Building a layout at an older age and considerations

[pwentzell]

What does age have to do with having fun with trains? Nothing at all. I am 83 and having fun with N guage trains. I currently have two lay outs, one with 6 lines of track and the other with 4 lines. I enjoy watching them run. I let them run for short periods of time as many lines in operation as I choose. Some go in one direction and some in the opposite direction. I can have a busy time or a slow time as I choose. I guess there are presently about 150 cars, probably 10 locomotives, only two steam the rest diesel. I addition there are two small sets complete one Amtrack and one Frontier which can be set up Christmas. Fellows have fun. The Good Lord has let me live to enjoy what e bay can provide for me. I thank God every day for the blessings he has showered on this old manl.

[selector]

Good for you, pwentzell!! Many happy returns.

-Crandell

[krump]

no duck-unders
no lift-outs
no drop-downs
no climb-overs (way too dangerous)
no swing-outs (unless that layout portion is attached to the door)
layout height no higher than your armpits
layout depth 32 inches maximum from walls
keep it functional, and understand your control system (in my case, it's a K I S S method)
use screws to build / fasten the benchwork - easier to undo
add adjustable leg bases that can be screwed tighter/looser to adjust height, balance benchwork
keep trainroom on the main living level of the house to avoid the need for the use of stairs for yourself or your visitors (consider that some may have canes, wheelchairs, scooters)
consider grab-bars on the edge of the benchwork - to steady the unsteady (like me) when visiting
keep a journal log-book of how you did, what you did - good for trouble-shooting issues
planning, planning, planning ...
and take pictures of your progress (also helpful if needed for insuring the railroad)

mostly be creative and enjoy, Happy TRAINing, remember, it's YOUR layout and YOUR hobby, YOUR preferences - the above comments are not relevant unless something appeals to you

[jxtrrx]

Krump-
Great list!

[cacole]

I'll be 69 in January, and I'm planning an HO scale layout. N scale is out of the question because of deteriorating eyesight and the fact that I have a lot of HO scale engines and rolling stock. I would never use open grid or L girder benchwork. I built a club layout that is on hollow core doors with a 2x4 framework, and that's how I'll build my home layout. Make it strong enough to get up onto if the need should arise, and it most assuredly will sooner or later.

[Isambard]

Have courage you young braves that haven't turned 60 yet! Our club has members ranging from 16 to 86. The eldest member, who got into model railroading about 15 years ago, puts some of the younger ones to shame (including me) when he works underneath his module or tackles other stuff.

The Krump list above is right on the mark!

[cwclark]

i'm 46 and time and a lot of football in my younger days are taking it's toll on my body ..I am currently building a layout while taking all this into consideration...first of all, i do HO scale because my eyes are really bad now and my dexterity with all those small parts is not what it used to be ( can't imagine working with those tiny N scale parts even though i do like N scale layouts) ...secondly..I built my layout higher than any of my previous layouts..that way i don't have to stoop as low to get to stuff under the layout..and finally, i've learned to do most of my wiring on the side of the L girder benchwork instead of under it...the only wires that go under the benchwork go directly to the component i'm powering up and abruptly will go from under the layout to the side of the benchwork...that way I can sit on a rollable chair and work from the side, not continuously from under the benchwork....just some thoughts...chuck

[ndbprr]

I'm 60 and asked the same question a few weeks ago and got roundly pooh poohed which surprised me. I don't think there is a lot of value in layouts per se but what is on them. I am starting to document all my rolling stock with an approximate value from E Bay and a description of each piece so when the time comes I assume room temperature my family will have an orderly way of disposing of my trains and an idea of value so they don't get taken. I am also filing good digital pictures to enhance value when the sale time comes. Beyond that I think the layout will wind up in the garbage truck over time.

[Anonymous]

Krump's list is right on, except that a basement may still be the best place for a layout, especially if one has acess to it from a ground level, such as what's called a 'daylight basement'. Within reason, basement stairs are good exercise for those with arthritis. (I know) Just make sure that they aren't too steep and that sturdy handrails meet appropriate building codes. Consider carpeting the stairs as well, for you could always slide down them on your butt ! A bathroom located in the basement is also a great idea, as anyone over 50 knows that the 'urge to go' becomes more frequent with even less warning !

Consider mounting as much of the benchwork on a cantileavered type of framework that elimates many of the benchwork legs closest to the aisles. Horizontal blocking, either mounted within the actual wall framing (if you haven't drywalled yet), or attached to the outside of the walls and into the studs (with screws/NOTwith nails), and the benchwork attached to those horizontal members, will facilitate removal later on without doing much damage at all to the drywall'd surface. Special, easy to use masonary fasteners, such as 'Tapcon screws', are available that make it practical to attach wood furring strips or 2X4s against a poured concrete or cement block wall.

A walk-around track plan no more than 30" from the wall to the fascia edge makes alterations and maintainence easier, especially if only scenery is located close to the wall. Avoid a lot of hidden trackwork that is usually hard to reach when things go wrong, and forget hidden staging yards - they look good on paper, but can be hard to live with day-to-day. Keep fragile stuff away from the front edge of the layout that would be all to easy to damage when reaching across the finished layout.

When prepping a space for a new layout (if in a garage or a basement) consider only furring the outside walls and attaching your backdrop directly to the furring strips. That way when and if you should decide to move to another house, that area could be easily converted to living space for alternate uses, besides a model RR room. (of couse, the same holds true if you attach the backdrop to conventional 2X4 framing) Painting backdrops directly on existing drywall may pose a problem later if one wants to paint the walls for use in a non-model RR room, for the underlying texture painting, bright colors, etc. may be hard to paint over.

As for wiring, a neat installation will pay dividends later on, with clearly labeled wires (use permanent ink markers on some sort of durable tape/labels) and also prepare a wiring diagram (w/ accompaning photos for clarity); that will make trouble-shooting much easier after the 'how and the why' have faded from memory - and they will ! Avoid any sharp obstructions under the benchwork, and ensure that the wood framework doesn't have splinters, etc., Also, install some sort of a ceiling - such as a suspended ceiling (which allows access to pipes, wiring, etc. in case of a problem later on). Install more than adequate lighting before any benchwork is more than just roughed-in. It's almost impossible to do the ceiling and lighting after the layout is scenicked. A door that seals off the model RR room will eliminate a lot of dust and some critters, incl. grandkids, unless they're invited into the room. A dehumidifier may be needed in many basements, and that will prevent much of the seasonal expansion and contraction of the benchwork and trackwork, plus help prevent the formation of mold which is unhealty to you, the layout, and to any wood framing members.

I'd also consider carpeting the floor, especially the aisles; extended periods of standing on concrete is hard on one's legs, and often cold. Use a solid & reasonably light colored carpet without a pattern or deep piles; locating errant Kadee coupler springs will be a lot easier than if you have to wade thru varigated-colored 'shag' carpet.

Inexpensive plastic containers mounted on equally inexpensive rolling carts (try Harbor Freight for both) come in handy for storing parts, equipment, and tools. Easy to read labels should be used on all such containers, and that should eliminate a lot of moving of heavy cartons and searching thru boxes that are stored under the benchwork.

And have a telephone nearby in case of any emergency, for you may often be working or operating alone down in the basement. Obviously there are many other considerations, but I thought I'd share some of those that I am incorporating into my 'final' (lol) layout in a basement. btw. I'm 60 yrs old, and my much younger spouse is becoming very interested in model RRs now, so I don't plan on worrying what will become of my RR when I'm no longer around. She's just insisting that I have DCC iinstalled in all my engines !
BILL

[cmrproducts]

So what have I done now that I am looking at retirement (I’m 58 – 3 years – 3 months and 29 days to go) and the kids are gone? I went and sold the little house and bought one twice as big. Everyone asks why? Cause now the kids are bringing their kids home for a visit and they usually stay the weekend.

But the real reason was to have a real basement, all to myself!

This time I designed the basement my way. Nothing in the road, no windows, no furnace or water heater, no stairs, just the posts in the middle to hold the roof (and the rest of the house) up.

At 25 x 75 feet this will be my biggest layout and most of it I am doing myself. I started it back in 2000 and my boys helped get the bench work and track laid. That helped a lot and putting down 2700 feet of HO track went rather quickly.

I am now doing the rest myself and with this being my retirement layout I am in no hurry to get it done.

It is able to host operations and I have them every other Thursday night and even host OPTUD’s (OP Till U Drop) sessions usually twice a year.

Am I having fun, YEP! And I plan on doing so for a long time!

BOB H – Clarion, PA

[Eriediamond]

Hey ya'll, Thanks for all your input into this. I am constructing this layout for my enjoyment only, with the exception of an occassionable visitor once in awhile. The suggestions, ideas, opinions and past experiences from you are sincerely appreciated. Thanks, Ken

[pastorbob]

Okay, I am 69, the current layout is 3 decks in an area 26 ft by 35 ft, started this one in 1988, and it is complete. It also will not come out of the basement except in pieces. My wife knows who to call if I die to take care of selling all the equipment, etc, and she has the name of a good wrecker to remove the railroad.

Since my current HO layout was started in 1988, it has a duckunder, a lift bridge, and the lowest deck requires some bending. But it all works and so do I.

I retired once at age 62, didn't like it, went back to work, still at it. Don't plan to retire again unless one of us ends up in bad health. Oh, I also have a garden railroad out back. Started in serious model railroading when I was 16, and have been at it since.

Bob

[Dave553]

The fact that you're taking on N scale at 64 years young tells me you can do whatever you want to! I'm "only" 52 and my eyes and clumsy fingers are getting worse by the day, it seems, so HO is about as small as I want. Your consideration for others is very commendable, but it's your railroad so do whatever will make you happy.

[gvdobler]

I pondered the same thing. I've noticed that a lot of the nice layouts in the magazines will say that the owner has been working on the layout for 15 or 20 years and they are about half done. Yikes.

That would mean that starting anything too big might be a mistake given the math involved. I also read that in MR that a lot of projects get abandoned because they were started way to big and the builder becomes discouraged.

If you like to work with your hands and don't start a 2,000 sq. ft. two-level layout, then what could be more fun than this hobby. You probably won't break your leg like skiing and skydiving and you spouse will usually know where you are. Either at the LHS or in the basement.

Good luck and post pictures of your progress.

[Anonymous]

I think the earlier gentlemen are absolutely right, build for yourself, there is no guarantee what will happen to it. I am pretty impressed also you are doing N scale. I am younger than you and I can't do it. HO is challenging to me at times due to its size and my sight. Hopefully someone will appreciate your thoughtfullness and be appreciative of what you left behind for them. Maybe even a childrens club or school could take your layout, or a church or something if your club wouldn't want it.

[hunter48820]

I've not been on this forum for awhile. This discussion interests me since I am almost 61 and am building a very large layout by myself.

I really don't care if I ever get it done or what happens to it after I'm gone. We live in a fairly large house and have no plans to ever leave it. Knowing my wife, if she is around after I'm gone, she'll keep the layout for the grandkids that might be interested in operating it. If not, my son also likes trains.

The joy I get of going down to the basement and just working on the layout is all I need from this hobby. What ever anyone else gets from it when I'm done is just a plus!!

Merry Christmas![:)]

[selector]

I am not as (well) aged as the majority of responders to this thread, but I feel that if you can be happy getting what you want out of the hobby, and do not get so engrossed in it that you lose touch with the other important things that make you a whole person, you will have discovered the secret to getting the most out of it at any age.

[Anonymous]

The only thing I might have considered doing differently would be a bigger scale. I just turned 40 this year, and my eyesight ain't what it once was. I model in On30, and I really like the advantages it gives me from HO. Like a lot of people have said though, do what makes you happy. If you like N scale, knock yourself out. There are lots of cool things on the market now.

[GAPPLEG]

58 and still kicking, I build what I want, the only thing I've made sure of was access, no duck unders, I have hinged crossovers in front of the door, and swinging hinged crossovers in the aisles. As for when I'm gone...... well I guess the wife can sell it all. But I had fun.