Time invested and number of builders

[Anonymous]

I have a couple of general question about the elaborate layouts depicted in the magazine each month. I realize all layouts are different in size and scope, but would like some ballpark information so satisfy my curiosity. I am a novice, in a new house, contemplating what to do in the cellar!

1) Of the layouts depicted in the magazine and special issues, what percent are the work of one individual or the work of a model railroading club or group?

2) This may be more suited to be directed to the editors of the magazine, but approximately how many person hours/days/years, etc. does it take to build the layouts depicted. I know layouts are different sizes and always works in progress, but it would be helpful to know how long it took to get various layouts “completed”.

Is this too broad? LOL

[Jetrock]

Generally the article will clearly specify whether the layout pictured is a club layout or owned by an individual. An actual percentage breakdown might be difficult to come by but most of the layouts I see in MR are individuals' layouts.

Time spent depends on the layout and how much detail you want to put into it. You can have an adequately-running basic layout in a weekend, or you can spend months working on a tiny shelf layout that you want to superdetail. It's not really something you can give a ballpark figure for, other than "weeks to decades"--especially since some of the layouts pictured in MR are tiny shelf layouts, while others are gargantuan basement empires.

[Anonymous]

Hi dogmatic66
I can't add any more to what Jetrock said. So tell us about your new house. What type is it and how much room will you have (or allowed) to build a layout? Is in the basement, spare room, attic or garage? Is it already a finished room (walls, lights and flooring)?

Tell us about yourself. What got you intrested in model railroading? Do you have a train set? Do you have a friend or relative who is in the hobby? What type of railroad intrest you,mountain, old time western, mining, logging, short lines, class A's, narrow gauge, ect...

[Anonymous]

.[#welcome]

I have a total of 3 years going in to my " Basement Empire" ! I will probably have 15 more in to it untill I could say it is COMPLETE. It is fully running and partialy sceniced. Once I am completed I will probably super detail the whole thing again. Money is the biggest element in completing a layout. I can say I did every thing on my layout, from bench work to weathing rolling stock

[CNJ831]

As a longtime reader of MR, from what I've seen I'd have to say that a very significant number of the larger, non-club, layouts appearing in the magazine over the years are really the joint efforts of small groups of modelers assisting each other in the construction, even though the layout is owned by a single individual. Usually one sees a comment in the article as to such-and-such friend having, "built many of my buildings", "painted my backdrop" or "did most of my multi-cab wiring." This is quite a common situation and I know of several small non-club groups like this locally. Such group efforts drastically reduce the time needed to reach a completed layout - often from years to just months. Koester seems to be working this way on his new layout.

As Jetrock points out, layout construction can take anywhere from weeks to decades. However, MR used to run features on the modest (4x8) layouts built specifically at the NMRA National Convention each year, referring to them as something like the "Milwaukee Central", naming it after whatever city was hosting the convention. A group of members from the hosting club, or sometimes MR authors and editors, would build a completed layout according to a modest trackplan during convention week (about 5 days). The finished layout usually served as a doorprize at the convention's close.

CNJ831

[Anonymous]

Maybe I should find a club or group to join. You are all a nice bunch of people on these boards, but the thought of a novice approaching a club is intimidating. What on earth would I have to contribute? Maybe just starting my own layout, crude as it may be at first, to get started and then considering more advanced assistance.

[Anonymous]

I think your second question re the amount of time invested would be fairly difficult for MR's editors or anyone else to answer re other modelers' layouts. Some people work pretty fast, other slower, some get the basic benchwork and track in and start operating, etc. Some may be constrained by finances, only building as they can afford it.

I was at an operating session last week on a friend's layout, he was celebrating 20 years from having started it. While a few of us have helped somewhat in the past, he's probably done 95% or more of it all by himself. And as it is often said "a layout is never finished" - he's always changing, rearranging and adding stuff. A few years ago he changed eras from the mid-late fifties to present day, so this required quite a bit of changes.

My friend is not married, and I imagine this fact played a big part in the time he's invested in his layout. It probably would have taken him twice as long to arrive at the current state if he had a family! So there are so many factors involved I don't think a definite or even approximate answer could be given.

Start small and work towards your final goal, allowing for operations and enjoyment along the way.

Bob Boudreau

[CNJ831]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dogmatic66

Maybe I should find a club or group to join. You are all a nice bunch of people on these boards, but the thought of a novice approaching a club is intimidating. What on earth would I have to contribute? Maybe just starting my own layout, crude as it may be at first, to get started and then considering more advanced assistance.

Dog - I think that if you were to approach a group and exhibit an obvious strong desire to build a modest layout NOW, or have already started the rudimentary work on one and be willing to assist other members in any way you could (not be the type to just show up and B.S. about your plans without showing any effort to execute them), you'll typically be welcomed with open arms. It's the big-talk-no-action newbies/novices that turn off club members and the guys in serious round-robin groups. In most groups I've been a part of, a real desire to work at a project will often be considered as carrying more weight than personal raw talent.

CNJ831

[Attaboy]

Dogmatic, don't worry about your inexperience when it comes to joining a club. I joined a club once simply because I was interested in trains and wanted to get some experience. I was welcomed with open arms as I'm sure most clubs will do. Show a willingness to learn and work on the club layout and perhaps some annual dues and I'm sure you will be welcomed. A club is a good place to start.

[davekelly]

Dogmatic,

I think the goal is not to "finish" a layout, but rather to be involved in a hobby that will provide a lifetime of enjoyment. Some folks get their layout to a certain point and then concentrate on operations. Of course there always seems to be some form of modification going on. Some folks spend years and years working on a small layout - constantly changing out things as their skills improve or their interests change.

Don't impose some sort of schedule on yourself to "complete" your layout. This will only lead to frustration or burnout. Just enjoy yourself!

[selector]

I'll stick my neck out and try to give you 'an' answer, Dogmatic.

Let's say that you intend to make your layout look like the Turtle Creek layout does, with that level of topography and scenicing; painted, coloured ground foam, some trees, a water feature, a bridge, two tunnel portals, and a back drop, plus track work and ballasting.

All up, my experience is that it will take about four (4) hours per square foot. Now, that figure will not be accepted by many readers here, but I worked on my layout over a seven week period. I spent between 6 and 8 hours each day ......well, 'cuz She let me. It is 8X11 feet, or 88 square feet. Seven weeks times an average of 7 hours/day comes to 343 hours, or about 3.8 hours per square foot.

A lot of the time is spent just thinking, problem-solving, undoing what clearly is unacceptable, and, if you're on the right track (ahem), admiring what you have done!

Go get 'em.

[Eriediamond]

Dogmatic, to add to the excellent replies above, I would like to say that to me, this is a hobby. It brings me joy to see the trains run, it brings me joy in the building process (except ballasting!!!), and finally, gets my mind off the the trials and tribulations of life and I'm in my own world for awhile. That being said, it may take me several hours to build the same car kit that someone else may complete in a few minutes. I set no time limits to build a project as that would put me back into the real world of work. I quess what I'm trying to say is that if someone says it took three years to build a layout, does it mean that it would take you three years to build the same layout? Of course not, it would depend on how much time per day or week you spend on building. This just my opinion and what I want out of the hobby. As far as joining a club, don,t be intimidated. I belong to a club and although I've been modeling since the 40's (1940's), I'm still learning and picking up little tricks, while at the same time passing on some (a little) knowledge to others. Really not much different than this forum. You would be surprised at what you can contribute, even being a novice. Good luck and enjoy the hobby. Ken

[davekelly]

Ken,

You got it exactly right!!!!!

[egmurphy]

QUOTE: dogmatic: Maybe I should find a club or group to join. .... but the thought of a novice approaching a club is intimidating. What on earth would I have to contribute?

Well your interest in the hobby and your enthusiasm are items that are usually welcomed with open arms. Most people in the hobby, and most club members, are happy to find new modelers as they're neccessary for the continued wellbeing of the hobby.

If it's a club that's working on a big layout, even if you don't know anything they'll find something you can learn easily, show you how, and set you to doing something.

Do you already know of a club in your area? Do you have a local hobby shop (LHS) that can point you to one? If not, there are "club finder" functions on the Model Railroader Magazine home page, on the World's Greatest Hobby home page, and I think there's also one on the NMRA website.

Not everyone enjoys clubs, but if you're interested it's probably worth trying out.

Good luck,

Ed

[Jacktal]

Joining a club is by far the best option in my opinion.Generally,financial contributions are reasonable and there's a wealth of experience that you could beneficiate from.First,you'll have the opportunity to know other people and this isn't negligible unless you're a loner.Then you'd get "the feel" of the hobby and be able to determine if you really like model railroading before you commit yourself in investments..

Being inexperienced is of no importance as long as your goal is having a good time,learning as you go.You'll probably discover yourself some talents you even didn't know you had.Amongst club members,you'll find all sorts of skills,knowledge and competences,and most of them will be very happy to teach you new tricks as well as guide you with investments,caring and repairing your equipments.

At the club I belong to,most guys don't have a layout of their own and admit not to care too much about this fact as they enjoy themselves as it is.I'm in the same basket...I don't have the room yet for a satisfying layout so I spend time (willingly) improving the club's layout and have found this just as gratifying.In fact,I work more hours on the club's layout than I actually operate trains...maybe I'm a little nuts...but I love it!