Have you ever done a large component of your layout, and been so unhappy with the result that you ripped it all out and redid it?
This happened to me yesterday. My HO scale layout is only currently 8x4, with plans to add another 8x4 creating an “L” shape 8x12x4. Anyway, my small layout had mountains at each end, the east end being a rather large, ponderous bohemoth of a mountain. It was over a foot higher that the tunnel portals, and had a shear clift on the entire west side of the mountain to accomodate the central valley of the layout. This monster was made using extruded foam, stacked in layers, smoothed with an assortment of forming tools, and covered with plaster.
The western mountains were made with spray foam, covered with plaster. This mountain is much more realistic and in scale with the layout. I am very pleased with it. In fact it is complete with the exception of super detailing.
I have been unhappy with the Eastern mountain for quite a while, especially as I progressed on the western side. So yesterday, in a fit of enthusiasm, I finally demolished the eastern mountain, stripping the scenery all the way down to the bare bench work.
I will start over and use the same techniques as the western mountain. And now that I am more familiar with the process it should look great. It’s my first layout and I have a better appreciation of what I want now. So wish me luck.
Have you ever been in this position? Just Curious. Share your tale.
Yep, been there, done that, although with nothing that large yet as I am just beginning and if anything that large is wrong (like my tunnel acces on the west) I’m just gonna leave it as this layout will not see its 1st b’day before I tear it down. I’ll just put it down to experience and know better for the next time.
However it sounds as though YOU have the right idea, if you’re not happy with it, tear it down and do it again before you go any further, it will only nag at you in growing frustration if you dont.
Sometimes a small step back is MUCH better than going forward with an unsatisfactory element.
Congratulations on taking the plunge and ripping it out, I know it probably wasnt that easy a decision, but you will be happier.
Good luck in the future progress, have fun & be safe.
Karl.
TrevorG: Definitely! I think we all have at one time or another decided that what we planned just ISN’T working out. I had a hidden reverse loop on my Yuba River Sub that just never wanted to work right. It was too compact, and even though it had a wide minimum radius, the constant curve–which reversed suddenly–was playing havoc on long trains. I decided to ‘un-hide’ it and ease out the curves, which meant tearing out some scenery that I loved, and a major extension resulting from exposing the curve. After I did the major work, I kicked myself in the head for not thinking about the idea in the first place. Now I have a half-exposed loop that works, a chance for some more scenery, and it even afforded me to build a town along the right of way. So it all worked out for the best. I think your new mountain will, too. Look at it this way: You’re improving the Real Estate, LOL!
Best of luck.
Tom [:D][:D]
I heartily agree with the idea that if you don’t like what you have , by all means start over .I had been working on a 4x8 layout for over a year and just couldn’t seem to come up with anything that satisfied me.When I saw Pelle Soeborg’s desert layout in the March issue of MRR I knew what I had to do. Start over. Although my layout is similar to Mr. Soeborg’s, I’m just not near as talented as he is. On the other hand I’m now satisfied with what I have accomplished so far and now look forward to working on my layout as much time will allow. My advice to anyone who is not happy with their present layout is, do what I did, rip it up and start over. Joe Voisin Sr.
Absolutely! I have ripped out mountains, switches, track, and buildings. As I have learned through having bad experiences with the layout, I have many times started over. Some things sat on the layout for years before I said enough! That doesn’t work! And tore it out to start again. [:D]
Ah, yes, you are not alone in your quest, grasshopper! I am a proponent of Free-mo and sad to say my first module was a testament to all the “don’t do” things possible, from inferior construction grade plywood (voids and warps), to out of square ends, tto the final straw…I had track in, wired, and ballasted, by the time I realized there was no provision for adding switch machines! Now well into my second module it is coming along nicely, the frame is beautiful birch plywood, and square, the DCC bus wires are in as is the DC bus foir the switch machine power. I will soon install the accessory AC bus and the rectifier and the voltage regulator connection to the DC bus, the Tortoises are in place, roadbed is down and I am finally laying track. This one will work!
Yes i have…I have a grade that is on a loop and i couldn’t get the track right, it was too sharp of a curve, so ripped up all the foam and track in the section and put some good ole plywood about 4" off of the table top and this allowed space for the track . I will put up before and after pics later.
I’m sure you’ve heard this, Trevor, but what the heck, I’ll say what you already know. No model railroad is really ever finished! If it is, you rip out something and redo it! Good luck to you and your new and improved mountain. I’m just glad to know spray foam works, because I’ve always wanted to try it. Seems much easier.
Trevor,
I believe this is considered a norm and part of our learning curve. I have laid large amounts of track down, bought and built kits, began work, installed all the goodies for a well planned area, and then realize that a different method or scene would have looked better.
One good example would be the first classification yard I built. It didn’t take me long to realize that it not only didn’t look right, it was also going to be too small and loaded with operational nightmares. Everything had been installed including: 15 wired turnouts, track, ballast, painting and scenery, and trackside buildings. I just took a deeeeeeep breath and started the demolition…trying not to cry… and then started all over again.
The good news…the second time always looks better [^][^][:D]
It happens to all of us. It even happens to the “experts.” I’m thinking Dave Barrow (sp?) and Tony Koester. Being able to be not being satisfied with previous efforts and changing it to take advantage of more knowledge, experience and expertise is one of the great things about this hobby.
I started with a plan from MR that looked great on paper. Once built, it was too crowded and the curves too sharp, so I added a four foot extension. This meant tearing out the end mountain [now the center of the layout] and builting a new mountain/tunnel at the end of the extension. I had a short tunnel at the other end that did not look good, so I tore it out and had the track curve around the mountain [tunnel now closed]. Then I tore out the yard tracks and installed a turntable/engine house. That meant tearing up more track and building an L-shaped extension for the new yard. I always wanted a high timber trestle, so I added an L at the other end and put a loop coming from the mountain/tunnel downgrade to join the main. Then I bought five UP C-C trailers, so now I need to install a freight depot with parking space. The only place large enough for it is where I have my service area [water, sand, and diesel tanks], so I’m ready to tear them out and move them to another space between the tracks. That will involve clearing that area of scenery, putting down new ground cover and reballasting – and probably reballasting the old service area after I find the right sized freight depot. Also in the future, I want to tear out a concrete approach track leading onto my steel truss bridge over the mainline and replacing it with a plate girder bridge. I always wanted a roundhouse instead of my two-stall engine house, so someday I may tear up my turntable and add some real estate there so I have room for it. It never ends. Just keep one track open so the trains can keep running.
i haven’t started a layout yet , but knowing my learning curve i’m sure there will be several tear out sessions during the first year . the thing to do is to calmly analyze what you’ve done and what you’re going to do differently , and then get a really big hammer and smash it !
I had originally built a stub end yard at the top of a 4% grade (the main line curved off at the top of the grade. Got rid of the yard and through routed the mainline between the furnace and the water heater. A longer run and a less steep grade.
