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 Posted - July 10 2013 : 04:30:26 AM
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Gather 'round and you shall hear (or read in this case) of the layout that never was.
It all started several years ago. A very basic 2 level 4 track layout, run 4 trains at once, etc. Nothing but trouble, too many tunnels and trains would inexplicably stop right in those tunnels and no way to get to them. One time we left my Mantua 2-8-2 back there for a year while we debated on what to do with the layout. Only were able to get 2 out of 4 track running, only had 2 power units. Had the track complete but the trains would keep getting stuck in the tunnels. Half of the stupid thing was tunnel. I hated it. I hate tunnels, unless the are very short. Also the bachmann track we had, was junk, I hate it, and I got tons of it. Kept warping, never stayed together, just junk. Ended up tearing up most of the track, track is still in the tunnels, used for storage of rolling stock.
Life started to kick back into the layout after I had a dream. A wonderful 2 track layout, very few tunnels, bridges, fast running, it was perfect in my mind. So I immediately sketched it out.
[URL=http://s1231.photobucket.com/user/gelgoog328/media/72b7d_8d01.png.html] /tyco/forum/uploaded/LGLrr845/72b7d_8d01.png [/URL]
This is what I had gotten. Well... never happened. O scale business takes priority over HO hobby. So, O scale buildings and stuff started to racked and stacked on top of it. Then my brother decides to get into this stop motion animation stuff and he begins to using it. So much for my literal dream layout...
And now, life is starting to peak once more, this time in the form of a 4x8. Or maybe a something in the shape of an L. No ideas yet, but I'm not holding my breath.
There's a bunch of reason why nothing has really happened. I put myself in charge of motive power and rolling stock. My brother is in charge of track and scenery. Dad... money. I have plenty of trains. Brother is doing everything but track and Dad wants control of everything. So, as can be expected, nothing is happening at all. I just want to work on my trains, brother is more lazy than I thought, and Dad just doesn't care. So, the last hope is a 4x8.
Any ideas?
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Posted - July 10 2013 : 9:01:54 PM
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I can relate to your story.
Been daydreaming and sketching a layout for about 4 years now.
I have some advice but, I haven't followed it myself, so it can't be worth much....
start out simple. build what you can afford, even if it's a 4x8 loop with one spur.
There is a young fella on this forum, I forget his screen name but, thats what he started with.
He has added a little at a time.
Maybe Lazy and Laxidasical will get the urge to do something.
Unspoken expectations are premeditated failures.
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Posted - July 10 2013 : 9:34:39 PM
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yeah I been collecting trains for TOO long 
Plus wishing I'd get out of my tiny house isn't helping 
I will take over a whole room in the basement to put in my huge layout 
Edited by - microbusss on July 10 2013 9:37:30 PM
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Posted - July 11 2013 : 01:06:53 AM
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Best thing I can think to tell you is "just do it". Clearly your brother doesn't want to do any of the track. If you want it done and done right, do it yourself. 
I really shouldn't be talking as I'm horrible at completing stuff. I'm sure all of the little layouts I've done could have been finished in a month...I always end up dragging them out for years though  This time around I've made a list of things I need to do. It breaks the whole process down in to smaller, more manageable tasks. Let's hope it helps
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Posted - July 11 2013 : 7:13:35 PM
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You could always take the "modular" approach, and do it in sections, that way Bro can do some trackwork and scenery, then you can just start joining the sections together as you get them done. Rather than have a whole layout benchwork to look at, and get not much done at all.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - October 03 2013 : 11:19:06 AM
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quote:I can relate to your story.
Been daydreaming and sketching a layout for about 4 years now.
I have some advice but, I haven't followed it myself, so it can't be worth much....
start out simple. build what you can afford, even if it's a 4x8 loop with one spur.
There is a young fella on this forum, I forget his screen name but, thats what he started with.
He has added a little at a time.
Maybe Lazy and Laxidasical will get the urge to do something.
Originally posted by NC shortlines - July 10 2013 : 9:01:54 PM
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Is that all? I sketched and dreamed for almost thirty years before driving a spike
RBNicholson
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Posted - October 03 2013 : 4:34:00 PM
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A job worth doing is worth doing wrong!
Sounds funny, doesn't it? But it has a point. I had a cousin who dreamed endlessly of the ultimate layout with hand laid track, scratch built buildings, etc. You name it, it never happened.
Your idea of a 4x8 is good because it's better than nothing. There are some nice 4x8 plans out there, some with double track mains. It may not be as nice as what you drew, but you'll have a train or two running.
Carpe Manana!
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Posted - October 03 2013 : 7:58:59 PM
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quote:A job worth doing is worth doing wrong!... It may not be as nice as what you drew, but you'll have a train or two running.
Originally posted by scsshaggy - October 03 2013 : 4:34:00 PM
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I agree, it's better to get SOMETHING to run on, rather than keep wishing for the perfect layout. Although I junk up my 4 x 4 frequently so I can almost NEVER run anything, I'm planning ( Ha! Ha! ) to remove all the items from the stairwell railway and just leave the track and add some buildings and small scenery to it. Once the basement is ready to reeive all the overflow. <ha ha> That's my current goal, I got something to run on, but it's junked up too much to use, so I need to get serious and find a place for all that's on it and move it to the basement, and KEEP it cleaned off for running only. No storage use anymore.
Jerry
Layout as installed...
Layout in current mess...ugh. Going to try to clean it off before the end of October.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - October 03 2013 : 8:52:45 PM
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Guys, I can relate. My first layout. never got even "ran" it went up in a puff.......of smoke! my home place burned to the ground 2 years ago, before I could get the last of it loaded up on a return trip!
I then when I first moved, had been running trains carpet bound on Power-Loc track for awhile to curve or calm those impulses.....NOW, I run choo choo's at the club till my layout is back up and running again!
Jerry, I can spot a few "items on that last picture" LOL
~John
Many have tried to, and failed, ya just can't repair stupid...
Do NOT try to Idiot-Proof anything!!!! God, will simply create a better......IDIOT!
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Posted - October 04 2013 : 1:09:35 PM
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How much space do you have available? I had many paper railroads I designed for HO scale 2 train operation, but I just didn't have the time to build one. It'll wait a few years now until I get settled into my own house, or better yet the caboose I intend to live in.
Have you considered doing a shelf layout? You could have it run along a wall through book shelves or behind appliances as necessary, and nothing would be out reach. You could do loop to loop, with loops of about 22" radius curves which would be the only part to stick out from the wall.
Latter this week (or the next) I'd like to post a brilliant track plan that was used to make the TT scale "Bedford and Eastport", which has many great design features a smaller layout could incorporate.
Biggest question of all:
What do you intend to do with this railroad?
I take it you want 2 trains to run continuously without having to stop them, maybe a siding or two? I have ideas on how to get you a fail-proof tunnel and a 'brass engine safe' bridge that could look right. Just dont' give up on the idea of a railroad if you still want one
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Posted - October 04 2013 : 5:32:06 PM
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quote: quote:A job worth doing is worth doing wrong!... It may not be as nice as what you drew, but you'll have a train or two running.
Originally posted by scsshaggy - October 03 2013 : 4:34:00 PM
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I agree, it's better to get SOMETHING to run on, rather than keep wishing for the perfect layout. Although I junk up my 4 x 4 frequently so I can almost NEVER run anything, I'm planning ( Ha! Ha! ) to remove all the items from the stairwell railway and just leave the track and add some buildings and small scenery to it. Once the basement is ready to reeive all the overflow. <ha ha> That's my current goal, I got something to run on, but it's junked up too much to use, so I need to get serious and find a place for all that's on it and move it to the basement, and KEEP it cleaned off for running only. No storage use anymore.
Jerry
Layout as installed...
Layout in current mess...ugh. Going to try to clean it off before the end of October.
Jerry
Originally posted by AMC_Gremlin_GTÂ -Â October 03 2013Â :Â 7:58:59 PM
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That's a clever and creative use of space Jerry! What holds it up?
Glenn
I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, "... I drank what?"
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Posted - October 05 2013 : 09:11:36 AM
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quote:
That's a clever and creative use of space Jerry! What holds it up?
Originally posted by gmoney - October 04 2013 : 5:32:06 PM
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On the far wall, I installed a computer rack L-bracket out of a 19" rack, then I just put 3" nails in 3 places on the back edge of the plywood. When I drop the plywood down, the nails will go in the holes where the clips for the screws went, and it won't go anywhere, it'd have to lift up over 2.5 inches to come off. On the front side, I replaced the coffee can "pillars" with 4" square pressed board tubes, I forget where these came from , they're used in construction inside walls, and I got some scraps...anyway, it's not securely screwed down, but I don't think it's going anywhere. I made it to be removable easily. I need to notch the corner near the hallway, as it hits the door frame trim, and the corner nail is not in a hole anywhere. about 1 inch off. Now that I have it cleaned off some, I can clean off the rest, remove it, fix it, and put it back quickly. Here's the pictures of what I did last night, Before and After organization.
 
At least now I can start working again on my home train projects and test run them. I just had too much stuff stored up there for no good reason. Just Pieces in Progress from now on. We'll see how long THIS lasts.
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - January 05 2014 : 03:14:49 AM
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| Got some more drawing idea for the layout. Finally! Some family cooperation. Will post tomorrow, weather pending.
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