I’m working on improving my skills almost daily. I’m glad you folks are here to answer many of my questions! [8D]
I do handle DC current frequently in my job(automotive) so wiring a layout isn’t too much complicated,but I also love building the benchwork and laying down the trackwork.Being limited in available space,track planning hasn’t been too imaginative yet but I will certainly try to be as creative as possible when space will be less restrictive.Scenery…my lady happens to love doing this…great!!!..isn’t it?
Having done benchwork more than anything else on this list, I’m pretty good at it. Seems like we moved or the family needed the space about the time the bench work was in and some track was laid. It wasn’t on your list, but I think a do a pretty good job laying flex track and have even done some hand laying (not switches yet). Only one layout (my second has reached scenery stage), but I think my current one will. I’ve built some rolling stock kits and structures as well as scratch built a handcar shed and some boxcars, but I know I have room for improvement.
Enjoy
Paul
Hmm I think i have some skills. I think they are wiring trackwork and bencwork.
Good poll, I hope it is well responded to.
Personally I’m best at researching, developing structure designs, and scratchbuilding them. (A catagory not listed in the poll BTW.) A steap learning curve but very satisfying. My eventual goal is to scratchbuild everything excepting basic components. At my current rate of progress I’ll have a layout up and runing in about another century. 
Randy
I’m probably best at research (went to school for it) but didn’t notice it as a category one could choose. My painting/weathering skills are pretty good and I can assemble or scratchbuild structures well–aside from those darn decals. When it comes to benchwork and wiring I’m fond of “simple is better” since I don’t have much skills beyond a good solid simple.
Track plans I’m fond of–I have passed many an hour in boring staff meetings by doodling track plans on my notepad and trying to pretend that I’m taking very graphic notes.
I voted " My skills are limited–but I’m working on improving them day by day," although I’m probably best at benchwork (it helps being the son of a carpenter) and wiring. I’m still a beginner and I’m working on my first layout.
RDA & Jetrock–I goofed. I should have included ‘Other’ in the poll. “Skills? What skills?” came to mind and I went with it instead–I thought it would give some of the readers a good chuckle. [(-D]
I almost went for jack of all trades, but layout design is my favorite thing to do, so I went for that. I’m finally getting going on building my own layout, and I can do all of the things necessary to complete it myself, but some projects have a higher “dread factor” than others. Of course when they’re done, the feeling of accomplishment makes it all worth while.[:D]
i’m learning day by day. i’ve painted one piece of rolling stock, a cheap caboose. so far i have the body painted. i just need to paint the ends and the roof walkway and i’ll be done then add the lettering to the sides.
I’m also learning, but I do design a lot of track plans, so you may want to consider my skill as designing trackplans.
I’m also learning, but I do design a lot of track plans, so you may want to consider my skill as designing trackplans.
P.S. Hawks05, did you join the TAMR yet? My article is going to be in the February issue, which will come in less around a month.
I’m still learning.
I haven’t finished the benchwork yet, I haven’t finished the track work yet, I haven’t started to fini***he electrical yet, I haven’t started any scenery yet.
But all the above is still in planning mode. I hope to have the benchwork, trackwork & most of the wiring done the the end of the year.
Gordon
Assembling structures, which in a way I find the most tedious and boring. I don’t even consider it to be modelling. To me being able to take kit and weathering it, super detailing it and making it come a live that’s where the modelling comes in, something I need improving on.
I am a whiz at maintenance,scenery,advance prototype layout designs,operations,track laying and detailing…My weakest point is wiring.Never could get into it so I used Atlas controllers and selectors before going DCC and I still use selectors in my engine service area.I can get by in other ares but I am not the best at it.
I’m learning as well, but soon I plan to get a few rolling stock kits and try my best. [;)]
Brakie mentions DCC in his reply. It would be good to hear from others who feel confident in this area. I’ve often wondered how comfortable many modelers are with DCC as opposed to non-decoder equipped locomotives or DCC operation in general.
[8D]
I voted for “wiring” – although I hate it [:(], my electrical work has (so far) turned out to be 100%reliable – which has, I guess, to be the measure of your skill.
[:)]
This being my third house move (and therefore my third layout) in the last 20 years – I guess that I’ve also become pretty skilled at benchwork and tracklaying.
[:)]
Perhaps now that I’ve got most of the track and wiring done, I’ll get the chance to hone the other skills.
[:D] – say S.C.F. how come you didn’t list “operating” [?][:D]
Asking lots of questions of my club! I get lots of feedback every session on my ballast-laying skills, but unfortunately, I can’t repeat them in a family-oriented forum. I like laying track, but since most of our layout is already down, I have just tried to do whatever I feel is in my capability.
I’m not gutsy enough (yet) to try hand-laying track, mainly because I’m just not that patient with myself.
I don’t have the necessary tools to do painting, repairs, etc. but once I start getting back on my financial feet, I’ll start buying those tools.
I don’t have the room at my house to build a decent layout, especially since I can’t hang anything on the walls (landlord would go ballistic). So, whenever I find a decent job, buy (or rent) a house with a basement, I’ll start building a much larger HO layout. I have to! My SD80MAC won’t take 22" curves!
Good question! Yet another reason I should have included ‘Other’. Whoops![:o)]