Years back I dropped the New Year's resolution bit and just came up with what I plan on doing with/on the layout for the new year. I dropped the new extension project a few years back due to my being a certified relic. And then my now 2850 sq.ft. is certainly enough, although a bear to maintian. I do have several projects I want to complete for 2019.... the first being the complete deplastification of everything. So far I have completed over 1200 wood cars from kits or scratch.....being passenger cars, box cars, covered and open hoppers, flat cars, maintenance of way, poultry cars, cow cars, and other specialty cars. This year will be the construction of tank cars and gondolas...all from wood. Then my main city which is now a composite (kit bash) of just about everything ever on the market, but in plastic or resin will be done over in basswood buildings. 95% of other structures are scratch-built from bass wood and sheet styrene. Next... this year should bring the layout more towards completion with additional trees, signage, and power poles with lines. (one of my cats took down the last section of telephone poles).
Why build everything instead of purchasing ready to run or install? There was once a saying that "Getting there is half the fun", but pertaining to travel. Well for me model railroading is similar as the building bit is the same as the "getting" bit.
I just recently visited a pike with all plastic locos, rolling stock, and structures of which many were ready built. The overall look of the layout was spectacular and extremly well done. I can certainly understand why the builder went this route as operation was first and he obviously wanted a layout ASAP. My wood everythings do not look nearly as good, although quite different, but I had the enjoyment of building, which for me is paramount. Possibly some of you could again discover the shear thrill of building vs. buying for the new year.
Have a good one,
HZ
Apart from the usual building (structures and rolling stock) projects, and the layout, I really think 2019 needs to be the year I get a table at a swap meet or two. I need to learn to be less attached to stuff when it is plain that it does not fit in with my chosen railroad, era, location, and so on. Or even if it does fit in, it is substandard stuff that I won't ever want or use. I could free up lots of shelf space and even better, be more able to focus on the things that need to be done rather than be distracted by things that could be done, or worse yet feel paralyzed by the sheer quantity of unbuilt kits and kitbashing/scratchbuilding projects.
I care less about the money than just clearing stuff out. So there might be some lucky and happy buyers out there, especially Pennsy fans.
Dave Nelson
I will most likely dismantle my layout and put the salvaged bits and pieces up for sale on the "Bay".
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
I am essentially at the beginning of my layout journey. I anticipate achieving the Golden Spike tomorrow - which is to say, finish laying the complete loop of track on my little 4x6.
For the New Year, the main project is to build the mountain that divides my layout in two, and get started on scenery. I also have a handful of model kits on hand to build.
Working on my T trak module, and helping create the nmra division 2 MCR t trak program. And of course, start Building my HO scale layout
(My Model Railroad, My Rules)
These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway. As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).
My three main goals are to get a fleet of SD60Es (Already have 9-1-1), Get an ATSF steamer, and to kitbash an SD70ACC or two (NS 1800 and 1801). I am going to try to get all of the ballasting and major landscaping done on my layout. I also need to finish soldering my yard and swap some switches out. Other than those things, I just want to build up my rolling stock fleet and add a few switchers do the layout.
To do anything - SOMETHING. I have been stagnating way too long. Basement WILL get prepared this year so I can start construction.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Great Randy! One build I will be sure to watch. Is the layout on your web site "out of service"?
I have all kinds of detailing I need to do on my small layout, from vehicles, rolling stock (mostly finishing projects I've started), replace some turnouts, a station project on hold, freshen up/add to some scenery, etc., etc.
With my teenage grandson's permission, I have dismantle his O scale layout, packed it away in all of the original boxes, and repurposed his table/benchwork for a new work bench for me. This gave me lots of extra room.
Grandson is into robotics and drones, and stuff. He lives with his mom in FL., and by us only a short time each year.
I also need to get rid of some of the new in the box kits I have collected, and will never use. Like 3 Walther's City Station kits, 2 Walther's Milwaukee brewery kits, and many other too numerous to mention.
So, anyway, those are my projects. I have a transloading yard that may get reconfigured, but that will be a major reconstruction project.
Mike.
My You Tube
The layout on my web site is long gone. It sat for 4 years in sections (I built it in sections so it could be moved) in my new basement until last Summer I had it all hauled away by the junk man. Literally - the guy calls himself Uncle Dave's Junk Removal. In May I will have been in this house for 5 years and nothing railroad to show for it. The basement is finished, but so horrible that it all needs to be ripped out so I can start freach with proper insulated walls. With real stud walls, not a bunch of 2x3's randomly nailed up with paneling applied directly to them.
It does depend on your priorities; mine is believeable appearance and operation. I have all the rolling stock needed to operate, a computer dispatcher’s assistant program, car cards and waybills. Where I fall short is scenery. About 20% has most of the scenery done, but on the rest only the terrain and basic brown are in place. Ground cover is next, then structures.
i focus on reliable operation, rather than super detailling.
So to actually answer the question, I hope to get ground cover, roadways and building foundations in place. Ditto for the small N pike that I’m building with my grandson and the railroad museum table that I’m building with my granddaughter.
There are a few rolling stock projects too, but the scenery will be my focus.
Genesee Terminal, freelanced HO in Upstate NY ...hosting Loon Bay Transit Authority, run through Amtrak and CSX Intermodal
CP/D&H, N scale, somewhere on the Canadian Shield
To build my layout. I have the benchwork for the staging and yard/first switching district built and its track mostly laid out.
- Douglas
Get moving!
The need for new garage doors made us clean up the garage so the installers could get to the needed places. It has been used for storage only for over 30 years. Last year I got the first side done so son #2 could get his motorcycle under cover. Too hot to do much this summer, but this fall I started to move things when #1 son stepped in and cleaned up second side, with auto repair ideas in the back of his head. There is still a lot of stuff to sort, but there is room to work on a car on one side and space for my little island layout to be set up temporarily, if I feel like running trains. It is insulated and has a wood furnace there and an oil furnace that could be hooked up, so I can run things up there and not freeze.
With the island up there I can start working on the room where it is now. It needs electriccal, drywall, drop ceiling, then an around the room shelf and a track plan to fit.
Yes, half the garage would have been nice, but I think at this stage in life the 7x14 room will provide plenty of projects to keep me busy. I will build it in sections so that it will be reasonably easy to move should I decide to move it up there or when it needs to be dismantled.
Happy New Year,
Richard
Howard ZanePossibly some of you could again discover the shear thrill of building vs. buying for the new year.
Well, building is what I intend to do in 2019 - build the layout that is. A year after the move I still haven't got everything sorted out. But I'm far enough along that I started the first bench work section this week. My goal for the new year is to have all the benchwork done, track laid, and wired. To that end, I will use as much RTR as I can. That will continue with rolling stock and structures.
But I do enjoy building wood kits and scratch building in wood. To that end I buy wood kits in S scale as I find them. Once the layout is operational I will turn my attention to building the kits I have and doing some scratch building - mostly in wood, but some plastic and resin kits as well.
Paul
Howard Zane I just recently visited a pike with all plastic locos, rolling stock, and structures of which many were ready built. The overall look of the layout was spectacular and extremly well done. I can certainly understand why the builder went this route as operation was first and he obviously wanted a layout ASAP. My wood everythings do not look nearly as good, although quite different, but I had the enjoyment of building, which for me is paramount. Possibly some of you could again discover the shear thrill of building vs. buying for the new year.
The "thrill of building" seems to be variable in many of us.
I met a guy, years ago, who was scratch building a Santa Fe 2-10-2. I mentioned to him that PFM imported a very nice Santa Fe 2-10-2, and asked why he would bother to build what was available off the shelf. He said "for the fun".
I, on the other hand, would have bought the PFM model. And the reason is that there is limited time to build a model railroad, and I would rather put my model building into something that could NOT be bought, but that I still wanted.
And so, I am just finishing up improving the rather shallow Eastern Car Works 125 ton truck sideframes, and building a dismantleable bolster.
I am also working on building some #20 railbound frogs for my next module.
I am also working on a string of W&R and Overland passenger cars to get them to actually run on a layout. They're RTR. But they are NOT RTR, believe me.
As for the thrill of building, I do that every time I go to work. So I'm pretty thrilled up on building (and they give me MONEY!). I DO get a thrill of accomplishment, though. As when I assemble my newly completed trucks, and they work and roll beautifully. Now to find a car to put on top of them....
Might have to build it.
Ed
I want to finish the house remodel so I will have my layout room.
.
I want to start buiding benchwork for the STRATTON & GILLETTE in January of 2020. To do that I need to finish one and a half bathrooms and the master bedroom.
FORWARD!
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I had to put off working on my railroad after having back surgery; walking up and down the stairs to the basement, er, train room, became too hazardous. Now that I'm able to do so, I've started modeling an abandoned grain elevator, using a Cornerstone kit from Walthers.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
Here are my goals and projects, copyed from my blog.
Here are some of my goals and projects for 2019:
Well, that list should keep me busy for a while, so happy new year! -Harrison
Harrison
Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.
Modeling the D&H in 1978.
Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"
My YouTube
My plans calls for building a 1'x6' N Scale ISL since I am in a rest home.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Project 1 is making a list of projects and determining which are close enough to completion or have enough on hand to complete with minimal investment.
Project 2 is suspending all non debt servicing unessential spending so we can direct more money to the house fund. Spend less on trains now means a layout room sooner.
I really, really, really (I mean REALLY!) need to clean up my workbench!!! It is a disaster! The problem is that I ran out of storage space a long time ago so various projects have ended up just being stacked up on the workbench. I just pulled some boxes out of the garage and I will put a whole bunch of stuff that likely won't be touched for a long time into them and put them in the garage.
Years from now I will have the pleasure of discovering things that I had long ago forgotten and I will be like a kid in a candy factory. Either that or I will just be piling more boxes of stuff on top of them!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
The building aspect can be quite enjoyable since you're making progress. Moving foward in this hobby requires esetablishing a set of goals. I expect them to grow beyond the below list. Of course don't hold me to only the below::
1. Show off my layout to my dad who got me started on this hobby but we never progressed beyond
2. Add foam padding on the layout floor
3. Buy the last two structures
4. Add scenery
5. Get the sidings and yard wired properly
hon30critterI really, really, really (I mean REALLY!) need to clean up my workbench
As far as I know, this is an impossible task.
I clean my workbench at least four times a year. If it stays clean for two days I count that as a miracle.
SeeYou190 hon30critter I really, really, really (I mean REALLY!) need to clean up my workbench . As far as I know, this is an impossible task. . I clean my workbench at least four times a year. If it stays clean for two days I count that as a miracle. . -Kevin .
hon30critter I really, really, really (I mean REALLY!) need to clean up my workbench
I know, I know, I had a VERY messy workbench and train area until yesterday, when my model RRer friend came over and made me clean up. I am sure glad he did though. I'll have some pictures coming.
I'd like to finish the remotoring of a Mantua steam locomotive, go through the boxes of stuff I have and sell off what I don't want or need.
Then I want to organize everything I have, make a list of repairs and projects, then get started.
Well, now that my new layout space is complete, the resolution is obvious. Decide on a track plan, then start building benchwork and laying track. Will need more track, and maybe some turnouts too.
Oh yeah, forgot, I also need to build a new workbench.
I am planning to replace the Redwing Flour Mill structure on my BRVRR layout with a slightly bashed Golden Valley Canning Company. Its a Walther's kit. I don't know how complex it is, but almost everything I do structure wise, turns out to be complicated.
Remember its your railroad
Allan
Track to the BRVRR Website: http://www.brvrr.com/
Get a new house, finish tearing down the old layout, saving th lower bewnchwok for reuse.. Design new layut and begin construction.
Ira
I am surprised at the number of active contributors here who have no active layout. Many seem to be in the category of "tomorrow I am going to......if I can just get started". For me, I am starting a new venture to add signaling to my operating layout. I did not realize how complex signaling could be until I got started.
Paul D
N scale Washita and Santa Fe RailroadSouthern Oklahoma circa late 70's
Going to scratch build a TT scale two stall engine hosue for my TT scale module.
CAD drawing of the frame work. The "W" is for where the windows will go.
Bernd
New York, Vermont & Northern Rwy. - Route of the Black Diamonds
protolancer(at)kingstonemodelworks(dot)com