Randy, Jetrock, I surrender.

[dinwitty]

oh go Z scale....




don't hit me...



I've been all kinds of layouts, including a big club.
The layout I want is a quality layout I don't need to tear apart and will satisfy a long time.
But before any layout goes, a good backstory why it is, figure out a life for it, then develop it.

Heres mine

The back idea is heavy coal hauling, and its going to happen across several railroads in making the deliveries. Interchange time between lines.
There will be coal using places, like power plants and such.
Heavy mountain grades and big time locomotives to do it.
In the meantime figger out small side industries a short peddle train can do.

This all in the space a small layout would be in, and my solution is to multi-level
shelf modular.

Your layout wont be this but thats an idea.
Say you did a old western themed line like the Rio Grande Southern,
Small towns with medium sized locos hauling lumber and other commodities.
Greatly scenicked mountains with bridges over deep gorges.

A kind of layout that gets you away.

[ereimer]

well you've got some N scale track , locos and rolling stock , no reason not to build the timesaver

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Jetrock

So don't build all the benchwork at once! Build in stages until you have enough layout to run, then build the other half after taking down the 4x8.

Or if you feel like you can go without running trains for long enough to put up the new layout, go ahead and take down the 4x8.

or, cut a one foot wide plank and cannibalize your 4x8 into a shelf layout to play with until your new layout is ready to go. Nobody will mind if you just switch cars on the bare plywood for a while. Pry up some of those cheapo track segments, make yourself up a "Timesaver" to play with until the big layout is ready--cheap, keeps you in layout, and fun!

Timesaver? I like it.

(Can I build in in N?)

[Jetrock]

So don't build all the benchwork at once! Build in stages until you have enough layout to run, then build the other half after taking down the 4x8.

Or if you feel like you can go without running trains for long enough to put up the new layout, go ahead and take down the 4x8.

or, cut a one foot wide plank and cannibalize your 4x8 into a shelf layout to play with until your new layout is ready to go. Nobody will mind if you just switch cars on the bare plywood for a while. Pry up some of those cheapo track segments, make yourself up a "Timesaver" to play with until the big layout is ready--cheap, keeps you in layout, and fun!

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by simon1966

Good move. My layout (my 2nd I suppose if you count the 4 x 8 when I was 14 years of age 3 decades ago) is a smallish basement layout. One tip, keep the 4 x 8 to run trains while you take your time getting the benchwork right. Don't ru***he benchwork in an effort to get to running trains.

Ah, there's the rub. The 4 x 8 won't fit once the benchwork is up. But the bench work will go quickly. I was a contractor in a former incarnation. Howver, I might go the steel studs route. I like the idea of no warping in the summer. Although, If I have a helix from staging that might take another day or so. I figure a month or so of downtime.

I mignt loose a month or two with the total porject, but if I built the N shelf layout, there would be no downtime.

[simon1966]

Good move. My layout (my 2nd I suppose if you count the 4 x 8 when I was 14 years of age 3 decades ago) is a smallish basement layout. One tip, keep the 4 x 8 to run trains while you take your time getting the benchwork right. Don't ru***he benchwork in an effort to get to running trains.

[SpaceMouse]

I never left HO. I went as far as getting acouple N locos, but so far no layout. I blame it on the Lilliputian Hobbits. Just too smal to pain and look like something. Lillip[utians I can handle--just barely.

[MAbruce]

So you're going HO??

What, so did the new Star Wars movie inspire you to complete your journey to the "Dark Side"? [}:)][;)]

[ukguy]

I missread that as "Go for the 'Ho' .... no wonder I'm always in trouble. <sigh>

[cwclark]

that N scale stuff is too small anyway..go for the HO dude!...Chuck

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ndbprr

My first layout was a 4 x8 and lasted about three months. never did get to the scenery stage as it was the equivalent of slot cars with track. Never have had a 4 x8 since. Wife doesn't want anything bigger than 1800 sq ft to take care of. I am at the point I designed a pyramid so I could have a 10,000 sq. ft RR. That didn't go over either. Oh Well.

I started laughing and when my wife asked what was so funny, I explained it. She asked why anyone would want a pryamid house. Again I explained. Then she said why doesn't he just make a basement larger than the house. I gave up.

[rrinker]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ndbprr

My first layout was a 4 x8 and lasted about three months. never did get to the scenery stage as it was the equivalent of slot cars with track. Never have had a 4 x8 since. Wife doesn't want anything bigger than 1800 sq ft to take care of. I am at the point I designed a pyramid so I could have a 10,000 sq. ft RR. That didn't go over either. Oh Well.

Simple - 1800 sq ft Ranch home with full basement. Wife gets only 1800 sq ft to worry about, PLUS no stairs. You get 1800 sq ft of basement!

--Randy

[howmus]

SpaceMouse, Just be sure to save tater mountain! I kinda liked that. I second those who have said you've learned a lot in just a few months! My first N layout was a 4' x 8' with 8 or 9% grades two switches that never did work right and a Diseasal that couldn't pull itself up the grades. Derailments all over the place and a couple of toy buildings on icky bases. Still have some of that stuff........ Just to remind me of how little I knew back when I knew it all. [:D] I had a lot of fun building that thing though and now 30 years later, I still make major mistakes. But, I sure have a lot of fun! Sounds like you do too!!!

By the way is 'lil guy back on the tracks yet?

[ndbprr]

My first layout was a 4 x8 and lasted about three months. never did get to the scenery stage as it was the equivalent of slot cars with track. Never have had a 4 x8 since. Wife doesn't want anything bigger than 1800 sq ft to take care of. I am at the point I designed a pyramid so I could have a 10,000 sq. ft RR. That didn't go over either. Oh Well.

[ukguy]

It's about time Chip, I've been waiting for this announcement, although just remember to take your time and not rush into things. Plan, think and read, and maybe the "occassional"[:D] post.

Good Luck ! and have fun.
Karl.

[selector]

Ha! I knew you'd do it before long.

Does the air smell cleaner over here?

[rrinker]

But don't think of it as wasted - look at all you've learned in the short time you've been working on it. This isn't my first layout, so I had no problems scrapping my idea for a 4x8 'test' layout before starting on a big one. But you've never done this before. Getting your feet wet with a 4x8 was a good move. Even so, I didn't fill my basement right away, I just designed something I could incorporate in the final 'big one'.

--Randy

[SpaceMouse]

I thought about it and I am going straight to the basement layout. I am going to bring the 4 x 8 to a conclusion and strip the structures off of it.

I'm going to leave the N switching layout on the shelf. [:D]

So look for me to post dumb layouts and you can set me straight.