Guys,I been doing some thinking on how it would be to start over .This may happen in my case shortly.I am more interested in my C&HV and my desire to model R.J.Corman…I already have 2 GP units lettered for RJC and am thinking about having 2 of my C&O GP9s and 2 of my C&O GP38s painted for RJC…I have even went as far as to choose a fictitious route…
Yes friends I am tired of modeling the past and want to move into modern times.
I said maybe. There are days when I wish I was back in HO, but I have way too much invested in 3 rail O.
I think rather than start over, I wish I could finish!!! [swg]
Larry -
I’m happy modeling my “modern” regional Rock Island of 1996 (or running Iowa Interstate / IMRL when I want “real”).
Choosing 1996 for my layout year lets me run P40 AMTRAK superliners, BN/SF Dash 8-40Bs, and UP SD70Ms (ok, so my UP rushed the SP’s into paint quicker than they did in real life!) along with 1980’s era Rock Island equipment (which would be about right for a 1996 regional road, to judge by the real regionals IAIS and IMRL motive power in that year).
As far as newer (beyond 1996) locos/equipment go, I am really not interested in them, so that is another benefit of my “cut-off” year.
So my fictional RI lines works just fine for me, and allows me to model both the locos and roads that I like.
Guess I just lucked out !!!
I didn’t wish, I did it! I abandoned HO after 25 years to prusue the more challenging aspect of selecting and recreating a SP branch line set in the mid 20s in S scale. No regrets except for the usual delays in introducing new models to the market .
I am planning on starting over. I’ve learned alot about good track laying skills and trying to jam too much railroad into a small space. Though I really like my DV&W layout, I’m looking to go a little larger for more scenery and perhaps better operations.
Also, since my track laying skills are not that great, I am going to change to Kato track. My wife uses it on her N-scale layout, and I really like it. A little weathering and it looks better (and is more reliable) than anything I can lay.
I am also going to start diversifying my motive power. I’m overloaded with F7’s! I am figuring to add some E units and Alco PA’s and PB’s.
I learned alot about model railroading and with that knowledge, I hope to make the next DV&W RR even better!
I was modeling On30 in the 1880’s and was quite happy. Then I discovered that most of the old time HO equipment could be used as OO scale 1870’s equipment. It realized my dream of modeling the 1870’s in standard gauge that I have had since seeing Walt Disney’s “Great Locomotive Chase” in 1956 at age 9. The OO/HO(4mm/ft scale running on HO track) in the 1870’s is the most fun I have had in model railroading.
OO/HO 1870’s running on the former On30 Pacific Coast Air LIne Railway
See OO/HO in the 1870’s at:
http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/1879/why/
Have a nice day
Harold
Yes, I am starting over. I stripped evering thing off my old layout except trackwork and gave it away to a kid as a starter layout when I moved to Tenn. Just finished building a 20 by 20 outbuilding to house my new layout. I’ll have some pics of that on my web site next week. Hope to have about 500ft. of mainline and everything I couldn’t put on my old layouts. Ore mine, big city, big switching yard and what I’ve always wanted. A turntable
and round house! I’ve always drooled over those on other peoples layouts. Kind of like Homer over dounuts.
loathar
I didn’t vote in the poll because I have “started over” after a brief 12 year hiatus. I am taking my time and I can afford to buy decent equipment so things are going well.
I just received my latest shipment of track and switches today so track is being brought into the town of Black Rock.
Now, if you run this poll again in about three years when I retire, I may be stating over again (in a warmer climate).
Tom
Tom
I would guess that every train modeler who has been running trains on his/her layout for a few weeks, or months, will naturally begin to develop a critical eye with regards to the layout. I have begun to do that, although I voted that I am content with the way things are at the moment. I will very likely build another layout within two years, and it will be the result of learning, hindsight, and evolved tastes. I’m pretty sure I am no different from most of you in that respect.
Sometimes I do. I started in HO then switched to N to get more railroading in a small space. Now that I’m older and the eyes aren’t what they used to be and the sausage fingers aren’t as nimble as they used to be, I sometimes wish I was back in HO, especially since I’ve got more space now. But, I’ve got too much time and money invested in this layout to scrap it and start over.
Yes. I wish I…
-used more WS rock molds around the layout. And colored all the rocks with a proven method that I feel comfortable using.
-had better tools while constructing my benchwork. So joints would come out clean, level, and squarely aligned. Currently it has it’s share of dips and slopes.
-used a sturdier subroadbed. 2" beadwhite foam mounted on plywood or somthing. The current 1" foam board mounted on nothing causes serious problems with my trackwork.
-made my shelves a little wider. 4" more around each part of the layout allows for more structures ans scenery. My room is cramped already, a little less moving-around space wouldn’t make much difference.
-started using sweatergrass and fake fur in my scenery as I progressed. They make for some stunning scenes if used correctly.
-didn’t buy so much foreign road motive power. Like my N&W A and PRR J1. I blew my money on them, so I can’t afford the equiptment that actually fits the layout! They were just so cool and tempting. From now on I must resist.
-designed my track plan with less track. Its not a “spagetti bowl” now, but it would look my more realistic with more earth and less rails.
AggroJones,
If this is some sort of way for you to tell us that you want to start over,…can I have your old layout?..PLEASE! [:D] [:-^]
You could think of it as branching out in a different direction instead of starting over.
I model many different roads, eras and scales.
I’m now contemplating whether or not I have the space for a second main line…
MMMmmmmmm…Might have to take out the south wall and figure a way to support the main bearing wall, without upsetting the family matrix and still make payments and …
I don’t think anyone here could call call themselves an MR’r without contemplating change once in a while.
I still want a second main line though!
Fergie
I started in HO moved to O and then to S (I kept every thing just in case). So I guess I have started over twice. I am also going to dismantle the current layout and fini***he basement this fall and then start a new bigger layout. My feeling is that if you’re dissatisfied then change - we’re supposed to be having fun. If you’re not sure than try a new scale or era in a small way.
Enjoy
Paul
I built my 4 x 8 layout as a layout that the kids could run while I worked on the basement layout. The kids lost interest, but I am contiinuing the layout to gain experieince. I am drawing the line at investing into this layout anything that will not be useful on the basement layout–not counting scenery.
I would like to make a few changes, such as NOT BUYING SO DARN MANY ATHEARN DIESELS!!! Also, I would like to have a railroad with larger than 24" curves, and either a less steep grade, or a pusher station. Throw in some code 83/70 track, bigger yard, more boxcars, less IHC sets, more Kato and P1k and P2k, and I would be quite happy.
I calculated that if I hadn’t bought those athearn/ Bachmann/ IHC/ Unknown engines, I could be running 4 GP9s past a local with 2 GP38-2s and a coal drag with 5 SD40-2s, 3 on the head, 2 mid train. Instead, I’m running 3 GP9s with 10 boxcars past 2 SD40-2s pulling a few Accurail CP covered hoppers. Well, it could be much, much worse!
For the fact that at best, I only earn $600 a year, from mowing the lawn and such, I’m doing pretty good for myself[:D]
Matthew
Start over,
…with a bigger space and less restrictions and more $$$ ? Yes
…in my current location and current circumstances, No way.
I’ve already built and revised my track plan many times to get it to where it is today. The only way to improve it would involve major space re-allowcations that cannot occur.
Start over hail no like where i am at.HO by birth HO by the grace of god,
Start over?Only in the way I’ve built this layout.When I built my small layout I did it so I could tip up the extruded styrofoam and set there and solder the wires setting down.Once I had all the drops in I connected them to the buss wires ran the bus wires to the end of the layout and drop them through a hole in the frame work then dropped the foam back in place.
I am way to far along on the layout to go back and do it this way.
But if the day ever comes [:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]