There are three kinds of layouts.
1) the one your building
2) the completed or done
3) the finished layout.
Your plan of attack
1) keep building
2) Start adding extra details
3) rip it out and go back to 1 followed by 2)
My layouts have been complete (done) many times then I see something I like and add it to my layout in one form or another.My big N scale layout is 20 years old and I am still making changes. My small (for shows) N scale layout is 2 years old and also getting changes all the time.My Z scale layouts are going through the same changes.
If you don't like something or find a better way to do it,do it.If your sick of the layout replace it.
Sir Madog Riogrande5761 - one may consider a layout to be complete at nearly any stage, but too few people actually pay attention to track detail - lots of room to improve a good layout!
Riogrande5761 - one may consider a layout to be complete at nearly any stage, but too few people actually pay attention to track detail - lots of room to improve a good layout!
Right now, it will be a major milestone for me to be able to run trains completely around a "plywood pacific" railroad! Scenry - heck, thats going to be a major bonus for me! My first layout was built to a stage I could run trains from one return loop to the other and back, but had to be torn down just as I was getting the cardboard scenery base webbing in place - I had just finished grad school and had to move. Oh well... like I said, to get a layout "finished" would be a major thing for many of us! i.e. basically scenic's and some buildings.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
If you have a PC, use Google to search, know how to use You Tube, you are not a lone wolf.
Many modeler's and even train companies use Facebook.
Use Photo Bucket to share pictures. You Tube to share videos.
With the Internet, there are no valid excuses to not be able to enjoy and share the hobby.
I keep a iPhone and iPad handy also.
I am over 73 so you can do it also.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
vsmithTear down, start over....worked for John Allen 3 times ;-)
I agree with vsmith - Tear it down!
BUT - the ONLY reason I built the large layout I did was becasue of OPERATIONS and having 20 guys come in and make my layout come alive.
We (our I-80 OPs Group) are planning a trip to Bruce Chubbs layout in Michigan this coming spring - Great fun for the group going and getting to see and OPERATE on these famous layouts is a blast. And we have plans on visit others in the future.
Obviously that is NOT your cup of Tea.
To each his own!
BOB H - Clarion, PA
I too consider my layout mostly "complete" even though it isn't really anywhere near it. I canstantly see places where a couple trees would look good, or these figures should be moved a bit, or I'm not really happy with this water scene. There is always something to be worked on.
However, I am in a bit of a different situation as I am focused on solo operation and my layout was built with it in mind so, I won't likely get tired of my current layout.
What's a Lone Wolf Supposed to Do?
OK, after years of work, the layout is completed
Congratulations, many of us still haven't even started, or in my case, justing getting restarted after 15 years of no place to build. Count your blessing man! Most of us would love to have the "problem" you have! If you are bored with it, tear it down and build another - per Model Railroader Magazines 2nd mantra - the first was brought to us by Ulrich, below!
Sir MadogRich - in my 51 years of model railroading I have yet to see a layout that really has been completed
OMG, after reading MR magazine between 1975-1990, that was the most "worn out" phrase - it makes me want to scream!
Here, repeat after me one more time "a model railroad is never finished". We are now thoroughly brainwashed and glassy eyed!
I am also a lone wolf even though I live in the D/FW area where there are lots of modelers. When I have a layout that nears its completion, I like to start over. Most of the time in a new scale / gauge. It keeps things fresh for me.
I also tend to model on the cheap side. I like to use old MDC cars and older locomotives that I can repower and work them up to my standards. To me, that is as much fun, or maybe more, as building a layout.
Chuck - Modeling in HO scale and anything narrow gauge
Have fun with your trains
Rich,
You might look for a club, even if it's a bit far away. Or join the NMRA. Or take some pictures and post them here. Or write them up and submit them to the MRR mags for publication. Create a website featuring your layout. Scratch build some rolling stock. Set up for demo operations. Have as many trains as possible on the layout, and run them past the visitors one by one and back into staging. Do you have working signals, grade crossing protection, street lights, traffic lights? Do you streets have mailboxes, parking meters, trash cans, news paper boxes?
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
Rich I tend to agree with Ulrich been doing this for about 50 yrs and I've seen a few layouts that were "complete" untill they saw something new they could get for the layout I'm in the process of tearing out two sections of mine to add two helix so I can add a narrow upper level it will add about another 150' of running room It never ends Oh and I'm the only one here working on it the only person that has seen it is my granddaughter and to her its "cute"
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Rich - in my 51 years of model railroading I have yet to see a layout that really has been completed
Seriously, if you think there is nothing you can do to improve it, and your don´t really like operating, you have a couple of options on how to proceed from here:
Personally, I think, you will find many areas you could improve, giving you years of fun again.
Oh, btw, that´s the reason I like small layouts - they can be easily sold and the proceeds from that can go into a new layout project...
OK, after years of work, the layout is completed.
I am not a member of a club, and I don't have others come over to help run the layout.
I don't care much for "operations".
So, what is a lone wolf supposed to do?
If you are a lone wolf, and your layout is completed, what do you do?
Alton Junction