ModelRailroader.com Reader Poll – March 4, 2003

[Bergie]

As spring arrives, do you think you made more progress on your model railroad this winter versus last? Please vote then share you comments below.

Polls on Trains.com are not scientific and reflect only the opinions of the users who have chosen to participate. The results cannot be assumed to represent the opinions of Internet users in general, the readers of our magazines, nor the public as a whole. Bottom line, our polls are meant for fun and to stimulate conversation amongst our forum users.

[Fergmiester]

Though my progress has been slow it has been progressive. This time last year I was hitting the books and studying.

I haven't laid down any new track in 2 years, but I a have replaced several sections and added several new buildings and started to ballast.

If its not a MESS give it five minutes!

[CP5415]

I've made progress. Three steps backward, one step forward.
I've finally got up off my butt & redesigning the inner lap section of track, double tracking most of it, adding better access to the yard & planning for industry that I plan on having.

I hope to have it done by the end of the month.

Gordon

[ShaunCN]

about the same.

[trainfan1221]

Definitely, got some ballasting done, and cleaned up a bit.

[tomwatkins]

Definitely more progress. Of course, last winter I was still working, leaving home Monday morning and getting home Thursday afternoon. This winter I'm retired and it is wonderful.
Have Fun,
Tom Watkins

[Anonymous]

Got so much done this winter, I almost don't want to see it get warm again![;)]
Please note that I said almost![:D]

[Anonymous]

I got much more done. There are a few reasons:

1) I met some more experienced modellers and started helping build a layout at another modeller's house. I learned some techniques and asked questions.

2) I decided it was better to build and make mistakes rather than not do anything--once I got over my "analysis paralysis" I made real progress. I was too afraid of screwing up, but I didn't have enough experience to really know what I wanted, so I decided to just build something. I can fix or change what doesn't work or that I don't like.

3) Spent less time on line reading forums and more time building and modelling.

Gary

[Big_Boy_4005]

The first was taken the day after Christmas, and the second just a few days ago.
I have been working on other things too, but this is the big project, a 10' diameter helix, and I should finish by the end of the week!

[orsonroy]

Last winter, I was just finishing remodeling the basement, and had barely begun benchwork.

As of last night, the benchwork is done, the backdrops are in and painted sky color, the mainline is in for 1& 1/2 of my three lavels, and feeders and buss lines are partially complete. That's a LOT of progress for one person working on a layout in only 11 months!

[Anonymous]

Last winter I was in an apartment, trying just to survive a nasty divorce.

Now I live in a house (still renting), more room, and I can work on some layouts. I've got two benches built, working on a third for an around-the-room layout. They're 2 feet deep by 8 feet long, and one is 2 X 6 feet.

For Big_Boy4005, nice work on the helix. What radius is it and did you design and build it yourself? I'd be curious to know the lengths and angles of the end cuts on your octagonal base.

[ClinchValleySD40]

No question about it. I finished the benchwork and have 1/3 of the mainline track down and wired. For me, a good winters work.

[AggroJones]

The same slow pace.

[Anonymous]

Not a lot of progress last winter mainly due to lack of funds. I had a jammed full house over Christmas for two weeks. My bank book took a severe hit, still, it was worth it. I'll make up for it over the summer.

[Anonymous]

Due to moving I was set back a bit in my progress this winter compared to last winter, But am nearly ready to lay down all new track & turnouts as well as expanding my layout to twice the curent size. Modernizing & becoming much more hightech in its opperation thanks to some of the nice informative advice & comments that I have gathered from this web site. PS; So I guess that will make me a Hightech Redneck,......Just Kidding....................."Leave'm Laughing"

[Anonymous]

I may be able to start on my first layout this year, and therefore I am buying equipment and tools at a faster rate. It will only be a 4' by 8', but the (HO scale) Burlington Route in the mid- 1940's is still very much to look forward to building. Your magazine has also taught me a good deal about modeling in a very short time. I will get much more work done in summer, though. Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and all the other "Hill Lines" are the best! EVERYWHERE WEST/WAY of the ZEPHYRS!

[Anonymous]

The upcoming "Maritime Federation of Model Railroaders" Convention here in Saint John, NB is the motivating force--I have been working feverishly to get ready for a layout tour.

Steve
www.geocities.com/carletonrr

[nkpltrr]

It seems like winter passes by faster each year. I did progress some with rewiring my layout. I am trying to wire it for both dc and dcc operation. I do not have any dcc controls yet but I plan to add it to the layout within this year. I have so much old equipment that I wanted to be able to run either for awhile longer so hence the dual wiring. It has been a challenge but I look foward to being all dcc someday before I pass on to the great model rr layout in the sky!!!

[chapmon]

Although I know what layout I want to build, I have the basic benchwork built, but the industrial design I want to accomplish isn't easy.

After seeing all the great accomplishments by others out there, I keep getting new ideas, and trying to get past "track plan block" to figure out how to best implement them. I'll get started someday. Meanwhile I've been building structures, freight cars, and putting decoders in locos.

Mike[:)]

[Anonymous]

Well, sure. I had just started collecting things last winter, and spent a good part of the year accumulating locomotives, cars, tracks, buildings, power packs, etc.

Now I'm running three trains on the floor where my waterbed used to be (for the enjoyment of me and my cat, who is fascinated by these things -- I can tell she wants to touch them, but she doesn't while I'm there).

I don't know that I'll have any kind of beginning of a real layout by this time next year, but I'm glad I'm involved even at the level I am. It is a lot of fun and a great reliever of stress. I do need to get it off the floor though. [;>)]

[Anonymous]

I did about the same as I did last year, because my layout is in the basement and I don't like the idea of going down into a cold basement. I do most of my work in the other three months as I find it more enjoyable to work in the warmer tempurature. My layout is in a state of work, it will never be done as I think of new things as I go along.
PS For those of you that are thinking about heat, I do have heat but keep it low or off most of the time and by the time it gets warm the mood is usually gone

[Anonymous]

I got much more done this winter! built a new city section, bought a layout from a friend and added that to my layout, cleaned everything up real good, sold stuff i no longer needed and now ready to get the boat in water and do some fishing.. There is no better feeling then setting goals at the beginning of winter and making those goals. ..

[Anonymous]

I haven't begun my own layout yet, but I joined a railroad club after retiring.
The club has been a very big help in getting me up to speed after being out of railroading for about thirty five years. Have purchased a couple of locomotives, some rolling stock and DCC.
Don

[sparkingbolt]

I did very little last winter, some trackwork that had to be redone. Benchwork has been done for over 2 years.

This winter ,actually starting late summer,I made huge progress, went from very little track which wasn't wired, to getting 97% of the layouts track laid and operational, including manually thrown (from the panel) electrofrog handlaid switches -19, which were built in '91 on the workbench.

Also installed mechanically operated (hand throw lever) permanent magnet uncoupling devices that are invisible and extremely reliable.

No scenery done yet, I have a couple electrical problems to solve too.

I also assembled about 35-40 freight cars, from various mfgrs, the largest number being P2K, as well as getting some more locos running and buying others.

Plus progress has been made in other areas too. For my layout, it has been by far the most productive winter ever.

[Anonymous]

I would say I made progress, as I have torn out my old layout that was about 40 years old and started refinishing my basement to better showcase a whole new layout that will be almost twice the size in the same space as the old one. I will inclued DCC onthe new layout as well as use most of the new style of doing scenery like using foamboard instead of a plastershell.

[Anonymous]

Last year my layout was 100 square feet in size and this year it is about 400 square feet. Almost all the bench work is in and most of the main line. I also have two yards completed that will hold over 200 cars each installed and one of the industrial areas started. And best of all my DCC is working and those Canadian Nation trains are running on most of it. Still lots to do but I have definitely made progress this year.

[Anonymous]

A lot more progess. this year.( I just started my HO layout in Nov.}

[Hawks05]

considering last year i never thought i would have model trains i'm doing pretty good. i have the benchwork up so now i just need to designe a track plan, paint the benchwork and start laying track i'll be on my way. i have come along way in just over 6 months.

[Anonymous]

I don't have a layout yet. Have 8 steamers, one sw switcher, most with decoders. The wife is vacating a section of basement and might have either a 10'X10' area with a seven foot by 26" wide panhandle for a yard. Constructing more buildings and rolling stock than a year ago. Just need to come up with a layout design. [:)] Retirement maybe this year, then L-O-O-K O-U-T!!!!![:D]

[jjbmish]

Definitely got more done this winter. After 10 years of having no layout I was able to start building benchwork, paint the backdrop, start laying track and I actually had some of the track powered up for the first time last evening. Man it was good to have trains running again. Since the weather is still cold I plan on getting more done before camping season gets here.