Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry
I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...
http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/
My layout is finished when the initial rate of construction is reduced commensurate with the amount of time I turn to things not related to construction. I tend to go hard and short for several months until I have the ground foam glued, some trees pressed into the surface, structures placed, some human figures here and there, and the track is ballasted and weathered. I turn to playing with my trains wholesale at that point. I continue to make the odd tree, move things, repair some track, add a new bit of track, add a detail, but by that time my layout is finished. I am usually more interested in the next one by that time. So far, I have been interested in building the next one for about a year now. It is unlikely to happen any time soon, so I keep adding a tree or a detail.....
-Crandell
Barry,Good question with many answers..Having "finished" several ISLs I would say the layout is "finish" whenever the builder reaches his/her goal.You see and IMHO one can only detail or rework a layout to a certain degree and if the layout was planned well there should be no need to revamp the layout's oridginal design...
As far as thought old worn out thought "A layout is never finish" is IMHO pure horse hocky..I just can't see that because I seen many finish layouts based on the builder's goal...After all there is a stopping point.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I think that is well said, Larry...when the builder's goals have been met, the layout is finished.
My layout will be finished when it will not have any space to put something in. In my case, I streeeeeeeeeeeeeeecht that moment !!!!
When you tear it down to start on the next one.
loathar When you tear it down to start on the next one.
Loather, you almost took the words out of my mouth. I was just about to say "when one decides to start the next layouot."
Mark
I suspect that very few layouts are ever truly finished, even using the definition of having met the builder's goals. I have scenery on less than 20% my layout, and have already identified areas that I will return to later to modify and improve. And my layout's not even very big.
Maybe something is finished when there's just no more enjoyment to be derived from working on it any more. This hobby is supposed to be fun anyway, isn't it?
Jim
"I am lapidary but not eristic when I use big words." - William F. Buckley
I haven't been sleeping. I'm afraid I'll dream I'm in a coma and then wake up unconscious. -Stephen Wright
First I agree with Larry, then Loathers comment was just as good. So I like both of those comments!!
I think its done, if you have no more room. As far as track, mountains, buildings, etc. I don't count little stuff like trees, telephone poles, or misc. pieces. Right now my layout is about 45% done. All the track is done, and all of the mountains are done. Now its just mainly detail stuff, trees, grass, etc
"Rust, whats not to love?"
The responses above seem to make some sense, done when done, my question is from reading many replies to various forums is, just what some of the MR's to do with the immense amount of model railroading equipment they seem to have(and still are) accumulating by the hundreds stashed away never to be used in their lifetime, they could never build other or new layouts and hope to use up any amount of "stuff" they have accumulated. Buildings, kits, cars (300? 500?) engines, track, tools, paints, etc. etc. etc. just how long do they think they will live? Most couldn't use up all their stuff in 4 lifetimes.
Finished is finished or maybe it is never finished, all up to the individual. But I must wonder if there is actually someone who has built a layout (finished it) and never did any more work on the system again, just rolls down to the basement with a mr. pibb in one hand and sat down and "played with trains" Is it possible????
Well said Loather !
Lothar:
I agree that is one.
The other is when 6 of your best friends are carrying you by the handles and the family left behind has a yard sale.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
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Actualy over the years I have finished several ISLs.My late wife and I finished a 36"x80" HC door layout and I proceeded to use that layout from 1980-1987...During that 7 year span I didn't add or remove anything simply because there was nothing left to do..We also displayed this layout several times at various train shows.
Is a layout finish? Again that's up to the modeler..One doesn't need to keep changing things once the layout has reached its operational goal* and detail level.
*The operational goal should include 100% derailment free operation..This can be obtain by smooth track work.
In my opinion, a layout is never truly "finished". Even if you finish the scenery and everything looks done, there's always the possibility of wanting to make changes or improvements. Also, maintaining track, wiring, and rolling stock is never "finished".
Kevin
http://chatanuga.org/RailPage.html
http://chatanuga.org/WLMR.html
blownout cylinderWhat I'm asking is --where do you draw the line and when do you call your layout finished?
I don't. I never have finished one.
My layout will be done when I look at it and think "there is not one more thing I can add or take away, and not one more different operating scenario I can play." That is when I will consider my layout done.
When will my layout be where I can say "ok, now it's ready to be unveiled"? When I've gotten track down, basic scenery, figures, vehicles, and the thing is operating smoothly.
Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout
Phoebe Vet Lothar: I agree that is one. The other is when 6 of your best friends are carrying you by the handles and the family left behind has a yard sale.
No doubt! When your next of kin sell it off and say Glad THAT'S over with!
That brings up a new topic. Modeling coffin sized layouts!
Speaking only for myself, there are several degrees of 'finished' applicable to my 'last in this lifetime' layout.
1 is long past, 2 is still in the future, 3 more so, 4 a decade (or more) down the line. As for 5 - when that cat with the black cloak and scythe shows up, he'd better bring help. I won't be going peacefully!.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - for the forseeable future)
The grandchildren really enjoy the train, so I hope that it will live on when I am gone.
tatansFinished is finished or maybe it is never finished, all up to the individual. But I must wonder if there is actually someone who has built a layout (finished it) and never did any more work on the system again, just rolls down to the basement with a mr. pibb in one hand and sat down and "played with trains" Is it possible????
Finished is finished or maybe it is never finished, all up to the individual. But I must wonder if there is actually someone who has built a layout (finished it) and never did any more work on the system again, just rolls down to the basement with a mr. pibb in one hand and sat down and "played with trains" Is it possible????
tatans"played with trains"
"played with trains"
~G4
19 Years old, modeling the Cowlitz, Chehalis, and Cascade Railroad of Western Washington in 1927 in 6X6 feet.
Midnight Railroader blownout cylinderWhat I'm asking is --where do you draw the line and when do you call your layout finished? I don't. I never have finished one.
There is a point in your statement that sounded like the exact comment a certain painter that we had as an artist in residence said: His comment came down to the question of the ouevre, or rather, the collection of works, that an artist ha, and how each piece relates to the overall collection. We seem to think in terms of discrete pieces rather than an overall schema. If one is more into the process then maybe the 'idea'--"finished"--really has no relevence.
Where would you place process in your endeavour, then? Oh BTW--this question is open to all as it is part of the overall theme---of finishedness---
"Finished" is a relative term.
But I agree, it is "finished" when you tear it down, or when you die.
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
IVRWPlaying with Trains: A Passion Beyond Scale by Sam Posey I always wanted to read it but was afraid that it would be a technical book, or have nothing to do with MRRing. One day, when I had to finish a certain number of reading hours for a summer reading program, I decided to take a chance and read it. It turned out to be the best book I have ever read.
In my own opinion, you need to read more books, then.
I read it, and found to be about half a book's worth of material, at whcih point the rest began to read like filler his editor requested to round out the page count.
blownout cylinderWhere would you place process in your endeavour, then?
The process of creating is much of the point of the hobby, to me, but not all--I like operating as well.
However, in my pursuit of miniature perfection, I frequently return to something I previously created, and finding glaring flaws in it now (or having developed better skills), and thus, feel compelled to do it over, and hopefully, better this time.
Midnight Railroader However, in my pursuit of miniature perfection, I frequently return to something I previously created, and finding glaring flaws in it now (or having developed better skills), and thus, feel compelled to do it over, and hopefully, better this time.
That is more the artists' edginess, I find. I tend towards this myself--I'm reminded of a "superrealist" painter who would spend upwards of 5 years or more on a painting simply because of that very thing. Another painter, a Netherlandish artist named Vermeer had the same sort of methodology--if you looked at the drapes in his paintings you would see even the weave of the material---
The more one developes the art, the more needs to refine what they do---
Hi,
IMHO, a layout is NEVER "finished"! Yes, it may have fine running trains and beautiful structures and scenery, but there is always something that could be added or changed or what have you.
Your question, however, is very subjective, and everyone's opinion is as valid as the next person's.
FWIW,
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
My layout will be "finished" when my Wife throws me into the Grave................ Kevin
I agree with Larry also. And most posts show he is correct in that it's a modelers goals that define done.Just like any project, many say they are done when they have what they want at the level they want to acheive. I've seen layouts that are done with just track on plywood and some people look at it as a house with no walls. But he is happy with it. Others will never be done. And not just because it takes forever to come up with time/money. I've also noticed a few differing definitions of done in here. Barry? Another point to define for another thread? What is done?
Todd
Central Illinoyz
In order to keep my position as Master and Supreme Ruler of the House, I don't argue with my wife.
I'm a small town boy. A product of two people from even smaller towns. I don’t talk on topic….. I just talk.
TMarshI've also noticed a few differing definitions of done in here. Barry? Another point to define for another thread? What is done?
Don't tempt me---I'm already thinking about that!!!
blownout cylinderThe more one developes the art, the more needs to refine what they do---
I would define that as "growth" as it applies to the artist.