I laid out my first track plan and started building structures, scenery etc. Had trains running on it. My Dad has redesigned his layout half a dozen times. He has bought engines but hasn’t run anything. I on the other hand, had a vision. Told myself, I was going to go with what I knew and stick with it, No changes. this is my third layout, my Dad’s first. I had chosen industries, timeline, etc. Thought it all out. I want to run trains, not think about running trains, but I was going to have to use the mainline for switching.
Had an epiphany last night. Spent all day redesigning the trackwork and came up with a completely different scenario that will allow me to run up to 3 trains at once, One on a main line and two switching yards and a couple of industries. Small L shaped layout on the walls. Depending on how I throw switches I can basically put one in a loop and move the other two around and not interfere with each other or go on to the mainline to move between yards so they will interfere with each other.
Now the question is, will I change my mind again? Very satisfied with the new result, but I have set a precedent. Also, the time table to purchase that new DCC system has moved up significantly[(-D]
First of all, let me congratulate you on using the word epiphany Tugboat! [:D]
Far as will you change your mind again, only time will tell. My self, main layout is around 5 years old now. I have made small changes, mainly getting rid of the tight turns and adding longer passing spurs.I run 2 mains (to me this is a biggie to keep from getting bored ) and a small Branch line that is all so a loop in it self.
I have just finally got into switching. I have an mine and grain elevator on the Branch line. The Branch line has the A line running through the Branch line loop in two spots. To keep things interesting I run a 8 car train to the elevator, run around will only hold 4 cars. Have a engine running on the A line while I pick up drop off cars. I have to break up the grain train, but not foul the turnout and cross over of the A line. You have to stay on your toes so there is no collusion’s.
Main thing is you are up and running, and as you do you may have a few more epiphany’s!
I have yet to see the layout which gets build the way it was planned. [:)]
Don´t worry, changing plans and directions is a normal process - even if you have carefully prepared your plan. It is, however, much better to get started and maybe introduce changes later, than to be stuck in analysis paralysis and remain an armchairer the rest of your life.
2 things to remember,this hobby is suposed to be fun ,not an exersize in self-discipline,and the expectations set by people like Tony K and the other “experts” are not only unrealistic for most people but to me seem boring beyond description.Have fun and roll with the changes!!
True.While I certainly admire the work of Tony Koester;David Barrow;Allen McClellan and of course"Saint"John Allen and the Blessed Gorre&Daphetid,still the main purpose of any hobby is to have fun!!
While certainly there’s some fun things that would be rather incongrious like Thomas the Tank Engine pulling a Double Stack Container Train or Unit Coal Train,there’s nothing wrong with putting a little touch of character in your layout!!!
Besides the usual Passengers On The Platform,have scenes of a wedding or funeral at your church or hobos riding in a box car.
Have a Military Train.For the Civil War-Spanish American War Era,have some wooden coaches and flat cars with cannons and cattle cars for the horses.
WWI&II and Korea:Steel coaches(And some wooden ones)to haul the Doughboys to their port of embarcation
and some MDC 30’Flat Cars with Model T’s for the staff.WWII:Troop Sleepers and Kitchen Cars to carry our GI’s;Leathernecks;Bluejackets and Flyboys to embarcation ports to fight Hitler;Hirohito and Mussolini;Flat Cars for carrying Sherman and Stewart Tanks;Jeeps;Duece and a Half Trucks;Ambulances and Amphibious DUKW’s*(*Pronounced Ducks)to New York;Norfolk;Galveston;San Francisco or San Diego to be loaded on Liberty Ships.
Also Ambulance Cars to bring the wounded back to Stateside VA Hospitals.Have a captured Tiger Tank;ME109 or Mitsubishi Zero on a flat car parked near the Depot for a War Bond Fund Raiser.
Korea:There’d still be Sherman;Pershing or Chaffee Tanks as well as Jeeps;Ambulances and Trucks going to San Francisco or Seattle to be loaded on Merchant Freighters to go fight the"Yellow Peril"or the"Red Menace",not to mention heavyweight coaches and sleepers hauling the troops.
The Cold War,roughly the same.
Vietnam.Although the Troop Train was about to be done in by c
That mind change is nothing compared to mine last summer. I didn’t have a layout as I was waiting to move into a new bedroom and didn’t want to start building something I was going to tear down, so I continually changed location and trackplans. Took me forever to finally settle on a theme and plan but I’ve been working on my current layout since August. And I’m still changing my mind on where to put what on the side of my layout which is just track right now.