Your most valuable lessons learned

[FJ and G]

I know that in some form this topic has come up before but I thought if we can share our lessons learned, we can avoid mistakes that others have made.

Most of you perhaps have built more than one layout. Even someone with only one has lessons learned. Here are some of my thoughts.

1. Don't skimp on planning

2. Decide what your focus is. Do you have the money to buy anything you see or would you like to focus in on only PRR and only Lionel, like my buddy here in the Pentagon? Focus will actually increase your interest in collecting and operations and you can study the topic more in depth.

3. Keep everything on the layout within easy reach. Couplers are unreliable, backdrops need repainting, trees need replanting, trains tend to wander off the tracks etc etc

4. Keep future layout expansions and possibilities in mind. You may outgrow your current design.

5. Give plenty of access to the layout and make access easy

6. keep track of wiring

7. Don't just buy new stuff unless there is a need for it on the layout and it will enhance operations and your own enjoyment

[Dr. John]

1. Keep it simple. You can add more later.
2. Don't work on the layout/locos/rolling stock/buildings etc. when you are tired
3. Don't rush - you make more mistakes and get frustrated.
4. Take pictures of your progress along the way. I never have and now regret that.
5. When it comes to building benchwork - measure twice, cut once, and use a level!
6. Ditto on keeping track of your wiring.
7. Check clearances on your layout with the largest engine or passenger car you plan to run.
8. Have fun! It's only a hobby!
9. Learn to laugh at your mistakes and don't be afraid to tear down something and start over.

[jimhaleyscomet]

Never sell off all your conventional stuff. I did when I went on to TMCC and DCS. Now I regret that as I still like to run a small separate conventional layout.

Never sell off all your 027 track. You might want it in the future for a portable layout.

Jim H

[FJ and G]

Jim H,

I agree w/your (and Dr. John's) lessons learned. But I run my Williams diesels with my variable controls on DCS, so I don't think a separate layout is needed. You can isolate the command control trains by shutting off power to a siding or spur containing those locomotives while running conventional and visa versa

[Anonymous]

1. Find and marry a good woman. A woman who enjoy's seeing her man happy when he's playing with his trains.

All the rest is secondary.
BillFromWayne

[MartyE]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BillFromWayne

1. Find and marry a good woman. A woman who enjoy's seeing her man happy when he's playing with his trains.

All the rest is secondary.
BillFromWayne

So that's where I went wrong.[(-D][(-D][(-D]

[FJ and G]

Bill,

Mine would be to find and KEEP that special lady. They seem to come and go.

[Anonymous]

1) Dream big, start small.
2) Echo thoughts above about having fun. If it stops being fun, if you're tired - take a break: 10 minutes, 10 days or 10 weeks...
3) Seek and respect advice from others - but remember its your choice and you can do whatever makes you happy. (Example: "A bridge there wouldn't look realistic." Exception: "That gauge wire is a fire hazard.")

Allan Wright

[Anonymous]

If there is anything I have learned over the years it would be never to trust track pins or other connectors for any long term installation. I always solder a wire to EACH PIECE of track. It has been my experience that pins either corrode or gunk collects in the joint between rails which really interferes with conductivity. Track that has operated perfectly can little by little grow unreliable as the pins corrode while the track looks just as good asit always did. So MAKE GOOD ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS and you will be very happy. Odd-d

[Anonymous]

NEVER,NEVER, NEVER buy from Hobbytown USA stores!

[Bluecometk]

My Dad always said . Person who sit in jelly get a$$ in jam.[:D]

[espeefoamer]

If you see a piece of equipment at a good sale,BUY IT!!! If you go back later,it will be GONE![:(!].

[brianel027]

This may not be a concern for many of you, but when repainting large quantities of Lionel/K-Line trains at one time, ALWAYS take the extra minute to look at the paint color before you eagerly start spraying.

The Lehigh Valley was noted for it's many color schemes, but bright green was not one of them.

And when applying decals to more than one car at the same time - especially cars of the same color - it's a good idea to look at the side that's completed first.

Of course it could be possible that somewhere rolling on the real rails right now there's a CSX gondola with Norfolk Southern markings on the other side. Hmmm, me no think so.

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Buy quality not quanity. One really nice piece is better than three you'll never really be satisfied with.

[andregg1]

I think that our layout capture our life style mean, our internal world.
Sample I will never put canon or missil on my layout or like a Bin laden car with Bush
for me is sad. so if you are complicate guy you layout could capture your style.
Andre.

[Anonymous]

The odds that the toast will land buttered side down is directly proportional to the cost of the carpet.

Always wear eye protection & a dust mask before turning on the table saw or doing any wire pulling in your home.

Never put your fingers within 6 inches of the table saw blade while it's running (I have the scar on my thumb to underscore this one. Thank God I stil have the whole thumb).

If you have to glue an MTH saw buck crossing signal back together, make sure you brace it so that the signal stays straight before you go to bed.

Tony

[FJ and G]

ask on the forum before doing it

[cnw1995]

- Never solder under the layout wearing shorts - this from my n scale days.
- Always negotiate the most household space possible for the layout - you'll fill it up eventually - if you start small, you'll find your potential expansion space mysteriously filled up with other things.
- Always differentiate between wants and needs when looking to fill a hole in your collection or add something to a layout. Related: Always determine your needs first.
- Learn what 'good enough' means for you.

[laz 57]

Have a dehumidifier on over the summer. And have your layout elivated off the cellar floor. Did this the first summer I had layout and came back to running in September and found 50% of track was rusted that is when I took action and started building bench work. Ask advice from all these GREAT GIZ on this here forum. laz57

[overall]

Do not use foamcore board to model streets. When you paint it grey to simulate pavement, it shrinks and leaves gaps between pieces.

George

[cnw1995]

- Make sure you can reach inside your tunnel or easily access its innards because invariably your train will derail in its most inaccessible place.

[jonadel]

1. Everything has to be within an arm's reach.

2. No curves less than 54 or 42 (that will be my #1 priority on next build)

3. Plan, plan, plan.

4. Do not be in a hurry just to lay down track and run trains.

5. Involve your significant other, the dividends are amazing.

Jon

[Anonymous]

Never, ever, store track and pool chlorine in the same space--enclosed or ventilated: doesn't matter.

[Anonymous]

Analyze ALL your trains for track width clearance required. I got all set up, screwed it down to the board, had fun for about a week, and then moved my little 4-4-0 American to the inside track where it promptly swept my DRG steamer right off the outside track with its cowcatcher. Runs fine on the outside, because that cowcatcher sweeps to the outside.

[underworld]

Have a refrigerator or cooler close to your operators position! [:p]

underworld

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

[4kitties]

If you are going to have a backdrop, install it before you install your benchwork. I added one after-the-fact on my prior layout and it was a very difficult job.

[jonadel]

4kitties,

AMEN to that!!!!! We've done so many things backward on our first permanent layout and this was the last thing to be done and it should have been #1. Lesson learned.

Jon

[palallin]

Point about the back drop is well taken, but there may be a problem with doing it the very first: you don't know where the various buildings, streets, etc. will end up, and the backdrop may end up with a painted lake in the middle of a road or vice versa.

[Buckeye Riveter]

They are only toys.

[Anonymous]

DOn't be afraid to redo something if you don't like it.

If you can't figure out a problem, take a few days away from it, the solution will pop up soon enough.

DOn't judge yourself to harshly. Those fantastic magizene layouts often take many years to achieve that level of detail.

Don't impose to much on your layout, let it revel itself to you. Like the sculpture who says he only removes the extra stone hiding his statue.