"How many layouts have you built and what did you learn from them?"

[Anonymous]

I started a 4x8 in high school, but never quite finished it. I started on my second one last fall (now that I'm out of college) in my basement. So far, I'd say my biggest lesson is to take your time on the track, especially joining flextrack in a curve. I've got a couple kinks that are driving me crazy.

[Walter Clot]

I have had three. The things I learned were:
1. Plan.
2. Take your time in construction.
3. Use good material.
4. Build modules, so you can save your good stuff when you have to move.
5. Enjoy every phase.
6. Learn all you can from books and others.
7. Find friends who enjoy the hobby.

[Anonymous]

On my 5th layout now in 40 years, (have I learned anything?) [;)]
Yes,
#1 Nothing is ever permanent, except stains in the carpet.
#2 There is always someone whe can do it better, or at least thinks he can.
#3 It's MY layout ! If I wanna doublehead Thomas the tank engine with a B&O Pacific , I will!! (I've done it too!![:p])
#4 There are more ways to do scenery than you can remember. Seek out new techniques, don't let yourself go stagnant.
#5 If your better half tells you " You spend too much time in the basement" you probably are. Consider spending time with her or the kids as a way of "buying" modeling time. Better yet, get her (kids) involved with the hobby. My biggest helper and most trusted critic wears a skirt!
#6 There is never enough time to do it right, but always time to do it over!
#7 Never be afraid to ask a question. Doors fly open when a question is a key.
#8 Don't forget your mantra,,,Model railroading is fun!!! (repeat this 10 times next time you misplace a critical part)

I'm sure there's more!!![:D]
I'm sure there's more, if I think harder.

[Virginian]

I am about to start a fifth. Haven't finished one yet. Most important lesson - always look around for the smartest laziest guy you can find. He has already discovered the easiest way. Also important;
Decide the biggest radius you need then add 2". 4" is even better.
Long straights aren't that long.
Build the double crossover first, then match the rest of the track to that. 1/64" error is quite visible in HO scale.
Figure out what your time is worth. If it is worth 10 cents an hour, throw out used cork and a lot of used track.
Relax. This too shall pass.

[n2mopac]

I think I responded earlier on this thread about what I learned from my previous (first) layout. Now building my second layout my learning curve is quite steep--installing DCC for the first time, building better bridge piers, abutments, and retaining walls, building a sectional layout that can be moved (only ) if necessary, and using sweatshirt material and contact cement to makeN scale tall wild grass just to name a few.

Ron

[douginut]

Many,
starting with a 4x6 hunk of pegboard at 12years old.
usually had space and time when I didnt have any money, or lots of money for trains and no space or time. Learning that Murphy's law had not been as yet repealed.
in 1984 joined a local Ntrack club and made in all 11 modules over a space of years.
learned that if I like it it is right, regardless of the aesthetic sensabilities of friends.
current project is seeing what I can do with 12 hollow core doors from 28 to 36 inches wide. In N scale . Now I only need a place to do it. Trolley and interurban modelling are my favorite.
Doug, in Utah

[pcarrell]

#1 most important thing I learned,.....it's never done!

[Anonymous]

Well I am really only on my 3rd layout in 20 years. I started off with the classic 4x8 with a leg off to a small 3x5 remote area. I tore it down when we moved from that house to a new one. The second layout I built modular 2x4 domino sections in the mid 90's, then girls, school and work too over. Much of the parts from the 2nd layout (frame, and some track) have gone into the 3rd layout that I started 4 years ago when I bought my own house. Its still less then half done (I have increased the size several times)

What I have learned: Its never done, plan for the future but know that reality will dictate the layout. I build with a plan, but never build to the plan.

Josh in NH

[trnj]

Not counting the layouts I had as a child, (post U.S. Army) I have built eleven! I have learned much the hard way! (1) lay the track carefully and make certain it is smooth and without kinks and that it has no electrical "dead spots." Be careful when ballasting the track! Do not try to fill every inch of space with track and if you like switching layouts (my favorite), resist the temptation to have too many complicated switchback sidings. Also, allow ample length for passing sidings and "drill track" leads. Take your time doing the scenery! My latest layout is one of my smallest ("trackage rights" in the laundry room!) but by far the best looking and most interesting to operate.

[SOU Fan]

I have built one layout and have learned a ton of things(most of them the hard way)[banghead]. Too many to list.[:)]

[jecorbett]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tomikawaTT

JECorbett:

When I said, "Good enough isnt," I meant that you shouldn't live with a problem. No prototype road would tolerate a permanent speed restriction because of kinked, sagging or misaligned track. Neither should a model railroader.

My work is a long way from museum quality! My only overriding standard is that trains have to remain on the rails unless removed by the 0-5-0. If they don't, the offending rolling stock gets pulled for inspection and adjustment and the offending trackwork gets a visit from the resident gandy dancer.

I think we are on the same page. Track work and rolling stock must perform reliably or be fixed immediately. Trying to live with problems will detract from the enjoyment of the hobby. On the cosmetic stuff, scenery and structures, we can live with less than top drawer. Unless one is blessed with exceptional skills, and I am not, it just takes to long to create a structure that meets our highest standards, unless we are building small layouts or dioramas. There has to be a compromise between what we would like to be able to do and what we have time to do. My standard is I can live with flaws as long as they don't jump out at you. That's why I spend a little more time on my foreground scenes and structures. Even those aren't going to be show pieces. The layout has to please me first and my eyes see the big picture, not the fine details. Most visitors will see things the same way. As for the rivet counters, if they want to look for flaws, they will find plenty.

[tomikawaTT]

JECorbett:

When I said, "Good enough isnt," I meant that you shouldn't live with a problem. No prototype road would tolerate a permanent speed restriction because of kinked, sagging or misaligned track. Neither should a model railroader.

My work is a long way from museum quality! My only overriding standard is that trains have to remain on the rails unless removed by the 0-5-0. If they don't, the offending rolling stock gets pulled for inspection and adjustment and the offending trackwork gets a visit from the resident gandy dancer.

[waltersrails]

2 ive built 4 ive had in my life. The last one was preety much bad beginer this one looks pretty real expect the bassesting could be a little better.

[Anonymous]

I have built at least 8 layouts, and no matter how much planning I put into it, when I am done, I always see a way to make the track plan better, ALWAYS!

[jecorbett]

QUOTE: Originally posted by icmr

Ive had 3 layouts. I have learned that sometimes you need to plan and other times you dont. I have learned more than that but I cant list everything.



Victor

Happy Railroading.[swg][swg]

What I have learned about plans is you have to be flexible. Sometimes what looks good on paper doesn't look good or operate well in 3-D. Also, sometimes a better idea will occur to you once construction begins so you learn to adjust.

[icmr]

Ive had 3 layouts. I have learned that sometimes you need to plan and other times you dont. I have learned more than that but I cant list everything.



Victor

Happy Railroading.[swg][swg]

[jecorbett]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tomikawaTT


4. "Good enough" isnt. Don't hesitate to tear out and rebuild.

This one I have to disagree with. It would be nice to build everything to craftsman quality but for someone building a large layout, it is not practical. If I was into building a small layout, then it would make sense to make sure everything on the layout was of the highest quality. Since I don't believe in reincarnation, I intend to complete my current railroad in this lifetime. To do that, I simply don't have the time to spend 80+ hours on every structure and piece of rolling stock to make it top drawer. At some point, you have to accept the good enough approach. My approach is to achieve a level of quality in relation to a structures distance from the front of the bench work. The closer it is to the viewer, the better it must be. But even then, I am not out to achieve contest quality. If and when I reach a point of completeness, as opposed to finished, then I can go back and start replacing the lesser quality items with better work. Until then, I have to be willing to accept OK. Now this approach does not apply to trackwork. That must be of a high standard from the start or it will be nothing but problems.

[Tom Bryant_MR]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Texas Zepher

...
1. There is always more to learn.
2. Even things one has learned and knows are subject to change because of new materials, technology, economics, and/or more in depth and better research.

When I started this about a year ago, I guess the experience was like getting hooked on drugs. I've pondered the "why is that" question for myself. "Why does this fascinate me so? "Will I burn out or give up on this?" An earlier comment; "... find me slumped over at room temp ...". I can only think of one other way I would rather go - [;)]

I think the two little items above from Tex says it for me. It just never ever gets boring. It is probably why there are so many here that have been at it for 10, 15, 20+ years.

What have I learned ? A lot; but have not even begun to exhaust the possibilities.


-Tom

[Tom Bryant_MR]

QUOTE: Originally posted by areibel

...
Don't leave your precious model RR tools out for the wife to access, or she'll be cutting the dog's toenails with your Xuron nippers.

How true [:D]. I physically separated my tools into the "household" ones and the "RR" ones, however, what did I find the other night ... my RR nippers in the living room where they had been used to cut some wire for the shutters ... DOH!

-Tom

[SpaceMouse]

I've done half of a layout. IT started as a 4 x 8 but expanded to 4.5 x 8 because EZ track takes more room than Atlas. It is now 5 x 8 because I added siding.

1) EZ Track isn't. I've not run in almost 2 months now because I took everything apart to raise the scenery relative to the track so the docks are the right height. I should be able to run this weekend.

2) Plan for what you like not what you think the kids will like. What was going to be a Hogwarts layout has been converted to the Rock Ridge and Train City. It is working out better than it should considering I designed if for a different type of scenery/landscape. I only went from Modern England to 1885 America.

3) Anything can be changed, but it would have been nice to have planned it right in the first place.

4) I have a basement layout planned and the space allocated for it, but it seems like there is so much to do left on the 5 x 8 that I might not get to it for a long, long, long, time.

[Texas Zepher]

I don't even know how to count "layouts". I had multiple HOs, an N, O, and G all at the same time. I had eight sitting in the garage once just to send to the local equivalent of toys-for-tots. And how does one count clubs and friends. Ones built for others for profit... Um maybe 40. Then there are all the experimental ones where track is just assembled but never perminantly attached.

I think it is most interesting that I've learned the opposite of what some other people have posted here. Just proves model train layouts are a very subjective and individual thing.
I guess I've learned that:
1. There is always more to learn.
2. Even things one has learned and knows are subject to change because of new materials, technology, economics, and/or more in depth and better research.

[selector]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tomikawaTT

4. "Good enough" isnt. Don't hesitate to tear out and rebuild.

5. Finishing a layout is the impossible dream. There's always something to add, change or subtract.

Those two hit close to home. I am presently going to rip up a lot of track, not all of it, and I have to build and add switches. It never was really good enough. (gulp!)

In view of what I just stated, your #5 is self-evident.

-Crandell

[BigRusty]

In over 60 years, I have built 8 layouts. I learned all the trivial things you guys post about but the basics are 1. Do the room first. 2. Use open bench work. 3. Good trackwork, well supported with 3/4 inch plywood, 4. Under table multi track reverse staging loops. 5. Never put ANYTHING on the track that hasn't been thoroughly inspected for EVERYTHING, from lubrication to wheel gauge and coupler height. If it don't fit, you MUST NOT USE IT - until you fix it.

[dhilyer]

WOW!!! I didn't know that you could learn so much just by playing with trains.

I am trying to complete my first layout (HO, 4x8). Track is down, electrical is complete, trains are running. Scenery is coming together, still got to make the trees and plant them. Hope to begin structures this week. I am also in the "thinking" or preliminary stages of the second layout. Got some good ideas from the CSX and NS lines that intersect 2 blocks from my office. My first hurdle will be real estate. I am trying to negotiate a lease agreement with my wife for some room in our son's play room. Stay tuned for that outcome!!

What have I learned? Well, [#ditto] most everything from above. But most importantly, I have learned to take my time and do not ru***he RR. It will be there when I have time even if it is only 1 minute as I pass by going to another part of the house.

I have also learned that this forum is a bottomless barrel of knowledge. If you can't find an asnswer here it is because you haven't asked!!

[jecorbett]

My current one is my third. The first was a 6X8 in a spare bedroom of my apartment. It was an island layout with a double sided backdrop. I learned the importance of good benchwork because this was a real wobbler. I learned how to lay track and ballast it and got my first expierience with building structure and rolling stock kits.

The second layout was in an 11X28 section a basement in my first house. There was an extension to a staging loop into the other section of the basement. I learned a lot about wiring blocks for DC control, reverse loops and turnouts. The big thing I learned was the importance of starting with a track plan with operation in mind. I was more concerned with creating scenic features for the trains to run through than with operations in mind. The track plan was more of an evolution. Halfway through construction I did some major surgery and completely changed the schematic. I finally got a completed mainline with about 75% of the scenery in but the operating scheme was very unsatisfying and I lost interest in completing it and went on about a 10 year hiatus from the hobby which ended when I moved into my current home.

I am now on my third and hopefully last layout. This is the one I hope they find me slumped over at room temperature, but not for at least 30 years from now. I think I have done a lot right with this one. The benchwork is rock solid and the schematic should allow for interesting operations once it is reasonably complete with all the rolling stock and motive power I plan. I have learned the basics of DCC and am starting to pick up on some of the advanced features. I am still in the testing and debugging phase with the track work but have completed most of the scenery in the yard and engine terminal as well as some of the industrial areas. There have been a few minor mistakes along the way but overall, I am happy with what I have so far.

[GAPPLEG]

Garsh, In the 70's I built my first N scale layout, it was 8 x 12 Then I moved, When I looked at building my second layout I realized more was available in ho at that time. So I switched to HO. Then I moved. GEts redundent, Built a small ho layout in my third place 8x10 , then I moved, I now vow to die in this house. Present layout was started 2 years ago, 12x16 , track work , track work , trackwork , get it right first.

[Anonymous]

I have built around three layouts and I have learned a few things from them

1. No matter how big you go, you always want to go bigger

2. Model trains are literally like the heavy drugs because once started it is so addicting and you will make many many purchases that are not needed and not afforded at the time but you will sacrifice something needed in home or life for a new train or something train related. LOL

3. Trains will always be on your mind no matter what you are doing or where you are. You could be at work in an important meeting and on your mind is a "where can I go railfanning this year" LOL

[tomikawaTT]

Not counting Lionel 027 on the living room rug, I've been involved with five club layouts and have started a dozen of my own.

Lessons I have learned?

1. Operation is addictive. As soon as the wheels begin to turn, construction progress slows dramatically!

2. Derailment-resistant trackwork is a matter of careful tracklaying and adhering to standards.

3. Try new ideas. Some of them actually work!

4. "Good enough" isnt. Don't hesitate to tear out and rebuild.

5. Finishing a layout is the impossible dream. There's always something to add, change or subtract.

[cwclark]

thanks to aggrojones and his ability to dig up old bones , (I asked this question 2 years ago) I thought i'd reply to it again...one thing i would like to add to the initial comments of this post is that you can still learn stuff in this hobby even after doing it for as long as some of us have been in the hobby...i've found some new ways of scenery building..the new plaster cloth used to build mountains and hilsides is a godsend...no more fuss with the mess of plaster drying to my hands and ending up in places i didn't want it to stick to using the old plaster and newspaper strip method....another thing i've learned is mastering an air brush..i'm starting to get good with it..weathering as well as painting that favorite locomotive in a black widow paint schemes and the like...another thing I learned that has improved my rolling stock performance is the inhanced performance by switching to metal trucks...they run smoother than the plastic ones and the track doesn't need cleaning so much....I also have to give some credit to joe fugate...his mini clinics on here have taught me different ways of tackling scenery techniques using variations of some of the old techniques incorperated with new ones...so what i would like to add to my original post is that the MRR forum is another great source for learning the how to's involved in this hobby in better and more efficient manners...chuck