I know that in some form this topic has come up before but I thought if we can share our lessons learned, we can avoid mistakes that others have made.
Most of you perhaps have built more than one layout. Even someone with only one has lessons learned. Here are some of my thoughts.
Don’t skimp on planning
Decide what your focus is. Do you have the money to buy anything you see or would you like to focus in on only PRR and only Lionel, like my buddy here in the Pentagon? Focus will actually increase your interest in collecting and operations and you can study the topic more in depth.
Keep everything on the layout within easy reach. Couplers are unreliable, backdrops need repainting, trees need replanting, trains tend to wander off the tracks etc etc
Keep future layout expansions and possibilities in mind. You may outgrow your current design.
Give plenty of access to the layout and make access easy
keep track of wiring
Don’t just buy new stuff unless there is a need for it on the layout and it will enhance operations and your own enjoyment
Never sell off all your conventional stuff. I did when I went on to TMCC and DCS. Now I regret that as I still like to run a small separate conventional layout.
Never sell off all your 027 track. You might want it in the future for a portable layout.
I agree w/your (and Dr. John’s) lessons learned. But I run my Williams diesels with my variable controls on DCS, so I don’t think a separate layout is needed. You can isolate the command control trains by shutting off power to a siding or spur containing those locomotives while running conventional and visa versa
Echo thoughts above about having fun. If it stops being fun, if you’re tired - take a break: 10 minutes, 10 days or 10 weeks…
Seek and respect advice from others - but remember its your choice and you can do whatever makes you happy. (Example: “A bridge there wouldn’t look realistic.” Exception: “That gauge wire is a fire hazard.”)
If there is anything I have learned over the years it would be never to trust track pins or other connectors for any long term installation. I always solder a wire to EACH PIECE of track. It has been my experience that pins either corrode or gunk collects in the joint between rails which really interferes with conductivity. Track that has operated perfectly can little by little grow unreliable as the pins corrode while the track looks just as good asit always did. So MAKE GOOD ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS and you will be very happy. Odd-d
This may not be a concern for many of you, but when repainting large quantities of Lionel/K-Line trains at one time, ALWAYS take the extra minute to look at the paint color before you eagerly start spraying.
The Lehigh Valley was noted for it’s many color schemes, but bright green was not one of them.
And when applying decals to more than one car at the same time - especially cars of the same color - it’s a good idea to look at the side that’s completed first.
Of course it could be possible that somewhere rolling on the real rails right now there’s a CSX gondola with Norfolk Southern markings on the other side. Hmmm, me no think so.
I think that our layout capture our life style mean, our internal world.
Sample I will never put canon or missil on my layout or like a Bin laden car with Bush
for me is sad. so if you are complicate guy you layout could capture your style.
Andre.
The odds that the toast will land buttered side down is directly proportional to the cost of the carpet.
Always wear eye protection & a dust mask before turning on the table saw or doing any wire pulling in your home.
Never put your fingers within 6 inches of the table saw blade while it’s running (I have the scar on my thumb to underscore this one. Thank God I stil have the whole thumb).
If you have to glue an MTH saw buck crossing signal back together, make sure you brace it so that the signal stays straight before you go to bed.
Never solder under the layout wearing shorts - this from my n scale days.
Always negotiate the most household space possible for the layout - you’ll fill it up eventually - if you start small, you’ll find your potential expansion space mysteriously filled up with other things.
Always differentiate between wants and needs when looking to fill a hole in your collection or add something to a layout. Related: Always determine your needs first.
Have a dehumidifier on over the summer. And have your layout elivated off the cellar floor. Did this the first summer I had layout and came back to running in September and found 50% of track was rusted that is when I took action and started building bench work. Ask advice from all these GREAT GIZ on this here forum. laz57