Parents

[Anonymous]

Long time ago, my parents would stop by a toy store that had trains. (Tyco, AHM etc) and say "Pick just one" of any number of really basic trainset cars.

It was a bit of a eye opener when I went to my first train show in Timonium where everything looked and ran very well. Featuring Kaydee couplers, can motors all wheel pick up etc...

It would take a very long time before I was able to enjoy somewhat better quality trains but I am happy that my folks actually allowed trains of several gauges in the house over the years, they taught alot about skills and also about people too. (How to share etc)

Good luck on your new layout plans. Take it real slow and easy... perhaps good showing here will encourage your parents to "provide" a little more for you as you grow.

[tmcc man]

Well, you have inspired me to build a switching layout. My dimensions are 7ft long and 3 ft wide, 8 switches, 4 tracks, 3 being for switching, and one for a mainline. I have the room in my room, which is being re-done, so room will be made for that. I am looking into using DCC as my control. Completely sceniced, cars, figures, buildings. The engines and cars will be weathered and detailed. My mom has already said OK, but my dad is in Chicago, and I have to talk to him about it tomorrow when he gets home. If I do get the OK, I will post pix of progress for it.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by andrechapelon

QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSFrailfan

Parents are a PAIN IN THE A*SS!

Only if we're doing our jobs properly.

Then we get to be grandparents. We're still pains in the gluteals to our kids, but the grandkids think we're the greatest thing since sliced bread.

We spoil 'em rotten, load 'em up with sugar, and then we give them back to their parents.

It's called "payback". [:D]

Andre

And toys they wanted but parents did not get them.

=)

[Anonymous]

thanks i am still trying for a space my new pitch is the garage

[Anonymous]

You are talking about switching layouts? i have newer operated a dedicated switching layout, so i won't knock them in general, but, switching layouts can tend to get a bit boring to kids, as every kid that i have shiown my layout to wanted to have the trains running fast, not slowly through sidings. i have a figure 8 over and under, whitch with 18" curves fits comfortably on my 4x8 if you want switcing you can make sidings under the over track of the figure 8. for more details on my layout email me.
what i am trying to say is that a switching layout may stifle your enthuasium a bit, so try to convince your parents to give you a 4x8 space. some ideas for storage: if it is on wheels then it can be pushed out of the way when not in use. it could also be stored on its side. i say all of this from personal experience, having considered all of these options.

i hope you have found this useful.

[jfugate]

QUOTE: Originally posted by lovintrains

im not much into switching layout but i will try that aproach

Have you ever built an operated a switching layout?

Don't knock it 'til you've tried it.

I didn't think small layouts were all that useful so I didn't invest much time in building things for them, even though I did build a couple of them.

When the time came that I had lots of space, I realized how I had squandered all that time I could have used building cars, trees, structures, etc. Now I had all this room and I didn't have anything to put on it. I had wasted all that time I could have used to prepare and have lots of stuff ready to put on my new layout.

In some ways smaller is better. My current layout is so large I don't really have time to detail things to the level of detail I would like and still have a life. I remember fondly the days of my switching layouts now where I could detail every square inch carefully and completely. In some ways, that's more fulfilling than the monster I've now created.

Estimate the time and cost it will take you to build a tiny switching layout. Then compare your actual cost and effort to your estimate. Based on what you learn, factor up to a larger layout to see how much it will cost you and how much time it will take you to build ... then you can plan and prepare wisely since your plans are now anchored in real experience and not a pipe dream.

Experience is a fantastic teacher. Until you've actually built a layout, you don't have any idea what it really takes to do the hobby -- ask me how I know. [swg]

[Anonymous]

im not much into switching layout but i will try that aproach

[jfugate]

There's rarely ever an excuse to not be able to do something. If you can find a local club, join it.

You can also build a 12" wide by 3 foot long bookshelf mini-module. You can get shelf brackets and put it in your bedroom. Put a bit of track on it, and a turnout or two. Wire it up to a power pack, or if you are really ambitious, buy a starter DCC set and play with DCC a bit. Put a bridge on it, maybe a few structures, and some scenery -- perhaps a canyon with trees, rocks, water in a stream, etc. Superdetail it up the ying-yang.

That'll keep you busy and provide you a hobby-oriented place to spend your allowance. And you'll gain lots of hobby experience in the meantime.

The idea that a continuous running layout is the only way to really do the hobby is a myth. If you really want to do the hobby, you can do it almost anywhere. You can bide your time honing your skills until the day comes that you can finally get the space to do more.

When you do get the space, you will be glad you spent the time you did on learning the craft and building a few things, for now you have *instant* starter items for your "dream" pike.

[Anonymous]

So far the answer is no but i think i will purchase some cars to weather and show that i am serious . what good info is there to a begginer like me i think i am going to ask for a place in the garage

[Anonymous]

When my family moved to Florida years ago, my 4x6 layout went into storage in the garage. We had a basement for it in Illinois but I found out FL is no place for a basement..... Anyway, my mom wouldn't let me set it up because of a lack of space and she figured I would grow tired of it and move on. I couldn't do anything about the first point but as for the second, I started collecting HO equipment at garage sales and etc., and started to rebuild them. I also started building structures and bridges on my desk, and after a couple of years (I have a lot of patience) my mom realized I was serious about trains and let me set up the layout in the garage. The best part of this though, was when I set up that old 4x6 my modeling skills had progressed beyond the circle of track level, and instead of investing my time in it I started a new layout from scratch (a 10 x 4 with a 4x4 dogleg extension). Plus, as soon as my track was down I had a complete set of weathered engines and rolling stock to run on it!

So even if you can't bargain for a layout right now, there are still many other parts of model railroading you can do untill your parents come around to our way of thinking.

[AggroJones]

I'm kinda really old to be living with my parents, but its under special circumstances (illness, no other place to move to, not enough cash, etc.). And I do have to pay rent. And because I pay rent, my 9' x 11' room is totally mine to do whatever the h*ll I want. As long as "nothing is attached to the walls" as my mommy says. [(-D]

[Anonymous]

This was uncalled for. Remember the Menendez brothers?

QUOTE: Originally posted by dirtyd79

Shoot `em.

[tomikawaTT]

When I wanted to start serious model railroading, there simply was no space in either my room or anywhere else in a rather cramped NYC apartment for even a minimum HO layout. I ended up creating a slide-around wooden-car system in (approximately) Z scale on a 24 - by - 36 inch piece of plywood that hung from a hook on the back of my door when I needed my bed for sleeping. Not the greatest thing for operation, but I did learn how to paint and weather rolling stock and buildings. Also how to build reasonably accurate locomotives and cars to scale without benefit of kits or parts!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Student of Big Sky Blue

QUOTE: Originally posted by lovintrains

I was serching the web what do yuo guys think of the Woodland Senics River Pass starter kit this is a 4 x 8 kit just perfect

Having looked over the the Woodland scenics "Layout in a Box" layouts. I think you would probably be happier with the Grand Valley layout. It has a couple spurs in whcih you can pick up and set out cars on. If you havn't chosen a scale yet. Might I then suggest the Scenic Ridge layout for N scale. It has alot more operation packed on to it and would be more interesting to run. I fear however that with their limited expansion possiblities after the layout is finished you might get bored running your train in a glorified circle. You might want to look into their "Modurail" system its a sectional approach to model railroading that can change and expand as your interest and talents in the hobbies grow. And if you don;'t have any problem developing your own track plan Might be a better solution for you.

James

I forgot to mention that the Modurail Sections are 18" X 36" and come with a complete system to produce a fully sceniced layout section. All you need to do is add your choice of track trains and buildings.

James

[andrechapelon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSFrailfan

Parents are a PAIN IN THE A*SS!

Only if we're doing our jobs properly.

Then we get to be grandparents. We're still pains in the gluteals to our kids, but the grandkids think we're the greatest thing since sliced bread.

We spoil 'em rotten, load 'em up with sugar, and then we give them back to their parents.

It's called "payback". [:D]

Andre

[Anonymous]

Ask if you can put a shelf up, in your room. Screw a couple of 1x3s to the shelf supports, and put some foam onto that. Build a small switching layout, untill you can get the space for something larger. It'll be good for learning how to lay trackwork, and give you a good place to make learner mistakes. The finished product will give you good interaction, doing switching moves. I've found that a good switching layout can use a bit more brain power than you'd expect, figureing out to get the cars into their proper spots.

If you decide you want some staging, it can be built on much narrower shelves, extended out from the ends of the main layout.

[Anonymous]

Show them a nice shelf layout instead.

[Tracklayer]

My dad died of a heart attack at age 33 just before my seventh birthday, and my mom always let me do "anything" I wanted to to the point that the parents of the other kids around town wouldn't allow their kids to hang out with me... Oh well. I had a lot of fun in spite of that.

Sorry to hear you're having such a problem. That really sucks.

Tracklayer

[JoeKoh]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSFrailfan

Parents are a PAIN IN THE A*SS!

really?
tired of them telling you what to do?
go out get a job an apartment get all your utilities set get ready to cook clean and budget your money too.[;)]
just a little to look forward too
stay safe
joe

[MisterBeasley]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSFrailfan

Parents are a PAIN IN THE A*SS!

Yes, we are, and with some luck, you'll grow up to be just like us.

Sometimes our ways seem mysterious, but in general parents are trying to choose the best path for everyone. Most often, it's some kind of compromise. I would like more space for my layout, in my house, paid for with money I earned. Guess what? I've got to live with my wife and daughter, and I can't just take over everything I want.

[JoeKoh]

lovin trains dont know your exact situation but it could be a matter of space.my son and I have a layout but we still had to get mammas approval.start small.as you show more responsibility and maturity your parents should come around.its something we can do together.and my son is good at telling me what needs to go on the repair track and for what.
stay safe good luck
Joe

[Anonymous]

Parents are a PAIN IN THE A*SS!

[brothaslide]

lovintrains,

Perhaps your parents feel crowded. You didn't say what the size of your house/apartment was. If I was living in a 2 bedroom/1000 square foot apartment and my teenage son asked if I could have some space for a train layout, I would be reluctant as well.

Come up with some creative solutions like storing the layout under your bed or if you have a garage, storing the layout so that your parents can still park their cars, etc.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by lovintrains

I was serching the web what do yuo guys think of the Woodland Senics River Pass starter kit this is a 4 x 8 kit just perfect

Having looked over the the Woodland scenics "Layout in a Box" layouts. I think you would probably be happier with the Grand Valley layout. It has a couple spurs in whcih you can pick up and set out cars on. If you havn't chosen a scale yet. Might I then suggest the Scenic Ridge layout for N scale. It has alot more operation packed on to it and would be more interesting to run. I fear however that with their limited expansion possiblities after the layout is finished you might get bored running your train in a glorified circle. You might want to look into their "Modurail" system its a sectional approach to model railroading that can change and expand as your interest and talents in the hobbies grow. And if you don;'t have any problem developing your own track plan Might be a better solution for you.

James

[SSW9389]

Me father was a miner on the Upper Malamute.
Me mother was a hostess is a house of ill repute.
They kicked me out of house and home while in my tender years.
So I told them all to go to hell and joined the engineers.

This little ditty goes on for quite a ways, but you get the idea.

[Anonymous]

I was serching the web what do yuo guys think of the Woodland Senics River Pass starter kit this is a 4 x 8 kit just perfect

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the help, i think they are afraid that i will start and run out of ideas or money or get discouraged. we have some space that i could put it in but who know maybe the think i will start then ask for more space[:D]

[Eriediamond]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tstage

QUOTE: Originally posted by dirtyd79

Shoot `em.

Dennis,

In this day and age in which we live: Probably not the wisest of statements or advice - even jokingly.

Tom

True, true, true

[tstage]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dirtyd79

Shoot `em.

Dennis,

In light of the day and age in which we live: Probably not the wisest of statements or advice - even jokingly.

Tom