Anyone Feel Just the Opposite?

[SpaceMouse]

I've been working on my layout design so long I just had to take a break and build something.

[selector]

I just took a break from painting determined to find the right values for CV 02 (V-Start) on my two oldest steamers. Got that done, only to find that I also had to adjust the chuff rate on the P2K 0-6-0 as a result. Someone once gave me a fine A/B set of F2's, and I programmed CV 02 in that as well. AAaaaahhhhh!! [:D]

[MisterBeasley]

There's an old saying here in seafarin' Massachusetts - "Are ya gonna fish or cut bait?" At some time, it's right to just go out and do something - anything - to make real progress. While you're lining up the benchwork with a T-square, suddenly the solution to your reverse-loop-versus-wye problem will jump out at you.

In software engineering, we often use the "waterfall" model for design. At some point, we go off and actually start building something, well before we've nailed down all the details in a planning document. The early prototyping and building phase feeds back on the later-stage design, and results in a better product. It's also a faster process, and it brings the "doers" in better contact with the "thinkers."

[JohnT14808]

When you get to feelin' that way, Chip, then get out a building kit, or make 8 or 10 trees, or swap out some plastic wheels for metal. Something...anything....to get away from paper and dreaming and trying to scale it all out.....
Take the kids for an ice cream....mow the lawn??!? Do a couple of items on the 'honey do' list? Then you feel good about coming back to the layout plan later.

[jwar]

Been there done that. I wonder how many modelers actually build thier layout as per the exact plans wihout any changes.

Was in the design doldums and just started building the benchwork to fit the room, glad I did, would still be on paper, ther isnt any perfect track plan...unless ya got a airplane hanger to build in. Go for it....seen your plans...Vats yer holdup....take care John

[Tracklayer]

Oh yeah. Been that, done there... I'm in the planning stages of a layout right now, and I'm at the point that I'm about ready to flip out because there's so many designs to choose from that I can't decide on just one. So, I'm going to have to put it down for a while and get involved in something else until I feel refreshed enough to settle on what I'm going to do.

Tracklayer

[BRAKIE]

Well,it is my policy to do one project at a time till its finish instead of flip flopping from project to project..You see that's how I get things done and layouts finish..As far as planing layouts I don't waste the time of drawing a plan I simply envision what I want and go from there...Of course I do not recommend this for those with faint hearts and little experiences in layout designs and building.

As a suggestion on planing YOUR layout..Decide on your givens and druthers base solely on what you will like to have and forget anything you may have read in some layout book or on any forum that has talk about layout designs..You see what the author of a layout book likes may not please you and the same can be said about forum replies as well..
As I have often stated..A layout is such a personal thing that must please the builder and nobody else...[:D]

[selector]

Tracklayer, I would guess that your hold-up (hang-up), or at least a good part of it, is that you know you won't feel ownership of someone else's plan. It just won't be 'the same' for you, so you keep stalling.

My advice, if you would consider it, is to take several strong ideas, and ma***hem up into a plan that you can call your own. I'm betting that it won't be long before you are vacuuming up sawdust. [:)]

[SpaceMouse]

Thanks for all the sugestions to my old post. Since then I painted a Climax and I am pretty much over it. I am going to start on a mine kit soon. I should be dying to get back to planning after that.

[loathar]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jwar

Been there done that. I wonder how many modelers actually build thier layout as per the exact plans wihout any changes.

Was in the design doldums and just started building the benchwork to fit the room, glad I did, would still be on paper, ther isnt any perfect track plan...unless ya got a airplane hanger to build in. Go for it....seen your plans...Vats yer holdup....take care John

[#ditto]
I get something close on paper,do my bench work and go from there.I'd rather work on trains than Cad software.I like the fact that there's always something else to do if you get bored with one particular thing.

[Anonymous]

Yup, if you're tired of building bench work or laying track, there's always that boxcar kit (or 10 [:D]) to put together, or that building to build, or that existing loco to program or that existing rolling stock to weather. More than enough things to do...

[rexhea]

Chip
When you start to feel the excitement of Christmas Eve, it's time to get back to the drawing board. However, as already stated, you need to get off the pot and get to building the part of the plan that you know will not change (for awhile). Once you get going, new ideas will come to mind that wouldn't while drawing. Don't be afraid to tear out and re-do. Gads! I have done that several times after I thought things were well thought out.
Examples:
Completely tore out my class. yard because I realized it wasn't going to do the job.
Removed track and cut out a 4x4 area of benchwork, reframed for an operating pit.
Built second level in area that was suppose to be a low area.
Built extension peninsula for passenger service with town.
Installed larger turntable than originally planned
Put hills where valleys were suppose to be.

The list goes on and my layout plan is probably on revision 20, but these things never came to mind until after I started building. Go with what you have and you will see more fun than you have imagined.

REX [;)]