. I find the journey as exciting as the destination. -Bob
Mike,
I don't know if I will finish my layout (I'm 74 and 50% finished with layout?) but have thought about having time to do other 'hobbies' within model railroading when I do finish the layout. I like to build structures and don't have the time now to do that. I began scratch building a couple of years ago and find it to be very satisfying and actually another 'hobby' in itself.
As mentioned earlier, there are upgrades to be made for sure. I have all my trackwork done (well, it is all installed on the layout?) but have a couple of turnouts that aren't exactly how I wanted them to turn out (no pun intended). I decided to build a hand laid turnout on a long sweeping curve to replace the stock straight one that puts a slight kink in the 'sweeping curve'. I know this is a new phase of the hobby for me but 'it needs to be done'.
If you have any aspect of the hobby that you especially enjoy, why not make it another 'hobby' and expand on it even though your layout is finished. I find the journey as exciting as the destination.
-Bob
Thanks Bob, I think I will just sit back and wait this urge out for now.
Thanks so much , Mike
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
It seems to me that you build until you are no longer satisfied.
Paul Dolkos built his B&M layout to the point where it was truly finished. Then he was ready for an entirely new challenge, so he moved on to something else. I think he sold the old layout. On the other hand, some folks start out with a design that lasts them a lifetime. If the layout is "finished", they find new projects. A structure might be replaced; a track arrangement changed; a bridge replaced with a better one; a piece of scenery might be renewed or replaced. Hitherto unknown information can lead to the construction of an entirely new version of an old layout feature. There is also the ongoing need for maintenance, in addition to the fun of simply operating the thing. New rolling stock can be added. Some of this would be off the shelf, but a finished layout might mean more time to scratchbuild a special car or locomotive. So the answer can range from "start over" to "refine & improve", depending on the preferences of the builder. I know one fellow who tore down his old railroad and built a new one. Same prototype, but a different footprint, different locale, and a different era.
Tom
Count me in the group who believes the layout will never be done. There is always something that can be done a little better or "modernized."
For example, during the Atlas track shortage, one of the projects I undertook was to scenic half of a peninsula on my layout. I had not done scenery work on eons (like over 30 years), so it was an experiment. I got to the point where that section was nearly finished, pending a few other tasks that needed to be done before the final touches could be applied.
Fast forward and I have track and this year continued on with construction and tracklaying elsewhere, but I continually see little things I want to add or change in my nearly finished scene. In other words, the longer it sits there, the farther it gets from complete.
Prototypical operations interest me nearly not at all. I do not begrudge people who focus on that or are building to get to that point, it is just not my cup of tea.
Given how the available technology evolves, I can not imagine a point where there is not something new to add or improve upon. I even envision a day when the computer will control some trains with me switching "around them." Getting to that point is of interest to me.
I realize some will read my interests and conclude, "he's certifiably bats." And they are probably correct, although not necessarily for this reason. But, as someone said, it is a hobby and what each of us find entertaining and captivating is different. We are fortunate to be in a hobby that there is something for almost any interest.
Incidentally, to add tot he idea that I am bats, I have always found benchwork construction to be therapeutic. I think it is because a lot can be accomplished in a fairly short amount of time. After a day of frustration at work, watching people spin their wheels (and often mine), seeing something materialize from nothing in a matter of a few hours, at my own hand, was refreshing.
- Mark
IRONROOSTER I am not sure I'll ever finish (I have a 1400 sq ft basement that I can fill if I want). But at some point I hope to operate the layout. Then I'll keep adding details, upgrade structures and rolling stock, build the stash of kits, etc. Of course if you have no interest in operating, then once you feel done start a new layout. Change scales, era, gauge, locale, or something just to make it more interesting. This is a hobby. Do what's fun for you. Paul
I am not sure I'll ever finish (I have a 1400 sq ft basement that I can fill if I want). But at some point I hope to operate the layout. Then I'll keep adding details, upgrade structures and rolling stock, build the stash of kits, etc.
Of course if you have no interest in operating, then once you feel done start a new layout. Change scales, era, gauge, locale, or something just to make it more interesting.
This is a hobby. Do what's fun for you.
Paul
I agree Paul and thanks to all of you for your thoughts and input.
gregc mfifer I guess where all of this is going is what would you all do if your layout was finished or near finished? you've been building a model of a railroad. now you start modeling a railroad, that is, the operation of a railroad and all the elements involved.
mfifer I guess where all of this is going is what would you all do if your layout was finished or near finished?
you've been building a model of a railroad.
now you start modeling a railroad, that is, the operation of a railroad and all the elements involved.
crhostler61 As for running trains for the sake of running trains...I go five, maybe ten minutes and walk away to do something more interesting. Odd...huh?
As for running trains for the sake of running trains...I go five, maybe ten minutes and walk away to do something more interesting.
Odd...huh?
I think that the OP raises a good question, and it is one that I am faced with as well. True, layouts are never really finished, but they often reach a point where there is little left to do. Now what?
Somewhere during the building process, some of us realize that it is more fun building a layout than operating it. If that is the case, then tear down the "finished" layout and start another one.
Heck, some famous modelers such as Gary Hoover and Lance Mindheim have done that more than once.
For me...in directly answering your ending question. Tear it down and start over.
I've always believed that a model railroad is an ongoing project and is never truly complete. Design, build, and upgrade...then do it all over. And I run trains to test what I do and on some occasions...to show off the layout to visitors.
Mark H
Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history.
Wow... It took longer than I thought for this to be said....
While "finished" is subjective, operation is my goal.
One will definitely occur before the other....
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
I've built my layout in stages. While it's always possible to go back and add more, I've continued with my relentless pace of 1 square foot per month, and I'm now starting the scenery on Phase 3. Lately, though, I've gone back and added some crossing signals with train detection to Phases 1 and 2. This has proven to be a fun project.
Another thing I started some time ago is making my layout dual-era. This gives me an excuse to add more engines, more rolling stock and more automobiles. I've also got a few structures, like my movie theater, that don't belong in the 1930s, so I will double-up on that real estate and swap out buildings when I activate the Way-Back Machine.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.