Planning advice

[Anonymous]

I am new to the hobby but very glad this forum is here i always could use advice.I have a inexpensive life like set and ihave already built a 4x8 layout using jim kellys HO RAILROAD FROM START TO FINISH. Because i rushed the project i am not pleased with all the results. Please recommend a better Ho trainset and what should i do with the layout that i am not pleased with. Sorry for the long message THANKS

[Anonymous]

I am new to the hobby but very glad this forum is here i always could use advice.I have a inexpensive life like set and ihave already built a 4x8 layout using jim kellys HO RAILROAD FROM START TO FINISH. Because i rushed the project i am not pleased with all the results. Please recommend a better Ho trainset and what should i do with the layout that i am not pleased with. Sorry for the long message THANKS

[Jacktal]

I also rushed my first layout and ended up not too pleased with the results.I've been thinking about tearing it apart and start all over but since I had already invested some $ into it,I decided I would fix my mistakes.I'm glad I did because now I have a much better idea of how to do things and in the process,I started to like my layout.
There's a lot of "trial and error" involved in model railroading and I know I will make other errors on this one and my next one also,and if I discard them every time,I'll never have one finished.

[Jacktal]

I also rushed my first layout and ended up not too pleased with the results.I've been thinking about tearing it apart and start all over but since I had already invested some $ into it,I decided I would fix my mistakes.I'm glad I did because now I have a much better idea of how to do things and in the process,I started to like my layout.
There's a lot of "trial and error" involved in model railroading and I know I will make other errors on this one and my next one also,and if I discard them every time,I'll never have one finished.

[dknelson]

Well first identify exactly what you mean by "not pleased." Unless the whole thing is just a disaster you need to attack each problem and address it which might not involve trashing the whole thing. Track, wiring, scenery, overall apperance -- there are very few things that cannot be addressed and improved without starting all over. The important thing is to learn from the mistake because if you really like the hobby this will not be your last layout and you'll do better the next time.
It is not easy to declear a layout "done" and then starting undoing it but that is what the hobby really means. The trick is --- never declare it "done." Too many of these "canned" layout books or articles or videos or pre-formed sets seem to encourage people to regard themselves as "done" with the layout. Get away from that kind of thinking. It is not done, ever.

Dave Nelson

[dknelson]

Well first identify exactly what you mean by "not pleased." Unless the whole thing is just a disaster you need to attack each problem and address it which might not involve trashing the whole thing. Track, wiring, scenery, overall apperance -- there are very few things that cannot be addressed and improved without starting all over. The important thing is to learn from the mistake because if you really like the hobby this will not be your last layout and you'll do better the next time.
It is not easy to declear a layout "done" and then starting undoing it but that is what the hobby really means. The trick is --- never declare it "done." Too many of these "canned" layout books or articles or videos or pre-formed sets seem to encourage people to regard themselves as "done" with the layout. Get away from that kind of thinking. It is not done, ever.

Dave Nelson

[IRONROOSTER]

As others have noted, it is hard to tell what your specific problems are. In general when building a layout, each phase is dependent on the prior ones. Thus the bench work needs to be done well, if you skimped here you probably will need to start over. Next is track. It needs to be in gauge and laid flat (except for grades). If using cork road bed make sure its surface is smooth, and even particularly at the joints. Make sure the track sections, switches, etc meet without kinks and are in gauge. Buy an NMRA standards gauge (available at most hobby stores) and use it to check your track and your locomotive and cars. For electrical connections, make sure connections are clean and tight. Visit your local hobby shop and ask questions.
Good luck
Paul

[IRONROOSTER]

As others have noted, it is hard to tell what your specific problems are. In general when building a layout, each phase is dependent on the prior ones. Thus the bench work needs to be done well, if you skimped here you probably will need to start over. Next is track. It needs to be in gauge and laid flat (except for grades). If using cork road bed make sure its surface is smooth, and even particularly at the joints. Make sure the track sections, switches, etc meet without kinks and are in gauge. Buy an NMRA standards gauge (available at most hobby stores) and use it to check your track and your locomotive and cars. For electrical connections, make sure connections are clean and tight. Visit your local hobby shop and ask questions.
Good luck
Paul

[Pennsy58]

Couldnt agree more with the previous posts. You have a starting point now. It's quite similar to remodeling a house. Identify the things you like and the things you wi***o upgrade. Roadbed, track and wiring are the infastructure of the layout. Make sure they are sound. Doesnt pay to fancy up a kitchen if the plumbing is bad. Once the basics are completed I always found small projects work best. It keeps you from becoming overwelmed. The best part of this hobby is you continually evolve in your skills and projects. You have learned the greatest lesson, do not rush it. As far as the train set, take your time and look at whats out there. An engine here, a car there, might be a better solution than a packaged set. Great looking trains do not require home equity loans. Seems each mfg has different lines of varying quality both in appearance and reliability. As an example: The standard Athearn line still provides good quality and detail with reliability. If you jump up a level to their RTR or genesis lines, so does the price.

[Pennsy58]

Couldnt agree more with the previous posts. You have a starting point now. It's quite similar to remodeling a house. Identify the things you like and the things you wi***o upgrade. Roadbed, track and wiring are the infastructure of the layout. Make sure they are sound. Doesnt pay to fancy up a kitchen if the plumbing is bad. Once the basics are completed I always found small projects work best. It keeps you from becoming overwelmed. The best part of this hobby is you continually evolve in your skills and projects. You have learned the greatest lesson, do not rush it. As far as the train set, take your time and look at whats out there. An engine here, a car there, might be a better solution than a packaged set. Great looking trains do not require home equity loans. Seems each mfg has different lines of varying quality both in appearance and reliability. As an example: The standard Athearn line still provides good quality and detail with reliability. If you jump up a level to their RTR or genesis lines, so does the price.

[Anonymous]

You wrote: "have a inexpensive life like set and ihave already built a 4x8 layout using jim kellys HO RAILROAD FROM START TO FINISH. Because i rushed the project i am not pleased with all the results. Please recommend a better Ho trainset "

I also bought a life like set yaers ago and was not happy with the performance. The cars were so light almost anything would make them derail. Engine ran so fast, it was almost guaranteed that I'd have a derailment every trip around the layout. I bought some Athern engines and freight cars and then weighted them to NMRA standards and things ran a whole lot better. Now I use the life like stuff to practice triming off molded grabs, hand painting grafetti with gel pens, etc.

[Anonymous]

You wrote: "have a inexpensive life like set and ihave already built a 4x8 layout using jim kellys HO RAILROAD FROM START TO FINISH. Because i rushed the project i am not pleased with all the results. Please recommend a better Ho trainset "

I also bought a life like set yaers ago and was not happy with the performance. The cars were so light almost anything would make them derail. Engine ran so fast, it was almost guaranteed that I'd have a derailment every trip around the layout. I bought some Athern engines and freight cars and then weighted them to NMRA standards and things ran a whole lot better. Now I use the life like stuff to practice triming off molded grabs, hand painting grafetti with gel pens, etc.