First "serious" layout (yeah right)

[Anonymous]

I am in the process of building my first "serious" layout. That is to say, not a toy train set-up. After a few weeks of cautious planning and dilligent application and using my best 'TUNNEL VISION'...(not looking at the big picture) I realized that I did indeed have a toy train set-up. However,I will finish it (for the experience of building it) It has not been a waste of time. It has been a GREAT time. When finished, I plan to start another "serious" layout and let my grandson have this one to play with when he comes to visit. The folks in these forums have been a tremendous help, with their suggestions and advice. There has been no hint of superiority or snobiness. All have been very gracious. Thanks again.

Rich
Remember: " We're all here 'cause we're not all there"

[SpaceMouse]

I am working on my "toy" set-up and it has progressed beyond that. My plan was to set up a Hogwarts set for my son to run while I work on the layout I really want. I am now 6 weeks into the project and if everything goes as planned. All the track will be functional and I will be able to run trains on it this weekend. I plan to start landscaping it on Sunday.

But the project has reached the point where it made sense to connect it, via liftout bridge, to the layout I'm currently building, so that the kids can run their trains out onto the big track and back to Hogwarts. That just took adding two turnouts for now.

[howmus]

For even the most long time serious model railroader, there is a sense of always wanting something better in the layout. A friend of mine was once asked what you do when you finish building the layout. His answer was, 1. nobody really ever finishes their layout, and 2. I plan to tear it down and start over. Building a layout is never a waste of time if you have fun doing it. I think your idea of keeping this layout for your grandson to use is fantastic! My son is coming over this morning to help me move some stuff around so I can enlarge my pike. I will have to remind him to "get busy" so I can have a grandson to share my trains with! LOL (He is getting married in August.)

[rlbeetle]

My first layout was a simple oval, then I added a passing lane. Then I bought one of Atlas' layout kits and built it. I was going to landscape it but there is so much track in a small space I may just do some for the learning experience. A friend is working on a layout and he has some long runs with gentle curves in the runs. My next layout will be similar to his (except I don't have as much room as he does). I am starting on the benchwork next week. I'm tempted to take out all the living room and dining room furniture and build a layout there.[:D]

[ukguy]

Rich,
I can completely relate to what you are saying, I too am persevering with my first layout which I decided early on would be my learning curve. To practice and hopefully perfect techniques on.

I also agree with Howmus, I do not consider anything I have done in the past three months a waste of time or money, everything I learned will be used on the new layout and will save me the mistakes there, although I am sure there will be different mistakes to make and new skills to master as this is an incredibly diverse hobby, which is why I am enjoying it so much. If I get bored of making trees I build or paint a structure, if I dont want to do that I can move on to some re-wiring, benchwork, soldering, weathering.......... when all else fails I just sit back and look at what I have achieved, pull it apart in my mind and envisage what I would/should have done differently and plan my new layout.

When I fini***his learning layout, hopefully next month, I shall either sell it to finance the birth of my 'real' layout or possibly donate it to some worthy childrens cause, either way it will be money and time well spent.
I am sure that when I am halfway through my next layout I will have a million ideas of what I should have done to make it better, what I will do differently next time and I will hopefully have a whole new set of skills and experience. I too believe that you never finish a layout you just reach a point where its time to start a new, bigger and better one.

It is definately the journey that is fun in this hobby, the destination seems to keep moving in another direction.

Have fun, be safe and enjoy.
Karl.

[ndbprr]

Boat owners get twofootitis. If only my present boat was 2' longer. We get mynextlayoutitis. It consists of envisioning longer runs, more equipment and more scenery. I told my wife we needed to build a pyramid. She doesn't want any more than an 1800 sq. ft. house and I want a 10,000 sq. ft. basement with a 9' ceiling.