Hi all-
Need some advice, please. I've primarily been an armchair modeler for decades. I've built a couple micro layouts but have never had a true, operational layout.
Have started a few larger layouts but each time have never gotten past the benchwork before losing interest or having to move. Most recently, got the materials for a door-size N scale layout but had to stop when we had some home improvement work done that required packing everything up.
The home improvement project's been done for a couple months but all the layout stuff remains in boxes and I've lost interest in the layout. I enjoyed researching the prototype and doing the trackplan (very simple, Mindheim-type) but don't think the layout will be interesting enough to justify the time and money to actually make it.
The attic is full of N scale, HO scale, HOn30, On30 and "1" Gauge trains that have been collected over 25 years but have never been used.
Do you think it's time to face the fact that I probably don't want/won't have a layout?
Thanks for your input!
I will say to you like I say to all... just build a layout, any layout. It sounds like you were doing that already.
.
Every time you tear down a layout it is an opportunity to start over. The next layout is almost always better.
Don't worry about the money it will cost as long as you are enjoying yourself.
I have ripped out five nice layouts and started over every time. I have switched scales, locale, and era.
Don't quit!
Oh, welcome to the forums!
-Kevin
Living the dream.
BashOn Do you think it's time to face the fact that I probably don't want/won't have a layout?
Alton Junction
As the great railroad philosopher said "no guts, no railroad" (or words to that effect) so go for it; who knows you might enjoy it.
IMHO you don't have the fire in the belly to build a complete layout. If you have to ask answers your question.
As suggested stay with the forum and read as many threads as possible and who knows, you might become inspired.
Just MY Worth.
Bob
Don't Ever Give Up
BashOn,
Perhaps you are laboring under a potential misconception: that one has to have a layout to be a model railroader. I will grant that the great number of us have layouts or are in the process. OR - and you've not addressed this - belong to a club. But let's leave all of that on the table, no pun intended.
Your handle seems to indicate that you've done a fair amount of satisfying modeling on top of the stuff you've accumulated. Do you still get jazzed by building stuff, as well as researching, and planning? Although those activities normally lead to a layout, I propose that they may be a sufficient end in themselves. This may raise a few eyebrows for some and even give birth to a few more posts to this string. In any case, the hobby can become drudgery at multiple levels if a major factor is comparing it with how others are doing it. Spending even very little time in this forum will expose you to many who stress that your activities need satisfy only you. Don't fall into the ever-present temptation and trap of comparative modeling.
Your experience at what you have done to date is not for nothing. There are not a few here that no longer have layouts, nor can do some of the stuff that they used to. Their major thing to most of us is their continued participation with like-minded guys and gals and the sharing of their experience and insights (and don't allow that to become a comparative factor, either).
Welcome to the forum. I hope it produces a few nods both for you and from you, if not a garage full of pizzazz. And phooey on the bucks - as long as you're not starving and significant others are happy.
John
I know the feeling of having several scales of trains, none of which has any focus on a certian railroad or theme. Makes trying to start a layout even more overwhelming for me as I have autism. But, what I am doing is paring down models so that I can afford to buy several that fit the one theme I have enjoyed in several scales over the years....Logging. Going with a Weyerhaeuser theme with thier Mallet type engines. Getting thier monster 2-8-8-2, which will be mostly staged on the main line and run a short distance to a hidden staging area to simulate the run from the spurs to the woods where the smaller 2-6-6-2t simple articulateds bring loads to the main, where the monster one would take them to Longview, WA mill. I would suggest going thru what you have and seeing what themes or trains you like the most. Then work on a small layout to suit them. Do not go to large or it will become overwhelming and drive you back to your armchair. Thats my problem right now. The benchwork to complete the loop around the room is beyond my ablities. Espically the duck under/removable section to allow access to the room and deal with the door that opens into the room. Good Luck!! Mike the Aspie
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
I suggest that you need to "prime the pump". Get some trains out of storage and run 'em around a circle of track for a while. Build a boxcar kit. Determine where in the house your new layout would be, and draw up the floorplan. Think back on layout articles you have found interesting and think about what themes/eras appeal to you. Sketch out different trackplan ideas, maybe in different scales. Before you know it, you'll be chomping at the bit to do some layout building.
"Attitude follows action" - Dale Carnegie
Jim
BashOn Do you think it's time to face the fact that I probably don't want/won't have a layout? Thanks for your input!
I guess I wouldn't know how to answer your question.
A bee would say
" No drive No hive"
On a more serious note. I knew a guy that liked trains so much he just kept buying them and buying them. He never had a layout either.
The only difference between him and you is he had all of them up in glass cases covering a whole wall in the basement. A large percentage of them brass. Very impressive. He admired them nothing wrong with that.
You must like trains otherwise you wouldn't be buying them. Maybe get them out of the attic and put them in glass cases where you can see them.
Who knows your favorite one might inspire you to get some track down and see it run. That's a good start.
Welcome
Track fiddler
Some people thrive on change.......
Some people thrive on stability.......
Some people are paralyzed by too much analysis.......
Some are paralyzed by thinking everything needs to meet someone else's standards.
I'm a rebel on here, just ask anyone.......
I have never changed scales, never changed era's, only built a few layouts. Never tore one down just because I was bored or to "start over". I only buy stuff that fits carefully into the layout plan.....I am not a model train collector.....
I have been refining the same layout concept and theme for about 35 years now.
In fact, I am committed to the idea that the current layout effort will be the last. It is being designed and built to be moveable (not portable), and also to be expandable and/or "re-configurable".
In fact I was pretty upset several times in my life when I had to start over.
As much as I am different from some of the others who have commented here, I agree with one thought - build something, anything. Have fun, learn what you REALLY like, not what the hobby press, or "famous" modelers say you should like.
Now for a few more specific thoughts:
I headed down the road of "prototype fanatic rivet counter" once, and decided it was no fun. I went back to "proto freelance" modeling with some "close enough" prototype modeling thrown in to interchange with my imaginary world of the ATLANTIC CENTRAL.
I can tell you everything that is wrong with my models and my modeling, and maybe what is wrong with yours too depending on your era and region - but I won't comment on your modeling, and I will wait to see if you know what's wrong with mine. And then I will say "yea, so what?".
Close enough is good enough, the enemy of good is better.....it will paralyze you...
Following the crowd will likely not make you happy, there is no "crowd" in this hobby any more....it is all splintered.......
Life philosophy - I was once "well rounded", until I learned what I really liked.
I model the Mid Atlantic in 1953, my ATLANTIC CENTRAL interchanges with the C&O, B&O and WM.
Don't ask me about a SD70 whatever, or anything too detailed about anything west of the mississippi.........I am focused........
And I'm having fun......
Sheldon
Do you happen to live in an area that has some decent train shows? In the past, going to one and seeing some operating layouts or just nice models on display helped me get motivated again.
Not to repeat a lot of what others have said, but I think it all depends on what you want. It sounds like you weren't planning on building a massive N scale layout, which is probably a good idea. That would sure overwhelm me. If I had to do nothing but work on benchwork or tracklaying for years, I'd throw in the towel in no time.
A while back, I built a small display layout to take to train shows. It was difficult for me to get started. But once I did and starting seeing progress, it got me motivated and I couldn't stop. I enjoy working on scenery and structures, so having a small layout allowed me to get the less enjoyable parts done fairly quickly. I think just seeing trains run helped me stick with it too.
Maybe none of the suggestions given will change how you feel. But I think I'd try a few more things before giving up. Maybe one of them will click and get you going again.
I agree with the build something and run trains. I find that running trains really revs up my interest - not benchwork, not track laying, not wiring.
I suggest since you seem interested in N, buy a hollow core door and a couple of saw horses. Set that up and put down some sectional track - don't worry too much about the track plan, just get a circle with a couple of spurs. Buy a couple of prebuilt buildings. Hook up the power pack and run some trains, maybe do a little switching. Add stuff and rearrange the track and buildings. When you have something you really like then add scenery.
Good luck
Paul
BashOnDo you think it's time to face the fact that I probably don't want/won't have a layout?
I think you should find other ways to satisfy your modelling interests.
I'm sort of in the same boat. I have put my layout plans on hold because my back causes me constant pain whenever I am doing anything physical. It is to the point where I can hardly manage to carry the groceries up six stairs into the kitchen let alone handle a 4 x 8 plywood sheet.
However, I have found a way to become a very active modeller. I joined the local model railroading club about a year ago and I am now fully immersed in modelling almost every day. I recently became the Vice President of the club and prior to that my layout design was chosen as the plan for our new permanent layout. By virtue of that decision I have also become the layout construction 'foreman'. I'm also heavily involved in the preparations for our annual February show and sale, plus a lot more!
I'm not trying to brag here. When I first joined the club I didn't know what it would lead to. I didn't expect to be so heavily involved in the club's operations, but now I am, and I am thoroughly enjoying it.
Bottom line is - join a club.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
BashOnHave started a few larger layouts but each time have never gotten past the benchwork before losing interest or having to move.
That´s the story of my "career" as a model railroader. In over 50 years of being in this hobby, I have built a number of smaller layouts, but never had the guts to embark on a longer journey by building a room filling "model train empire".
Undoubtedly, the model railroading bug has bitten you and you seem to be as infested as anyone in here. I think the idea of having some kind of layout, just to be able to "play" with your trains should be your way.
There are many ways to get something nice going, an alternative approach could be this!
I had great fun building this mini modules!
My career was about motivation, both academic and applied. Basically, if you don't got it, nuthin' gets done. Or, to quote one of the New Testament author's filosofy, "Where your treasure lies, there will be your heart also."
I think you should go easy on yourself. It's not like you have been procrastinating....right? Other priorities did impose themselves, and you rightly dealt with them as they came due. It's what responsible people do. It may suck if it takes you away from passions and pastimes, but....none of it is permanent.
I have gone through two long dry spells the past two years. I began construction of my fourth layout, worked on it for about four weeks, and did a face plant. Other priorities, some emotional stuff with the wife who suffers a number of disorders, and lots of yard work our first summer in the new place. Last winter I workd for about five weeks over three months, and then face-planted again, this time for 6 months due to more illness, some of it my own this time, and more yard work. I have finally gotten the bug and have laid some track and most of the cork roadbed. I have about 150 pounds of steam in my 185 pound boiler. Things are looking up.
Try to think a bit more about getting things done. Try to think in terms of even 15 minutes if you can't manage an hour. You can lay six feet of roadbed and six feet of flex track inside of 15 minutes, providing you anchor and weight it well so it won't budge while the adhesives set...and you walk away to do something else. Two weeks of that and you have a medium sized layout ready to roll. After wiring, of course...
Sometimes you just gotta go out and do it. Pick up a tool and start working. Or, clean up if it has gotten messy. Do something! Take back your free moments! Build....something.
I read the replies, and can relate to every one, either way. All are worthy suggestions to considder and experiment even, but only as they appeal to YOU, in your gut. Now, heres a perspective to maybe considder:
I had a 1/1 Ford 9-N tractor, (about 6 years) and a 1949 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up, (about 20years) both of which I had collected parts for to get them complete, and both had great potential. But I couldn't get motivated to work on them, and then it bugged me just to see them. In my gut, I came to grips with the fact the Chevy project was NOT going to happen, and the tractor pretty unlikely. It mainly only needed a coil to at least run again, (cheap) but I just didn't have it in me to bother.
I sold the Chevy, and all its parts, actually came out a little ahead. And did a happy dance.
I sold the tractor at a loss a couple months ago, and all its parts, and did an even happier dance! It was just liberating, and when I walk by the shed where it was stored, I still breathe a sigh of relief. I just don't have to figure out what to do with it anymore.
I had a motorcycle for 35 years, a neat little Honda CL 360. loved it. But we took on a beloved disabled foster daughter, and if i get hurt, we lose her. To cut risk, I stopped riding it, which made it in the way now. Selling it proved painless, after seeing it sit around a couple years.
These were hobby type vehicles, not needed drivers, so I think the principles still apply.
In your gut, would you feel liberated if you no longer had all the stuff in the attic? Does it bother just to know you have it? The extra cash doesn't hurt!
And you don't have to blow it all out at once. You can thin it out gradually. If you have a soft spot for some of the items, hold on to them, at least for a while. The bug could bite again after all. But if ridding proves liberating, well there ya go.
IMHO any size layout beats nothing maybe,just maybe, your dream layout is overwhelming and that what makes you think the way you do.
However..
ISLs including Mindheim's excellent designs isn't everybody's cup of tea because they lack the passion for switching and that is the main requirement and motivation for building any size ISL..
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Hi, and welcome to the Forum!
While I've had an operating layout since the mid-90s, I do understand where you are coming from. As mentioned by others, not everyone has or wants a layout. Some are basically collectors, some like to display stuff, and others like to sit and draw trackplans.
And to take it further, some with layouts love to run trains, but some don't - for the thrill for them was in the construction of the layout.
It sounds to me like you really don't want a layout - at least for now. That's OK, and maybe it will change later on (or not).
For now, enjoy the forum, and maybe you will kindle that fire and get to work on a layout, or a collection, or a display, or a stack of track plans.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Build a module, even a single track as a display for some cars and an engine. You can then just keep it as a display or expand it.
Hello and welcome to the forum. I'm sorry to hear of your delima. I've been there and done that myself in years past but finally got tired of putting it off and went ahead and built my current N scale layout which took about six weeks. If however you're certain that you'll never build a layout you can always sale all of your stuff on ebay or alike. Good luck to you.
The coming holiday season is a great excuse to build a small circle of track with a few structures. Who knows, it may lead to something else.
Simon
My general advice would be don't give up now. You can always give up later.
There was a time when I was between layouts. So I built one, a small one: 8 feet long by 4 inches wide. A single track on a minimally scenicked right-of-way. On the wall just above the desk in my office. Kinda like a 3D picture or something. Modern models are very well made and highly detailed and provide a lot of interest to just look at. That small venture into modeling kept the spark alive. For me at any rate.
Robert
LINK to SNSR Blog
So where is the OP?
Will all this good advice and sympathy go to waste?
Has anyone seen the OP? I think we may have lost him after loading a ton of well meant advice on him.
Sir Madog Has anyone seen the OP? I think we may have lost him after loading a ton of well meant advice on him.
Aye
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Hey guys. He's new here and probably being moderated. Let's reserve judgement for a while.
Joe
JoeinPA Hey guys. He's new here and probably being moderated. Let's reserve judgement for a while. Joe
Rich
Joining a Model Train Club is better than trying to build a layout, you can even build a module to use in club shows.
I'm currently a member of the Orange County Modular Railroaders Club, (OCMR).