In a number of threads here, I’ve found a comon theme. If I can’t build what I want, then I won’t build a layout at all. I don’t want to mention any specific thread as though I’m pointing fingers, but instead focus the newbies attention onto what can be done, rather than what can’t be done.
Most of us want a large layout, with gobs of turnouts, sidings, yards, etc. But reality can be a harsh mistress and often determines what we can or can’t have because of space limitations, time constraints, lack of skills, or lack of money. Rather than focus on what can’t be done, focus on what can be done. For example, in an older MR track planning book was a layout that was 2 by 7, certainly not that big, and the kind of layout that could be stored in a closet, under a bed, on top of a book case, etc. This layout - whose’s name escapes me - was a shelve style layout, yet I found it much more interesting than most 4 by 8’s or larger layouts. It had a barge area for interchange, lots of ops track.
This layout would suit many who don’t have much space, such as college students, RV Travellers, etc.
My tenant is simple, if we focus on what we can do to build a layout, even though it isn’t in the dream layout category, we will be having more fun, than sitting in an arm chair dreaming about that “day” when we do have that great layout. I have a 70 year old friend who still talks about his layout “some day”, of course, by now, most of us have figured out he will never have that layout. But he could have had a lot of fun with a smaller layout that existed in reality.
