Often I think there’s something or some other road/scale/time era to model. When and where do you feel it’s time to move on from what you’re currently modeling to something that’s maybe a little more challenging? Like…
Changing prototypes to model?
Changing scales?
Changing time eras?
Take care,
Russell
Whenever something ignites your passion for modeling something “different”? It could be an era, geographical location, scale, new industry that you might find an interest for that does not fit into what you already have underway. I think a lot of us are ready for a change if “new” space needs to be filled with that something brought on by one of lifes changes, kids out of the house to college, marriage etc. or a new lease negotiated from the CFW regarding a layout room, or a new basement or attic that comes with a move and appropriate land claim filling regarding that space!
Will
When you no longer enjoy what you are doing, exploring can prove beneficial. Only you can decide. I suggest you aquire a couple of items of rolling stock in the various scales, eras and prototypes to determine your likes and dislikes. It’s a complex question indeed.
Dave
Thanks for the responses, but yes Dave I guess my questions are too complex. I would like to aquire a couple of “collector’s” items in other scales, but lack of funds is the factor. What I should ask is how many people are in that stage and what are they changing[?]
Russell
Trainnut484, I’ve now had 2 changes in how I model. I originally modeled the Penn Central, tracks ran right past the apartments I lived in. It was an easy RR to model as they had everything and painting was easy!
My first change came when I got stationed in Nebraska, it rekindled a childhood memory of a model RR magazine with a Burlington E unit on the cover. I found myself in the middle of Q country and went ahead and made the switch.
The second change came due to finances. In order to limit my appetite for owning one of everything the Q owned, I started focusing on specific geographic locations (Nebraska/Iowa) and years (1960s). I had a beautiful pair of Kato SD-40s but only the Q subsidiary Colorado & Southern owned them, so I sold them off to have some cash for other purchases. Its not to say I won’t run stuff “outside” the geographic area or time, but it helps me focus on what I really want.
I’ve been tempted severaltimes to switch to N scale from HO, but I have alot invested, I lke the size, and my wife would kill me!
RedGrey62
RedGrey62, thanks for responding. I understand about switching scales and the investment. I could never explain rhyme or reason to my wife. Although I thought about getting an O scale locomotive to display in a case for a conversation piece.
I’ve focused on an era, but don’t want to part with stuff from outside the era. Time travel on a layout can be fun [:D]
Take care,
Russell
I planned for just such a problem early on when I was designing my layout. I knew that after a while I was going to get tired of one era and then another, so I built it so that I could change out the cars, move a few buildings and structures around, change out the trains and go from the 1930s to the 50s to the 70s on up to modern times. So far it’s worked out real well.
trainluver
My dad had an HO layout when I was young that got me hooked. I went to N scale in my teens because I figured I wouldn’t have much space for many years. I was out of the hobby for about 10 years and came back to HO because of availability, detail, and the “fun” I had with N scale. I built a 4x8 HO layout, but when I finally moved into the house, I had to dismantle it. (I apparently didn’t measure correctly for getting even a 4x8 layout out of the basement of the old place). Now that I’m in a new house, my wife and I have compromised. My son and I can build an N scale layout in the corner of the basement and she gets a sewing/craft room. I’m currently in negotiations for the amount of space, but I think I’m going to go modular so I can a) move it easier (we plan to be here only 3-5 years, but who knows?) and b) try different things as trainluver talks about above. If I plan it out with enough flexibility, hopefully I won’t have to make huge changes, but I’m sure when I’m older I’ll want to go back to HO. My eyes are already not as good as they once were.
I am in the process of backdating from 1950 to 1905.
Dave H.
That’s interesting, Dave. Could you 'splain a bit? What got you going, and how are things shaping up for you?
You can do it at reasonable cost, shop secondhand, you don’t need the latest wiz bang fully loaded models at this time, your’e testing the waters not building a empire. Once you found what appeals to you in the scales that appeal to you , then devote the time and dollars for the good stuff. .
Ask yourself these fundemental questions:
Does freelance or protoype appeal to me
What era appeals me
What is the geographical setting that appeals to me
What kind of operation appeals to me
What do I NOT like about my curent layout
What do I like about my current layout
What do I NOT like about my current scale
What do I like about my current scale
Dave
I suppose (being more than humorous) the state of your MRR budget might have a lot to say about when it’s time to “move on”.
For most of us, it’s a luxury to be where we currently are.
Yes, I’ve asked myself those questions. Right now, I’m not ready to move on. Sometimes I entertain the thought, but not serious about it. I’m interested in where others are in the hobby.
Take care,
Russell
My choice for modelling the Sierra instead of ‘out in the cuts’ Utah/ Wyoming was that all my eastern road hoppers don’t look so out of place here. The green helps it look more passable.
I like both of those places equally. But had to decide on one primary theme.
I would just like to have 2 seperate layouts. Somthing like double deck but with no connecting hellix. I thought it would be kinda impractical to have a double deck layout in my small bedroom in which I must also live. Actually it may be possible. One can only be so high and the other so low. I’ve been drawing up plans for somthing like this. At the moment it is a pipe dream.
The upper layout in this plan would have a frame of light weigh steel studs. thus needing very little support at the front of the shelf. The rear of it should be held up by “L” brackets mounted on the lumber pretruding from the heavy/sturdy wooden lower layout. I don’t know it it is explained correctly, but I see the vision in me head. This upper layout would be my ‘scrub’ layout. Very simple track plan. No spagetti bowl. Lots of open, dry scenery.
The lower layout in this plan would be made using rebuilt existing lumber. Its heavy and can withstand me falling into it. The theme would be a revamped version of what it is now.
Too many scenes on my current SP&E erk me. I feel I couldve done alot better. That coupled with the fact the benchwork and track isn’t as well-built as it should be make me want to redo the entire thing.
You may say “why don’t you just tear out the stuff you don’t like and redo it?”
Because most of the problems with this layout extend from mistakes done in the begining. Too many elements were off on the wrong start.
Changes I would make:
Better rock faces, and more of them.
Less trackage. No more of this ‘semi-spagetti bowl’.
More bridges. At least 3.
Abs
I’m in a similar situation. Origonally I was going to model steam era UP ATSF, and SP in Wyoming and California. But then a railfanning trip sparked my interest in modern railroading. I now have 5 modern diesels to supplement my fleet of 6 steamers. So now I’m modeling CSX and Conrail among others in the 1990s and 2000s. My steam will stick around in the form of a working RR museum on my layout.