"How many layouts have you built and what did you learn from them?"

[Anonymous]

My first trainset was a 4x8 table (Plywood) And it was a basic oval around the the whole track with some turnouts, and small time staging areas. No Roadbed though, also it had to run off tracks that stoped at the edge of the table ( The corner...) for extensions.

I hated the way that it was set up because it was not something I planed it was an exact copy out of one of the Model Railroader books( At least an exact copy of the track plane but not anything else...[V])
Plus wiring was next to impossible to accomplish...[xx(] The area was Under neath the table was closed off.... for good.[banghead]

SSSOOOO I took everything off the table exept the meeger scenery, and then took a Chainsaw to the table and cut it up...[(-D]
And used the 2x4 pieces of the old table to start the new set.
Which is done in diaramas... piece by piece. [tup]
I learned that Starting big (4x8) Is not the best way to go sometimes ( especially if your a newbie to model railroading. and a small start (2x4 or 3x4 Point A to B Diaramas are better... at least for me!
[:0]Oh and I almost forgot USE ROADBED! It makes too much noise with out roadbed...[D)][:D]

[jrbernier]

I have built 4 HO layouts(3 in my parents house, 1 in my house):

1) 1965 - 5' by 9' layout based on MR 'Ma & Pa series. 18" radius curves.

2) 1966 - Same 5' by 9' frame with 'legs'. based on MR PH&C series. 22" radius curves and some early 'staging'. Good Layout, learned to 'operate'.

3) 1968 - Larger, 8' by 13' layout. Hand laid code 70 trackage(running with the big 'dog's). Layout never finished(went in the Army).

4) 1972 - back from the Army, tore down layout #3 and rebuilt on the same footprint. Code 70(Lambert/Shinohara) trackage, 30" radius, with a small branch line.

5) 1987 - New home/new layout. 25' by 20' area to build layout in. Present layout is still here, and is operational.

What I have I learned?

1) A basic 4' by 8'(or 5' by 9') layout is great for 'first time'. You really learn basic construction, and can then really gauge what your wants/desires are.

2) Try to settle on a good basic plan, and build it. Too many layouts 'change' as the owner discovers something new. There is nothing wrong with change, but one needs to complete that first layout. Too many times the first layout is junked as too many 'changes' have left their toll, and the builder wants to just start over. Many times they never get to the scenery stage, and even the follow-on layouts will suffer from this as the builder has not developed 'skills' in that area(or electrical, etc...).

3) Make a decision about what is going to be left on the layout and what will either be stored in the box or put on a display shelf. Too many layouts become a repository for the owners acumulation for engines/cars. the layout gets 'stuffed', and construction stops. I have a shelf system under my layout for storage and only 60+ cars and about 10 engines are on the layout. 30+ other engines & 300+ cars are stored. I know the layout cannot operate good if I stuff the tracks with cars.

Jim Bernier

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cwclark

Gary...couldn't find the old one in a search.... Chuck

Hi Chuck
Here's the link to the old thread I posted over a year ago How many layouts have you built and what did you learn from them?
Thanks for bringing it up again. There are a few new modelers just starting out and they really should read about others experiences so they don't make the same mistakes. But it's kind of like listening to our parents. Do we ever? No. Were they right? Yes.

Good luck with the new layout. I've seen part of it in your replies to Joe Fugate's FORUM CLINIC: Building realistic scenery. Looks great!
I highly recommend to anyone who hasn't visited Joe's Clinics or web site to do so.

[Anonymous]

I have built 3, well I am on my third as an adult. What I have learned from the past ones is that the bigger the better but never big enough.

[Anonymous]

I am working on my sixth layout. My layouts have taught me to be precise, especially with trackwork and electrical things. It has allowed me to exercise my first love of the hobby, scratchbuilding. I have learned patience with myself, I have learned to use the best materials I can afford. Perhaps the greatest lesson I have learned is to not ru***o get a project finished, but to take the time necessary to do it right. I have also learned modelling skills such as scenery building (God bless you, Dave Frary!). I have learned what makes a good layout for operation, and have developed a tremendous desire to have as much staging as I can logically include in my layout.

Keep steam on the mainline.

Tom

[Anonymous]

hi CBQ guy
Some one once told me a layout ends up complete but never finished becaus ther is
always something that can be done to it.
regards John

[CBQ_Guy]

I've built, or help build, a mess of layouts over the past almost 50 years, and the one thing I've learned is that "a layout never is finished"!
(or is it ,"I never seem to finish what I start!"?)

[Anonymous]

I have Built 1and the most impotant thing I learned is buy locos an rolling stock that fit on your radius.I am currenly working on a second one.

[Anonymous]

Hi Chuck
I have built four of my own and been involed in the construction of three others
what have I learned
1 some form of open plan bechwork is what to build with
2 You stretch and pin old bed sheet over the open bit when enough track is down to run trains. (its cheaper than replacing breakages)
3 wiring is a KISS principle job
4 when my best friend and I start work on scenery together Don't forget the DANGER Tempremental artists at work. if it is quiet when we are working the scenery will be
[oops][tdn][censored][V]
5 for over all effect mass detail the front and slowly decrease level of small details as you move away from the viewer
6 use mini scenes to draw the viewer to where you want them to look
7 first scenery feature in is the back scene followed by the key identifier piece(what!! you dont have one??)
8 when you cannot think of any thing to do go and read the beginers book I garuantee you will learn something no matter how much you think you know.
9 keep to the chosen theme through out the line if it changes follow a natural progresion in the change
10 no mater what hapens there will be moment you think why am i doing this! these moments will pass.
That is what I have learned so far I have been at it a while and am still learning
oh and there is allways something you will have to get some one else to do because no mater how hard you try you will not get it right
dont be afraid to ask for help its only a hobby
regards John

[cwclark]

Gary...couldn't find the old one in a search but if anyone would like to reply to this topic... go for it!...i've built 5 layouts in the past...the first two were disasters...2 ovals on one sheet of flat plywood...the third one i build got a little better ...a large dogbone but it was still on flat plywood...the forth one I build was ok i started using risers and different track levels but the funds weren't there to put in quality equipment..lots of scratchbuilding made up for the lack of funds...the last layout i built was more for training purposes...i was a scoutmaster with the boy scouts and they offered a merit badge in railroading so I was also the merit badge councilor....the boys had certain requirements to meet which included, wiring, track ballasting, landscaping scenes, along with learning occupational skills for the real thing ( i relied on my two uncles that work for SP to do that part of the merit badge)..They did a real good job on building mountains, putting in bridges, ect...the room was too small for a large layout so it had it's limitations...so what did i learn?...1. take your time, do the job at hand well...take as long as you need to get the perfection the hobby demands... 2. read...read...read....get your hands on as many publications you can..you will be suprised at the stuff you think you know and find out differently what's in your head isn't always the case after you read something about a certain situation involved in the hobby....3. listen to the old timers...those that have done it for years and years get good at it and they are a rich source of knowledge...4. enjoy the hobby..if you get tired of one project...move on to something else...there are all kinds of different projects a person can get started on to break the monotony of doing one thing at a time...(just remember to eventually finish what you started..I don't like to work with plaster so i'll work with it until I grow weary of it then go do something else..like put a kit together or do some electronic project..then i'll get back to the plastering eventually...don't let one thing burn you out....and lastly...make lots of friends that are interested in the hobby...you can get good ideas and information when more than just "you" are involved....i'm off now to start my 6th and probably my final layout...wish me luck !....Chuck