my new layout- Failure or success ?

[Anonymous]

I built my new layout yesterday, and added some more sencery today. it is on a small 3x4 roll-under-the-bed table ( this is not my "permenant layout, just somthing to keep me ocupied ) it, however, is the first layout I have ever built. the track is aranged in an " ingelnook " type patern and has one structure, an Atlas depot kit. I added a parking lots/ driveways for the station and team track. there is another " gost" industry, a grain elevator. currently there are two trains operating a local frieght consisting of a Rock Island GP-7 , two cars, and a caboose. then there is a local passenger, using an RI doodlebug. the layout looks pretty bad, and my local frieght keeps derailing when I do some basic switching ( despite using Bachmann E-Z track ). my family is not intiley impressed ( my dad did like the depot I built ) but I think I made some kind of accomplishment. I'll try to take some pics.

[Anonymous]

Congrats! We've all been there with a first layout that has its 'quirks', but that's part of the fun. And it's the best way to learn, so the next layout is better, the one after that even better, and so on and so on.

Enjoy! Keep building, keep trying and you'll get the hang of it before long.
[tup]

[ClinchValleySD40]

Great for you !!! It's got to feel really good to get it done. Regardless of what anyone else thinks, if you like it then it's a great layout. Good luck and keep on railroading. We'd love to see some pictures.

[Fergmiester]

Been there, done that had fun, got disapointed, abandoned the line came back had more fun etc, etc. etc.....

Don't give up the faith and realize as Joe has said we have all been there, this is nothing new. It's frustrating, disheartening but if you hang on it will be rewarding.

Check the turnout and look for bent rails, broken pieces between the rails, dirt rubble and if the thing is still causing you grief then replace it.

A 3x4 is a tight space, which could be part of your derailment problems. learn by it and then expand. Build a tunnel build a cut and get a building or two more.

In my younger years I set up the train on the carpet and then a sheet of flimsy plywood, no cork, no nails and little scenery. But I remember those times because they were fun despite the derailments.

JUST DON't GIVE UP THE TRACK!

Regards
Fergie

[darth9x9]

It's good to learn from your mistakes - just don't earn a degree in it!!!!

[randybc2003]

Hooray! You Did It!
Check your rolling stock for good wheels and car weights. This can reduce derailments. You don't say, but try Kadee couplers. They work better than horn-hooks. Other outfits have similar couplers, including Bachman Easy-mate.
Good luck!
Randy

[Anonymous]

If at first you don't suceed,try ,try and keep on trying till you get it right(or left)

[Anonymous]

I doubt anyones first layout was like what you see in the magazine. I'm on my third layout which is 5'x11' with a 2'x4' offshoot. My first two layouts were 4'x8' and the first one wasnt that great but I learned a lot in the proccess.

I used Bachman E-Z track on my first layout and was not impressed by the build quality. Like you I had trouble with the turnouts derailing cars. There is an article in a former Issue,I dont recall which one,but there are several tips on how to deal with derailments. I'd suggest using Atlas True track on your next one because I feel they are of much better quality then Bachman.

[jjbmish]

Congratulations!!
I remember way, way back when I built my first layouts(??). The track was set up on the linoleum in my bedroom. Easy to change layouts, no carpet fuzz, many, many derailments, but I had a blast and learned from my mistakes. 30 years later and I'm still having fun. Just remember to have fun!!

John

[fec153]

Good for you. Make sure your cars are properly weighted. Get a piece of wood,mark it
off in 1 inch sections so you can see what it should weigh.[ 1 oz. plus 1/2 oz. per in.]
Use a dieters or postal scale . H.O. scale. N is of course lighter. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by darth9x9

It's good to learn from your mistakes - just don't earn a degree in it!!!!

Hey, what's wrong with that! I have a Masters in Oops.[:D] My first layout was a 4X8 with 1x2 frame work. It lasted about two weeks before gravity tooks it's toll and down it went.

If you like it then that's what's matters. Maybe write down all of the problems so far. Then when you find out what the problems are and correct them then write the solutions down and when you make a new and revised layout you know what to watch for. Hope this helps.

Jeremy

[Bikerdad]

Dude, this is model railroading. Here's the standard of success:

FUN

If you had

FUN,

'tis a success.

I LOVE this stuff! Gimmee another floater over the plate!

[robengland]

my only advice is: learn and move on. don't keep trying to make it work until you get frustrated. if it really annoys you, scrap it and start a better one. My first two layouts I made some bad decisions then banged away much too long trying to make them work.

[ericsp]

The derailments could be caused by long cars on tight radius track.

[RedLeader]

1. Most layouts you see in magazines (eg. model railroader) are either high budget-club layouts or layouts that have been growing and/or changing for 10 years or more, by people that have been doing MR for years even decades.
2. MR is like women, sooner or later you'll find the perfect one for you, even if it isn't "preatty" enough for everyone else.
3. It's all about experience, find the mistakes and correct them. I've built 3 layouts, and still having errors.
4. Time... don't ru***o have something done. Take your time doing it right (or left).
5. Get a bit technical. Do some research about gauges, weight, grades and curve radii. Here is were you'll find the most errors. (eg. running to-long trains in to-tight curves) There are some good books about these topics or go to NMRA.com
6. Scale... perhaps, for the space, you're modeling a to-large scale. Although I've seen G scale modeled in smaller layouts. But if you want something running and space is an issue, perhaps you'll consider N or even Z.
7. You can always count with the help from everyone of us in this forum for any doubts and tips.
8. HAVE FUN

[twhite]

Congratulations! First layouts are fun, it's like practicing a new piece of music on the piano, you think you've got it, then you have to go over a bunch of passages to make them lay right under your hand. Pardon the music alliteration, but I'm a musician and also a model railroader. Just keep practicing and it'll all come out right in the end. As to the EZ-Track turnouts, check the points. You may need to file them down a bit. And remember one of the basic tenents of model railroading--if it works perfectly for you, it's going to derail all OVER THE PLACE for company.

[Roadtrp]

<< As to the EZ-Track turnouts, check the points. You may need to file them down a bit.>>

Yes, I use EZ-Track (N scale) and I've had to file the points on every turnout I've purchased. After doing that, I've had no problems... even when backing over them.

[Anonymous]

hello, ive made a small 2x4, and now im on a 3x4 and im purpously taking my time, so far a week just for road bed, i know its sad, but i cant stand the derailments anymore, i know its a small space but im demanding perfection out of myself, i know tis only my seccond layout but still, ive learned and im sure you will too, i acutually started out with it under my bed, but it didnt work out too well and now at the level im it its just plain funny,lol, and im sure u will see it too, eventually. I know what its like to work on track for a week and not bealbe to keep the trains on the track on the straights, its fustrating, get to know some of the people at ur local hobby store, mabey even apply for a job there, you learn a whole lot, more, if ya got any questions my email should be posted somewhere in my profile, if ya wanna talk, if its no [e-mail], ide love to hear your stories and even share some of mine,


good luck,


tim

[tstage]

Hey Alex (a.k.a. Train Boy CEO)!

Good for you! I'm still in the process of my "first" layout (4 x 8') and I'm at least 3 times your age. I won't be "finished" for a while though. I've still got some wiring to finish up, as well as laying down roadbad. BUT...I can STILL run trains in the meantime!!! [:)]

I'm at a fun point in my layout because I can still change things if I decide to try out new or other ideas before nailing down my final layout design. I'm just enjoying the learning process. I've been spending the last month or so learning how to make trees using the Scenic Woodland kits. Really adds a lot of realism to the layou!

Alex, don't get too bummed out about your "failures". If you are learning from it, that's "success". Not many of us ever gets it "right" the first time. I will stick my neck out to say that a vast majority of us here on the forum are "still learning" - EVEN some who have been in the hobby a lonnnnnng time! Those who aren't probably don't ever visit web sites like this.

Alex, hang in there buddy and keep learning! Hey, how 'bout posting some pics for us to enjoy!...[:D]

Tom

[Anonymous]

I have a 4x8 layout too, put down track and then started to wire it up . Got feed up because nothing wasworkoing right so i pulled up every thing and am now using unitrack. hope this goes better.

[jdolan]

I'm on my 7th layout and still find mistakes, so don't feel bad aqbout the first one . just stay with the hobby and it will get better.

[Anonymous]

Congrats on getting out of the armchair mode!

A failure is only a failure if you don't learn from it. What is it that they say? Someone that never tries, never fails? Or something like that.

It's the constant challenge to do better, learn more and improve is why this hobby has kept my interest for over 30 years.