Ok, so I’m a teenager, and will be moving into a different bedroom come this summer. Now, my original plan was to do a 12x8 ft. layout that had a main line that continued around the room. Yes, it would have been modualar, because i will be moving out of that room. Now, I’ve got a plan to shrink my layout plan down, but still have both the modular bit and also the line around the room. So, anyone have any ideas on some good points I can use to help argue my case? Any more questions about my situation, fele free to ask, I want to get the most space out of this as I can. Thanks for any ideas! [:)]
You may find discussing rather than arguing your case will be more likely to be successful. Good luck.[:)]
I think he means to argue the case with the parental units to allow him to do this “temporary” layout.
You could do it ala Dave Barrow and do it Domino method, AKA track and buildings only, usually industrial theme w/ very very minimal scenery, easy to build and take down when the time comes.
true, but it’ll sorta be like an argument. It’ll be like a court case, lol, judging from past experiences talking w/ my parents abt. this kind of stuff.
If your talking about doing a shrunk down version now, and then the around the room this Summer, I say wait and just build the around the room. (if I’m understanding you correctly)
well, I mean argue my case to get the space I want. I’m thinking that the modular set-up would be a good point, b/c I’ll be moving out of this room at some point before i move out.
Well, you see, I’m not too much for the industrial side of layout operating though, and my main goal is to get the space. What you’re saying doesn’t really sound like something I’d like to do. thanks for the idea though!
Actually, I’m talking about getting the space in my next room.
It’s the bonus room, and I think some of you have heard me talk abt. when I get the attic. well, we can’t afford to do that, so I’m going to get part of the bonus room instead. I’m going to have to argue to get the space that I want to get in the bonus room to do what I want to do. I’ve drawn up a 6x6 plan, but it would be really nice to unfold it and get more space to execute it, and unfold it.
Build or buy bookcases around the room and put your layout on top of that. Get terrific grades and join the debate club to leverage your negotiations.OFFER to do mundane chores around the house as a gesture of good will.Keep your belongings neat and orderly in the shelves you buy or build,reduce clutter to a minimum. Keep the loud music down. Say hello,how was your day to your parents on a regular basis. If you’re old enough do a few part time jobs in the neighborhood to earn extra money. A paper route is excellent for this. Anyways this is sort of a geezers point of view,but if I were your parent, these attributes would probably get you where you want tob. BILL
Sawyer -
What you’re doing is a better preparation for the real world than you think. First, you’re involved in healthy school athletics, which teach you discipline and teamwork, and hopefully prepare you for the “life sports” that you’ll pick up when your football career is done. You’ve chosen a hobby which is creative and challenging.
Model Railroading is a miniature of real railroading. It’s not just “playing with trains.” To build a layout that works, you need elements of civil engineering, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering. These days, that means the Holy Grail - computer engineering as well. You will gain real experience, not just “book learning,” about these subjects. This sort of “studying” can be an important addition to your academic work. Instead of reading about it in a book, you’re actually out there doing it. It gives you an edge up on the competition. And there’s a lot of competition.
I did trains when I was your age. It taught me a lot. I ended up at MIT, and I credit a lot of that to the stuff I learned working on my trains. You are doing more for your future than you realize.
WHat rekline said is a good start.
A 6 x 6 is better than nothing and beter than the space I have for a layout.
Here are some points you may make in your arguement:
1} A hobby such as MRR is therapeutic for developing fine motor skills in teenagers.
2} It keeps you home safe where {your parents} know where you are at all times.
3} It will keep you from being out carousing and {underage} drinking with other foolish teenagers.
4} It will keep you from carousing {having underage sex} with girls. {that DOES mean you can date-just not THAT [swg]}.
5} It will teach you responsibility to keep it clean and neat in the bonus room where all can see.
6} It will keep you from spending money on/doing drugs with other foolish teenagers {you’ll be spending it all on MR [:P]}.
Got the idea?
Keep your grades up, your room clean, offer to do extra chores around the house, get a part-time job and save a lot to help defray college costs.
Good luck!
Hi Galaxy,
Just a thought for you…
I get the impression that, like my wife’s cousin, you like to "watch em roll’. Nothing wrong with that. Have you considered an “around-the-wall” layout? Of course you would have to install a lift-out section/bridge if there is a door entryway along the railroad’s path. .
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You would be able to run longer trains than you would on a square 6’ x 6’,
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You get more square footage compared to the square layout
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All trains, trackage, and wiring are within easy reach,
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In addition to your single or double tracked mainline, you would likely have space for multiple industrial and commerical customers, that way should you become interested, (if you stay in the hobby you likely will) the option of performing simplified switching operations would be readily available… Walthers backdrop buildings make this quite feasible.
I’m currently building an around the wall layout in a 10 x 12 room. My basic concept:
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DCC
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A diesel locomotive service facility. I’m modifying an HO Walthers Car Shop building into a locomotive shop
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Four to five industrial customers that receive boxcars (warehouse and furniture manufacturer) , covered & center flow hoppers (Purina Feed Mill) , refrigerator cars (fruit and juice distributor), and flat cars (lumber yard)…
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Small 1960s town with a passenger train station.
With this basic plan as a guide, I’m proceeding forward. Try and get a basic, reasonably realistic plan for your railroad as it will make things easier for you in the long run.
High Greens [:D]
Thanks guys!
Galaxy, as to 3, 4, and 6, no way those will happen, I’m not that stupid, and God said no (just giving my reason), so I won;'t do those. Good points though; my mom told me she was glad that i was in model railroading (a few weeks earlier she had complained about the cost [;)] )
Antonio, I’ll hopefully be able to negotiate having at least a loop of track all the way around the room (yes, I enjoy watching them roll), and then the 6x6 would be for operating like an RR and building scenery etc.
If I can get the wall space, I’ll uncurl the current 6x6 plan I have to give it more breathing space, and also ease of operation.
It’s gonna be a tough conversation, but I think I can do it. thanks y’all!
Oh yeah, part time job etc., I’m going to try to find one this summer.
I wouldn’t build a decent looking layout if you are going to move out/rooms. No point of putting alot of time/money into one if you will move to the attic.
I would build something I can use, but yet be able to tear down real fast.
I have a full basement, but I built my layout 12x8. Thats not bad…Well I didn’t leave any room to expand. Now I kick myself for it.
You can always start thinking of what you want the layout to look like. I have a full attic as well, but no heat. To cold up here in Pa.
Good points Robby. Exactly why it will be modular. I’m going to make sure the splits will be to where I can move the whole thing into the attic when we remodel it into my next bedroom. It will be easy to tar down, especially considering my pace of work, lol.
Also, I’m going to make sure it stays modular, because in 4 years, college, then after another 4 years, I’m on my own (hopefully my parents will let me store my trains at home until I get a place to store them [swg] ), and then who knows from there?
Young dude,it sounds like you’re on the way to become a lifetime RR hobbiest. A young freind, well hes not all that young anymore with two little kids,has been a lifetime Model RR er and his last job was as a modelbuilder for the stop action movie, CORALINE. So keep at it,try to steer your education along the lines of things you’re interested in.
Hey Saw;
You can do a lot on a foot wide bench around the room, domino style. My brother built a 1X12’ layout in one end of his den and it’s fantastic. Takes a couple hours to switch the whole thing. It comes out in two 1X6 sections. It’s amazing how much scenery (industries) you can put in a foot deep bench.
Just some thoughts and good luck. I know also you’re heading in the right direction with your life!!! 
Keep on Sawyer!!!
Bob
PS: Miss chatin with ya on face book but it ate up too much modeling time.
two things to keep in mind. in order to negotiate effectively, you must let the other party know that you care-but not that much. also bear in mind that arguing with parents is like mud wrestling with pigs. you can’t win but the pig enjoys it.
grizlump
Try and find some way that you can pay for your trains and it will be much easier to do the hobby [from a perspective of your parents, not saying your funds will be easy to acquire]. Model Railroading: 1] Helps build fine motor skills. 2] Brings secluded teens [like me with my broken leg] into a form of discussion [even if it is like this on the internet]. 3] Teaches history. 4] Teaches differences in area and culture. 5] Teaches organization. 6] Teaches patience [boy has that done a lot for me]. 7] Teaches stamina [for the impatient person]. 8] Provides a more carful nature [when handling that 2000 $ brass loco]. 9] Teaches mathematics [when scratchbuilding]. OT: This is the first good discussion that we have had in a while.
There’s so many reasons why model railroading is a great hobby… Here are a couple I’ve discovered, as a teen myself, to add to and/or provide another reference to the ones everyone has already given.
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Teaches and cultivates an interest in history. Before I really got into the hobby (2004-ish, before that it was just watching them run) I had pretty much no interest in history. Now I am a big history buff and enjoy researching local (railroad) history greatly.
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Geography also is a subject that closely ties to model railroading. Learning where products come from and their routings teaches you that, and other information you pick up along the way helps too.
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Keeps you busy and out of trouble.
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It keeps you from spending all your free time playing videogames or watching TV.
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You learn patience and the ability to stick to a project to see it through to completion.
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You learn myriad skills on everything from wiring to how to build realistic scenery. You also learn carpentry skills that will be useful in later life repairing stuff around the house.
That’s just a short list…