When is it time to give up and list your stuff on E-bay. Time of learning curve?

[BRAKIE]

Ken,You don't really need to solder your rail joints-I am yet to solder any rail joint-I found a bus and feeders wires is the best solution because it gives power to each track section..For me dropping a feeder every 8 foot seems to work.

[Driline]

Ken,You don't really need to solder your rail joints-I am yet to solder any rail joint-I found a bus and feeders wires is the best solution because it gives power to each track section..For me dropping a feeder every 8 foot seems to work.

Yea, I agree with Larry. Soldering every darn piece of track is not worth it.Plus if you ever want to take it up its a nightmare. Like he said, just add more feeders if you think you have a connection problem.

[METRO]

I've been in this hobby since I was ten and I'm still working things out, just relax.

I've gotta agree with some other people here that the best stress relief in model railroading is watching the real thing. It's amazing what a couple locals and a doublestack will do to brighten your day.

But also, perfection is overrated and impossible, even the greatest layouts had teething problems and bad days. Here's a few constants (in both real and model railroading)

1: Track will never be perfect

2: Couplers will fail from time to time

3: The most expensive equipment is seldom the best

4: Sometimes you just feel like going on strike.

Cheers Mate & Good Luck!
~METRO

[Don Gibson]

Coulda Woulda Ken:

Here I thought I was the all time 'derailment King'.  THANKS for making me realize that there, except for the grace of god, go I.

1. You need to acquire some Kalmbach books, on 'How to .... ' (do better).

2. Derailments occur for a reason.

You are expecting too much - too soon. Gratification comes with doing something RIGHT. Beasly is correct. Concentrate on, and fix ONE thing at a time. I'd start on the track. Take a section and make it PERFECT.

When you see that a piece of gauged equipment DOESN'T derail, it may provide you a clue.

3. 'Cheap' is for the birds.

..."I started in Feb this year with cheap LL set. ... "