As others have asked, how big of a layout? But really more importantly, how complex is the layout?
To define that question I refer you to the basic premise of my layout plan, large but not overly complex, and my recent post which suggest a comparison to a similar sized layout, with a very similar theme, that is dramaticly more complex than my planned layout.
As an experianced construction manager and tradesman, I find there is a direct connection between crew size, individual productivity, and calendar project length.
Too small of a crew, and work cannot be effectively or safely completed in a desirable and efficient time frame.
Too big a crew and productivity per man drops drasticly with only a small decrease in "calendar time" to complete when compared to optimum crew size.
Too many separate crews on different tasks creates workspace, job sequence and productivity issues similar to the "big crew" scenario, decreasing productivity per man.
As an example, the home makeover shows popular a few years ago where they built a house in a week (really 3-1/2 weeks because they worked in shifts around the clock), actually consumed 2 to 3 times the man hours that the work would normally require.
Planning is everything, only an individual working alone can truely design as he goes, and it is still inefficient.
But, no battle plan survives first contact with the enemy, so there must be a management chain for decisions on the fly. I will vote strongly against "management by committee".
I have helped several friends build basement size layouts (1500 to 2500 sq ft), with a crew of 4-8 round robin club members we have broght several such layouts from empty room to scenery and trains running in 2 years plus or minius.
And we have one important saying that appies to every project:
You can have the highest quality work.
You can have the lowest cost.
You can have the fastest practical completion time.
Pick which two of the above you want.........
Sheldon
A friend of our train group decided he wanted an HO Scale train layout. It was suggested that certain guys do certain parts of his layout. I designed the framework for layout, priced out the wood (within reason) and started to build the layout. The layout is 23 feet by 23 feet with a 23 foot center section. Basically the layout is in the shape of an “E”. One level, all flat, no risers. Once we started getting the wood for framing that took me about 4-6 weeks to do, few hours a day, one or two days a week. Next was the plywood tops. We had to get the lumber yard to rip the 4’x’8’ pieces in certain sizes since we could not take the sheets in its whole down to the basement.
Once the plywood was painted, I added them to the framework. Probably a few weeks to add all sections and to secure them to the framework. Next was to build dividers between scenes on the layout. That took a few weeks as each time was 3-4 hours with him helping. Another friend helped with some of the framing to make the dividers curved and then we added Masonite to the frames.
My last job was installing the NCE system. That took me 2 days to do, again a few hours each day.
The next team went in there once a week 4 hours a day for a few months to come up with a track plan, put down the track and add the track drops. More time to add the drops to the track buss. As of this past May, his layout is running. He’s still adding ballast and adjusting some track for industries.
Total time with above work schedule; just under 18 months.
One piece of information. This gentlemen is now 81 years old, had nothing to start the railroad, other than a wallet with no spending limit. All of us guided him and he’s very happy and grateful for all of his friends to being his dream to fruition.
NO, I am NOT for hire!
Neal
In the Canadian Army, we have a wise saying, "Time spent on recce is seldom wasted." Recce being a diminutive for reconnaissance. Substitute 'planning and prepartion', and you have even more wisdom, but more relevant here.
Thinking it through, writing up a plan and making a scale diagramme, sourcing supplies (and keeping a live list going...), and then being prepared to run hard for at least four hours a day. This will have you running inside of three or four months, unless we're talking about a massive enterprise.
gregc but i wonder what it takes to get a layout built quickly, operational within a year?
but i wonder what it takes to get a layout built quickly, operational within a year?
First of all, how big is this layout of yours? That will decide a lot.
1. Money. You have to be willing to buy everything you need immediately. Eliminate the waiting for XYZ to finish projects.
2. No tinkering. Make a checklist of major goals for your layout and then only work on projects pertaining to those goals. You'll have to stick to this schedule. Don't wander down rabbit holes detailing locomotives and rolling stock. That can come later.
3. Start planning before you start the timer. The planning stage will arguably take the most time. Building a layout is easy once you have a solid road map.
4. Don't plan on scratchbuilding any major structures. Scratchbuilding structures (especially large ones, or bridges) takes a long time. No board-by-board trestles. You'll have to make some sacrafices, and if you're worried about speed, don't plan on superdetailing anything.
Matt
we've finally resumed work sessions on a layout. i started helping after a significant portion was already built, but have helped with some a non-trivial interlock software and completed wiring 3 staging loops.
i assume group of friends helping and consistent (weekly) work sessions. i've recently been surprised and satisfied by some coordinated effort but wonder if there can be too many people
i also wonder about planning. presumably this includes having materials available, working on the appropriate sections of the layout and presumably people with the appropriate skills.
the other thing becoming apparent is the ultimate need to have enough people to operate the layout.
i wonder what the 3 or 4 most important things are, as well as things to avoid doing
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading