It seems like the Professional Layout Builders must have a writer or two on their staffs who can turn out an article that meets the requirements for publication in CTT, because there seems to be at least one article a month about a professionally built layouts but, to my eye, nary a one about a layout built by the owner.
Is everyone out there happy about this?
Would you like to see more articles about non professionally built layouts?
Does anyone think this is a problem, with CTT essentially paying the professional layout builders to advertise what they do, or do you find this inspirational?
I’ve seen features on people who built their own layouts in the past. I have no problem reading about a layout whether it’s a professional or a hobbyist who built it; sure, the professional gets some publicity (which I don’t think is a bad thing), but more importantly, we get the opportunity to learn from them. While the layout builder is getting some publicity, he may also look at it as giving away some of his secrets too.There are two sides to everything.
To me, the most important thing is the author’s experience, and one gets experience from building layouts. If a professional gets a few extra jobs as a result of writing an article, I don’t see anything wrong with that.
I’ve been a subscriber to CTT from the first issue and have found a good mix of articles pertaining to layouts that have been professionally constructed as well as layouts that have been home built by modellers. I really don’t care who built or constructed the layout as long as each article provides me with a source of inspiration. I’m also happy when I discover at least one nugget of information I can glean from an article and use on my own layout.
So I don’t have a problem with CTT’s layout features. What I do find annoying is when a magazine hypes a personality by running a ‘Call Out’ on their cover…such as “Joe Blow Builds a Layout”.
I’ve been a subscriber since day one too and have seen more home grown layouts published than professionally built layouts. Maybe more pro layouts have been published in recent years. To me, it’s a layout and I see it for what it is. Professionally built or not, if it looks good, it’s worthy of publication. There is a lot to be learned and enjoyed studying it. That is what’s important to me.
Yes, they were inspired by a mix of John Armstrong’s book, Model Builder Magazine, Kalmbach’s book on display layouts, and scenes from layouts published in CTT.
I used to have the same misgivings and even was irked by what I considered laziness of rich people, gettting others to build their layouts for them; after all what is model railroading when you don’t do the modeling?
But I’ve gotten over it. I now realize that some folks just like running the trains and have very limited time (and possibly skills and energy), so it doesn’t bother me any more.
OGR, as well as CTT have run professionally built layouts, with the latest in OGR being Jim Barrett’s layout and the latest CTT article, which I’m still reading is, I believe, professionally built.
Having said that, I’ve seen ordinary people’s layouts look just as good or better than what the so-called professionals have done. But overall, when you hire a professional, you’ll get a professional layout.
Personally, I derive as much joy in building and learning new things as I do in operations.
Now that we are 99.9% done building our layout from scratch it’s fun to sit back and reflect “what if”. This is our first layout and while it’s been great fun there were still some frustrating moments but I wouldn’t trade a moment of of the build for anything. I’ve learned a great deal from this effort and I’m really looking forward to doing one more.
Like others, I have more fun building than operating and I never thought I would feel that way. My biggest frustration though is in design, I spent well over a year trying to figure out what I wanted and I’m still 2nd guessing myself. I might give serious consideration to have someone do the design for the track plan next time. I like what I did but I know it could be more interesting.
I enjoy the professionally built layouts as I like to “borrow” there ideas. They really are the best of the best. I also enjoy looking at rookie builders like me, everyone has something to offer even if it’s a basic figure 8 design.
Jon’s layout needs to be in CTT. I have built one layout from scratch and had to dismantle it. Hope to get the other one started soon. I love building bench work and wiring. I am a little slow on scenery. There is were the wife will step in.
Interestingly, there’s some data about the average age of hobbyists - and I’m including everyone from garden railroaders to Z scalers in this group - being about 55, as compared to 33 in the early 80s - sounds about right - and we’ve had similar discussions on several forums. Within this group, there is a range - there are many who build everything from scratch - those who prefer to use RTR stuff - and those have someone build it all for them. I don’t see anything wrong with this. I can admire and learn from a professionally-build layout as much as from a home-built one. I like learning about electricity and scenicking. I hate to reference Sam Posey’s book in two postings - but I just finished it last night - he has some interesting musings about those who like to go their own way or discover their own ways of doing things in the hobby - despite the wealth of people and products that will tell you how to do ‘it.’ For example, I’m sure there are not a whole lot of people who hung plastic banquet table covers as a backdrop - by stapling cardstrip hangers to the rafters. But it was an interesting exercise for me to enhance (generally) the layout environment within my limits of expertise and resources. I don’t intend to convince others my way is the best or only way - and it was fun to share it with others on this forum.
While the professionally built layouts are very pretty, I think they are a complete violation of the “HOBBY” concept. All it takes is deep pockets, no creativity. That is left to someone elses imagination.
As one who has had a layout featured in CTT, a layout which I did employ help to build, it may sound somewhat hypocritical to say that professionally built layouts should be banned from the magazines. I think there is a clear distinction that can be made here, and that is, professionally built layouts in private homes are not what this hobby is about. They are basicly a form of cheating!!! All it takes is a lot of money.
In my case, I did the design work, supervised the construction, helped out with some of the actual work, gathered all of the people and materials, and completed the project on deadline. It was a wonderful experience, but I would never do it again.
My current layout is even more grand than the last, and will be my final. This one will not use any paid help to build. It will be all me, with a little help from a few friends. When complete, I expect it to make the pages of CTT, MR and maybe others.
" They are basicly a form of cheating!!! All it takes is a lot of money."
I think you’re way over the top here Eliot. This is about playing and enjoyment. While one may enjoy a layout more if one built it one’s self, that’s an individual issue, with some people not having the time, skill or interest in building stuff. Most of these people who commissioned layouts did have some role in the design, I’d guess, and some in the finishing touches, and, by nature of the expense, these aren’t people with significant discretionary time in all likelihood. So let’s appreciate the play value and skill in all layouts, whoever made them. This isn’t a competition or a race, IMO. Certainly someone who invests thousands of hours in building a fantastic layout deserves a lot more personal credit than someone who pays for $200,000 in labor and materials, but to the viewer and the magazine, either is a gorgeous layout.
I agree, Neil. If one’s hobby is building layouts, one should build layouts. But if one’s hobby is running trains, with no interest in building, there is no shame in having someone else do the building.
Elliott needs to take it to the next level. He should grow trees and then mill his own wood. He should make his own screws. He should also hand lay all of his own track tie by tie and spike by spike, and scratchbuild all of his own engines and rolling stock. Oftentimes people take shortcuts and use elements that are PROFESSIONALLY DONE on the train layout.
Whatever one needs to do to achieve THEIR goal, professionally done or otherwise built is alright by me. I like to see good looking layouts in the magazine.
I have designed and I am building my entire layout. If I can find a shortcut that is acceptable asthetically and affordable to me then I take it.
Cheating? Not really. This hobby is about enjoyment. If a person has a layout built and gets enjoyment out of operating it, that is fine. Is buying a boat verses building it yourself cheating?
Sorry Neil and Bob, and I mean both Blum and Besougloff as well as Nelson and Keller. Let me see if I can clarify my indignation here.
It has been stated many times here that one of the goals of the forum is to attract newcomers to the hobby. The magazine devotes some of it’s space to projects for beginners. While it is true that the magazine wants and needs to feature high quality layouts, I feel that showing off professionally built and purchased layouts is a disservice, when there are so many other deserving layouts of high quality done by individuals.
Beginners don’t need to see all the things they can’t afford. A lot of people are already being turned off by the prices in the 3 rail market, and now they are exposed to visions of the unattainable. No wonder it’s so hard to get new people involved.
Hobbies are supposed to be about achievement in one’s spare time. These professional layouts may be fun to look at, and perhaps boost magazine sales, but I still feel that they send the wrong message, especially to the kids!!!
Anyone who can afford to have a layout built for them is welcome to it. Hell, they’ve earned it, but I don’t think they have earned the right to have it published. This is just our version of instant gratification.
What Would A.C. Kalmbach say???
Personally, I would much rather see layouts like Tom’s (Spankybird) and a number of other forum members, featured in the magazine.
P.S. Congrats Bob Nelson, your next post is 1000.[8D]
By the way Bill, I have hand layed my own track before. I just don’t want to spend that much time on the mundane parts of the layout. I may still hand lay some of the switches.
Likewise, I am not into building cars and locomotives. I would rather spend my time building scenery and structures, and ultimately running the trains.
There’s a big difference between using premade components, and having a layout professionaly built. Everyone is entitled to do his own thing. I just don’t think that the professionally built layouts belong in the magazine.
I am basicly agreeing with Little Tommy, who started this topic.