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At what point is it feasible for a novice to build his own layout empire vs having it custom built?

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  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Milwaukee WI (Fox Point)
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Posted by dknelson on Friday, January 30, 2015 4:35 PM

Starting with an "empire" -- if by that you mean a really really big layout -- can be a test of patience and stick-to-it-ivness, and yeah it might not be ideal to start with the full enchilada all at once.  No law says you have to build it all to a finished state all at once.  

I happen to enjoy the simple carpentry of building benchwork a great deal (sure makes me wish I'd paid more attention in shop class decades ago), even though my only power tools are a jig saw, a drill and a screwdriver.  Laying track is easier than ever, and I enjoy that too.  If those thiings don't sound like fun to you then I'd feel no shame  in hiring someone to help.  Even a custom builder does not have to do it all.

I could imagine hiring someone to help with wiring and DCC installation, even though everyone insists it is really very easy (which they used to say about DC block control before DCC came around!).  

Some very skilled modelers have hired experts to paint backdrops.  Othere have hired experts to do the scenery.  And these are guys anybody would call very very fine modelers.  

And I could imagine someone using an outside expert with any needed room preparation: suspended ceiling, lighting, electrical circuits, a master "off" switch near the exit, crew lounge, etc.  Knowing what I know now, I wish either I had done more room prep or hired someone to do it for me.

Some hire experts do the track plan and nothing else but the track plan.  Some do so with owner participation, others do not.  

There is no shame in hiring help for what you do not care to do yourself or are unable to do yourself.  There are many other elements of the hobby where you can show that you are a "true" modeler.  

Unless you have a physical limitation of some sort, I would say that in my opinion no matter how daunting it might look, there is no one step or aspect of building and running a nice big layout that is beyond the average guy.  But if getting started is proving to be an impossible barrier, then consider where outside hired help could kickstart things - and decide where you'd like to take over.

Dave Nelson

 

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  • From: Richmond, VA
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Posted by carl425 on Friday, January 30, 2015 4:31 PM

Imagine having guests over to see the layout... Would you rather say "look what I built" or "look what I bought"?

For me, and I believe most, building the layout IS the hobby.

I have the right to remain silent.  By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.

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    June 2012
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Posted by Burlington Northern #24 on Friday, January 30, 2015 4:10 PM
Start small I did a 2x4 after being in the hobby for a couple months, I want to build a 3 x 5 or something.

SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.

 http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide 

Gary DuPrey

N scale model railroader 

  • Member since
    July 2002
  • From: Jersey City
  • 1,925 posts
Posted by steemtrayn on Friday, January 30, 2015 4:09 PM

If you have it built and after a while you get tired of it, you can always sell it on ebay.

  • Member since
    January 2012
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Posted by Pantherphil on Friday, January 30, 2015 4:02 PM

Build it yourself.  Start now.  Have fun. 

 

  • Member since
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  • From: Finger Lakes
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Posted by howmus on Friday, January 30, 2015 3:31 PM

In short... Right Now!  Start today.  If you wait 10 years, you still will be just a novice.  Only way to learn is to do it.  And it is a heck of a lot more fun to do it yourself!!!

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

  • Member since
    September 2007
  • From: Charlotte, NC
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Posted by Phoebe Vet on Friday, January 30, 2015 3:24 PM

Assuming that you actually have the disposable funds to hire it built, the question is:  What makes the hobby attractive to YOU.  I don't run my trains very much except when I am showing them off or playing with the grandchildren.  I get MY enjoyment from designing and building it.  The skills needed to build it are easily learned.  The tools needed to build it are much cheaper than the cost of having it built.  If you hate the building process and just want to run the trains then have it built.

What you are doing now is great.  You have someone who knows what he is doing teaching you to do it.  You will have those new skills with you for the rest of your life.  Buy the required tools one at a time as the need arises.  Don't be afraid to use a new skill yourself when your mentor is not there.  If you don't know how to do something, then wait for him.

Dave

Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow

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  • From: SE. WI.
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Posted by mbinsewi on Friday, January 30, 2015 3:17 PM

I don't know where to start.  I'll be short and to the point.  IF you don't want to be a modeler, and feel the satisfaction of building in miniature, and creating, and all the learning that goes with it, then just go buy some RTR stuff that your club will allow, and run your train and spend your time there.

If some of the guys in here that have been here along time, and are still modeling and growing their empire, their miniature world, and proudly showing pictures of their efferts through the years, actually where paid by for the time and effert spent, they would all have $100,000.00 lay outs, easy.

What kind off pictures would you post?  "Look guys what I had built for me! and I didn't have to do a thing!"

Mike.

  • Member since
    December 2013
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Posted by gzygadlo on Friday, January 30, 2015 3:13 PM

I think you would have more satisifaction if you built it yourself.  I'm just getting back in after a long time away and its my way of getting away from things even if its a hour here and an hour there.

No one says you need to complete it in a weekend. 

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Western PA
  • 250 posts
Posted by PRRT1MAN on Friday, January 30, 2015 3:09 PM

In my opinion building youself is the only way.  I have taken 3 winters to just prepare the room. I have had my wife and daughters help so it is family activity.  Now that we are starting to build benchwork the excitement in our house has gained momemtum. I am so glad that I am not rich and have someone do it for me! The memories that we have made are worth far more than the finished product.

 

Just my 2 cents

Sam Vastano
  • Member since
    January 2013
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At what point is it feasible for a novice to build his own layout empire vs having it custom built?
Posted by Regg05 on Friday, January 30, 2015 2:53 PM

Happy Friday MRR

I can't get this debate with a fellow enthuasist out of my head.  A few days ago at my local model railroad club I was showing a friend of mine who is new to the hobby and club a few pictures of my layout that I'm starting.  I admit I'm new to the idea of building it myself so I'm having someone help me which is causing the layout to be built painstakingly slow.  However he asked the question why don't I hire someone to build the entire thing?  Especially if someone lacks modeling skills, tools, space to build it in, etc.  He had some valid points and at this point another older member joined in the conversation to which he replied "its not a layout if you don't put your own sweat blood and tears in it and furthermore you won't get the satisfaction out of it when finished".  

This debate continued back and forth for a few hours until I left the club.  Friend still thinks it causes more headaches in the long run if you don't have any of the things mentioned above and even more so if you lack electrical and good math skills for calculating grade percents, radius curves, etc.  So the discussion will continue this weekend when I see him. However with the price of having someone or a firm build a layout is it ever feasible?  Just for experiement purposes I called a few firms and gave them the dimensions of my layout 8x12 and I was quoted anywhere from $15,000 all the way to a mind blowing $60,000.  While I don't understand how these prices are calculated it seems to be a little steep even for a hobby such as ours.  I will admit if I had the money I probably would have went the custom route Big Smile Heck I would have just as much fun at the finished product and a lot less headaches at the waiting. 

Your thoughts?

Regg

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