This is a preview of the TMTV video ...

Taboo subject?

Not having had ...

None of my previous layouts have been done to anywhere NEAR the level of completion that Lionel achieved with his, and while trains did run on them, most of them had such glaring errors in construction, layout design, or operational elements, that taking them down was not a big deal.

  My current layout will be and "around the walls" modular shelf type affair.  Originally I had intended to run out through the wall, up a helix and around a second level.  When I got the shelves built around two walls and looked at the amount of real estate that would need to be scenicked and maintained, I quickly decided that one level would be sufficient to keep me entertained for lots of years, especially knowing the pace that I work!

Not maintenance as such but!

With my own layout, being fairly small, it's not so much maintenance, as something not working will very soon impinge on operating, such as a defective turnout, or a lack of suitable stock to serve a certain industry, but more where I've damaged or broken something on the scenic side. I have a cross-arm on a telegraph pole that has been broken for over a year, and I've just broken another one now. Though that is not the reason for the current rebuilding of the layout, but it has spurred me on to remove them for repair / replacement, as when they are missing, then it is more noticeable!

However, I can see where Trevor is coming from, especially with a larger layout, in that repairing an item can be a chore, but the "it's only one little thing" syndrome can creep in, as each 'minor' problem arises, until it gets to the stage where it does become a burden to want to run trains.

Brian

Circle of life

I think this video should be required viewing for everyone intending to fill a large space with railroad. There are several things to take away, but to me the most important lesson is that layouts are not immortal. None of the materials and techniques we use are particularly durable, not in the sense of carved marble or machined steel. As soon as anything is complete, it begins to deteriorate-- paint fades, wood warps and splits, brass tarnishes, mechanisms wear. On a new layout, we can spend nearly 100% of our time on construction. Later, we may spend 90% on new construction and 10% on repairs. Soon, it's 50-50, and eventually we are spending all of our time on repairs and not even keeping up with what is necessary.

 We may be complacent about this, as Trevor implies, or we may simply be frustrated with our new role as curator rather than creator. Either way, there will be a moment when it isn't fun any more. Before seeing this, I had thought that if I had the space for a large layout, I would build starting at one end and when I completed the other end I'd go back and redo the first (circular building). But I see now that that is unlikely. Chances are I would never get to the end, as my time would eventually be completely taken up by maintenance. This means I must adjust my dream*, probably reducing the size considerably.

pqe

*I am not currently building my dream, I am building the 7 ft. chainsaw I actually have room for.

Enter, the one module challenge layout

Attatude and Committment...

In my humble opinion one's attitude toward and committment to the railroad has all to do with it. You'll notice I didn't say to the hobby. You can be committed to the hobby, writing articles for the hobby press, involvement in a club or holding office in an NMRA division, which is great for the hobby...but while your time is spent supporting the hobby you're not spending time on your own model railroad. This has been said on here before but if you just spend a little time on you layout each day your small problems will not turn into large ones. I built a small railroad for my second effort, 13' x 14', my first was a 8' X 3' module. The second took 20 years to bring it to a semi-completed level. See MR March 1997, but i became boared with it. The track plan was good but "it didn't go anywhere". I'm now in a new house with more room and I am looking forward to building a a large, linear, narrow shelf layout. I will use the "KISS" principal to try and keep maintenance to a minimum.

I'll let you know how that goes in 10 years or so...                     John

False Start

I had watched this video a couple of weeks after I started building my first layout.  After reflecting on this video for some time I had realized that I was building a layout that I didn't like.  I was letting outside influences and past experiences from my earlier model railroading days dictate my layout design and construction.  I got the benchwork done and all the sub-roadbed done and was about to start putting homasote down when I realized I had to tear the layout down and start over.  I had committed a false start!

The End of the Line and the The Allagash Story - Mike Confalone Interview  were my biggest inspirations and offered me some of my largest lessons in model railroading.  I'm starting with a smaller layout.  I'm sticking to Simple Operations, and my design will be accessible and easy to maintain.  I'd have to say the End of the Line video is one of the best videos in the TMTV collection and should be a mandatory view for anyone who is starting to build a layout!

Andy

Operating Sessions Help

I think if the layout sits idle for a while, maintenance items can crop up (dirty track, oxidized whatever) that will make the trains not run very well.  The layout owner is disappointed with the way the trains run, which leads to the layout sitting idle for longer.  Pretty soon, the maintenance mountain is growing.

I've found that hosting regular and frequent operating sessions helps me keep on top of maintenance items.  The goal is operation that is mechanically and electrically flawless.  After each session, I typically have two to six maintenance items to address.  They range from a car that had difficulty coupling or uncoupling, a locomotive that didn't run as well as the crew thought it should, a balky switch machine, etc.  I take care of all items prior to the next session (in a month or less).  That way, maintenance never gets overwhelming.

Note that when we first started operating over 10 years ago, there were more like 12 to 15 items after each session.  Nothing will find problems with your track, cars and locomotives like having a bunch of different people operate them!

Bob Bartizek

Lebanon, OH

This is where the "one module

That concept sounds interesting, as i kinda  like building,then i want to build something else so i tear the whole layout down and start again, werid I know 

Regards Phil

One-module layout

Dear Joe,

Sounds remarkably similar to Tony Koester's "Wingate" layout story in the inaugural MRP annual magazine.
The recipe was simple:
- take one plywood 4x8
- take two 8x1 slices off the sheet
- place each of the 8x1s at either-end of the leftover 8x2

The 8x1s was the "flat-top staging", the 8x2 formed the "scenic module" in the middle...

...and the resulting layout was demonstratably accurate in it's depiction of the steam/transition era operations of the prototype town.

Squzz down to N, I can see the same technique working with a 4x2 as the starting point,
with two 4' x 6" staging yards and a 4x1 scene being the initial config.

SO, we've done "$500 layout", 
what say ye about a "1 Module Layout" contest/article series?

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

Yep ...

Yep, was just thinking the same thing!

Less is more

My layout started out being much more cumbersome, with a couple scenes that were so deep that I needed a stepstool to reach near the backdrop.  I also planned for it to be a sort of "greatest hits" version of my prototype, with every customer who'd ever received service, even back to RI days on the line, still being active.  Once I started operating and maintaining it, it didn't take long to realize that there was nothing in those deep scenes, or in switching a larger number of customers, that brought more enjoyment to the layout.  On the contrary, the maintenance headaches sucked the fun out of the hobby, and made it burdensome.

Since that realization, I've done away with the deep scenes, and a number of turnouts and tracks have been idled to match the prototype, left in place as they were on the 1:1 IAIS in my era, but with turnout controls removed.  The result for me has been a layout that's much more simple to maintain, with 37 visible turnouts that are regularly used.  All but a handful have been in operation for at least 8 years now, so maintenance needs are virtually nonexistent, as are derailments or other mechanical problems.  So the only thought of tearing the layout up comes when my wife mentions downsizing...hopefully many years in the future.

When that day does come, though, I'll look forward to likely building something smaller and simpler still, as I've seen that it doesn't take a lot of turnouts to bring operational enjoyment.

Broken Dreams

I have been interested in model railroading since I was young. My dream of course was a basement sized layout. We lived in an apartment so we had no space. When my father bought a house we imagined filling the basement with a layout. Money wasn't available and I managed a 4x8 layout. It was pretty much a disaster. But then along came a club that needed a place to store a 6x12 portable layout and that satisfied me. Eventually I ended up with a house and basement that I decided to build a modest layout in. About 12x15 feet, walk in. Even that proved to be too much layout for me. I dismantled that and in my current home I am thinking and planning... I really want continuous running so am considering the 4x8 again. I also keep in mind that residence here would be maximum 6 years, so I'd like to take it with me. Somewhere to show off some modeling skills (skills? what skills? lol) and run some trains. From watching the video, I am pretty much convinced I'll never be the owner of a large layout. I would however, love to friendly up to someone building one that could use a hand building and operating. Model railroaders are few and far between in these parts however...

Interim storage

In the trailer I saw Lionel carefully wrapping up his rolling stock for storage. If you're moving, that's what ya have to do ,but if you're staying home an alternative would be to put your rolling stock into display cases that can hang on the wall and not take up much room. All of our rolling stock and engines are models and I'm surprised more of us don't display them in cases like the static armour and airplane guys do. You could even paint a little back drop or place building flats behind the models and not take up more than four inches of space.  Bill

Short cuts kill layouts. That

Short cuts kill layouts. That is the one thing I have seen that makes them old before their time. It can be short cuts in design, short cuts during construction to name just a couple that are the main cause of problems I see either from what modelers talk about on here or what I have seen on our clubs three operational layouts.

By short cuts in design it can be anything from track planning issues, to bench work, to wiring, to failing to plan for means of maintaining what was built. For any of us that do their own vehicle maintenance we have seen evidence of this in the vehicles we drive and use. Look at all the things that must be done on some vehicles to change spark plugs for example. Or something as simple as an air cleaner.

We have completed the same complex issues in many instances on our railroads putting electro mechanical devices in hard or nearly impossible to reach areas. Think of the wiring that looks like a convention of intoxicated snakes, track that cannot be reached, too tight a radius for reliable operation, kinks in track work, road bed that was not sanded and made smooth where transitions between grades are concerned etc. Prior to putting something together how many folks even give thought to how it will be maintained later.

There are some that do so. In many cases they are working at a slower pace than lots of folks but they have made allowances for work later on. I suspect the layout designed with maintenance in mind will last longer and take longer to grow old than the ones that are not. Same thing with well thought out construction methods as well. We have had posts on here that showed some of these things that employed short cuts and others that took extra time to build but will save lots of time in the future. I'll mention two items we have all read about and many folks thought were unneeded. Brackets assembled with screws that allow supports to be moved should the need arise and also permit layout sections to be repaired on the work bench. Another was steel bench work that was fabricated by one layout builder to provide strong but compact support. There are lots more good ideas on here that can facilitate a big layout and make it easier to take care of and keep in operation. 

If you are building a layout big or small ask yourself, how will I fix it when it fails, and is there a way to make this easier to do later. Another thing to consider when doing something would be is there a better way to accomplish this, or can I make it in a more simple fashion.

We have seen many fine layouts that were quite large and have stood the test of time. Unfortunately we have seen and heard of many more that have not.

One module challenge = great idea

I love this idea!  As someone preparing to build his first layout, this sounds like good advise.  I have a benchwork plan that is pretty firm but instead of building the entire benchwork at one time, perhaps this is the way to go? Ideas change and in the end maybe this is the way to build what you really want?

"One module" challenge

Modular Layout

I have been following the various entries about the module challenge with some interest, as I opted years ago to follow the modular route after building my first layout.  The KLR was started in 2004, after the dismantling of a predecessor 9x12-ft oval layout. The layout was built using a series of modules, which generally follow the Freemo format.  I chose this construction method as I could see that some day in the future I would likely be  moving, and didn’t want to lose the layout.  The other key factor was maybe just maybe I might want to make changes in the layout, therefore building to a set standard would better allow that.  And that is exactly what I found happening as I built additional modules.

After holding an open house for a regional convention as well as some operating sessions, I decided that my plans for a two level layout were too ambitious.  Of course I didn’t realize this until I needed to build a second helix and take over more of the basement.  So stage 2 was to remove the second level, destroy the existing helix and be content with just a single level.  This was fine for several years until I had the opportunity to be part of the LDSIG tour during the 2014 NMRA National Convention held in Cleveland, OH.  As part of the tour, layout owners were asked to report on what they would have done differently during a discussion session after the tour took place.  While I didn't have the opportunity to participate in the discussion, it did get me thinking or maybe it actually solidified some thoughts I had been having while constructing and operating the KLR.  The things that got me thinking included:

Better organized dispatching yard with more storage tracks; More switching possibilities for my paper mill and Expanded sawmill operations

So shortly after the convention ended, I was back to the drawing board so to speak to see how I could move some of the modules and make a better layout.  Yes I did say move the modules, as they were mostly built to the Freemo standard.  I ended up removing my yard, which was the only thing not build to a module, and turning my paper mill module 90 degrees such I ended up with a much better flow to the traffic.  I turned several other modules around or moved them into other spaces that then became available, once again giving me better operating conditions.  And this was done with little loss to track work and only minimal loss of background scenery.  End result is I’m happy with the changes and have renewed interest in finishing more scenery and hopefully have more enjoyable operating sessions.

Joe, What a brilliant way of

Joe,

What a brilliant way of creating a layout! Back as a kid 40 years ago, I had the basement every RR modeller dreams of, 2500 sq/ft, half finished the other half bare concrete walls and floor, (sump pump installed). But alas, I was a kid, I didn't have much money, and could never afford to use it the best advantage. With only 2 locomotives and a dozen or so cars to run, no money for benchwork, beyond the lumber I could scronge for free, at the local building sites, I was both happy and sad.

Now I have little to no space free for building a layout, so module planning has been on my mind lately, this is an excellent idea of making my switching yard first to play with, then add another as time goes on, plus the benefits of having a completed section is nice, to show off to friends, while still having something on the workbench, to continue to create and build.

I agree this could be the way of the future for model railroad building. Also taking a module out to display it at club or regional/national events is an added plus.

Modular layout

I've done a little track planning on this idea.  As an around the wall layout, my room can hold 3 6'x2' modules and the rest would be smaller corner modules, etc.  My original idea for a layout was to have a continuous running "railfan" layout, but with the modular idea I can have point to point or continuous running depending on the modules installed.  I'm no expert at track planning but I've found getting stuff to fit in a 6' length is a challenge.  My plan has four #4 turnouts and two #6 turnouts as well as a 19 degree crossover.  I'm about ready to order the parts.

Display cases

Hi Bill:

Your comment about displaying rolling stock is a great idea. In fact, I do that with models that I built for previous layouts, that no longer fit my current interests. Until recently, I had a display case in my home office that held models in different scales, eras, themes, geographic regions (or even countries) and so on. While I jokingly called it my Cabinet of Broken Dreams, it was always enjoyable to look at the models.

My home office is currently undergoing a renovation but I'll replace that cabinet with a new one as soon as is practical.

Cheers!

- Trevor

Here is one I whipped

Here is one I whipped together for an open house at the club. The idea was to keep hands off of things. One of our club members, Leroy, is always grabbing things to show people. He was unable to access these and the folks at the open house were not able to do so either.

This was put together with mostly scrounged materials except for the purchase of two eight foot 2x2s. It turned out rather well for a slapped together effort.