Questions about building a layout

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I have posted here before about my library of model train and train and railroad books and magazines and how I am in the process of finding a new home for them.

However I have been reading and watching a lot of videos on HO scale model railroading and it has really got me thinking.

As I mentioned before I am unable to build a layout due to health issues. Back in 2004 I had multiple heart attacks and was forced to retire. I have so many hobbies it would take forever to list them all. Before I became I’ll I was into woodworking and I put together a wood and metal shop in my garage. I designed and made all kinds of things made of exotic woods and was also making replica cannons of those on the USS Constitution. This is how I added the metal working tools and machines to my already crowded garage. In 2007 I purchased a new home and with that had to tear down my shop and other equipment from my basement and move it to the new house. At that point I was still limited in my ability to do much of what I had loved to do before I became ill. I had a lot of help in moving my shop but it never really got put back together as it had been even though the new place had more space. I still worked with wood and dabbled in my hobbies but I was not able to really get back into creating and building things as I had in the past. I became limited to hobbies that involved less physical demands.

What has got me thinking was the videos I have been watching on designing and building a layout. The videos I have seen on benchwork an track laying have really got me thinking.

I’m visiting a Model Railroading Club tomorrow and after a few email exchanges with a member I got to thinking if there are members who might be interested in helping another member build a home layout. If there are members willing to help in such an endevoer to help with the heavy and physical work I may be able to have my own layout.

One of my questions is when building a layout do you have to have

2

I will do my best to answer a few of these questions.

A plan does help, but it can’t be “in stone” in that sometimes we plan things that only fit that way on paper, or don’t work out too well in real life. At minimum, plan out space requirements, and general operating style before building.

Some modeler’s will assist on tasks if asked, some will not. So the best answer for if anyone will help out, is, maybe. If you know someone who is a modeller, ask them. Worst they can say is no.

Items can be added in later on, like working crossing gates, while other items are tougher to add in after the fact, like a turntable. It can still be done, just takes more effort.

Rolling stock and locomotives can be bought over time, as that is indeed what most of us do. Benchwork and track can be done in stages, to help spread out cost as well, with some careful planning.

The one thing that you would have to answer on your own, is what type of layout you are interested in having, one that is geared towards realistic operations, or one that is “railfan” style, where the trains are run just for the pleasure of seeing them go by?

Also, would you want to operate it with friends, or as a solo-operator? Or, a more automated style, where you can start them up, and then just sit back and watch while the layout operates (more or less) on its own?

Going to a club (or two if you can) is a good way to get answers as too what style operation you do (and don’t) like. If someone offers it in your area, maybe attend a ops session or two as well.

3

Plans,scale drawings?? they may help,I’ll never know. I’m on my 4th [and last] layout without anything on paper. Built bench work, layed track. I did have an idea,or vison as to what I wanted.

This hobby can be as simple or complex as you want. Same as to cost, it will be a few hundred can be a few thousands.

An example; The spare bedroom,hang a simple 10in shelf along 3 walls, run a track down the center. buy a used engine and a few cars.

You now have a cheap, simple layout. Later you can add a few turnouts,buildings trees ect.

There are so many levels to this hobby I’m sure you can find a enjoyable path

4

Being somewhat anal and research-oriented, I enjoy having a plan before the layout gets drawn. Knowing what I want is critical since I also have limited time with a young family and a full-time job. Having employment provides me a means to enjoy MR but not get out of hand in purchasing stuff. This hobby can get expensive if you have to purchase top-end everything. To compensate for costs, I use a yahoo HO swap site to purchase cars. When buying there, I purchase about 8-10 cars every few months. I further cut costs on the cars by knowing the types of cars to get. This includes having an idea of the market price and the “home” reporting mark(s).

My 1st layout really didn’t account for where to put structures until after I put down track. I sooon had to spend time/money on adjusting things. My current layout is larger. It builds on the “rookie mistakes” made on the 1st layout. One thing I now do is draw out the general location for structures. I also avoid gluing down the cork sub-roadbed.

No two folks view this hobby the same way. That means their expense tolerance is different. I guess that’s one reason everyone has something to contribute.

5

The main group has moved here:

https://groups.io/g/HOswap

Use both if you wish, the i.o group is a little busier with more choices. It just widens the selection.

Mike.

6

If you don’t have John Armstrong’s Track Planning for Realisitic Operation, you should.

You definitely need a conceptual plan and have some idea of what your railroad does and what structures it will need and where you are going to put them.

Don’t overwhelm yourself by buying kits that you might not build because you are overwhelmed because your hobby has become work and you have too many kits to build.

Stick to your time period and region, don’t start buying one of everything that looks neat.

Don’t cram too much in the space you have. Less is more in modeling.

I assume you wouldn’t do shoddy woodwork. Don’t do shoddy track laying. It will come back to haunt you.