there are a lot of frustrations with model railroading… all the pain…blood…and ibuprofen that are taken to complete it are mind numbing…but its worth it…I think that all of us have countless problems with our layouts at times. but what the main problem that you have with your layout? mine is when i have an engine derail…i fix the track so it won’t derail…then it derails somewhere else![banghead]
My main frustration is not having enough funds to just get everything I need. Of course, having to proceed slowly is actually probably a GOOD thing, but it IS frustrating at times.
–Randy
i have to also agree with the funds
Funds the main problem but also wiring I’m just not good at it.If you look underneath the layout you’d be scared. Rob
the constant fiddleing, adjusting,tweeking.I’ll have a good operating session,everything will work perfectly.I’ll put the layout to sleep,the next day i’ll have problems with it.Most of the time it’s with my motive power and usually with the steam engines.I can’t seem to get all the trains to run perfectly on all the track,all the time.I’ll have a problem with a engine,fix and adjust for that,then that seems to cause another problem with a engine that ran great untill i fixed the problem with the first engine…and so on,and so on…
My main problem is rushing into making mistakes and re-doing it to make it right.
I haven’t planned enough and the track won’t always fit in the space I have, I’ve expanded three times!!
I bought a cheap Bachmann 2-6-0 and it gives me trouble with stalling.
Ken.
Biggest frustration I have is …Not enough room.
I hear ya on that one, although (knock on wood) I’ve licked derailment problems - track is kinda rough. There’s some swaying motion side to side as the trains go over the rough areas, but hey, I model a shortline, so it is really somewhat prototypical. 
SO its not really a frustration at all.
Funds (or lack thereof) and not enough room are my two sources of frustration.
Kevin
Wait until you run that new steamer over the same track. Those babies will find
what you over looked.
Product availability! I am currently building a large urban scene and quite a few of the really large, downtown-type of structure kits I had planned to employ in kitbashed fashion I find are now out of production. This has forced me to a longterm search of eBay listings, often with considerable waits between the surfacing of the desired kits…then the hassle of trying to be top bidder. You’d be surprised how very few kits of large urban structures are currently on the market.
CNJ831
$$$ …but isn’t that everyone’s main problem?
From a purely modelling viewpoint my biggest frustration is when I’m driving track nails (either for roadbed or track) and there’s a particularly hard section of wood directly below which causes the wee little track nail to bend and buckle. DOH!
When I build my extension…I will definitely be using a higher grade of plywood.
Trevor
My biggest frustration is not enough time! I’ve got 30+ steam engines that need to be built/superdetailed/painted/redetailed, as well as dozens of resin freight cars, AND a layout to finish building! And I’m lucky to squeeze in 30 minutes a day for the hobby [:(]
Lack of funding, and product availability - I’m fed up with the number of products listed that, should you order them, you may possibly recieve in 6 weeks time or longer. This is especially true of spares for some models. Also being unable to find a particular model except on eBay, and the prices there are getting crazy on auctions (as opposed to “Buy it Now”).
Product announcements, order deadlines that fills entire production run one year before product release. When released, sold out for 6 months.
Product released postponed due to various issues that could cause me to find a similar product that is “ready to go” thus cancelling my order.
Out of production items being sold on ebay for 4 times retail. Manufactorers should take note of the demand level.
Ebay items being offered for what obviously is MSRP. This is a AUCTION remember? I aint paying shipping if my LHS can get it at cost and discount it too.
Enough with the challengers already!! We would like other engines please.
etc etc etc
My main frustration is when I do things rashly without thinking things through.
Like my new yard area.I place a crossover just above the switch to the yard.ladder so I spiked the crossover in place then realized I had to move my yard latter back 12"…[8][B)] All I had to do was look at the end of the board and see I was wasting space and that by moving the ladder back that 12" I gain more yard space.[:D] So I had to redo the track and crossover that I already spiked in place.Frankly I HATE doing the work TWICE!!! [:(!]
big hands little pieces , is my problem
My wifes non support and lack of time.
Blind Bruce in the Peg
The frustration is definately worth it. What’s funny and I’m sure some can relate, is that when nothing goes wrong with your train (no derailments, pickup issues, uncoupling) operations tend to get a little less exciting (not all the time, but sometimes).
As many have read throughout my posts here, my layout is contained in a very small space, on the floor and because space is limited and I run passenger trains on a maximum of just under 22" radius, that’s asking for trouble.
Part of the fun has come with working out these issue to reduce all of these occurances and for the most part they have worked.
Asside from that, my frustration doesn’t have much to do with modeling directly, but the fact that I don’t have a permanent layout where I can just come home from school and run trains or work on it. I constantly have to put my trains away and dis-assemble my track network.
Last fall I attempted to combat this by putting my tracks on a thin foam board to reduce set-up and break down times so that I can operate my trains when I’m home on break. We’ll see just how successfull and practical this will be when I come home for a week in the Summer.
For me it’s time. While I would like to have more money for the hobby and more products, I have still accumulated enough stuff to last me several years at the rate I’m going.
Enjoy
Paul
My main problem now Is I am enjoying myself ripping walls down and putting up new drywal that it is taking time away from my layout. I want to do my layout so bad but I love fixing my little flaws up in my house. I get to spend maaybe 30 minutes down in the basement and I want more time!!.