If you know the space you will have, you can plan and maybe even build a complicated scene that you want on the new layout. Complicated scenes take time and now you have the time, make something you can box up or hang on a wall.
I've been designing track plans, and working on electronics. The contractor is starting today to demo my basement and start making it layotu-ready (and I'm not there to see it....)
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
SeeYou190Would you mind sharing the secret again? I am going to get this to work for me.
I'm trying kevin, but I can't get url and /url, in brackets, to show up in my post.
Copy the link, open a new window and paste. With the link in the address bar, add the url in brackets to the front, and /url in brackets to the end. Copy that, go back to your post, and paste where you want it, and DON'T use the "link" thingy, just paste right into the post.
Mike.
My You Tube
I agree with the suggestions to build stuff, buy stuff, plan stuff, detail/weather/repair/tune stuff, post stuff, and photograph real stuff.
To that I would add that if you have a sizeable collection, maybe it's a good time to examine and pare back the stuff you don't want. Trading and dealing can be a fun activity in itself.
Visit the Chicago Valley Railroad for Chicago Trainspotting and Budget Model Railroading.
Thanks for posting a clickable link Mike.
.
Would you mind sharing the secret again? I am going to get this to work for me.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Learn Guitar, Banjo, ect. or build some structures on small dioramas.
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
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/p/262808/2962624.aspx?page=2
Rastafarr The 1:1 cardboard layout cutouts idea is an interesting one; are we talking yard setups? Curve templates? Both?
I built the entire layout out of cardboard.
This is the link to the original thread about the project:
DRAT: It still is not clickable! I tried the "url" "/url" code, but it still did not work.
How do I make a link to a thread in here able to be clicked?
Lots of interesting suggestions. I've been leaning in the 'buy more rolling stock and do stuff with it' direction, so it's good to have that reinforced. The 1:1 cardboard layout cutouts idea is an interesting one; are we talking yard setups? Curve templates? Both?
Stu
Streamlined steam, oh, what a dream!!
Rastafarr I've got another larger space picked out for the next layout (score!) but it won't be available for trainification until the renos are done.
What timespan ere we talking about? Months? Years? Decades?
If we talk months, maybe up to a year, re-think your plan, make changes, detail the pln and build a couple of structures, if the time permits and you are not to busy renovating your future train room.
If we talk years, well, than may be it pays off to shelve your plans for the moment and build a micro layout, perhaps in N scale, just to keep the interest going.
If we talk decades, look for a different, less space demanding hobby or become a collector.
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
Like it said before. Mine are.
1.) Collect freight cars and locomotives for my era. Mostly 1980/90s-06 making sure that removing cars aren't necessarily. Easier to add new ones but older ones do get removed.
Seeing the types of containers on a train, since most railroads carry different kinds.
2.) Researching my favorite railroads. Looking at locomotive units to see which ones pull particular freights, so easier later on to mix and match.
3.) Designing track plans, structural plans for industries, streets, parking and landscape so it will fit like the real world.
4.) Working on my fictional railroad the Georgia, North Carolina, and Ohio Railway. I love modeling details of my line. I created a railway with over 75 years of history with reporting marks and past freight slogans. Including people, faculties, paint schemes, MW, vehicles, etc.
Example back in the day it was Georgia, No. Carolina Railroad Company G.N.R.C. Then a name change adding the line to Ohio. (As above to G.N.O.R.) I also have a trailer G.N.O.Z., container G.N.O.U., additional more cars G.N.O.F..
I had G.N.O.X. but it's been taken by a real leasing company. The weird thing was it was going to be my line of tank cars.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
+1 for assembling kits and weathering.
Also 3d designing for car models you want or future layout ideas.
I'm beginning to realize that Windows 10 and sound decoders have a lot in common. There are so many things you have to change in order to get them to work the way you want.
Build something small - switching layout, small tabletop, etc. Use sectional track to get running quickly.
Doesn't even have to be your main scale.
Paul
I am in the same situation, layout came down for a remodel, and until that is done, no layout.
I have been working on models, both assembling kits, and weathering them. Also have been doing detail and lighting projects on locomotives.
I also do spend some time trackside, and go to shows and museums.
Once the remodel is done, I already have a rough plan in place for the new layout.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
It has been almost three years since I tore down STRATTON AND GILLETTE number 5 and began the process of getting ready for SGRR #6: The Final Chapter.
In that time I have:
Built, assembled, and custom painted over 100 freight cars.
Joined this forum and posted over 5,000 comments.
Built a 1:1 cardboard model of my future layout.
Collected all the items I will need to build the future layout.
Travelled as much of our country as I could.
Taken over 300 posed pictues on my 30 by 30 photo diorama studio.
Easy.
1 Enjoy the layout as long as you can.
2 Detail and weather structures.
3. Weather your rolling stock.
4. Plan your next layout based on your givens and druthers and based good LDEs-Layout Design Elements.. Learn from your mistakes on your currentt layout.
5. Buy the needed track and scenery material.
Options:
Choose a prototype and era.All steam? Transition? Moderern?
Freight and passenger or freight only?
Main Line? Branch Line? Protolance?
Think about modeling a freelance railroad and develope it..
Think about modeling a short line.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Hey, you are not alone. Many of us have been in a similar situation.
In example, I spent three years in Dallas w/o a layout, and a dozen years here in the Houston area without one as well. So what did I do?
- I collected and built an awful lot of car kits - ranging from Athearn BB to Silver Streak and Ulrich and Red Caboose, etc. I would build them, lightly weather, and wrap them in white tissue paper and store them.
- When I moved here in '81, I realized it wouldn't be too long before a room would be available for a layout. So I spent a lot of time scale drawing layouts. It really was a great pasttime, especially if you use quadrille paper, and adhere to scale.
- As I got closer to having an empty room to use, I began building structures that I new I would use. This can really take up time and give you something that will be used when the time comes.
- Lastly, I started to gather "stuff"......stuff that I knew I would use like ballast, ground foam, trees, and so on. I also picked up flex track if it was a good buy.
Anyway, while I lusted for that layout, the above kept me sane until that time.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Work on the new plan/plans , then look at the electrical side that will be needed, detail rolling stock, just 3 things to keep the mind & fingers active.
Okay. So, my current layout is about four years old, still a pinkboard paradise. It's running and running well, but the decision was recently made to undertake a major renovation in a year or two. The space the layout currently occupies will become a bedroom. I've got another larger space picked out for the next layout (score!) but it won't be available for trainification until the renos are done. There aren't any clubs within a feasible distance either; I'm a lone wolf by the circumstances, I'm afraid.
So what to do in the meantime? I'm honestly interested in how people scratch the train itch when working on a layout isn't an option. Hang out by the tracks?