Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
I've built two layouts in the past ten years. The first was N scale, but I only got the track down. I was in college and started dating the my wife, so trains kinda took a back seat and the layout was abandoned. The second, and current layout is HO scale, which I always liked more anyway. It is about 80% complete. By complete I mean I've almost gotten the layout I envisioned when I started. I've gotten to do a lot of the things I always dreamed of being able to do with a layout. Funny thing is, now I've discovered how much more there is out there, things like helixes, DCC sound, etc., and I'm really not sure what the next step will be. I'm toying with the idea of building a small, 4x8 portable layout to display in the local train shows. What I've learned so far from building these two layouts: 1. A much greater portion of patience. Don't try to fly through everything. Take the time to build quality benchwork, properly lay and ballast track, foundational stuff like that. 2. Use quality materials. 3. Books are a great resource, but when it came to scenery I found that watching someone else do it really helped. 4. Don't get sidetracked by worrying about how my layout compares with someone else's. I don't need to incorporate something into it just because someone else did. 5. Wife holds the checkbook. Spend time with her too, or the RR budget will dry up reeeealy fast! 6. Use larger radii for curves. Almost all of mine are 18" radius, and it really limits the type of engines and rolling stock I can run. When I started I didn't care, but as time went on I started wishing I hadn't limited myself, and changing over to bigger radii now isn't really practical. 7. Invest in your RR in increments. Dumping a bunch of money all at once into buying materials and then changing your mind about the kind of layout you want results in either ebay or stuff collecting dust on your shelves.
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag

Update Reply

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Edit post

Post Body

Tags (Optional)

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community