Large Scale Central

The ponderings of newbie (still)

General Discussion
#1

So as I am digging in (literally) and starting my layout I have been thinking. Yes I know many of you believe, maybe rightly so, that I think to much and have not enough action. Maybe so. But a few things have come to light that have made me realize that my thinking and planning maybe well worth it. So I offer this as advice from one newbie to another as much as just a way to share what I am thinking.

The single largest reason I have planned and thought and revised is that I have not much money to throw at this. This is an expensive hobby and to get it done takes a serious commitment of cash. So sometimes all we can do is dream. Another reason to wait and ponder is to gain experience. I am very thankful I didn’t just throw down some track and start building a railroad. After spending some time playing on other’s layouts I learned much more about what I want in a railroad. My plan now is much different than what it began as. I would be redoing my entire layout or would be unsatisfied with what I had, if I went with the original plan.

I also have learned more about what trains can and can not do which will shape my railroad. While I have been given tons of great advice on here, I can see for myself what reality is for me, key word being me. I have seen what 8’ diameter curves look like and they will work fine for me. I have seen how 3-4% grades effect running and have realized that 2.5% is not a problem, again for me. I have seen that I will only need to run 4-5 cars at a time in order to have fun in operations. I have seen that sidings only need to be a couple cars long to make for fun operations. Experience has shaped what I want to do. Again it is much different than my original plan.

I have seen how the ergonomics of a layout is important to get right. This is an old man’s hobby and I ain’t getting younger. I also realize this is a hobby best shared by friends. So getting people in and around the layout and keeping everything in reach is important. I have spent a great deal of time thinking about how to cross track and trying to reduce that, where switches will be located and how to deal with the ones that can’t be reached easy. I also realized doing as much as I can to prevent people from climbing onto the layout is a good thing.

So while I have had to wait to build my empire, it has given me time to think. I am glad it has. I have been given tons of advice and listen to others experiences and their complaints and have learned from it. Bob Hyman has such attention to detail and has a well thought out layout and he has highlighted for us that he spends a great deal of time planning and thinking about infrastructure. I am using that. Chuck Inlow has shared with me the things he wishes were different with his layout, especially now that he has gotten older. Ken’s layout uses some materials that are a great way to add longevity. Greg’s use of air switches for hard to reach areas is a great idea I will be using. Point is had I hurried up and thrown track down I would be back later redoing it to incorporate these ideas.

So I am glad I had time to think and plan. I want to do this once and then spend time playing. Yeah, I know I will change it over time, but at least the back bone will be there and I will have to to think out those changes.

But with all that said, at the end of the day, now that its time to dig in, I am glad I have a community of people who care about the outcome. Every single one of the people who have encouraged, criticized (in a positive way), pushed, prodded, and teased have shown that you care about me getting a railroad in so I can have fun too. Truth be told it is likely that very few people on the forum will every see my layout in person. But each are participating in its construction and will eventually run on it vicariously through my posts, pictures, and videos. Thanks for pushing and encouraging. No one around me cares one hoot if this gets done. So having and extended train family, both local and on the net, gives me the push needed to get it done.

Thank you LSC community for helping me begin to realize my dreams. Keep pushing. July 2017 is approaching fast. And to other newbies, my advice, spend sometime listening, planning, and experiencing others layouts before jumping in. I am all for getting something running but learn what you want and need first.

#2

Devon , Buddy Old Pal

Very nice …

It has been fun and entertaining seeing you cope with our answers to your questions and rib poking!

I do hope you are having fun slinging/ smelling the dirt , along with the good night sleep this latest phase has brought you!

Keep up the good work and keep those pics coming!

#3

Devon

I have learned from upgrading!

This what I had!

The wife said we need a patio! Crap… Hmmmm This means I could go bigger.

So I installed a loop ( one case of 20’ diam split in half with one case of 5’ straights between)

The old layout was taken down and set aside.

I had to remove soil(a lot) by hand /wheelbarrow. I also had to visualize what I had for curves/circles .

I placed my new track Idea down. Ok . I just put dirt under the track with the dirt I was removing from the old.

I know how you feel now! Now we have this

Aspirin and Beer can be your friend! Have fun!

#4

I am lucky. I was talking to Chuck yesterday about this. I won’t be able to expand. It is in a well defined space so likely no major revisions will be made. I say lucky because it precludes me “going bigger” and that means I will play instead of rebuild. . . unless the wife falls in love with it and I move out into the main yard.

I have avoided the beer and Aspirin for now. But tons of iced tea and good nights sleep.

#5

Devon,

Very well said. If you build as well as you write, you’ll end up with a fantastic layout. Just remember, you don’t have to impress anyone but yourself. But even after you get it built, never give up the dreaming and planning for the future. In the words of Robert Browning, “Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for?”

I look forward to watching your progress.

Bob

#6

What Bob said…(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

#7

Bob Hyman said: Just remember, you don’t have to impress anyone but yourself.

What??? I’ve always been told the John Allen Model Railroad Police would show up at my house if I screw up.

#8

Sean McGillicuddy said:

Devon

I have learned from upgrading!

This what I had!

The wife said we need a patio! Crap… Hmmmm This means I could go bigger.

So I installed a loop ( one case of 20’ diam split in half with one case of 5’ straights between)

The old layout was taken down and set aside.

I had to remove soil(a lot) by hand /wheelbarrow. I also had to visualize what I had for curves/circles .

I placed my new track Idea down. Ok . I just put dirt under the track with the dirt I was removing from the old.

I know how you feel now! Now we have this

Aspirin and Beer can be your friend! Have fun!

Here in UK your layout would be classed a National Conservation Area… You have NO IDEA how much those of us who live here envy your wide open spaces…

tac

#9

Very eloquently said Devon.

#10

Back in 2004 when I first broke ground on the railroad I was planning just a simple circle around the yard . I was going to have it go through just a couple of flower beds , nothing fancy. Next thing I know there’s landscape bricks and a pond with a waterfall and on and on.

#11

great advice, but I am willing to try something , just to have a train to play with operate, and see what will work in my yard. Kind of working on the government way of doing things, its not to good to tear it all out and do 2 more times, at 3 times the expense. I have read pros and cons of either way of doing things, but by changing my grand plans slightly, I can get something on the ground and watch some trains run while honing my skills and getting everything done on a budget so that in theory by the time I am ready to retire I should have what I envisioned just about all laid out. The one big sticky point with me is IF i could raise the trackwork off ground level, and satisfy my wants and needs.At 6’4’ bendingway over and kneeling and getting back up are the problems I need to think through, and by doing a small loop to start I think that will help with that decision.

All that said I cant wait to watch you go to it and inspire me to get mine going with you showing the way. Lead on Brother!

#12

@ 6’4" you might consider suspending it from the roof eve.

#13

yeah that has crossed my mind, but I also am working on an idea for a tool to uncouple cars without bending over, so far I have: can you make a tool to uncouple cars without bending over?, which could lead into a switch that can be operated without bending over tool too. Maybe an attachment to our canes we all need. I keep telling the BOSS that it will get me more execise, until I make my fortune in the no bending tool line. get started on yours and I will begin mine, we will see where it goes from there.

Does this break the thread drift rule? I hope not.

#14

Actually when I was at Dave Goodson’s guys did have N uncoupling tool. But it was for Bachmann couplers. They have that button on the bottom and they used an L shaped stick just slip it under and pop the bottom. As for rhw switches use air with the toggles mounted up high…am I helping

#15

Kadees can be uncoupled easily with something like a large flat blade screwdriver, easy.

Greg

#16

Yeah when I operated at Steve’s he suggested bringing a screwdriver

#17

Silly Devon, he meant vodka and orange juice.

#18

Greg Elmassian said:

Kadees can be uncoupled easily with something like a large flat blade screwdriver, easy.

Greg

I’ve found that a #2 Phillips head with a 6 inch blade works better for Kadees. I think I stole that idea from Fr. Fred. Your mileage might vary.

It also helps to to have a half inch or so paint brush in your back pocket to clean the dirt and rocks that sometimes infest your points. That idea I stole fair and square from Dave Goodson. I didn’t even bother to file off the serial number.

#19

Fr. Fred has solved the problem of creaky knees and sore backs using automobile choke cables. Scroll about halfway down the page. The use of the bell crank for a switch throw is rather elegant, too. I’ve adopted it, myself.

#20

One, Ok two things to consider at the start. Both you way not think you need now, but time will prove the need later.

One: You need to place direct burial 110 V AC wire from the house/garage to a convenient spot within the pike. This precludes the need for extension cords for what ever you need AC for.

Two: Bury a 1 1/2" PVC pipe with long sweep elbows, and stub out the ends, from House/Garage to a convent location inside the pike. Future use is for, but not limited to, Air lines, Low Voltage lighting wire, special power wiring and etc. and any other thing that you want to pull thru. Bury once, use often.