Antoine L. I'm in the process of building a layout and I have done benchwork, added the foam subroadbed and now I am doing track work according to plan. And it hit me: Am I building the layout I want? Have I thought of all the details? What if I don't like it in the end?
I'm in the process of building a layout and I have done benchwork, added the foam subroadbed and now I am doing track work according to plan.
And it hit me: Am I building the layout I want? Have I thought of all the details? What if I don't like it in the end?
Rich
Alton Junction
I agree with the replies. Every new layout, no matter how close I come to my list of gotta-haves, teaches me something new. Last time it was a helix. I had a substantial set of hills and tunnels on layout #2 that taught me not to hide the trains so much. I opted for a helix on layout #3, thinking I would solve that problem by making 80% of the hidden trackage in the helix. Turns out that, while a helix has advantages, and is a fun challenge to erect properly so that your trains work well in them, they still mostly hide your trains for quite a chunk of enjoyment time at scale speeds. I'm seriously considering reverting back to the folded loop of layout #2. I will be more creative about hiding the tracks, but minimizing hiding the trains.
There are no shortcuts, but few more effective uses of your time and money than plodding through some strict planning and honesty. As the previous poster suggests, you should quickly determine what bottom-line elements must be included in your plan. Then, you build a track plan and supporting bench that permits you to enjoy the results.
As you complete substantial sections of your plan, you should begin to test the rails with your rolling stock. Forward, reversing, shoving, and trailing all combinations of rolling stock and engines to ensure nothing snags, swipes, knocks over, derails, uncouples, spins when it gets hung up on a high point, poor transition curve, or bad joint, etc.
The last thing I would like to impart to you is that very often experience is going to be your only teacher. What I mean is that you learn by doing, not by not doing. You must make each layout honestly, and profit from the lessons each of them teaches you. Just try not to forget the important lessons. Record them in a layout planning journal.
Some comments, just my take and for what it's worth:
First, concider your options; e.g., continue and see what you enjoy and learn from this layout (perhaps some day there will be another so this one need not be ideal), take a break (maybe build some freight car kits, sturctures or other diversions) and think it through in a more relaxed way), modify the plan (if practical) to soften some potential weaknesses / concerns, or proceed and enjoy it the best you can (the process and the end result).
Being an engineer, I'd sit down and make a list of criteria: what are the important ones, and how would you weight (highest, middle or lower) each option against each of those criteria. Going through a structured decision process would help clarify issues and which option seems best for you. And you don't need to decide overnight...get comfortable with your decision.
Nothing you design will turn out ideally. There will be hindsight, fodder for next, more ideal (for you) layout.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Normal.
Unfortunately sometimes you don't know you are in the wrong place until you get there. Sometimes you just want a change. Sometimes people like the journey more than the destination.
The most critical thing to figure out is what you like or what you don't like. then how to get more of the like and less of the don't like. If you like to change themes and eras a lot, then probably a huge L-Girder benchwork, handlaid track layout with scratchbuilt cars and engines is not your best path. I have read a couple UK/European forums and the fascinating thing is they often build very small layouts (1 ft x 6 ft) that only have a lifespan of a year or so or might build 2 or 3 different small layouts and rotate them.
If you are really changeable, join a modular club and then just build a 2x4 module. You can complete it quick and then if you decide to change its easy to strip off and do some other theme.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
Hey!
This is my 3rd layout. The first two were more tests, now I am building the real thing, taking my time and all. Are those doubts normal, should I stop and rethink everything over?
Thanks for your input.
Antoine