DavidH66 Also I do infact have a few ideas drawn down on paper for a track plan, but I've been drawing freehand so I'm not sure how plausible some of the stuff I am drawing done is. So I'd like someone to help tweek the plan to make it more feasible.
Get XTrakcad A free program and draw the layout or at least portions of it using it to test the fit of your design. It's free.
https://sourceforge.net/projects/xtrkcad-fork/files/
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
David, don't sell yourself short. It isn't rocket science. Folks on this board can help you with any of the aspects of building your layout that you are unsure of. The satisfaction of completing the layout yourself, along with some new skills that you may learn along the way will be a positive. Give it a shot.
I think it would be best to handle this in three phases.
.
1) Get a plan. Your plan will need to be perfect. Since you are paying others to build the layout, any changes in the order will cost time and money. Get a professional to help you with this.
2) Build the benchwork. There are a couple of specialists out there that just build Model Railroad Benchwork. Here in Florida there is "modelrailroadbenchwork dot com" that does beautiful work and has more than enough business just in the Tampa and Orlando areas. There must be someone you can hire in your area.
3) Hire someone to lay the track and make the wiring and controls work.
I say to do it in these three phases, because you can probably hire and excellent carpenter who does not know how to solder a feeder to a rail. Same for planners. Get an expert in each area.
The planning and benchwork cn probably be handled over the phone or email. Your track and wiring person should be local.
As for the expense, you better be ready for a shock. Skilled labor is very expensive. Figure $75.00 - $100.00 per hour for a profficient carpenter. The planning aspect I have no idea, and the track person is a wild card.
I would guess $10,000.00 to $12,000.00 for the project.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
DavidH66 MisterBeasley To me and most on this forum, building a layout is part of the hobby, and it's the part many of us take the most pleasure and pride in. I kept track of my time, and found it took me about one month for every square foot of layout. I spent most of my time on detailed scenery, but that time includes building both structures and rolling stock from kits, tracklaying and wiring. Why? This is my first serious Layout. I want the core part of the lay out (Wiring and benchwork) done right. I don't feel like I could do a worthy enough job. Also I do infact have a few ideas drawn down on paper for a track plan, but I've been drawing freehand so I'm not sure how plausible some of the stuff I am drawing done is. So I'd like someone to help tweek the plan to make it more feasible.
MisterBeasley To me and most on this forum, building a layout is part of the hobby, and it's the part many of us take the most pleasure and pride in. I kept track of my time, and found it took me about one month for every square foot of layout. I spent most of my time on detailed scenery, but that time includes building both structures and rolling stock from kits, tracklaying and wiring.
Why? This is my first serious Layout. I want the core part of the lay out (Wiring and benchwork) done right. I don't feel like I could do a worthy enough job. Also I do infact have a few ideas drawn down on paper for a track plan, but I've been drawing freehand so I'm not sure how plausible some of the stuff I am drawing done is. So I'd like someone to help tweek the plan to make it more feasible.
I think you have a sound idea. The part of the layout that you're talking about is not really a fun part of the hobby, more of a necessity. Myself, I kind of enjoy it, but I acknowledge its not for everybody.
Especially if you are uncomfortbale with track design, I think your approach makes even more sense.
Scenery, structures, and operations are the fun part.
- Douglas
Also I do infact have a few ideas drawn down on paper for a track plan, but I've been drawing freehand so I'm not sure how plausible some of the stuff I am drawing done is. So I'd like someone to help tweek the plan to make it more feasible.
Not to worry. Their are plenty of people on this forum who can help, and many are not shy about offering (helpful) suggestions.
Post a track plan. Even if it is rough drawn, freehand, and not to scale. See what happens.
Robert
LINK to SNSR Blog
DavidH66This is my first serious Layout. I want the core part of the lay out (Wiring and benchwork) done right. I don't feel like I could do a worthy enough job. Also I do infact have a few ideas drawn down on paper for a track plan, but I've been drawing freehand so I'm not sure how plausible some of the stuff I am drawing done is. So I'd like someone to help tweek the plan to make it more feasible.
There are people who will cajole you into their way of thinking so don't let them rattle your cage if you are not of the same mind. If you have the funds, there are definitely professionals out there who make a living at custom layout design builds. If you have a hard copy of MR magazine, you should be able to look them up and contact them for an estimate based on your vision of what you would like. They are pricey but if you have them build something say, unscenic'd then that would probably lower the cost somewhat.
As for drawing a layout, I've used the old graph paper with a scale rule and compass to design my track plans. If you do it that way, you'll be able to see how plausible your thoughts are because it's all to scale. I normally use 11x17' graph paper. There is a layout I drew out on graph paper for a previous home I lived in:
It looks like each square on that plan was 6". A scale rule is a good tool so you can measure how many feet there across the plan. As you can see I drew in the boundaries of the room and the track plan was drawn to fit the area keeping in mind minimum radius (32-inches in this case).
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
MisterBeasleyTo me and most on this forum, building a layout is part of the hobby, and it's the part many of us take the most pleasure and pride in. I kept track of my time, and found it took me about one month for every square foot of layout. I spent most of my time on detailed scenery, but that time includes building both structures and rolling stock from kits, tracklaying and wiring.
Since its only the design, benchwork, trackwork, and electrical, I'd think the costs would be reasonable. Start asking the builder to do scenery and structures and that would probably double the time spent, if not more.
Professional builders need lodging, or they could build your layout in sections at their shop and have it shipped. Especially with no scenery or structures to worry about.
It is worth however much it is worth to YOU.
I just paid a pro painter $74, plus my $24 to ship an engine to him, for just a minor paint touch up on a model. But for that model, the investment is worth it to me.
I have seen layouts that were professionally designed and built. We are talking a few thousand dollars here, up to perhaps 10 grand. The owner of the layout is very happy as he has a completed, fully scenic'd layout that operates reliably to his specifications, and he didn't have to make a lot of mistakes during the learning process.
If you really don't think you have the time or all the skills, it is an option. Go with a reputable, referenced layout builder, or somebody you know well.
John
For the layout design part, once you have decided on your own "givens & druthers", you can develop a plan yourself, or perhaps with help from this Forum, the Layout Design SIG, or other MRRs.
Then, with the track plan and specs for benchwork and subroadbed set, you can solicit bids from the various custom builders, which as noted earlier, is likely to be $$$. Another option would be to contact the local clubs, to see if they, or some of their individual members would be willing to submit a bid.
Jim
I would suggest visiting a few local clubs and train shops. They will have more knowledge of local expertise and tradesmen. Unless you go with an expensive full-service custom layout builder, you are likely to have separate people doing the design, benchwork construction, track laying and wiring.
I guess I have to ask, though, "Why?"
To me and most on this forum, building a layout is part of the hobby, and it's the part many of us take the most pleasure and pride in. I kept track of my time, and found it took me about one month for every square foot of layout. I spent most of my time on detailed scenery, but that time includes building both structures and rolling stock from kits, tracklaying and wiring.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
There have typically been several custom layout builders that advertise in MR magazine. Some 25 years ago (give or take) MR magazine did an article on custom built layout and interviewed a company and a few customers. It was very expensive even back then in the 5 figures in cost or more. Even to have a layout designed and built up to a plywood pacific level would likely costly but you can get quotes from those companies. Most model railroaders can't afford such services and learn to design and build layouts themselves. If you can afford the services, they are out there.
Its worth is as much as you are willing to pay for it.
Figure at least $20.00 an hour for labor, plus the lumber, the track and the wire. Question is how much time is the builder going to put into it.
An experienced builder can do it more quickly but will ask more per hour.
A friend or someone like that might do it for less but it will take far more hours.
Your best bet is to find a neighbor who will help you with the project.
The Route of the Broadway LION, making the simple complicated!
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
I've been considering getting my layout designed, and the Benchwork, Trackwork, and Electrical done. It would be roughly a 10x10 layout so I think that would help keep costs down. Does anyone have expirience with hiring out builders for your layout, if so How was it?