I found myself getting jealous of selector. He had to rip out his layout and start over. So here I am wishing I could rip out my layout and start over.
In the grand scheme of things I’m 3/4 done and in the next month or so, I’ll have the layout heavily landscaped with a cool backdrop. Then what will be left will be adding a series of craftsman kits and scratch-bash versions of kits, and figures and details. My favorite part of modeling.
But it is a 5 x 8 space hog that is in the way no matter where I put it. There are places on the layout that are a PIA to get to when the backdrop is in place. And to top it off, my locos have begun picking switches that they never did before–and the switches are correct with the points tucked in nicely. Of course, the derail is in the absolute hardest place to reach bar none.
As my old pal Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones in the Batman movie) would say. “We’re of two minds on the subject.”
In favor of the finishing the layout is that there is not much more I need to spend on it. Starting over means a lot of track, turnouts (which I think I’ll build) and framing and drywalling a section of the basement. More money that I care to invest while I’m reformatting my business. And I’ll learn more about what I want and don’t want in a layout.
But if I can’t get that my engines to cross that key turnout without derailing, it won’t be much more than a diorama.
Finish your layout, fix the problem switch, and run it for awhile using it as a learning experience of pros and cons of what you like and dislike. After I have built any layout, I always could then “SEE” changes to make it better. Then plan your next layout upon what you learned and what you like.
I imagine you stand there and look at all the work you put into it, all the time, all the money, all the effort, the learning and the mistakes and its basically tearing you apart to do the ‘right’ thing… or is it the right time to do the right thing?
Yes it will go eventually, but how hard would it be to replace that troublesome turnout, is it that much in the way that progress cannot be made else where in the basement? a pros an cons list springs to mind, the balance is in your own mind , maybe you just need to see it written down.
Personally I know I would keep it operational as long as feasibly posible, and then with a final gut renching moment start removing all the salvageable items for placement on phase 2, as you say, its not going to cost (much) more to finish so go ahead an finish it, fix the switch, learn a little bit more with it, bite the bullet and say goodbye when the time is right, I know you have come along way in the last 18months.
If your not ready to move on, which it sounds like your not
then finish what you have, plan and decide the next one and put yourself in an overall better position for progress to commence.
My inane mumblings basically boil down to :- you dont sound ready to kill it off, keep it running for a while longer till YOU are sure what YOU want, and where YOU want to go, but above all…
Are you modeling Newcastle Wyoming??? If so please plant the bomb right in the middle of down town.
Angst ridden kidding aside, it is my honest opinion that if, no matter what you do, you won’t be fully satisifed. Tear it down now and build a new one. If all thats grating you is that problem turnout, replace it with a new one, and be on your way.
Chip, you don’t sound convincing. I mean, I am hearing that you really want to finish it. Since you are in the process of a lot big changes in your business right now and the expense involved in starting over, it sounds to me like you want to finish it, put some closure on it, and then… move on to greater things. Absolutely fiddle with those problem turnouts. You will gain some good knowledge that will help you on the next layout. Use this this time as learning time to hone your skills and that pike just down the road aways will be that much better for it.
I’m not convinced it is the turnout. I think it might be the plastic wheels in the front truck of the engines. Trouble is, I don’t have a clue where to get metal wheels for them. They are smaller than 33".
Do what the hell you want Chip. Why do you want to ask us? If we all say keep it will you? If we all say break it down and start over are you going to? Or is the decision going to be made by YOU in YOUR mind? Reformat your business.
Fix or replace the switch. Enjoy it. Start planning the new one. Keep the old one running while you build the other, if possible. Maybe new space will open up and you can combine them. If not, donate the old one to a children’s home or a retirement home for railroaders!
You say, “…in about a month…”, Chip. What do you plan to accomplish in that time? If I understood what has yet to be completed, I might be able to offer an opinion.
The turnout hasn’t changed, has it? Have you done something nearby that could have altered its approach or exit geometry? Maybe it is not longer holding its own when the locos traverse it because the underlying material has changed in either integrity or position. It may actually be wobbling, or a point pin may be worn and is allowing the rail to wobble excessively. I would yank the offender and carefully replace it. I know that is high on your list of favourite things to do right now, but I would get the bear off my back, and this sounds like it might be it. The straw is falling as we speak…[:D]
Personally, I would favour gritting my teeth and seeing this done, come hell or high water. The very next day, you could go in there with heavy work gloves and a short 8 lb sledge to start the demolition, but you should run trains around if for one evening. Maybe after a good night’s sleep you will feel differently.
I had a good plan to improve my last layout, but then spit happened. I was left with no choice. Carpet looks great, by the way. [;)]
I think you’ve got enough stress in your life already with this reformatting of your business - don’t add to it by ripping out everything you’ve worked so hard to put together until now! I’m casting my lot with Crandall, Ray and UK-Karl, IOW fix the turnout and bring this thing to completion - imperfect or not.
You’ve already decided you’re going to do a ‘better’ one someday anyhow, right? So just accept that and give yourself time to do the ‘fun’ things and run some trains.
I have found, after 1 year of taking Model Railroading seriously, that it is easy to get lost in everyone else’s standards, concepts and methods. It is important not to lose sight of what you started out to do and what it was supposed to be.
As a result of reading everything I could get my hands on in the last 12 months I have considerably altered my standards and as a result my layout has evolved and in many ways, developed tangentially to where I was going in the first place…
I read your posts every day and it seems to me that you have fallen as hard for this game as I have, your standards have changed, the “kid’s” layout you started off building has fallen by the wayside as your skills and knowledge grow.
With all that in mind, you need to assess what your final goal is. If this layout is so close to completion, finishing it may well be wise. There is a sense of satisfaction to completion of a long journey. It would also be wise to bear in mind where you ultimately want to go and spend your money heading in that direction rather than spending too much more going in circles when you know you want to head somewhere else.
Fini***he layout, but only spend money on things that will take you towards your ultimate goals. Development of skills is perfectly justified in that equation [;)].
Without seeing your layout I’d hate to say yae or nae. Sometimes we get to close to the trees and can’t see the forest so maybe it’s time to step back.
I think this is something we all ask ourselves. You have several options here and from what has alredy been said I’ll briefly touch upon them as some excellent points have been made already.
You’re not happy, why ? Is it the layout or external stuff? Maybe it’s time to walk away and regroup. Personally I’m at that stage right now. Time to fiddle in the garden!
Invite some trusted, non-opinionated, wise sage like MR buddies over for an Ops session and let them help with the turnout problem. IHC did make a 31" metal wheel I’d love to get my hands on because my fleet of Passenger cars are in desperate need of them!
What does your better half think? Yes she’s part of the equation to. Then again mine would say scrap it and leave it. second thoughts you may or may not want to visit this option.
I would work on getting the derailments under control. When your trains derail, that is enough to make anyone feel like trashing the layout. I had a Mikado that kept picking at my switches, replaced the plastic lead wheel with NWSL and it now runs great. Here is a link to some replacement wheels. http://nwsl.com/Brochures/371004br-v0603.pdf
Seems to me that your not happy with its size and over all performance. You regret your EZ track purchase and always will. This is your first real layout and it will be hard to do but I vote for NUKE IT.
Chip, maybe you should finish it. I’m reminded of what a mrr-ing friend said the other day when I mentioned that I already see some areas on my layout that I wish I’d done differently and that I’d be sure NOT to do that if I built another one. He said, “we all say that and when we build the next one we build in some new problem”.
I’m convinced now there is no perfect layout.
OR… maybe you should nuke it. If you’re not happy with it, if it’s just not going to ever be what you want, start dismantleing it. I’ve never done that and it’s gotta be painful.
Good Luck!
Jarrell
P.S. Man!.. I was a lotta help, wasn’t I!!!
