Mine's worse...

...it's distributed. All over and under the layout.

Right now I'm about to do some locomotive maintenance and detailing on my family room coffee table (that I'm not sure has ever supported a cup of coffee).

Models: Atlas GP38 x 3, Atlas MP15DC x1

Tasks:

GP38s:

Replace Atlas decoders with TCS A4X/A6X;

Use silver "Rub 'N Buff" to silver trucks;

Replace BPRR graphics with WPRR;

Replace Accumate couplers with Kadees

Install handrails and other details.

Touch up paint as necessary.

MP15DC:

Replace GWRR graphics with WPRR

I'm hoping that by doing this semi-assembly line style, I can get a lot done at one time.

No worries

Marty

      No worries! After all, it has been said that a clean workbench is a sign of a sick mind, so your cluttered work area is a healthy thing. Mine looks simular right now, with 4 locomotives in various stages of disassembly and overhaul all at the same time.   

I have never understood why

I have never understood why so many modelers are so uncomfortable showing their incomplete empires, or admitting to the "current" condition of their railroad.  Humbleness starts by not being embarassed by the truth!

This is the natural state of railroads, and they look like this until the area is near "completion."  If you wait until the layout is done to show it, guess what - you'll be dead first!!

Letting other people see your layout might expose you to their ideas that might actually be good ideas - and solve problems you never knew existed.  I just finished reading an old 1990s MR article about this very subject, and in that case, a modle railroader invited some guys over for some constructive critisim and by the end of the evening, the guy knew he had to tear everything down and start all over.  Over the course of a couple weeks, thoguh, it appeared that he was made better for the experience - his trackplan made better sense, the plan had mroe prototype elements, and in all, it was a better outcome.

Naturally, not all people are good at providing constructive critisim - or are terrible at being unbiased when they look at things. [What?  its NOT ICG???  Then it's not worth looking at!!"] And on the other hand, some people cannot see beyond the clutter that is the construciton debris and imagine the railraod empire stretching out before them.  But don't worry - once you find out who these people are - put them on your "do not invite" list!!

Excellent point, Benny

I'm in the process of doing a small diorama to test some of the scenery techniques that I want to try, mostly from Joe's video series.  I've taken photos along the way and I've already learned some valuable lessons, and I'm only putting down the vermiculite mix right now.  I haven't posted anything, mainly because its obvious this is my first real crack at scenery and I know its far from perfect.  But, really, who cares?  Constructive criticism is what is going to make the real layout better.  I think I may just start a blog about my experiences, struggles and accomplishments and if anyone reads it and has some good comments, fantastic. 

As an aside, my 11 year old daughter has also decided to do a diorama for a school art project.  She's watched Joe's videos, too, and is quite excited about it (as am I).  I may have to post her work as well.

Sharing my efforts, good and bad, has helped..

I have gotten a lot of value from sharing my efforts, good and bad. I have gotten some great feedback, on this board in particular, and it has only improved my work. I also find writing a little piece about what I did helps me to "digest' what i have just accomplished. It all makes for a better end product.

The other thing is once I started a blog I found it motivated me to complete my little projects so I could then create the related Blog post..

Chris

Wow, these videos do get around

Wow, skiloff, my videos sure do get around - it's very encouraging to hear your 11 year old daughter is also finding the videos useful.

Indeed, post some photos! I'd love to see some pictures of your results ...

Sometimes

Sometimes I have to say to me:

Go and tidy your layout.

Wolfgang

Where's the pork...

...sausage that is!

Neatness counts

Over the years I have visited many layouts. Most look like mine, with tools and supplies scattered about. But there were three that stood out because they were incredibly neat and organized in spite of on-going construction. I won't mention them here out of respect for their privacy, but they all have been featured in national magazines many times. I made the mistake of taking my wife to two of them.  Upon seeing the first one her comment was, "Oh, so this is what they are supposed to look like."

Ouch, is all I can say.

Ya mean like this?

"No supper until you pick up your room!"

Charlie

I have great pilot skill

While discussing various unique skills we each had with friends one time, my wife mentioned to everyone that Joe has great "pilot" skill. Puzzled by what she meant (since the closest I've ever gotten to flying is Microsoft flight simulator), she elaborated ...

"Yes, Joe will 'pilot' here and 'pilot' there ..." (read: pilot = 'pile it')

Everyone had a good laugh (they were all close friends and have seen the train room when I'm doing a construction project) ...

But as Bernie says, OUCH!

Wives and layouts

You have obviously not been married to her for a long time, Bernie. I learned long ago not to take my wife to private layouts because of the comments she was likely to utter.

Since I returned to model railroading in May of this year she has been very supportive. She has let me clean out my train room, buy paint for it and paint it. She's even offered constructive criticism on my attempts to paint clouds on the blue wall. I only buy what I need when I need it and not before so I am careful as to how much money I spend on what can easily turn into a financial black hole. And she's even gotten used to me buying my own Father's Day, Birthday and anniversary presents and then telling her what I spent on it. And I don;t have any scars on my person or psyche to prove it.

BTW I've been married to this woman for almost 34 years now. It still seems like only yeaterday. Time does fly when you're having fun.

Irv

Sometimes letting others in

Sometimes letting others in on on your sausage making process will suddenly illustrate that somewhere in the process you have been missing something everyone else kinda knew - or the other cook will show you a new twist that takes your sausage to the next level!

Anyhow...enough of these metaphors for me tonight!!!! 

you're right

Haven't reached 34 years yet, but we did make 11 last week.  My psyche wasn't damaged by her honest comment. There isn't any left after my first wife got through with it.  

Anyway, she was right. That is how layouts should look. I will try to achive his level of fit and finish (as they say in the car business) on my own layout.

Now Available!

The interview with Marty is now available from http://www.modelrailcast.com or through iTunes.

Layout Construction

This past weekend I opened my layout for touring during a local train show.  Although I have completed (or at least zip textured) a lot of the scenery, one peninsula has no scenery.  All you see is benchwork and track.  I have found most people are interested in what is under the rest of the sceniced layout and as long as they aren't tripping over stuff in the aisle, everythings fine.  Construction methods can be as interesting to some model railroaders as a finished scene with a freight running though it.

Layout Construction

Oh man.  I've got to get some benchwork up so I have somewhere to put all my clutter!

It's nice to see the pro's have clutter too!

Using the wrong formula ...

I always thought that you were supposed to start from zero open space and work up to (size of model +1")!  And how to you make space on the workbench?  Stack stuff on the open areas of the layout of course (never on the track - because you might want to run a train).  Then when it's time to do scenery, the stuff all gets transferred back to the workbench...

This past weekend I spent most of it organizing my garage, but I also spent a bit of time in the train room on this bookcase/shelf.  Still a long ways to go, but all the paints, glues, lubricants, and cleaners now have a home away from the layout AND the workbench!

Glad to see that so many

Glad to see that so many modellers have adopted the "FSFS"  (Flat Surface Filing System) that I use