Here is a mistake I am sure alot of us make. And one I am not so sure I have learned yet..... PATIENCE!
Another is dont leave your small parts in a micro-cleaner and take a lunch break thinking the extra time will only make them cleaner. It will destroy them! Ruined a set of drivers that way. Some happy meal that was.
Never throw anything away (unless it is really trash)! Pack-Rat is an acceptable socialism in Model Railroading. Tossed alot of parts and left over supplies I wish I still had.
We learn through experience and mistakes. So, to help everyone learn without having to make as many mistake, I created this thread to share our mistakes and make each other smarter.
Some of my mistakes/lessons:
1. Check a turnout before you go through it, especailly if you might stop on it. I have gone through turnouts that were lined for the other direction. My turnouts will let you go through, but if you stop and go the other way, you will have the train stretching between two tracks, and you many not catch your mistake in time, and cause a derailment.
2. Don't leave a tube of glue on its side, it will only leak and make a mess. Prop you glue tube upright, so it will stay in the tube. Also, don't let the glue set up before you use it.