Tools

Tools are not to be included in the $500 - you are to assume common tools most modelers will have.

What would be on that list of tools? What would NOT be expected as a common tool the beginning modeler would have?

You can't use tools from the not-expected list, and there's no need to include common tools in the $500 spend.

My starter list of common tools would be:

- Scissors, screw drivers, drill, circular saw
- Jig saw
- Dremel motor tool
- Soldering iron
- Wire cutters, wire stripper
- Razor blades, hobby knife
- Paint brushes

NOT expected list

- Airbrush
- Chopper
- Router
- Lathe

What else for either list?

I assume the details will come

but when does the contest end?  I'd like to actually DO it, but I don't think I will have the time to do so before October.

Common Tools

Common Tools:

-Pliers, "regular"

-Clamps

-Tape Measure

-Yardstick or straightedge

-Levels

-Square

Unexpected Tools:

-Pliers, needle nose

-Shop Vac

-Jack

End of contest

Shall we say Oct 31st?

This means we could announce the winner(s) in the December issue, and maybe present a winning entry in January, right when people are typically getting started in the hobby.

What constraints?

The first question that comes to my mind is, what physical and operational constraints are there?  Does a piece of track sitting on the floor with no scenery count?  Does the structure have to be self-supporting, or can it be designed to sit on a shelf.  Does it need an operating plan of some sort, or just a track plan and parts list?

Recyclables?

Constraints

Ken, I think it comes down to the Value of your Package and how your Package measures up next to the next Package.  Sure, you could submit such an entry with a straight section of track, but it's not going to be too fancy next to the next guy who somehow figured out how to put together a San Juan masterpiece on only the same $500!

Joe, I think it's fair to count the basic tools - hammers, hand saw, etc, but I did not start owning powertools [drill, dremel, etc] until after I started construction of the first layout.  I dare say such tools aren;t even necessary, but that's another story for another time!

I think we can agree to disagree here by saying that it's not absolutely vital to keep tools within the $500 budget, but it would be something to take into consideration for the "Total Railroad" package. If a plan DOES include the cost of tools within this $500 budget, I dare say that would be more appealing than one that does not include "everything."

Dear Az, Respectfully, why

Dear Az,

Respectfully, why (only HO)?

The B'mann On30 trainsets are a common Christmas item, and could very well be a launchpad into the kind of layout this contest is seeking to describe.

O 2-R SG can be surprisingly cheap to "dip one's toe in the water", or at least it was when I built "Chicago Fork" only a few years ago.
(Admitedly, the "CF" build was really kickstarted by a brass CLW GP35 at a low-hundreds price I couldn't believe. However, Atlas do sweet-running and looking SW9s for less than the cost of some DCC+sound equipped HO locos, and "1st step" car kits from Weaver and Red Caboose can be had for as low as US$10...
handlaid 2R SG track can cost as little in materials as AUD$7/3' length,
and the warehouse industry on "Chicago Fork" was recycled cardboard and foamcore offcuts...).

And besides which, the "heft" of the larger scales is a strangely-powerful attraction for both younger and older "kids" looking to get into Model RRing...
(as a 7mm SG Modeller from down this way is fond of saying,
"...why settle for Half when you can have the Full O?...")

There's also some cheap-and-cheerful fun to be had in Gn15, and N too.

http://forum.gn15.info/

If the "sub $500" contest is hoping to generate a range of entries/options,
such that most any budget-limited modeller will find at least _one_ scale/gauge/theme entry/example that "speaks to them",
saying "Yes, YOU can do this, Have A Go!",

then surely allowing any scale/gauge combination that any given modeller will willing to enter with,
is a good idea? (Not everybody "thinks in HO SG"... ).

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

Scale

From what I see, the scales are all roughly the "same expense."  I think it would be refreshing if we did not constrain it to any scale.  Some scales may have an advantage, but then each scale also has it's inehrent disadvantages as well.

Recycleables

I think it'd be fair to allow them...within reason...

GOOD GRIEF!. So MANY rules!.....

...... Where is the fun?. I'm out, before even starting. Good luck to the happy winner!.

I agree

I agree. Too many rules. $500 bucks, anything goes. Just have evidence you can actually get what you would need for the price you list (ie screen shot or print that sale price off the web).

Minimal constraints! Those

But what's the winning criteria going to be?

Most (or best?) layout managing to keep just under $500.

OR

The (best?) layout for the least money?

If the former, then it's going to mean adding as much as possible, (up to $500) regardless of the basic idea which may be far less expensive. And I don't think every mid-teen that we want to encourage into the hobby, would have an extra $500 lying around to jump into an untried hobby.

Maybe two prize categories????

Andy and other detailed rule makers ....

 The core purpose of the exercise is to demonstrate to beginners that it doesn't have to be all that expensive to get started in the hobby. 

 If you feel you can plan or build a layout that looks good enough to others for $200, then go for it. If you feel it needs more and instead thinks you have to spend $499,99, that's fine too. Either way it is a relatively inexpensive layout.

 Who cares whether your idea gets first price, second price or just a honorable mention? If it inspires a newbie to build a layout, then it will have served it's main purpose.

 Smile,
 Stein

Ahh, Simplicity

Design and/or build an inspirational layout for a beginner or someone who has limited space or is in "design limbo" (a dreadful place...) and keep it AT or UNDER $500.  Very, very simple.

Any scale. Any scenery. Any size. Most any means.

Be thrifty within reason: don't include that old Athearn Blue Box that your dear Aunt Sally gave you for your birthday because the rest of us have Uncle Franks who like to drink and curse at the dinner table and not support our hobby.

I'm not making rules, just

I'm not making rules, just asking what anyone entering is supposed be trying to do. Spend the most or save the most?

Having to spend almost $500 just to try and get started in model railroading would put me off as a teen (or teen parent) - period. And I'd almost certainly go much more step by step as an adult too. (I did)

BTW, Almost all the folk I've known who considered themselves as model makers, usually expect to spend no more than the cost of just the raw materials on any project, and just enjoy the challenge and the work to come up with a finished product. So cost is almost irrelevant.

Speaking as someone with a teenager

I just got my son into electric R/C off-road racing and the bill was right around that $500 mark.  The kit, charger, batteries, tools, etc., ran about $460.  While that may sound expensive to some, its his main summer activity/hobby now and he'll spend very little on it for the foreseeable future.  If he wants to upgrade to a better kit or go nitro, that will be up to him and his means.  Having put him in a couple different sports, $500 for a hobby that you don't have to spend much more on for years is a pretty good investment overall by comparison.  Its not much for exercise, but learning how things work, how to fix things, socializing with adults and gaining self-confidence is pretty good life education.

Winning criteria...

It's simple: you let "the judges" look through the entries and pick out the best, well thought out examples and let the judges rank them in order.  As simple as a dog show.  Yes, I would say the plan that gives one the biggest bang for the buck would be more impressive.

I agree with Benny. Just

I agree with Benny. Just enter how you would get started building a layout back when you first got in the hobby. Submit it and let the judges work it out.

I got started on something like this last year, so now all I have to do is put together the info and turn it in. Can wait until August now!!!

Steven

Tools/Power Tools...

Joe, would a Table Saw be acceptable as a "Common Tool"?

Though not everyone has one in their house, it can be found in many households. 

Ken L.

 

Though many people do not

Though many people do not have these power tools, often they know someone who does.

When I was a young teenager, I wanted to build a module to use with the local train club's layout. I didnt have any tools, but a member of the club was a cabinet maker and offered to help me build the benchwork. With that in mind, something like that in an article may encourage newcomers to seek out a local train club, and make use of some of the resources its members can supply.

Though a person is not required to be involved in a train club to fully enjoy model railroading, having someone with similar interests to share ideas with can go a long way towards a more full and rewarding experience.

Just some thoughts.

Steven

Power tools

On the subject of "power tools". I wouldnt include any power tools in the build price. Most anyone can get ahold of a jig saw or circular saw. Even an old hand saw can work in a pinch. I built a copy of the "San Juan Central" back in the 1980s and I dont think I owned anything more then screwdriver. I probably borrowed a saw and drill from someone at work.I think the object of the contest is to help a newbe get motivated and let them see that model railroading doesnt have to cost an arm and a leg to enjoy the hobby. Here is a video of my San Juan Central. Its as far as I got on it but it was fun and also cheap. As tight as money was back then I bet I had less then $500.00 into it.

Table saw

Hi Ken,

Keep in mind that a circular saw with a "Rip Fence" can be used for basic cuts.

Rob