Well after returning to model railroading after years and years I have had trains running for a few months now. I am in awe of the work that has gone into layouts I have seen on this forum and wonder how many years some of you have been working on them? I chose my layout to be 15' x 24' as I thought it was the right size to keep me busy well into retirement. I can imagine some of you have spent hours on a single square foot of your layout judging by the detail in them. Enough of my rambling on. I guess what I am asking is can any of you offer comments or thoughts of your journey that has become in many cases a masterpiece created by you over the years. Captions to photos are nice but but they don't reflect on how you got to where you are today. Before and after photo's would be great also. Lets see the empty room or bare benchwork and see it now years later. I think it would be very inspiring.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
My current in-progress layout is seven months old. All the track is laid and wired, most of the scenery is done. Lights are installed but not connected. Several craftsman and scratchbuilt structes still unbuilt. Ballast is about 65% done. I can run trains in all areas. My last layout was five years old before I demolished it. This one is simpler -- double track main line for continuous running around the room, one branch line, a big yard with complete service facilities. a couple of industry sidings. At 74, I hope to get it finished in time for my heirs to demolish it.
My 12 x 12 layout is about 2 years old and is about 20%.
Started planning in 2001, started construction (walls, ceiling, drywall, etc.) in 2002. Actual benchwork probably end of 2002 or early 2003. Way more to go than I'll be able to ever finish.
Larry
http://www.youtube.com/user/ClinchValleySD40
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52481330@N05/
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/page/1/ppuser/8745/sl/c
< 2 years
San Dimas Southern slideshow
1987 - Start current layout
1990 - Benchwork/track/wiring complete(25' by 20' train room.....)
1991 - Branchline benchwork/track/wiring complete
1992 - NMRA-TLR Region Convention Layout Tour
1998 - Complete conversion to DCC
2001 - Remove old scenery
2006 - NMRA-TLR Convention Layout Tour
2007 - Complete new scenery
2008- Start thinking about tearing down layout and building new one(retirement project).
2009 - Still 'thinking' about a new layout!
Jim Bernier
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
My layout is about 9'x17', folded dogbone with another nested loop for two trains' worth of continuous running. Construction started three years ago. Benchwork, tracklaying, and DC wiring were complete within about a year or so. Basic scenery covers about 20 percent. Lots of modelers might consider that to be very slow progress. But, considering everything else tugging at my time and the fact the progress has been made in 45-minute spurts over the course of several late bleary-eyed evenings, that's practically breakneck speed!
"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
My 10x17 layout is 7 years old and about 75% finished. Work tends to happen in spurts, nothing for a month or two, then a whole bunch of things get done in two weeks.
I also haven't been afraid to redo stuff. As my skills improved, some areas got a retouching or complete overhaul. Both CP Greg and the area around Plaster Falls were overhauled. I'm also in the process of redoing the large steel mill along the back wall.
Plaster Falls circa 2003:
Plaster Falls circa 2007. This area was recently redone:
CP Greg circa 2004:
CP Greg circa 2009. I finished this redo, but don't have a pics yet:
Lampson Yard circa 2005:
Lampson Yard circa 2008:
Lampson Yard circa 2009:
Nick
Take a Ride on the Reading with the: Reading Company Technical & Historical Society http://www.readingrailroad.org/
My layout is a 5 1\2 x 9 and its about 1yrs old now but the track plan is 3yrs old. My other layout was 4yrs old when i decsided to redo my layout which is now 5 1\2 x9.
my current layout was started in 1983, is 3 deck, 29 by 33ft, and is finished except for detailing items and ongoing operation. I do not plan to redo or replace.
Bob
Current layout is less than a year. It is experimental to try out DCC and point to point schematic before building the "big" one.
Enjoy
Paul
Since I've been a model railroader for a while, there is a long time line:
1960 - decided to model Japanese prototype.
1964 - Layout concept becomes set in cement - prototype area, railroads and even the JNR timetable.
1964-1982 - While bouncing around the world with the USAF, built rolling stock from kits and used up reams of paper designing plausible track plans.
1982-1986 - everything else in abeyance while I completed my education. Ended up with a degree that I've never used.
1986-1992 - still building (and kitbashing) while wandering around the country during my wife's attempt to find the perfect place to settle.
1992 - 2003 - Bought a house in Tennessee, to be close to my offspring. Only available layout space was a spare bedroom. I built an adequate model of a fraction of my master plan - only to lose the bedroom when my son moved in after his divorce.
2003 - Bought the 'last in this lifetime' house. Started planning and building an inadequate layout in half of a 2-car garage.
2006 - Layout partially complete - and my wife told me I could use 'her' half of the garage!
So, my present layout dates from August of 2006, and is a LO_O_ONG way from being roughed in, never mind finished. Thanks to a physiological problem that developed recently, progress is glacial - but there's still detectable forward motion.
I've commented that I'll probably drive the golden spike on my 100th birthday. That's starting to look less like a joke and more like a prediction...
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - eventually)
"ham99" I love your attitude, what an inspiration. I'm 3 months into my 3rd and final layout, getting ready to lay the track on roadbed (8 x 10 HO).
Hi Brent: I started my layout in 2002.
Jan, 2007
Today:
Jan 2007:
I've started with my Westport Terminal RR in modules in 1993. I've changed the design a few times, changing the modules, building new modules.
Now, only my Third Street Industrial District is still in operation, all other modules are sold and replaced by new ones. The latest design is from 2003.
Wolfgang
Pueblo & Salt Lake RR
Come to us http://www.westportterminal.de my videos my blog
Hi from Belgium,
The construction onf my layout is a long and sometimes difficult story because of the way of my life.
I am working on the layout which is now my present Maclau River RR since 1977, but not all the time was devoted to the construction of the layout because of a lot of changes in my life and family.
At this time benchwork was erected but the design of the layout featured a european style N scale layout. I still have all the european models, most Arnold Rapido ones.
In the mid 1980's a radical change occurs after a show train in France where american trains were on display, I was hooked by operations and most by the couplers, the famous MT couplers which works fine.
After a try to put MT couplers on european cars and loco, with poor results, I switched to American Nscale models. After a time, something around 1983 I switched to american Nscale definitevely.
In fact American trains where around me since a lot of years, because my lovely father was an early reader of MR since the the beginning of the 40's. He had a few Rivarossi HO steam american models and a few pieces of track which we running sometimes the weekend together.
Such type of publication did'nt exist in europe at this time. Even today the trains publications in europe except some british one, are very poor of quality.
The years around 1990 were more productive and the present layout take shape; the basic idea of a big port and lot of operations is from my late father; he was very concerned by fine models and scenery.
In 2000 a move to a new home give me the opportunity to extend the layout; the port was salvaged; not an easy task to move it, and extended, with a big steam terminal and a town just on his right side.
2000 to 2005 were very productive years and the golden spike was put on port around 2005.
Now the steam terminal is well on the way and many structures and streets take shape at town.
Unfortunately some other family problems stopped in 2008 the construction of the layout.
A move is on the way for 2010, I acquired a new home.I hope it's the last move in my wife. The layout will be enterely salvaged, because after so many changes and move, I designed it to be moved; it will not be easy to do,but I will salvaged it anyway.
The fantastic chance I have in this new home is a big, very big basement.
There are no colums or wall in the way; the room is a nearly 13 meters by 11meters with the entry door on one side.
As I say a few days ago in the forum, the design will be a around the wall layout with peninsula folding to get a long mainline run with one of the side wall devoted for just for a branch line.
The country will have an Appalachian look with some small towns and a lot of mine on the way. One mainline with a secondary one which cross over a few time like the V&O design, everything set in the 35's/40's.
Of course my loved port will be the bottom starting point of the line..... Here a few pics of port for your eyes only.
Marc
my layout is only 3years.
Size is 5ft1/3 x 9ft plus wye track and control by Digitrx DCC.
1. Track plan is as follows
2. photo and movie
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/up1853/39730266.html
thanking you
ECI Layout Timeline 1980 - original 4x7 layout. Town of Westport. 1983 - 4x4 yard section added. Now L shaped. 1986 - removed yard section and built across back wall with new yard with return loop. To be connected to a new city section. 1987 - raised layout 6 inches. 1988 - city area in place with track through it and reversing lopp under. 1991 - East Yard added to extend track through and beyond city. 1995 - major operational problems with original track moving with seasons. Ripped out original table structure, saved farm area and all buildings. Reversed layout of town of Westport placing farm at other end of section. 1997 - added a leg to Westport for Grain Operation. 1999 - Began changing to under table slo-motion switch machines and LED control panel operations. Began rebuilding of grain elevator area. 2004 - replaced an industry in East Yard with new plastics plant. 2005 - Installed new backdrop behind grain elevator area. 2006 - Completed the grain elevator scene with buildings, storage bins and actual elevators. 2006 - Completed Westport with cars, figures, trees and buildings. 2007 - Placed oil dealer on layout 2008 - Ripped off half of city to correct the underlying track. I say that it is the same layout, but the only original piece is the farm scene. To me, a layout is like the Energizer Bunny... It keeps going, and going, and... I only know one man who finished his layout and he promptly lost interest. - rph
Roger Hensley= ECI Railroad - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/eci/eci_new.html == Railroads of Madison County - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/ =
Well, brand-new at the moment...construction has only recently begun. However, my previous layout was six years old (dismantled because we moved) and the one before that was 10 years old. There have been a couple of others in years past.
I have found that I have learned so much with each layout, and am applying that knowledge to my present layout which, being "semi-modular" will probably be my final layout, since it can be moved if necessary. If you'd like to see construction photos and also photos of my previous layout, which was completely finished, go to allaboard09.blogspot.com
I started constuction in the spring of 2005. My layout is currently a 5x12 foot table. I have clearance for an extension, which is good, because I've pretty much got all the trackwork and scenery complete.
This is a picture I happened to take of the last big uncompleted area of my layout, in July of 2008:
And this is how it looked in December:
For a more extreme change, here is the benchwork and foam, with a single piece of flextrack and my first subway car:
I had to change the smoke detector battery a few months ago, so I snapped this picture while I was up on the ladder. Not the same angle, but this is what it looks like now:
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
My current 2.5 Ft X 10 Ft layout will be 4 years old this month . I hope to expand it some this winter .
Current Layout started April 2006
70% complete Today....
up1853my layout is only 3years. Size is 5ft1/3 x 9ft plus wye track and control by Digitrx DCC. 1. Track plan is as followshttp://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/up1853/38040787.html 2. photo and movie http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/up1853/39730266.html thanking you
Very Nice looking video.
There are structures, locos, and rolling stock on my layout that were built in the early 70's.
The benchwork on the current one was built in 2003. Some of the terrain contours and trackwork are that old, too, but a lot of it was ripped out and redone in 2004-2005. Scenery on the older section dates from 2004. Some newer scenery dates from, let's see, August 15, 2009!
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
My layout is approx. 17 by 23 . It's still in the early stages. Been working on it for 7 months. All the bench work is done and i've got about half of the mainline laid. It will probably be another 6 moths before all track is laid and the wiring is done . It's hard to not start on the scenery yet but I think all trackwork and wiring should be fully functional before any scenery is even thought about. But anyway it's alot of work in progress and I'm loving every minute of it.
Thanks for all your responses, I enjoyed them all. Last night I ventured into the trainroom to work on the layout and soon my ten year old son joined me( Mr video games) We spent two hours running trains with no work done. It was the best night i have had in the trainroom. And by the sounds of it, Rome wasn't built in a day and neither are our empires. Thanks again for your stories and if anyone else would like to contribute,please do.
Brent:
I had to go back and look up the year I started the current Yuba River Sub because it seems I've been working on it FOREVER, LOL! Turns out I started it the same year I joined this Forum--2004.
I'd built another California Basement (garage) empire before that, but it never really worked well, because of simple bad planning. The current one is far from perfect, but the track plan and construction is much better, and also allows me a lot of leeway for improvement as I work on it.
I think this will be my final effort (but never say never, right?) but even the mistakes I have made on this one still allow for additions to it without having to tear the basic one up. And I've become much better at wiring and semi-'bullet proof' tracklaying this time around. Not too many derailments, and those that happen usually are the fault of the rolling stock, not the track itself. It's DC (for personal reasons), routed into blocks and relatively easy to work since I'm what is called a "Lone Wolf", even though it's a relatively large (24x24') layout. It's got a good control system, I can run several trains at once without having to run around throwing block switches (well, mostly, LOL!).
Barring the addition of a future staging yard, the trackage is complete, and the scenery is about 45% installed. Lots of work to do there, but it doesn't interfere with my operation.
Some shots, if you're interested:
Yuba Pass
Sierra Buttes:
Bullards Bar:
Yard at Deer Creek:
Lots done so far, and a LOT to do in the future.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
BATMAN... I guess what I am asking is can any of you offer comments or thoughts of your journey that has become in many cases a masterpiece created by you over the years. Captions to photos are nice but but they don't reflect on how you got to where you are today. Before and after photo's would be great also. ...
How old is my layout? Hmmm lemme see, I guess it depends on whether you start when I began building benchwork (9 yrs ago), or when I actually laid some track (4 yrs). Here is a timeline:
August 2000: Benchwork erected
November 2000: Discover that the garage where I'm building my layout can get horribly cold; also learn that I can NOT use the existing physical plant to pipe heat/AC into the garage, the BTU's simply aren't there. Money is not available for a new heat pump because the wife got laid off from her job.
August 2001: Benchwork awaits track
August 2002: Benchwork has some overflow junk stored on top of it.
August 2003: Benchwork has a huge amount of junk piled on top of it.
August 2004: Wife gets another job, gives ultimatum: Install some track and trains by next summer, or tear out the benchwork so we can park our cars in the garage!
March 2005: 12500-BTU heat Pump/AC unit installed
April 2005: All mainline track laid
May 2005: Leftover Steel Mill modules integrated into layout; yard track laid
August 2005: Track wiring completed for standard DC, trains now operational - YESSS!!
September-December 2005: Laid down some basic scenery/structures
January 2006: Unpacked and reassembled large steel mill structures
February-June 2006: Additional scenery & track ballasting
February 2007: Begin conversion to DCC
December 2007: Final loco in active fleet gets decoder installed
November 2008: First Group Operating Session
April 2009: Commercial District installed
Here are some b4-and-after pix:
(Yard track is hidden behind foreground buildings)
-Ken in Maryland (B&O modeler, former CSX modeler)
Seeing all of the progress shots helps me more than anything else on this forum. I love seeing the pulled back shots more than the detail ones. It gives me ideas for what could fit in a certain area. Thanks for sharing. Oh, and I'm a year into my layout with not nearly enough progress!